Bummed...

[Anonymous]

Anyone else disappointed with the peer group in which DC finds him/herself? Our DC is at one of the "Big 3" (lower school) and I must say that there are one too many kids with behavior problems, anger management issues etc and I'm finding it very discouraging. I know that there are always things to be gained/learned from dealing with more difficult peers, but it bothers me anyway. I'm by no means implying my child is perfect, just that DC is not (at least according to info provided by teachers) a source of conflict or distraction in the class. The school has handled all incidents wonderfully but I find myself wondering how these kids managed to get accepted with some of the behavior I'm seeing. As examples, one child punched the teacher in the stomach, one dug fingernails into another kids face when he was angry, and one destroyed someone else's drawing when they had a disagreement. My child was not involved in any of these incidents, but its still not adding to the educational envrionment of the class.

[Anonymous]

That's what happens when admissions are more about the parents than the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else disappointed with the peer group in which DC finds him/herself? Our DC is at one of the "Big 3" (lower school) and I must say that there are one too many kids with behavior problems, anger management issues etc and I'm finding it very discouraging. I know that there are always things to be gained/learned from dealing with more difficult peers, but it bothers me anyway. I'm by no means implying my child is perfect, just that DC is not (at least according to info provided by teachers) a source of conflict or distraction in the class. The school has handled all incidents wonderfully but I find myself wondering how these kids managed to get accepted with some of the behavior I'm seeing. As examples, one child punched the teacher in the stomach, one dug fingernails into another kids face when he was angry, and one destroyed someone else's drawing when they had a disagreement. My child was not involved in any of these incidents, but its still not adding to the educational envrionment of the class.

great way to invest $30K, eh?

[Anonymous]

To answer your question OP, yes. In our school, a K-8, it's not so much the behavior that has me bummed.

Instead, so far we are all discouraged by the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole. I hope I am proven wrong as time goes by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer your question OP, yes. In our school, a K-8, it's not so much the behavior that has me bummed.

Instead, so far we are all discouraged by the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole. I hope I am proven wrong as time goes by.

What do you mean - the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole?

[Anonymous]

Future John Boltons?

[Anonymous]

What do you mean - the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole?

There are a lot of students -- a high enough % to affect the teachers' approach, I would guess -- who seem to struggle with the material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What do you mean - the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole?

There are a lot of students -- a high enough % to affect the teachers' approach, I would guess -- who seem to struggle with the material.

The apparent lack of brainpower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What do you mean - the apparent brainpower of the class as a whole?

There are a lot of students -- a high enough % to affect the teachers' approach, I would guess -- who seem to struggle with the material.

The apparent lack of brainpower?

The clear lack of writing ability?

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids, OP? Our oldest is in a private school (NOT a big 3!) and we have been really impressed with the behavior of the kids and the overall class climate. They have all bonded well and seem to have respect for eachother. They are only 5 years old.

[Anonymous]

As examples, one child punched the teacher in the stomach, one dug fingernails into another kids face when he was angry, and one destroyed someone else's drawing when they had a disagreement.



Oh my God. Forgive this obviously naive statement, but are you serious?? A child punched a teacher in the stomach? I'm dying to hear about the "wonderful" way the school handled this!

Truly, I can tell you that I have never, ever heard of incidents like you describe in my child's school. Nor would I describe any of the kids that I know in his grade (most of them) as having anger management issues, etc. But then again, we're not at a "Big 3."

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry some of the responses have been so snide. I think this is an interesting post.

[Anonymous]

I can understand how you feel, OP. My child went to a private (in another city) for two years. Many of the children (especially the wealthiest ones) were horribly behaved. I suppose if your child is happy and you're otherwise happy with the school, it's probably not worth the change. I don't love my DC's best friend this year, but my DC is happy and doesn't get in trouble so I feel like I should but out and give the child some space.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious too. How did the school handle the two violent incidents (e.g. punching teacher in stomach, digging fingernails into face)?

[Anonymous]

NP here. Also feeling very very bummed that we're spending $30000 at a Big 3 school, and totally disappointed in the quality of the kids. I am talking mostly about the social skills (or their lack).