Georgia Job/Family Collaborative

Students Speak Out on Parent Protection  Act

Quasim Ghulam-Ali                            14 Years Old, 8th Grade                    PATH Academy

Hi, my name is Quasim Ghulam-Ali and I am from Afghanistan.  I have been in the United States about three years and I started school at age eleven in sixth grade.  I live here with my mom, three sisters and small brother.  For the past two years I was in Freedom Middle School and now I am in DeKalb PATH Academy because I heard lots of good things about the school.

 

My parent didn’t come to my sixth, seventh, or eighth grade award night.  The only day my parent came to my school was when my mother first registered me.  That’s the first and last time my parent came to school.  I never saw my parent come to school and talk to my teachers about my grades or behavior.  I feel lonely and I feel like I don’t belong.  It’s very important for my parent to know what I am doing in school.  My parent needs to know if I have difficulties learning a lesson or I have problem with other students so she can help me or ask someone else to help me.  My parent needs to set a conference meeting with my teachers or principal so they can talk and ask each other questions.

 

My mom couldn’t come to my award night because of her job.  If they find out that she is not there she would be fired from her work.  It’s very hard for my mom to find a job because she doesn’t speak English.  My mom is the only one who works in my family.  I can’t remember the last time my mom came to my school for something, good or bad.

 

I am asking you to please vote Yes for the Parent Protection Act because it is very important and it’s not only me that has this problem.

 

Guadalupe Nandi                                 11 years old, 5th Grade                      PATH Academy

Hi, everybody.  Good afternoon.  My name is Guadalupe Nandi.  I am a student from PATH Academy.  I am 11 years old.  I have lived in Georgia and in Mexico.  I am in the fifth grade.  I am going to tell you my story. 

 

When I was in the 4th grade there was a spelling bee.  And I was in it.  I felt really proud of myself.  I came home and asked my mom if she could come.  She said that she had to work and she couldn’t come.  My smile turned into a frown.  We were both very sad.

 

My mom moved to the United States so I could have a better life.  I feel sad that she cannot come to the school to see how good things are for me. 

 

In three weeks PATH Academy is having a Black History Month Celebration.  We will be singing and having so much fun.  But, my dad cannot come because his boss will not let him leave work.  If this new law passes I will feel very happy because he will be able to come to things at school.  Please let my parents see how hard I work by passing this law.  Thank you for listening.

 

Jennetta Allen                                        11th Grade                                              Douglasville

My name is Jennetta Allen and I am a Junior in high school.  I am speaking in support of the Parental Protection Act.  Over the past years I experienced many situations where I needed my Mom at school and she was always there for me. 

 

Last year I was in a class of all boys and the boys were sexually harassing me.  I was embarrassed.  I told my teacher but no one took me seriously and I was miserable.  My Mom took off work and met with my teachers and vice principal.  Once the teachers realized how serious the situation was they changed my schedule and removed me from the class.  I don’t think that would have happened if my Mom wasn’t there to support me.

 

A couple of years ago one of my classes was going on a field trip to Sweetwater Park.  Because I have a disability that makes it hard for me to walk on uneven ground my teacher was not going to let me go.  I really wanted to go on the field trip!  My Mom was able to get off work and go with me.  I really learned a lot on that field trip and I wouldn’t have been able to go if my Mom wasn’t able to get off work. 

 

I don’t really like Special Education classes.  A lot of times my schedule includes resource classes that I don’t like.  I want to be in class with all of my friends and to be like everyone else.  My Mom is able to take off work for my Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings and we have been able to work out schedules that let me to be in regular classes whenever possible.  With her help I was able to lead one of the meetings as a student led IEP meeting.  This is very important making me feel like I am important and have a say in my education.

 

I am lucky, but a lot of kids aren’t.  Even though my Mom works she is always there for me.  Her boss understands how important my education is and that my Mom will work harder if she is not worrying about me all the time.  Shouldn’t every student be able to have the support of their parents in school?  I don’t know what I would do if Mom wasn’t able to support me.