TPMS magnet changes

[Anonymous]

What is changing that would eliminate the elective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is changing that would eliminate the elective?

They are considering moving from a block schedule to a standard seven period day. Because the magnet kids lose an elective to computer science, moving from eight classes to seven classes would mean they only get one elective. Kids in the comprehensive program would still have two electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is changing that would eliminate the elective?

They are considering moving from a block schedule to a standard seven period day. Because the magnet kids lose an elective to computer science, moving from eight classes to seven classes would mean they only get one elective. Kids in the comprehensive program would still have two electives.

This is a backwards move, for sure. I think the whole county should shift to block schedule. It is so much better for kids to be able to plan HW completion over 2 days.

[Anonymous]

Wonder if they’ll end up adding a for-credit after-school music option like Eastern has?

[Anonymous]

My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

Can you share the message?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is changing that would eliminate the elective?

The teachers are advocating to teach less classes claiming it’s against their contract. They have pushed for this change for years and the (relatively) new principal has no understanding of what a shit storm she’s walking into.

No support in the community at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

No reason to be resigned to this. Parents and students have fought this before successfully and they can again.

We need strong attendance in the call tonight. The petition from the kids. AND calls and emails to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

No reason to be resigned to this. Parents and students have fought this before successfully and they can again.

We need strong attendance in the call tonight. The petition from the kids. AND calls and emails to the principal.

Yes, please. Show up in force for the Zoom call today. And please email the principal in advance of the meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should make the mind-numbing CS class an elective, so the academically advanced kids kids can take language and music classes, and do CS using one of the many free curricula at home.

This. Or offer CS as an after school enrichment activity for magnet/all TPMS kids.

My TPMS magnet graduate did not enjoy or get much out of CS, but would have been very sad to miss out on orchestra or Spanish!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should make the mind-numbing CS class an elective, so the academically advanced kids kids can take language and music classes, and do CS using one of the many free curricula at home.

This. Or offer CS as an after school enrichment activity for magnet/all TPMS kids.

My TPMS magnet graduate did not enjoy or get much out of CS, but would have been very sad to miss out on orchestra or Spanish!

Neither of my TPMS magnet kids found comp sci to be “mind-numbing” - in fact it’s many magnet kids favorite class. My Blair magnet kid found it great preparation for the Blair magnet comp sci classes. There has been a lot of teacher turnover though so it may vary by teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

No reason to be resigned to this. Parents and students have fought this before successfully and they can again.

We need strong attendance in the call tonight. The petition from the kids. AND calls and emails to the principal.

Yes, please. Show up in force for the Zoom call today. And please email the principal in advance of the meeting.

Yes, please reach out to Ms Martin to share your views whether you have current students, magnet graduates or might consider attending in the future. This has an impact much broader than current students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sixth grader told me his teacher told them the decision was already made and it was because of a staffing shortage. Seven periods vs eight means that teachers teach one less class.

An email from the orchestra teacher today suggested the same. This is a done deal but I would still recommend that folks show up tonight and express their concern. This is not just an issue for magnet students, but It will impact them most directly because all magnet students will be down to one elective.

No reason to be resigned to this. Parents and students have fought this before successfully and they can again.

We need strong attendance in the call tonight. The petition from the kids. AND calls and emails to the principal.

Yes, please. Show up in force for the Zoom call today. And please email the principal in advance of the meeting.

Looks like some parents are contacting the board of education too with concerns about the lack of consultation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is not in the TPMS magnet, you don't know why this is a big deal.

We'll take it up with the administration.

Eastern magnet kids only have one elective, which sucks, but they deal.

Good luck!