Franklin Estates Residents Association

School Aged Children Survey, Neighborhood Safety & More! 1/03

Jan 28, 2003

Hello,

During this unusually cold season, many families seem to be affected by some illness making this winter an especially tough time to be a mom. I do hope you are staying warm and healthy. It's a good time to have wonderful neighbors. I'm writing today about three issues.

1) Furthering the Cause of Safety - Recently, I talked with Dawn Schott, the president of Manordale Farms. We have decided to develop a connection between our two plans to compare ideas. Also, we will let each other know about issues or problems that can affect both our plans. For example, as you know, nearly every summer we have at least one home break-in or burglary. One summer we had a concern about a man who drove around the neighborhood and approached kids. With our Neighborhood Watch program, we were able to call and warn everyone.

From talking to the police, it appears that perpetrators that target Franklin Estates also target Manordale Farms. So, if FE experiences an incident, we will warn Manordale Farms and they will do the same. Hopefully, this joint effort will cut down on problems and help police catch the criminals. Do please let me know and certainly the police, if you experience such an incident - no matter how minor.

2) Furthering the Cause of Science - This week (if not today) you will receive a survey in the mail, which I hope you will complete. To help a friend, I'm asking you for a one-time favor that will advance scientific knowledge about mother/child relationships. As many of you know, I'm pursuing a doctorate in social work at the University of Pittsburgh. Carrie Rishel, a talented friend of mine in the program, is working on a research study that requires her to survey moms of school-aged children. She is researching relationship issues and the protective factors of having other supportive adults in children's lives. The results will help therapists better understand factors that help mothers and children.

Carrie recently gained permission from the University's Institututional Review Board to implement the design and ethics of her research plan. With authorized permission, she mailed FERA and Manordale Farms moms a survey and a stamped self-addressed envelope. The paper and pencil survey takes about 20 - 30 minutes to complete and return. The survey results (as required by the IRB) are completely confidential and I assure you only Carrie will see any of them - it's not my project. The resulting report cannot reveal individual names or even the identify of our community. But, she will likely publish the cumulative results in a scholarly journal which will be available to anyone who is interested.

Carrie needs at least 60 survey responses to get scientifically accurate results. She is a very bright young student with a promising future, so I'm writing to ask that you help her out. Of course, you have no obligation to do so. To be clear, this is not my project. I'm writing just to help a friend as I hope someone helps me when I get to her level in the program. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. When the letter/survey arrives, you can contact her at her printed email address, if you wish. Thanks for your help!

3) Furthering the Cause of Quality Education - The School District is looking for a new superintendent and the search firm is seeking your input. In last week's Penn Franklin newspaper was a survey asking for input about hiring a new superintendent. Fill it out or please go to www.reactinc.com to voice your opinion. The result will directly affect the future of your children.

Thanks for your help. Do stay warm and drive carefully!

Best wishes,

Solveig Peters
FERA past-president and board member