Re: Bradfield Yearbook

I’ve been working on this bit of what is sure to go down in history as one of the top ten most ridiculous Parkie moments. Ever.  I have spoken with The Volunteer and Dr. Gloria McNutt.

History, people. That’s what we’re watching unfold here.

Next week’s column.

By Merritt Patterson May. 7, 2010 | 11:14 am | 8 Comments | Comments RSS
8 comments to "Re: Bradfield Yearbook"
  1. Dorothy @ May 7, 2010 at 11:42 am
    http://www.dramabutton.com/

  2. James Tucker @ May 7, 2010 at 12:51 pm
    Great Park Cities People this week!

  3. Joanna England @ May 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm
    Thanks, James!

  4. bobsmom @ May 8, 2010 at 9:13 am
    I LOVE this mom because she makes me look sane!

  5. DemBones @ May 9, 2010 at 9:41 am
    I look forward to reading your article, Merritt. I don’t find this story ridiculous, however. Big blow-ups happen when small ones aren’t allowed to happen along the way. Lots of air being cleared here.

    Having to have every student shown in a candid shot is not an obvious or widespread yearbook requirement, just a worthy goal. That it was required should have been disclosed before the work was started, rather than essentially finished.

    I recall about a decade ago when the scuttlebutt was that another elementary’s principal told her teachers not to write the letters parents needed to include with applications to private schools like St. Marks. There was much grumbling, but when a mom spoke out in public she became an instant pariah. However, I believe that unofficial policy changed once light shone on it.

  6. DW @ May 9, 2010 at 11:39 am
    I see two distinctly separate events in this fiasco. First, the lack of clear communication of expectations from both the school and the “volunteer”. Assuming upfront expectations were not shared, seems as though periodic check-ins should have been in place to ensure better alignment. Both parties share fault for that one. I personally don’t agree with the concept that every kid has to be in the candid photos or it will hurt someone’s feelings – but, if that was the expectations of the administration, it should have been addressed.

    But the resulting reaction from the “volunteer” is rather inexcusable IMHO. Taking your “ball” and going home (not to mention posting it irresponsibly on the internet) is a hugely selfish act and one that is not in the spirit of volunteerism. It seems clear that the “volunteer”, through her martyrdom here, was looking for public recognition to stroke her ego more so than ensuring that the kids had memories of their school year – which is what she volunteered for. I’m sure she’s a nice lady, but it was an unfortunate and selfish decision.

    Good lesson here for all of us to keep our egos in check if we are honest with ourselves.

  7. LM @ May 9, 2010 at 9:12 pm
    @DemBones, it was the SAME principal at this SAME school who instructed teachers not to help parents with recommendations. A friend asked the PTA President for help with an application to get her daughter into Greenhill because none of the teachers would do it, as instructed by this principal. Her daughter still got in. I hope she changed that policy.

  8. bobsmom @ May 11, 2010 at 8:29 am
    DW: Clearly there was a lack of communication. But this same yearbook is issued every year and every year the volunteer in charge has managed to get at least one candid shot of every kid in every class. I know this because my kids are NOT the popular ones, who get their photos shot at every school event, so I am GRATEFUL every year to find their candid shot in there. The kids get the books and they DO notice and count their appearances in the book. They notice that they have one candid and Susie Popular has 7. My point is that the mom in charge has always managed to included everyone before. This woman was insensitive and selfish. One last thing, my class was never asked for candid shots provided from the moms, something that has happened every other year. She clearly wasn’t trying to included everyone.

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