50 kids in a class

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think it is reasonable.

As they told us at back to school night -- the kids were given a choice as to whether they wanted to try sitting on the floor with a clipboard. We were also told that they switch the seating arrangements each week.

As I said before, if you don't know the facts, don't opine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in this class & there is no barrier removed to make it one large room. It is a room set up originally to house 25 children, now containing 50 kids, eight of whom have to sit on the floor everyday.

A half wall separating classrooms with square footage sufficient to accommodate the class size is hugely different than the situation these children are in.

Were you ever in this area last year? If so, you'd know that the space was indeed TWO classrooms, with dividers between them. The one in the middle was actually not being used as a classroom, I believe it was used for special lessons and activities. However, it most certainly was two separate "rooms." The space now has been joined, doubling the original room size that was on the end.

Then why is there not enough space for every child to have a seat?

Exactly! OMG -- I am so glad that we opted not to move into the Lafayette boundary this summer. Anything being said in support of this here has a tone of rationalization by people who HOPE that this won't be bad for those kids. And I thought the "classrooms with no walls" was too much... BEFORE they grouped two of them... yikes!

[Anonymous]

Sounds to me like a new-and-improved version of the GENIUS idea to have a warehouse with dividers used as a school. What were they thinking back then?? And now?? Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with you people?


I hope the skeptical parents of the Lafayette children in this class give this a chance, I respectfully suggest that the rest you who are posting here but don't have kids in the class shut the f*ck up before your ignorant ranting ruins the attitude of these two teachers and the experience that my kid is having in this wonderful class. These teachers already put up with a lot, and they don't need to be subjected to a bunch of ignorant commenters whining about their eminently reasonable team teaching approach.

Jeez, calm down. People who think DCUM rants and raves have any effect on their schools really need to move on. You're getting yourself worked into lather for nothing sweetie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think it is reasonable.

As they told us at back to school night -- the kids were given a choice as to whether they wanted to try sitting on the floor with a clipboard. We were also told that they switch the seating arrangements each week.

As I said before, if you don't know the facts, don't opine.

Well, since the 8 yos thought it was OK, it's all hunky-dory. Good grief.

Tell me, PP, why are you so invested in defendign this program. Many people have raised real concerns, and you all seem to dismiss they with some combination of "you don't know the facts" and "the teachers are great so anything they try must be great as well." I really don't see the harm in asking questions or raising concerns about practices in a school. Why are you so defensive?

[Anonymous]

"Jeez, calm down. People who think DCUM rants and raves have any effect on their schools really need to move on. You're getting yourself worked into lather for nothing sweetie. "

I'm no more worked up than all the posters who seem to think this is the end of the world because 8 kids each week spend a few hours sittiing on the floor with clipboards.

[Anonymous]

If none of the kids chose to sit on the floor, would there be enough desks and chairs for all 50?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think it is reasonable.

As they told us at back to school night -- the kids were given a choice as to whether they wanted to try sitting on the floor with a clipboard. We were also told that they switch the seating arrangements each week.

As I said before, if you don't know the facts, don't opine.

Well, since the 8 yos thought it was OK, it's all hunky-dory. Good grief.

Tell me, PP, why are you so invested in defendign this program. Many people have raised real concerns, and you all seem to dismiss they with some combination of "you don't know the facts" and "the teachers are great so anything they try must be great as well." I really don't see the harm in asking questions or raising concerns about practices in a school. Why are you so defensive?

Not the poster you quoted, but a pp parent of child in class. The majority of parents in the class I've spoken with are very supportive of the teachers, and are willing to give the setup a chance, since these women said that if they felt it wasn't working they would make changes. To date, I have yet to hear of a child that is disappointed with the class or who has expressed any problems. And, no, it's not up to our children, but I find it odd that we expect our kids to be flexible and try new things, yet we can't do that ourselves. So often parents muck things up. I understand that parents have legitimate concerns, and that's fine. I would like to see all the kids at desks. The biggest problem I have now is the inflexible, rude, know-it-all parents who have kids in the class. I'm afraid you are going to derail the year with your hostility. I ask you not to hire a lawyer. And, not to discuss this in front of your children. The teachers have now scheduled a meeting that I hope you will attend. But, please let's remember that we are our childrens' best role models. Let's hear what the teachers have to say and then address our concerns in a respectful manner.

[Anonymous]

Thanks pp.

[Anonymous]

Are you kidding?! Parents should not be expected to check their common sense at the door. It is entirely reasonable for parents to be appalled/concerned about a 50-child classroom. To suggest that simply b/c some of the "'powers-that-be" say it's just "fine" parents should simply accept this reality is baloney. School administrators and teachers have many constituencies (bosses, budgets, chancellors, etc.), parents have one (children). I'll put my money on the common sense of parents every time.

[Anonymous]

I would never put money on a parent's "common sense". Most parents only care about their individual offspring, know very little about learning, and display no expertise in how to educate students of varying abilities in any environment, with or without desks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I've seen a lot of research on the benefits of children sitting on the floor with a clipboard in lieu of a desk.

[Anonymous]

Phew. The sniping on this board makes me happy my kids are in a "second tier" East-of-the Park school rather than the jungle that is apparently Lafayette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Phew. The sniping on this board makes me happy my kids are in a "second tier" East-of-the Park school rather than the jungle that is apparently Lafayette

Gotta, agree on that one.

[Anonymous]

Be glad you don't post detailed info that allows anonymous folks to create a googleable record discussing individual classroom issues for all to see for years into the future. 'Cause that's the downside of DCUM.