Parents of difficult students asking for private school recommedation paperwork

[Anonymous]

I can find nice things to write about most kids, but recently a parent asked me to write a private school recommedation for a child who was difficult in class, was distracting to the learning of others, and didn't show any intellectual curiosity. It was a hard year with this kid, and the parents were not receptive to working as a team.

Is it acceptable to tell parents they should ask his previous year's English teacher instead? Knowing that teacher's experience, I don't think he would have more positive feedback.

[Anonymous]

I would be honest and say that child had a rough year in the class but you are happy to write a generic letter for the child.

[Anonymous]

You should ask your boss how to handle it.

[Anonymous]

For the sake of your teachers who have larger class sizes to deal with, write about what an angle the kid is and how they are a great, hard working, trouble free student. Let the private deal with the kid of kid that public school teachers are required to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the sake of your teachers who have larger class sizes to deal with, write about what an angle the kid is and how they are a great, hard working, trouble free student. Let the private deal with the kid of kid that public school teachers are required to deal with.

OP here. That's what my boss said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the sake of your teachers who have larger class sizes to deal with, write about what an angle the kid is and how they are a great, hard working, trouble free student. Let the private deal with the kid of kid that public school teachers are required to deal with.

OP here. That's what my boss said.

That's what our FCPS school happily does

[Anonymous]

I've had to write this type of letter for a kid with similar characteristics. I came up with some generic comments like, "Larlo enjoys collaborating with his peers during group work and is eager to share his ideas."

[Anonymous]

Is a non-conformist who has a unique approach to learning and is not afraid to show it in class. Naturally social and extremely interested in his peers, making up for lost time spent isoldated during COVID. Had a more difficult time than some adjusting to being back in school but shows promise.

Maybe?

Life has been hard for a lot of kids, in case you haven't heard. We are spending lots of tax dollars finding out just how bad our kids' mental health issues are. Seriously, things have been painful for many, many children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is a non-conformist who has a unique approach to learning and is not afraid to show it in class. Naturally social and extremely interested in his peers, making up for lost time spent isoldated during COVID. Had a more difficult time than some adjusting to being back in school but shows promise.

Maybe?

Life has been hard for a lot of kids, in case you haven't heard. We are spending lots of tax dollars finding out just how bad our kids' mental health issues are. Seriously, things have been painful for many, many children.

"Would blossom under the individual attention and smaller class sizes of a private school." (PP)

[Anonymous]

I really don’t know what it means that the parents were not receptive to working as a team. Parents are not in the classroom (or even allowed in school buildings lately). Other than reinforcing expectations at home, it’s really hard for them to be involved in classroom management in real time. It sounds like this child has other challenges going on and the parents are trying to find a more suitable environment for him. He is a child, and while I’m sure he made your job more difficult, I can’t believe that he had no positive personal qualities or characteristics that you could highlight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the sake of your teachers who have larger class sizes to deal with, write about what an angle the kid is and how they are a great, hard working, trouble free student. Let the private deal with the kid of kid that public school teachers are required to deal with.

OP here. That's what my boss said.

That is what I would do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is a non-conformist who has a unique approach to learning and is not afraid to show it in class. Naturally social and extremely interested in his peers, making up for lost time spent isoldated during COVID. Had a more difficult time than some adjusting to being back in school but shows promise.

Maybe?

Life has been hard for a lot of kids, in case you haven't heard. We are spending lots of tax dollars finding out just how bad our kids' mental health issues are. Seriously, things have been painful for many, many children.

Life isn't any harder than its always been. Parents like you are too lazy to deal with your own kids problems and want the schools and others to handle the hard part of parenting, however some of it starts at home and only you can fix your home life. Teens have always struggled. Stop with the excused. Very few kids were actually isolating and kids have been in person school, except for a select few who choose virtual, so enough with the excuses already. I'm tired of the wasteful spending on the fake mental health programs that are probably doing more harm than good and taking away from academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the sake of your teachers who have larger class sizes to deal with, write about what an angle the kid is and how they are a great, hard working, trouble free student. Let the private deal with the kid of kid that public school teachers are required to deal with.

OP here. That's what my boss said.

That is what I would do.

Another teacher here and same here.
I'm also a parent and things have been especially difficult these past few years. It's not an excuse. It's widely documented and I can see it in my own children who have not had a lot of the difficulties of those in my class.

Also often the most recent year's teacher's recommendation is required. It's the decent thing to do it and try to find a nice way to portray the student. I can always say nice things about every student even if they have had a difficult year. You sound like a nice teacher and I'm sure you will think of something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is a non-conformist who has a unique approach to learning and is not afraid to show it in class. Naturally social and extremely interested in his peers, making up for lost time spent isoldated during COVID. Had a more difficult time than some adjusting to being back in school but shows promise.

Maybe?

Life has been hard for a lot of kids, in case you haven't heard. We are spending lots of tax dollars finding out just how bad our kids' mental health issues are. Seriously, things have been painful for many, many children.

Life isn't any harder than its always been. Parents like you are too lazy to deal with your own kids problems and want the schools and others to handle the hard part of parenting, however some of it starts at home and only you can fix your home life. Teens have always struggled. Stop with the excused. Very few kids were actually isolating and kids have been in person school, except for a select few who choose virtual, so enough with the excuses already. I'm tired of the wasteful spending on the fake mental health programs that are probably doing more harm than good and taking away from academics.

You don't sound very nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is a non-conformist who has a unique approach to learning and is not afraid to show it in class. Naturally social and extremely interested in his peers, making up for lost time spent isoldated during COVID. Had a more difficult time than some adjusting to being back in school but shows promise.

Maybe?

Life has been hard for a lot of kids, in case you haven't heard. We are spending lots of tax dollars finding out just how bad our kids' mental health issues are. Seriously, things have been painful for many, many children.

Life isn't any harder than its always been. Parents like you are too lazy to deal with your own kids problems and want the schools and others to handle the hard part of parenting, however some of it starts at home and only you can fix your home life. Teens have always struggled. Stop with the excused. Very few kids were actually isolating and kids have been in person school, except for a select few who choose virtual, so enough with the excuses already. I'm tired of the wasteful spending on the fake mental health programs that are probably doing more harm than good and taking away from academics.

You don't sound very nice.

I am very nice but instead of making excuses I actually do something. Try it. Kids don’t need fake support and excuses.