Our Schools

I’m Robert Barr and I’m running as your At-Large candidate for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board.  I’m asking for your vote this Election Day, November 2, 2010.

I believe that achieving successThe Winston-Salem Journal Endorses Robert Barr in education requires collaborative partnerships involving parents, students, teachers, school administration,  supportive classified personnel, and community leaders working together for the betterment of our education system.

Here are some of my thoughts about our schools:

Strengthen Our Neighborhood Schools

  • Allow students to attend schools that are closest to their homes, so parents can become more easily involved and engaged in their child’s education.
  • Ensure that every school has the resources needed for students to excel; competent, qualified teachers, support personnel and teaching resources.

Parental Engagement and Involvement

  • Research, develop, and implement programs that encourage parental involvement.
  • Utilize our parents in the classroom who would like to show students how math, science, English, and social studies are used in the “real world”.
  • Develop and implement parent-friendly programs within the schools.

Teacher Support

  • Support our teachers by not cutting jobs that directly affect the classrooms and maintain appropriate teacher/student ratio.
  • Provide teaching supplies and resources needed to teach effectively.
  • Zero tolerance for disrespect toward teachers.
  • Develop a system where teachers have more input into day to day decision-making.

Student Support

  • Provide hostile-free environments for all students where bullying is not tolerated especially through texting and other social media.
  • Develop programs to identify at risk students beginning in kindergarten and provide them the resources and support needed to be successful.
  • Intentionally track these students to monitor their progress and reevaluate strategies when needed.
  • Create classroom teaching environments where children can develop critical thinking skills.
  • Provide enrichment activities and opportunities to motivate and challenge our students.

Community Involvement

  • Build a network of support for students who don’t have the parental support.
  • Tap into the valuable resources available through the rich system of higher education in the county and throughout the Triad— e.g. Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State, Forsyth Tech, Salem College, UNC-G.
  • Define clearly what it means for a community to adopt a school.
  • Create a list of special programs that the community offers and make sure the proper school personnel are aware of how these programs may benefit our kids.