Mcps has a dropout problem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Those examples are as simple as checking yes on a paper. Performing triage in schools turns schools into something completely different than an education center. If MCPS and Md Dept of Ed are going to turn schools into triage centers, they should also make free online public school available, as 41 other states already do. I'd rather teach my kids at home.

Why not start now?

+1

I bet we can crowd source some workbooks for you. And you can use the public library computers.

We don't need those things, which is the point. My kids are fully prepared to learn. They don't need anything but to be taught.

You mean your kids will be fine no matter what? Then why are you complaining about helping those who won’t be. Not everyone is as blessed as your kids.

[Anonymous]

If every SJW in MoCo adopts one homeless kid or the unaccompanied illegal immigrant minor, teaches them basic reading and math at home, dresses them with warm coat in winter, provides child care for younger siblings, makes sure them get three meals, and, most importantly, gets them to school on time, MCPS can focus on teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don't be intentionally obtuse. This thread is not about meals at school; MCPS already provides free or reduced price school meals. It's about whether schools have a responsibility to address outside economic factors that impact the dropout rate.

Should schools address factors that affect children's education? Yup, they sure should.

I get the feeling that you are writing in generalities to avoid admitting that your position is ill-conceived.

Great. So if there's a homeless kid, the school should provide housing?

If a kid is being abused, a couple of teachers, the janitor, and the vice principal should go arrest the parent?

Of course not. If someone at the school is made aware of one of those conditions, they should refer the matter to the appropriate agency that has expertise providing the required services.

Do you disagree with this?

Different poster. Some home problems are relatively easy to address via a school community. Some districts find having a food pantry or clothing closet in schools helpful. Others put a clinic for vaccinations and urgent care level emergencies. My mom taught in a school that opened the computer lab to parents and other household members that wanted to do GED or job search. I’d love my school to offer all of those. Because the sooner kids’ basic needs are met, the dinner they are available for learning. Why send basic things through two to three more levels of bureaucracy when we can do it in house?

Because when you stack 4 or 5 "basic" things on top of one another, it becomes a huge undertaking. And bet addressed by teh appropriate agency, not the school.

It doesn’t have to be the final stop. Just a first stop. You expect the school nurse to render first aid, right? Why not have the equivalent for a winter coat or dinner until the other services can be arranged?

That is the school nurse's actual job to render first aid. Would you expect the school nurse to be in the health room all day dealing with sick and injured kids and also popping out to man the school's clothing closet whenever anyone comes to "shop" in it? Or volunteer her time in the evenings to serve dinner to families?

All of these services take time and manpower. I teach in a high FARMS school. We don't have any extraneous people sitting around available to undertake running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents. Our school is lucky to have Linkages to Learning on site and they do as much of this kind of stuff as they can but it's their full time job and they have specific funding and employees for it. Having school staff run these kinds of services means that they aren't available to do their actual jobs.

Linkages to Learning has hosted computer skills classes for parents in our computer lab in both English and Spanish. They were sparsely attended. They also won't be able to continue because our computer lab is being turned into a classroom due to a need for more classroom space.

There's a perception out there that schools should be taking on more, more and more. The thing is, it can't be an "and" situation, it has to be an "or" situation. Which would you prefer? School staff coordinating and running an urgent care OR providing interventions to students who need support? School staff coordinating and running food pantries and clothing closets OR prepping materials for an engaging science lesson? Where do you think this time, money and staffing should come from? We barely keep our heads above water as it is doing our primary jobs (which of course means more than what our job description actually entails), but do you really think "other duties as assigned" should mean running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents, and that would somehow *not* impact student instructional time?

Resources are limited and the ones that exist in schools are already strained to capacity. You can't keep adding and adding responsibilities to schools and not expect things to boil over. We're not magicians. If you think we *should* be able to take these things on and also do our jobs, please come sub or shadow in a high needs school for at least a week to see what really goes on vs. what you are assuming goes on in your head. We're also not martyrs and can't be expected to take on all of society's woes and eschew our own families, health and sanity.

Of course it would be lovely if schools could be one stop shops for everything the community needs. There are a lot of things in this world that would be lovely but are not logistically possible for one reason or another.

I would love to hear how you actually think this would work logistically. Please elaborate. You can't say parent volunteers because we don't have those. Not every school has an active PTA and people who are able or willing to volunteer.

100% this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don't be intentionally obtuse. This thread is not about meals at school; MCPS already provides free or reduced price school meals. It's about whether schools have a responsibility to address outside economic factors that impact the dropout rate.

Should schools address factors that affect children's education? Yup, they sure should.

I get the feeling that you are writing in generalities to avoid admitting that your position is ill-conceived.

Great. So if there's a homeless kid, the school should provide housing?

If a kid is being abused, a couple of teachers, the janitor, and the vice principal should go arrest the parent?

Of course not. If someone at the school is made aware of one of those conditions, they should refer the matter to the appropriate agency that has expertise providing the required services.

Do you disagree with this?

Different poster. Some home problems are relatively easy to address via a school community. Some districts find having a food pantry or clothing closet in schools helpful. Others put a clinic for vaccinations and urgent care level emergencies. My mom taught in a school that opened the computer lab to parents and other household members that wanted to do GED or job search. I’d love my school to offer all of those. Because the sooner kids’ basic needs are met, the dinner they are available for learning. Why send basic things through two to three more levels of bureaucracy when we can do it in house?

Because when you stack 4 or 5 "basic" things on top of one another, it becomes a huge undertaking. And bet addressed by teh appropriate agency, not the school.

It doesn’t have to be the final stop. Just a first stop. You expect the school nurse to render first aid, right? Why not have the equivalent for a winter coat or dinner until the other services can be arranged?

That is the school nurse's actual job to render first aid. Would you expect the school nurse to be in the health room all day dealing with sick and injured kids and also popping out to man the school's clothing closet whenever anyone comes to "shop" in it? Or volunteer her time in the evenings to serve dinner to families?

All of these services take time and manpower. I teach in a high FARMS school. We don't have any extraneous people sitting around available to undertake running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents. Our school is lucky to have Linkages to Learning on site and they do as much of this kind of stuff as they can but it's their full time job and they have specific funding and employees for it. Having school staff run these kinds of services means that they aren't available to do their actual jobs.

Linkages to Learning has hosted computer skills classes for parents in our computer lab in both English and Spanish. They were sparsely attended. They also won't be able to continue because our computer lab is being turned into a classroom due to a need for more classroom space.

There's a perception out there that schools should be taking on more, more and more. The thing is, it can't be an "and" situation, it has to be an "or" situation. Which would you prefer? School staff coordinating and running an urgent care OR providing interventions to students who need support? School staff coordinating and running food pantries and clothing closets OR prepping materials for an engaging science lesson? Where do you think this time, money and staffing should come from? We barely keep our heads above water as it is doing our primary jobs (which of course means more than what our job description actually entails), but do you really think "other duties as assigned" should mean running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents, and that would somehow *not* impact student instructional time?

Resources are limited and the ones that exist in schools are already strained to capacity. You can't keep adding and adding responsibilities to schools and not expect things to boil over. We're not magicians. If you think we *should* be able to take these things on and also do our jobs, please come sub or shadow in a high needs school for at least a week to see what really goes on vs. what you are assuming goes on in your head. We're also not martyrs and can't be expected to take on all of society's woes and eschew our own families, health and sanity.

Of course it would be lovely if schools could be one stop shops for everything the community needs. There are a lot of things in this world that would be lovely but are not logistically possible for one reason or another.

I would love to hear how you actually think this would work logistically. Please elaborate. You can't say parent volunteers because we don't have those. Not every school has an active PTA and people who are able or willing to volunteer.

100% this.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Those examples are as simple as checking yes on a paper. Performing triage in schools turns schools into something completely different than an education center. If MCPS and Md Dept of Ed are going to turn schools into triage centers, they should also make free online public school available, as 41 other states already do. I'd rather teach my kids at home.

Why not start now?

+1

I bet we can crowd source some workbooks for you. And you can use the public library computers.

We don't need those things, which is the point. My kids are fully prepared to learn. They don't need anything but to be taught.

That's great! Have at it. No need for school for you!

[Anonymous]

Most of the human services being decried here are actually funded by the Health and Human Services Department, while co-located in MCPS because that increases usage.

Wellness Centers are HHS, Linkages is HHS, backpack food programs are generally funded through HHS. Just because it happens at a school doesn’t mean MCPS is paying for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don't be intentionally obtuse. This thread is not about meals at school; MCPS already provides free or reduced price school meals. It's about whether schools have a responsibility to address outside economic factors that impact the dropout rate.

Should schools address factors that affect children's education? Yup, they sure should.

I get the feeling that you are writing in generalities to avoid admitting that your position is ill-conceived.

Great. So if there's a homeless kid, the school should provide housing?

If a kid is being abused, a couple of teachers, the janitor, and the vice principal should go arrest the parent?

Of course not. If someone at the school is made aware of one of those conditions, they should refer the matter to the appropriate agency that has expertise providing the required services.

Do you disagree with this?

Different poster. Some home problems are relatively easy to address via a school community. Some districts find having a food pantry or clothing closet in schools helpful. Others put a clinic for vaccinations and urgent care level emergencies. My mom taught in a school that opened the computer lab to parents and other household members that wanted to do GED or job search. I’d love my school to offer all of those. Because the sooner kids’ basic needs are met, the dinner they are available for learning. Why send basic things through two to three more levels of bureaucracy when we can do it in house?

Because when you stack 4 or 5 "basic" things on top of one another, it becomes a huge undertaking. And bet addressed by teh appropriate agency, not the school.

It doesn’t have to be the final stop. Just a first stop. You expect the school nurse to render first aid, right? Why not have the equivalent for a winter coat or dinner until the other services can be arranged?

That is the school nurse's actual job to render first aid. Would you expect the school nurse to be in the health room all day dealing with sick and injured kids and also popping out to man the school's clothing closet whenever anyone comes to "shop" in it? Or volunteer her time in the evenings to serve dinner to families?

All of these services take time and manpower. I teach in a high FARMS school. We don't have any extraneous people sitting around available to undertake running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents. Our school is lucky to have Linkages to Learning on site and they do as much of this kind of stuff as they can but it's their full time job and they have specific funding and employees for it. Having school staff run these kinds of services means that they aren't available to do their actual jobs.

Linkages to Learning has hosted computer skills classes for parents in our computer lab in both English and Spanish. They were sparsely attended. They also won't be able to continue because our computer lab is being turned into a classroom due to a need for more classroom space.

There's a perception out there that schools should be taking on more, more and more. The thing is, it can't be an "and" situation, it has to be an "or" situation. Which would you prefer? School staff coordinating and running an urgent care OR providing interventions to students who need support? School staff coordinating and running food pantries and clothing closets OR prepping materials for an engaging science lesson? Where do you think this time, money and staffing should come from? We barely keep our heads above water as it is doing our primary jobs (which of course means more than what our job description actually entails), but do you really think "other duties as assigned" should mean running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents, and that would somehow *not* impact student instructional time?

Resources are limited and the ones that exist in schools are already strained to capacity. You can't keep adding and adding responsibilities to schools and not expect things to boil over. We're not magicians. If you think we *should* be able to take these things on and also do our jobs, please come sub or shadow in a high needs school for at least a week to see what really goes on vs. what you are assuming goes on in your head. We're also not martyrs and can't be expected to take on all of society's woes and eschew our own families, health and sanity.

Of course it would be lovely if schools could be one stop shops for everything the community needs. There are a lot of things in this world that would be lovely but are not logistically possible for one reason or another.

I would love to hear how you actually think this would work logistically. Please elaborate. You can't say parent volunteers because we don't have those. Not every school has an active PTA and people who are able or willing to volunteer.

Our school PTA is a huge clique and not interested in help. Our school doesn't encourage volunteers. I suggested things like a clothing closet. Many of us have extra kids clothing and its a very simple thing to do. Some of us do have the time and professional background. Reach out and get to know the parents and see who has the skills and knowledge base and willing to help. You rule it out without trying. Our county has a lot of resources but people have to be guided to them. A simple resource guide would even help. Families basic needs have to be met first - food, clothing, shelter, utilities, in order for kids to be able to learn. If a child is hungry, they cannot learn. If a family gets their utilities cut off, the child may not be able to do the homework. You cannot just provide a computer. You have to assist people with accessing what they need. They may need guided to apply for assistance. Some may not be able to read and write in their own language, let alone English.

[Anonymous]

It is clear the last PP Has never set foot in a high farms school (new poster here).
And the issue here is precisely why I don’t want my child in such a school anymore. Been for 3 years and thanks but no thanks. They have no bandwidth for creative anything. Too much to deal with.
(New poster here)

[Anonymous]

Ahahaha trust me, applying for assistance is the one thing they don’t need guidance in. They are experts at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ahahaha trust me, applying for assistance is the one thing they don’t need guidance in. They are experts at it.

It’s not that easy. Have you done it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahahaha trust me, applying for assistance is the one thing they don’t need guidance in. They are experts at it.

It’s not that easy. Have you done it?

I have, for some things.
You?
There are also ppl willing to assist you.

[Anonymous]

All in all, I agree those kids may need help, other kids for sure, I am willing to help them and I already do via my taxes, but please leave that outside my child’s school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the human services being decried here are actually funded by the Health and Human Services Department, while co-located in MCPS because that increases usage.

Wellness Centers are HHS, Linkages is HHS, backpack food programs are generally funded through HHS. Just because it happens at a school doesn’t mean MCPS is paying for it.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don't be intentionally obtuse. This thread is not about meals at school; MCPS already provides free or reduced price school meals. It's about whether schools have a responsibility to address outside economic factors that impact the dropout rate.

Should schools address factors that affect children's education? Yup, they sure should.

I get the feeling that you are writing in generalities to avoid admitting that your position is ill-conceived.

Great. So if there's a homeless kid, the school should provide housing?

If a kid is being abused, a couple of teachers, the janitor, and the vice principal should go arrest the parent?

Of course not. If someone at the school is made aware of one of those conditions, they should refer the matter to the appropriate agency that has expertise providing the required services.

Do you disagree with this?

Different poster. Some home problems are relatively easy to address via a school community. Some districts find having a food pantry or clothing closet in schools helpful. Others put a clinic for vaccinations and urgent care level emergencies. My mom taught in a school that opened the computer lab to parents and other household members that wanted to do GED or job search. I’d love my school to offer all of those. Because the sooner kids’ basic needs are met, the dinner they are available for learning. Why send basic things through two to three more levels of bureaucracy when we can do it in house?

Because when you stack 4 or 5 "basic" things on top of one another, it becomes a huge undertaking. And bet addressed by teh appropriate agency, not the school.

It doesn’t have to be the final stop. Just a first stop. You expect the school nurse to render first aid, right? Why not have the equivalent for a winter coat or dinner until the other services can be arranged?

That is the school nurse's actual job to render first aid. Would you expect the school nurse to be in the health room all day dealing with sick and injured kids and also popping out to man the school's clothing closet whenever anyone comes to "shop" in it? Or volunteer her time in the evenings to serve dinner to families?

All of these services take time and manpower. I teach in a high FARMS school. We don't have any extraneous people sitting around available to undertake running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents. Our school is lucky to have Linkages to Learning on site and they do as much of this kind of stuff as they can but it's their full time job and they have specific funding and employees for it. Having school staff run these kinds of services means that they aren't available to do their actual jobs.

Linkages to Learning has hosted computer skills classes for parents in our computer lab in both English and Spanish. They were sparsely attended. They also won't be able to continue because our computer lab is being turned into a classroom due to a need for more classroom space.

There's a perception out there that schools should be taking on more, more and more. The thing is, it can't be an "and" situation, it has to be an "or" situation. Which would you prefer? School staff coordinating and running an urgent care OR providing interventions to students who need support? School staff coordinating and running food pantries and clothing closets OR prepping materials for an engaging science lesson? Where do you think this time, money and staffing should come from? We barely keep our heads above water as it is doing our primary jobs (which of course means more than what our job description actually entails), but do you really think "other duties as assigned" should mean running a food pantry, clothing closet, urgent care, or job training for parents, and that would somehow *not* impact student instructional time?

Resources are limited and the ones that exist in schools are already strained to capacity. You can't keep adding and adding responsibilities to schools and not expect things to boil over. We're not magicians. If you think we *should* be able to take these things on and also do our jobs, please come sub or shadow in a high needs school for at least a week to see what really goes on vs. what you are assuming goes on in your head. We're also not martyrs and can't be expected to take on all of society's woes and eschew our own families, health and sanity.

Of course it would be lovely if schools could be one stop shops for everything the community needs. There are a lot of things in this world that would be lovely but are not logistically possible for one reason or another.

I would love to hear how you actually think this would work logistically. Please elaborate. You can't say parent volunteers because we don't have those. Not every school has an active PTA and people who are able or willing to volunteer.

Our school PTA is a huge clique and not interested in help. Our school doesn't encourage volunteers. I suggested things like a clothing closet. Many of us have extra kids clothing and its a very simple thing to do. Some of us do have the time and professional background. Reach out and get to know the parents and see who has the skills and knowledge base and willing to help. You rule it out without trying. Our county has a lot of resources but people have to be guided to them. A simple resource guide would even help. Families basic needs have to be met first - food, clothing, shelter, utilities, in order for kids to be able to learn. If a child is hungry, they cannot learn. If a family gets their utilities cut off, the child may not be able to do the homework. You cannot just provide a computer. You have to assist people with accessing what they need. They may need guided to apply for assistance. Some may not be able to read and write in their own language, let alone English.

Oh, I’m sure you know better than a teacher who actually is immersed in this kind of school every single day. Glad you think it’s just that simple and you know exactly how it should work and people just need to be be introduced to services and then *voila* instant fix. Since you know how to fix the problem, how about going into these kinds of schools and coordinating these programs?

You need to get out of your bubble and realize that a cliquish PTA would actually be welcomed in some schools. At least it wouldn’t fall 100% on the school’s staff. Please take your feelings of being left out by the mean girl clique somewhere else and work your magic of being able to fix society’s woes by getting people to just try harder. I’m sure you will be exactly what those schools need.

[Anonymous]

School isn't for everyone. If people who aren't interested opt-out, that's fine.