Community
members rally around MCS Blue Ribbon Plan
through conversations about student behavior,
expectations and discipline
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. - Hundreds of community
members and Memphis City Schools employees
put their heads together Thursday morning to
discuss solutions for student behavior problems.
Through
the Blue Ribbon Plan, Superintendent Dr. Carol
R. Johnson is involving community
leaders, families, students and educators in
the discussion of adopting alternative behavior
strategies to replace corporal punishment.
The school district held a community rally
Thursday, Feb. 3, to discuss and develop new
discipline strategies at the World Overcomers
Outreach Ministries Church on Winchester.
About
700 people, including Board of Education Commissioners
and representatives from organizations
such as FedEx and the Rotary Club, joined in
theCommunity Conversation about Behavior and
Expectations to discuss alternatives to corporal
punishment. In November, the Board of Education
abolished the use of corporal punishment, which
will be phased out at the end of this school
year.
“It is very encouraging
to see so many Memphis community members taking
the time to work together
for the benefit of the students,” Dr.
Johnson said. “By working together, we
can solve any problem. Better schools mean
a better Memphis
Dr. Johnson spoke to participants
about how important community involvement is
in improving
behavior and academic achievement. The guest
speaker for the event was Dr. David Walsh,
president and founder of the National Institute
on Media and the Family and author of the book, “Why
Do They Act That Way?” Following Walsh’s
remarks, facilitators conducted small group
conversations about what they can do to help
the schools.
“Our vision is that all
Memphis City Schools will be safe, orderly
environments where students,
staff members and families share high expectations
for academic achievement and personal behavior,” Dr.
Johnson said. “We envision a community
in which everyone helps create a mutually respectful,
fair and caring environment where diversity
is valued.”
