News from our President, Mary Coleman
December 2012

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Call for Action: Online Textbooks. Please read.

Hello,

Thank you for your membership and support of the PTSA at Westfield.

As you know our primary mission is to advocate for our children.  The issue of online textbooks is one which requires us to advocate and I call you to action.

I have recently represented WHS PTSA at several meetings surrounding the discussion of online textbooks.This effort began as issues were brought up by the Oakton PTSA.   Many of you have expressed concern about the online textbooks, in particular the math textbooks.  The concerns expressed by our parents are shared by many other high schools in FCPS along with representatives from the teachers union and the FCCPTA(Fairfax County Council PTA).  I have had a page with the concerns about online textbooks added to our webpage.  Please read about the issues at http://ptsa.westfieldhs.org/current-news/167-response-to-fcps-online-textbooks.html

To date, FCPS, has indicated there are concerns with the use and implementation of the online math books. This past week principals were instructed to place orders for the number of students anticipated to need a hard copy of the math textbooks. The publisher will print and ship the books to our schools as soon as possible.  At that time, students in need of a hard copy textbook will be provided with one.

The issue of online textbooks is not limited to this year and the math books.  This is a larger issue.  FCPS is striving to move to 100% online textbooks by 2015.  There are concerns.  What about the digital achievement divide online books will create? Students without access to the internet or without equipment at home will not be able to access their textbooks from home. How can we best address this divide to help these children?  Can the school's wireless infrastructure handle the number of devices using the wireless? What about families with more than one child needing access to the online books and only one family computer?  What about eye strain from looking at a blue screen for so long? How can we meet the needs of our children with special needs and implement online textbooks?  We need to train our teachers and students as to the many features of the online books and how to best utilize them.  How do we move forward with online books and meet the needs of our children, teachers and families?  Online books have a place in FCPS, however, we need consider all the issues as we move forward in a thoughtful manner with input from our students, parents and teachers.

If you look at the documents on our webpage please consider the key points along with your experiences with your own children.  This issue is not a simple one and it has many parts to consider.  Proper training and support of our teachers and families about the online textbooks and genuine engagement of parents, students, educators and the community are prerequisites and priorities for this issue. We have a responsibility to assure we, the community of FCPS, are prepared to move forward to online textbooks and be successful.

There is much at stake and these issues impact thousands of families and educators.  It is important that FCPS know how important this issue is to us.  The Fairfax County School Board will have an all day work session this Monday, December 10th.  There will be a discussion on the online textbooks as agenda item 4:03 in the 12:30 pm section of the meeting.  I believe this work session is open to the public.

I encourage you to go to the FCPS web site and write to our school board member, Kathy Smith, with your own concerns and all the school board members.

http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members/bdmembers.shtml

Let the school board know your thoughts on this important issue.   Thank you for your attention as we strive to advocate for all children in FCPS.

Mary Coleman,
President Westfield PTSA