To teachers and parents: Have the kids gotten better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things have gotten worse at my school. Kids have gotten comfortable and spring is here. That means, there has been an uptick in outrageous behaviors. Today, I had to half drag a kindergarten student upstairs to the office because he started hitting/hicking us. This afternoon, the entire downstairs at my school had to listen to screaming from a pre-k kid who has been running laps around the school for the last few weeks. I also have a student who eats everything and anything under the sun. Thankfully her classmates tell me when this happens so I can fish it out of her mouth (today it was a twist tie and a cap eraser). My student with the huge behavior issues was absent today so it was a pretty calm day.

I've heard awful stories from the middle school. The admin is always busy with them so they rarely have time to help us out. We are exhausted and we still have two weeks left before spring break. Teachers call in sick so much due to the stress and exhaustion and there are no subs (who can blame them with these behavior issues?) And our school isn't even that bad compared to others I've heard about.

Parents need to be called to pick up their kids or to sit with them in class if they cannot behave.

So they should just leave work every day to come to school? How realistic is that?

Perhaps that will motivate them to actually parent their out of control kids and/or get them psychiatrist help so that they won’t have to keep missing work. Shrug.

Wow you really hit the low end of DCUM. Shrug.

Gross.

Its gross to do nothing and just send your kids to school pretending its nothing. Some kids have real mental health issues and the schools should focus on helping them. Not the made up mental health issues that parents use to handle their kids poor behavior.

No. That is not a school's job. That is a parent's job. Do your job, parent. Get help for your kids. Schools should focus on teaching and learning. Parents are supposed to focus on everything else. Stop making schools responsible for doing something for your kid because of your inability to do your job as a parent.

I am a parent writing this.

Well current federal law disagrees with you, but I guess you could take it up with your senator and rep.

You write as if it were so easy for any parent to just pick up the phone and schedule free weekly sessions with a qualified therapist within walking distance. There are MAJOR barriers for many parents in this process. None the least of which is understanding mental health, the utility of therapy in it, and trust in a largely white pool of therapists. - a white teacher

I’m sorry to hear that. Your kids’ mental health is still *your* responsibility, not the school’s. Figure it out.

So let’s say that your child comes to me as his/her/they’re teacher to confide that they’ve been sexually assaulted, are suicidal, etc. You would prefer that I shrug and tell them it’s not my responsibility? I guarantee you that many will harm themselves before confiding in a parent. Be careful- it could be YOUR child in a dangerous mental health crisis one day. And, in my experience, the “ tough luck” parents are not particularly approachable for their children.

I would expect you to call and inform the parent of the minor child so they can handle it. If the parent is the abuser, I would expect you to fulfill your duties as a mandated reporter to CPS.

Next question?

Wow, you’re a real jerk. I sure hope you don’t work with people in crisis.

In my state, all adults are mandating reporters so I guess we can all complain about big government forcing us to care for the most vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here.

Nothing has gotten better.

Kids are still well below grade level. Kids do not know how to socialize. Kids do not know how to behave. Kids just do not care. Honestly, the families do not seem to care either.

Because you’re taught to be quiet in school from the very beginning.

No talking during lunch

Stay 6 feet away from everyone

No mingling on the playground, stay w your class only

Wear your mask for 2 years

Work in your chrome book all day, which your parents work at home or out

Of course they can’t socialize

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are educators shocked that there was real harm done when the schools went virtual for over a year? That parents still have a chip on their shoulders towards schools because they were closed far longer than any other workplace. They were told schools aren’t daycare so you and your family are on your own figuring out how to help your child learn anything?

Of course parents are throwing their hands up and saying that catching up their kids is the school’s problem. They wanted schools open when their kids were falling behind.

Kids realized that their education mattered pretty little to the adults in their lives. They had 18 months to skate by.

This is the fall out. It will eventually level off but it’s ridiculous to think it will within six months.

Too bad. Do your jobs, Mama Bears. Take full responsibility for YOUR kids.

You do realize that not every parent is a software engineer working from home in their home office, correct?

Remember that next time you ask for the manager at the grocery store.

I think the point is that they are now YOUR responsibility as teachers during the day. Not every parent is home during school hours. Don't complain the kids are tough this year and super behind academically. Most parents did the best that they could in an impossible situation. We are all tryign to support and figure out how to help kids now that they are back in school.
It shouldn't be shocking that the kids are behind, unable to take things seriously and much more aggressive. It's not been a typical or easy few years. Parents are mentally spent after years of juggling.

You are aware that many teachers are also parents, correct? We have our own children to worry about and we are also “mentally spent.” Also, I accept that the students are my responsibility during the school day. I just hope you understand that I’m taking responsibility for over 100 students a day, many of whom are academically behind and some are aggressive. Things are going to slip. I’m not superhuman. Any help you can provide as another parent is always appreciated.

You are aware most parents also have jobs, correct?

See how that works?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think these parents have mental health issues and that is why they don’t spend time trying to raise their kids? I don’t think it’s an income issue because I know many poor people (actually poor) including some in my family, who still put in a lot of effort to raise their kids.

I feel like the issue is being overwhelmed and/or lazy. They should have stopped at one kid, or didn’t like being the bad guy to enforce rules and consequences, they make the TV, phone, or Xbox the babysitter, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here.

Nothing has gotten better.

Kids are still well below grade level. Kids do not know how to socialize. Kids do not know how to behave. Kids just do not care. Honestly, the families do not seem to care either.

Because you’re taught to be quiet in school from the very beginning.

No talking during lunch

Stay 6 feet away from everyone

No mingling on the playground, stay w your class only

Wear your mask for 2 years

Work in your chrome book all day, which your parents work at home or out

Of course they can’t socialize

Very few of these (except masks) apply to school for more than a couple months. Move in troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think these parents have mental health issues and that is why they don’t spend time trying to raise their kids? I don’t think it’s an income issue because I know many poor people (actually poor) inclu https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpdt7omPoa0 ding some in my family, who still put in a lot of effort to raise their kids.

I feel like the issue is being overwhelmed and/or lazy. They should have stopped at one kid, or didn’t like being the bad guy to enforce rules and consequences, they make the TV, phone, or Xbox the babysitter, etc.

I take it you are pro-choice and agree that birth control methods should be covered by insurance. I also take it that you agree that sex education is important in school.

Because otherwise, shoulda coulda woulda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are educators shocked that there was real harm done when the schools went virtual for over a year? That parents still have a chip on their shoulders towards schools because they were closed far longer than any other workplace. They were told schools aren’t daycare so you and your family are on your own figuring out how to help your child learn anything?

Of course parents are throwing their hands up and saying that catching up their kids is the school’s problem. They wanted schools open when their kids were falling behind.

Kids realized that their education mattered pretty little to the adults in their lives. They had 18 months to skate by.

This is the fall out. It will eventually level off but it’s ridiculous to think it will within six months.

Too bad. Do your jobs, Mama Bears. Take full responsibility for YOUR kids.

You do realize that not every parent is a software engineer working from home in their home office, correct?

Remember that next time you ask for the manager at the grocery store.

I think the point is that they are now YOUR responsibility as teachers during the day. Not every parent is home during school hours. Don't complain the kids are tough this year and super behind academically. Most parents did the best that they could in an impossible situation. We are all tryign to support and figure out how to help kids now that they are back in school.
It shouldn't be shocking that the kids are behind, unable to take things seriously and much more aggressive. It's not been a typical or easy few years. Parents are mentally spent after years of juggling.

You are aware that many teachers are also parents, correct? We have our own children to worry about and we are also “mentally spent.” Also, I accept that the students are my responsibility during the school day. I just hope you understand that I’m taking responsibility for over 100 students a day, many of whom are academically behind and some are aggressive. Things are going to slip. I’m not superhuman. Any help you can provide as another parent is always appreciated.

+1, the parent is still the PRIMARY caregiver. It’s not a 4pm to 7am job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think these parents have mental health issues and that is why they don’t spend time trying to raise their kids? I don’t think it’s an income issue because I know many poor people (actually poor) inclu https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpdt7omPoa0 ding some in my family, who still put in a lot of effort to raise their kids.

I feel like the issue is being overwhelmed and/or lazy. They should have stopped at one kid, or didn’t like being the bad guy to enforce rules and consequences, they make the TV, phone, or Xbox the babysitter, etc.

I take it you are pro-choice and agree that birth control methods should be covered by insurance. I also take it that you agree that sex education is important in school.

Because otherwise, shoulda coulda woulda.

You can’t practice abstaining? Sounds like you “shoulda” on that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think these parents have mental health issues and that is why they don’t spend time trying to raise their kids? I don’t think it’s an income issue because I know many poor people (actually poor) inclu https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpdt7omPoa0 ding some in my family, who still put in a lot of effort to raise their kids.

I feel like the issue is being overwhelmed and/or lazy. They should have stopped at one kid, or didn’t like being the bad guy to enforce rules and consequences, they make the TV, phone, or Xbox the babysitter, etc.

I take it you are pro-choice and agree that birth control methods should be covered by insurance. I also take it that you agree that sex education is important in school.

Because otherwise, shoulda coulda woulda.

You can’t practice abstaining? Sounds like you “shoulda” on that one.

Wowza. Go back to Texas or Missouri.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here.

Nothing has gotten better.

Kids are still well below grade level. Kids do not know how to socialize. Kids do not know how to behave. Kids just do not care. Honestly, the families do not seem to care either.

Because you’re taught to be quiet in school from the very beginning.

No talking during lunch

Stay 6 feet away from everyone

No mingling on the playground, stay w your class only

Wear your mask for 2 years

Work in your chrome book all day, which your parents work at home or out

Of course they can’t socialize

Very few of these (except masks) apply to school for more than a couple months. Move in troll.

Is this a joke? It’s been 2+ years

[Anonymous]

Judging by the amount of teachers leaving our school and their reasons for leaving I’d say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things have gotten worse at my school. Kids have gotten comfortable and spring is here. That means, there has been an uptick in outrageous behaviors. Today, I had to half drag a kindergarten student upstairs to the office because he started hitting/hicking us. This afternoon, the entire downstairs at my school had to listen to screaming from a pre-k kid who has been running laps around the school for the last few weeks. I also have a student who eats everything and anything under the sun. Thankfully her classmates tell me when this happens so I can fish it out of her mouth (today it was a twist tie and a cap eraser). My student with the huge behavior issues was absent today so it was a pretty calm day.

I've heard awful stories from the middle school. The admin is always busy with them so they rarely have time to help us out. We are exhausted and we still have two weeks left before spring break. Teachers call in sick so much due to the stress and exhaustion and there are no subs (who can blame them with these behavior issues?) And our school isn't even that bad compared to others I've heard about.

Parents need to be called to pick up their kids or to sit with them in class if they cannot behave.

So they should just leave work every day to come to school? How realistic is that?

Perhaps that will motivate them to actually parent their out of control kids and/or get them psychiatrist help so that they won’t have to keep missing work. Shrug.

Wow you really hit the low end of DCUM. Shrug.

Gross.

Its gross to do nothing and just send your kids to school pretending its nothing. Some kids have real mental health issues and the schools should focus on helping them. Not the made up mental health issues that parents use to handle their kids poor behavior.

No. That is not a school's job. That is a parent's job. Do your job, parent. Get help for your kids. Schools should focus on teaching and learning. Parents are supposed to focus on everything else. Stop making schools responsible for doing something for your kid because of your inability to do your job as a parent.

I am a parent writing this.

Well current federal law disagrees with you, but I guess you could take it up with your senator and rep.

You write as if it were so easy for any parent to just pick up the phone and schedule free weekly sessions with a qualified therapist within walking distance. There are MAJOR barriers for many parents in this process. None the least of which is understanding mental health, the utility of therapy in it, and trust in a largely white pool of therapists. - a white teacher

I’m sorry to hear that. Your kids’ mental health is still *your* responsibility, not the school’s. Figure it out.

So let’s say that your child comes to me as his/her/they’re teacher to confide that they’ve been sexually assaulted, are suicidal, etc. You would prefer that I shrug and tell them it’s not my responsibility? I guarantee you that many will harm themselves before confiding in a parent. Be careful- it could be YOUR child in a dangerous mental health crisis one day. And, in my experience, the “ tough luck” parents are not particularly approachable for their children.

I would expect you to call and inform the parent of the minor child so they can handle it. If the parent is the abuser, I would expect you to fulfill your duties as a mandated reporter to CPS.

Next question?

Wow, you’re a real jerk. I sure hope you don’t work with people in crisis.

+1

And as the mandated reporter I most certainly would not call the parents so ‘they can handle it.’ I would report to CPS and call the police with my admin/counselor. So your expectations are out of line with the protocols for such a situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here.

Nothing has gotten better.

Kids are still well below grade level. Kids do not know how to socialize. Kids do not know how to behave. Kids just do not care. Honestly, the families do not seem to care either.

Because you’re taught to be quiet in school from the very beginning.

No talking during lunch

Stay 6 feet away from everyone

No mingling on the playground, stay w your class only

Wear your mask for 2 years

Work in your chrome book all day, which your parents work at home or out

Of course they can’t socialize

Very few of these (except masks) apply to school for more than a couple months. Move in troll.

Is this a joke? It’s been 2+ years

Yeah, schools were closed in DC for at least a year (potentially more, depending on your school), not "a couple of months".

Cohorting and social distancing are still being practiced at some schools here.

Weird lady that has no empathy also has no grasp of reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School closures were the most anti-equity thing to happen in the last 50 years at least. The rich kids were largely fine, while the poor kids were largely not. You can do equity initiatives continuously for the next 10 years and still not be able to completely reverse what happened in the last 2.

+1

And education researchers KNEW it and spoke about it, school districts like DC did nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School closures were the most anti-equity thing to happen in the last 50 years at least. The rich kids were largely fine, while the poor kids were largely not. You can do equity initiatives continuously for the next 10 years and still not be able to completely reverse what happened in the last 2.

At least in my neck of the woods, these was painted as "the poor (and where I am this means Black) families don't want to send their kids to in-person school". So it's this lovely thing where the people most hurt by the policy had the most support for the policy.

Was this because of Covid concern or because their kids weren’t being treated well in school or because virtual learning was so much easier logistically?

Covid concern. The narrative was "Black families are experiencing more illness and death from covid and therefore perceive more risk from sending kids to in-person school." My personal belief is that communicators failed miserably in showing that in-person school did not contribute to a higher likelihood of exposure than what those kids were experiencing alternatively.

Not just Black families but the families of low income workers who were not able to work from home. First, many of those workers who kept their jobs were at a higher risk for exposure to COVID and less likely to have health care that allowed them to go to the Doctor or hospital until they were really sick or sick leave that allowed them to not go to work when they were not feeling well. So there were higher rates of hospitalization and death among low income workers.

Second, many low income workers who have kids were not able to afford child care coverage for their kids who were not in school. So the older kids were expected to keep and eye on and help their younger siblings. You can guess how this influenced those kids ability to attend and complete virtual school. You can also guess how this influenced those kids ability to learn how to socialize and behave in a classroom.

Third, many low income families took advantage of the virtual learning so that their older kids were able to get jobs that helped the family pays its bills. It wasn't just lower income families, I read families of MC and UMC whose kids got jobs because they could. Many of the kids who found jobs did not return to in person school because they wanted to keep their jobs and staying in DL let them do that.

Fourth, even when schools returned to in-person (first 2 days then 4 days in FCPS) low income families who had younger kids at home and who could not find child care coverage, kept their older kids at home to watch their siblings while the parents worked. So while MC and UMC kids were able to return to class, if they wanted to, lower income kids were less likely to return because they were needed at home to watch siblings.

Overall, the pandemic took an exiting educational gap that was already widening and created a gulf. Lower income families bore the brunt of the pandemic in terms of health issues, hospitalizations, and deaths. The kids of these families were less likely to have the resources needed to have a solid chance of making distance learning work (reliable internet, good computers, parents who might be able to help with distance learning) I would fully expect that schools with a higher percentage of low income families are really struggling this year and will continue to struggle for a while.

The MC and UMC kids who are struggling probably is more attributable to parents who decided it wasn't worth the effort and just let their kids do whatever at home for the year. We saw plenty of posts stating that was happening and now those parents are complaining about their kids being behind. A bunch of those families posted that they were not making their kids go back to in-person when their kids really needed to be in-person. And I saw families who looked for ways to help their kids and make the best of the situation with varying degrees of success.

I saw this play out as well among some in our circle. We, on the other hand, took the opportunity to accelerate our elementary-aged kids far beyond what would have been achieved in school. But, to be fair, there are plenty of UMC families who didn't have the ability to work from home or that otherwise lacked the adequate flexibility/bandwidth to aggressively supplement even if they were at home.