Don't miss chance to be heard on schools

The 5Essentials survey is happening again. Last year, the minimum response rate for parents was 30 percent. We didn't make it. Therefore, the school did not get any information from us about how we parents felt about the school. That's right, no survey based info. in fact, the parent response rate has never made the threshold. While I question the need for the threshold and other elements of how the survey is run, it is vital that we make our voices heard.

We have just finished an election where nearly half the people who could vote didn't. We are always screaming to be heard, but not when we are given the chance.

This survey is the first of two chances where our children's schools are begging us to tell them how we feel about how their education is going.

We need to step up and get this done. It only took me 15 minutes.

This year, the minimum response rate necessary for our voices to be heard is only 20 percent. This doesn't mean only the same folks who responded last year need to respond. This means as many as possible need to respond.

Don't think the next person will do it. Say I will do it. Use this tool to engage in something that will determine how your child's life will be.

Please, let's get this done. Let's help our kids' teachers, administrators and staff provide the best environment for learning and the best education for our kids.

James Walsh

Round Lake Beach