Menino wants parents to pick up report cards

A proposal by Mayor Thomas M. Menino that would require parents to pick up their children's report cards from schools was praised by educators, who called it a much-needed return to a time when parents were more involved in their children's education.

A leader of a parent group said, however, that some parents cannot afford to skip work to go to the schools.

''I'm trying to send a message that parents must be involved," said Menino. ''Many of these parents have never been to the schools."

Gary Fisher, a civics teacher at Timilty Middle School in Roxbury, said lack of parent involvement is one of his pet peeves.

Fisher said he sets aside time to meet with parents, but some do not take advantage and never get involved, and students ''slip through the gaps." He said things were different when he was in school. ''If you knew your parent was going to get a call or be notified," he said, ''you'd straighten up your act."

But the mayor's proposal overlooks parents who have to spend long hours at work, said Beverly Mitchell, cochairwoman of the Boston Citywide Parents Council. These parents appreciate his efforts, she said, but they just do not have the time.

''That is really the biggest objection," Mitchell said. ''It really cuts off parents from being able to access report cards."

Mitchell said it would help if the mayor called on businesses to allow paid time off for parents to go to the schools. Until then, it won't work, she said.

''Unlike City Hall," she said, ''not all businesses in Boston will give employees time off to go and visit the schools."

Jonathan Palumbo, spokesman for Boston Public Schools, said many companies already give employees time off during the day to visit schools, and school officials have been trying to encourage more to do so.

The Boston Public Schools are still deciding whether to adopt the proposal, Palumbo said. It was one of many that school officials and the mayor have been developing. He said school officials are working with each school to determine how to best get parents involved, whether it's through open houses at night or meetings during the school day.

Richard Stutman, president of the Boston Teacher's Union, was not available for comment.

Principal Jane King said the mayor's proposal would promote more involvement at McCormack Middle School in Dorchester. The school currently mails report cards and sends a copy home with each student. Those who bring them back signed by their parents can reap various rewards.

McCormack holds two open houses in the first and third terms where parents can meet with teachers to discuss students' performance and summer school options. King said those sessions foster more parental involvement. The proof, she said, is that more report cards are returned signed in the first and third terms than in the second term, when no open house is held. Fourth-term report cards come out in the summer.