Summer school SOAR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given your description of your student, I’d say you were given the invitation because they need to fill spots. It sounds like your student is just fine and it is NOT worth doing SOAR especially when not needed.

3s could still indicate “C” level work.
(ES Teacher)

Or not. Don’t even try to equate the grades to percentage based letter grades. It only confuses people.

ES Teacher

So if you gave an exit ticket/quiz with 10 questions and they got 7 correct what would you write on top? 2, 3, or 4?

3. 70%. Average. A 3 is average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see these SOAR emails every year and am always surprised when someone who has a kid who gets 3s and 4s get invited when my kid who fails SOLs and has mostly 3s and a few 2s has never been invited. Is this a program only offered at Title I schools or something like that?

At our school, spots are given to kids ESL and kids with IEPs first (in general). My kid with an IEP did not get invite for the first round this year. Since we are at a high SES school, many parents decline the invitation because kids are already singed up for camp or don’t need the childcare. So when it gets to 3rd round, they are reaching for kids. Not sure if it was last year or do year before, I believe they sent an email to the whole grade at the end stating to contact the school if interested but the email also said spots were limited (first come first serve).

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it is not an invitation to Young Scholars?

[Anonymous]

Invitation for SOAR are out. We got one last week and declined.

I know a kid in AAP getting math tutoring before school (Should that child be in AAP? That is a different topic). AAP kids can be invited to SOAR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The OP states a few posts down that her child is in AAP and that they struggled a LITTLE in AAP MATH. I highly doubt that SOAR is going to teach a grade level of AAP math. They just need more kids to justify the class thus justify paying a teacher for the summer. Even if the kid went, she'd be forced to do Language arts and most likely remedial math that is not going to help "much" at her AAP level.

OP said her child:

1) was a 3/4 student, I would guess the 3's are in math based on her comments
2) Principal placed in AAP, not committee selected
3) "Her math scores on standardized tests are average"
4) Her Teachers concerns are newish, so third quarter, probably when more difficult material is being introduced.

It sounds like her daughter is someone who works hard but is not one of the kids who grasps math quickly, the average scores on standardized exams. The fact that the school sent a SOAR invite before the full invite to the school signals that the child's math issues are more deep then most of the kids at the school. I would guess that OP's child needs help with third grade math and not just the accelerated fourth grade math.

I would be surprised if OPs kid is Principal Placed in LIV next year, the math does not sound like a good fit for her and it only speeds up as the kids go up grade levels.

OP, I would look for some math enrichment this summer if you don't choose SOAR. Get some workbooks for third grade math and work through those. Make sure that she understands that material and is ready to start fourth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure it is not an invitation to Young Scholars?

OP: yes totallly sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would reach out the to school. If your child was invited they are concerned about your student and think they need extra support. It definitely might be worth it for you.

+1, they may be in the 2nd or 3rd round of kids, but they still made the list - so some concern exists.

Definitely not 2nd or 3rd round yet. Hires just recently happened. This is a first round invite. The student has academic concerns. SOAR is often, but not always, combined LA and math. I’d find out your child’s area of need and see what is being taught. If the need is only one subject and two are being taught, then I’d supplement at home or get a tutor if you can afford it instead.

Thanks, I’ve asked for more info from school and may consider this depending on what l learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP states a few posts down that her child is in AAP and that they struggled a LITTLE in AAP MATH. I highly doubt that SOAR is going to teach a grade level of AAP math. They just need more kids to justify the class thus justify paying a teacher for the summer. Even if the kid went, she'd be forced to do Language arts and most likely remedial math that is not going to help "much" at her AAP level.

OP said her child:

1) was a 3/4 student, I would guess the 3's are in math based on her comments
2) Principal placed in AAP, not committee selected
3) "Her math scores on standardized tests are average"
4) Her Teachers concerns are newish, so third quarter, probably when more difficult material is being introduced.

It sounds like her daughter is someone who works hard but is not one of the kids who grasps math quickly, the average scores on standardized exams. The fact that the school sent a SOAR invite before the full invite to the school signals that the child's math issues are more deep then most of the kids at the school. I would guess that OP's child needs help with third grade math and not just the accelerated fourth grade math.

I would be surprised if OPs kid is Principal Placed in LIV next year, the math does not sound like a good fit for her and it only speeds up as the kids go up grade levels.

OP, I would look for some math enrichment this summer if you don't choose SOAR. Get some workbooks for third grade math and work through those. Make sure that she understands that material and is ready to start fourth grade.

My thoughts exactly and same thinking re next year and summer enrichment. We don’t need childcare during the time of SOAR so don’t want to take up space from someone else. Will finalize decision after talk with school. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP states a few posts down that her child is in AAP and that they struggled a LITTLE in AAP MATH. I highly doubt that SOAR is going to teach a grade level of AAP math. They just need more kids to justify the class thus justify paying a teacher for the summer. Even if the kid went, she'd be forced to do Language arts and most likely remedial math that is not going to help "much" at her AAP level.

OP said her child:

1) was a 3/4 student, I would guess the 3's are in math based on her comments
2) Principal placed in AAP, not committee selected
3) "Her math scores on standardized tests are average"
4) Her Teachers concerns are newish, so third quarter, probably when more difficult material is being introduced.

It sounds like her daughter is someone who works hard but is not one of the kids who grasps math quickly, the average scores on standardized exams. The fact that the school sent a SOAR invite before the full invite to the school signals that the child's math issues are more deep then most of the kids at the school. I would guess that OP's child needs help with third grade math and not just the accelerated fourth grade math.

I would be surprised if OPs kid is Principal Placed in LIV next year, the math does not sound like a good fit for her and it only speeds up as the kids go up grade levels.

OP, I would look for some math enrichment this summer if you don't choose SOAR. Get some workbooks for third grade math and work through those. Make sure that she understands that material and is ready to start fourth grade.

My thoughts exactly and same thinking re next year and summer enrichment. We don’t need childcare during the time of SOAR so don’t want to take up space from someone else. Will finalize decision after talk with school. Thanks

If you’ve been invited, you’re not taking a space from someone else. They think your student should be there. Anybody invited after your child needs to be there less than yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP states a few posts down that her child is in AAP and that they struggled a LITTLE in AAP MATH. I highly doubt that SOAR is going to teach a grade level of AAP math. They just need more kids to justify the class thus justify paying a teacher for the summer. Even if the kid went, she'd be forced to do Language arts and most likely remedial math that is not going to help "much" at her AAP level.

OP said her child:

1) was a 3/4 student, I would guess the 3's are in math based on her comments
2) Principal placed in AAP, not committee selected
3) "Her math scores on standardized tests are average"
4) Her Teachers concerns are newish, so third quarter, probably when more difficult material is being introduced.

It sounds like her daughter is someone who works hard but is not one of the kids who grasps math quickly, the average scores on standardized exams. The fact that the school sent a SOAR invite before the full invite to the school signals that the child's math issues are more deep then most of the kids at the school. I would guess that OP's child needs help with third grade math and not just the accelerated fourth grade math.

I would be surprised if OPs kid is Principal Placed in LIV next year, the math does not sound like a good fit for her and it only speeds up as the kids go up grade levels.

OP, I would look for some math enrichment this summer if you don't choose SOAR. Get some workbooks for third grade math and work through those. Make sure that she understands that material and is ready to start fourth grade.

My thoughts exactly and same thinking re next year and summer enrichment. We don’t need childcare during the time of SOAR so don’t want to take up space from someone else. Will finalize decision after talk with school. Thanks

Repeating what the 1353 poster said. If they offered your child the spot then they think your child would benefit more then other kids. They would not offer you the slot if they thought that there were kids who needed the opportunity more. You are not taking someone else's seat. Other children were offered that seat and have not taken it so it is being offered to your child.

The kids I know who have gone from our neighborhood have enjoyed the program. It can be well run, fun, and functional. I understand waiting to talk to your child's Teacher but please don't say no because you want it to go to a student who needs it more.

[Anonymous]

My child was offered it the past few years, so I sought the advice of a friend who used to teach and is now a VP: They said to skip it.

I’ve had neighbors send their kids years ago. Pro was that it was free; con was the hours were short and not much teaching really happened.

If you go—please report back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see these SOAR emails every year and am always surprised when someone who has a kid who gets 3s and 4s get invited when my kid who fails SOLs and has mostly 3s and a few 2s has never been invited. Is this a program only offered at Title I schools or something like that?

It is at every school. Maybe there are kids at your school who are further behind? Or SPED kids? You could ask the Teacher at the school but I know Teachers have said that they create lists based on needs.

It's because my child doesn't have an IEP or 504, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see these SOAR emails every year and am always surprised when someone who has a kid who gets 3s and 4s get invited when my kid who fails SOLs and has mostly 3s and a few 2s has never been invited. Is this a program only offered at Title I schools or something like that?

It is at every school. Maybe there are kids at your school who are further behind? Or SPED kids? You could ask the Teacher at the school but I know Teachers have said that they create lists based on needs.

It's because my child doesn't have an IEP or 504, isn't it?

This is speculation on my part because I am not an educator. Based on some of the posts that I have read, Teachers have said that schools meet to discuss who needs the program the most and develop lists of kids based on need. Kids with IEPs and 504 plans are kids who are known to be struggling and need additional help in the summer to meet their goals or maintain the progress that they made.

To the people who have posted that not much teaching goes on, I believe that the program is meant to be teaching through fun activities with some time spent in a more traditional learning mode. Many of the fun activities are meant to require some degree of reading or math or other subjects just like Centers in K and 1st reinforce reading and math and science lessons. It is not summer school like you would find in HS where kids are at their desks learning. They look for a balance.

[Anonymous]

OP PLEASE ASK the school who the teacher will be and also ask about the structure of the program. Your kid will most likely be doing BOTH Language Arts and Math regardless of the fact that "maybe" math is needed. I still hold the opinion that since your child was in "AAP" "placed" math this year that they are already ahead of the majority of the kids that will attend SOAR. They are not going to separate your child out and just teach her to her level of math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP states a few posts down that her child is in AAP and that they struggled a LITTLE in AAP MATH. I highly doubt that SOAR is going to teach a grade level of AAP math. They just need more kids to justify the class thus justify paying a teacher for the summer. Even if the kid went, she'd be forced to do Language arts and most likely remedial math that is not going to help "much" at her AAP level.

OP said her child:

1) was a 3/4 student, I would guess the 3's are in math based on her comments
2) Principal placed in AAP, not committee selected
3) "Her math scores on standardized tests are average"
4) Her Teachers concerns are newish, so third quarter, probably when more difficult material is being introduced.

It sounds like her daughter is someone who works hard but is not one of the kids who grasps math quickly, the average scores on standardized exams. The fact that the school sent a SOAR invite before the full invite to the school signals that the child's math issues are more deep then most of the kids at the school. I would guess that OP's child needs help with third grade math and not just the accelerated fourth grade math.

I would be surprised if OPs kid is Principal Placed in LIV next year, the math does not sound like a good fit for her and it only speeds up as the kids go up grade levels.

OP, I would look for some math enrichment this summer if you don't choose SOAR. Get some workbooks for third grade math and work through those. Make sure that she understands that material and is ready to start fourth grade.

My thoughts exactly and same thinking re next year and summer enrichment. We don’t need childcare during the time of SOAR so don’t want to take up space from someone else. Will finalize decision after talk with school. Thanks

Repeating what the 1353 poster said. If they offered your child the spot then they think your child would benefit more then other kids. They would not offer you the slot if they thought that there were kids who needed the opportunity more. You are not taking someone else's seat. Other children were offered that seat and have not taken it so it is being offered to your child.

The kids I know who have gone from our neighborhood have enjoyed the program. It can be well run, fun, and functional. I understand waiting to talk to your child's Teacher but please don't say no because you want it to go to a student who needs it more.

Good advice and good to know - makes sense. Will do