Alexandria Catholic School— why so little instructional time?

[Anonymous]

As others posters have pointed out, most Arlington Catholic schools do not attend church three times a week. If the school you chose does this and you don’t like it, then you are free to change schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As others posters have pointed out, most Arlington Catholic schools do not attend church three times a week. If the school you chose does this and you don’t like it, then you are free to change schools.

It will still be weekly. I don’t think op would be happy at any Catholic school in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tuesday is the Annunciation, an important day in the Catholic Church, so most of the schools will have Mass that day.

It is an important day, but not a Holy Day of Obligation

[Anonymous]

OP hasn’t been happy at their child’s school for at least a few years. They keep posting about it but keep their child there. And they never answer the obvious question: why are you still there?

Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP hasn’t been happy at their child’s school for at least a few years. They keep posting about it but keep their child there. And they never answer the obvious question: why are you still there?

Poor kid.

I don’t understand why OP is still there. I hope they applied out and got in elsewhere. St Mary’s doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not and has always been like this. We live walking distance from it but would never apply to it bc it’s not a good fit for us, but others love it. OP this is on you bc they’re clear that they spend this much time on religious things. They always have and always will

[Anonymous]

Typical — instead of addressing the substance or questioning authority, all the lambs have nothing to say other than, “Oh stop complaining and pick a new school.”

This is what happens when you go to mass 3x a week during school hours, instead of learning how to think critically and communicate effectively. Sad. Glad I went to normal Catholic school that emphasized learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical — instead of addressing the substance or questioning authority, all the lambs have nothing to say other than, “Oh stop complaining and pick a new school.”

This is what happens when you go to mass 3x a week during school hours, instead of learning how to think critically and communicate effectively. Sad. Glad I went to normal Catholic school that emphasized learning.

I’m not involved with the school in question, but I’m guessing they don’t regularly go to Mass three times a week.

And you want substance? I’ve taught in both Catholic and public schools. Time was used MUCH more effectively at the Catholic, and I was able to get though content at a more stable, quicker pace. A lot of reasons for this, including: fewer wasted hours dealing with discipline, fewer days and weeks dedicated to county/state testing prep, etc.

Heading to Mass isn’t going to get in the way of academics the way you think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical — instead of addressing the substance or questioning authority, all the lambs have nothing to say other than, “Oh stop complaining and pick a new school.”

This is what happens when you go to mass 3x a week during school hours, instead of learning how to think critically and communicate effectively. Sad. Glad I went to normal Catholic school that emphasized learning.

Over the last few years, you have posted many times about how unhappy you are with your child’s school. Posters have responded to your posts addressing your questions and concerns. You have rarely responded to others’ questions, esp the main question.

You keep your child at a school you don't like. You complain about it w/o doing anything about it. You are not thinking critically about your situation or communicating effectively with the appropriate people.

[Anonymous]

St. Mary’s has in the last few years attended Mass more frequently than the other Alexandria Catholic K-8 schools. The students walk the several blocks to the church more frequently than just First Friday Mass, which does take longer than walking across a parking lot at the other local schools.

I’m not sure what caused the increase in Mass, but it does exist. A family who entered the school with a kindergarten student is experiencing a different school now as a 5th grade student or older. While the OP has posted about this issue several times, I think they are grappling with a school that is different than the one they joined several years ago. This is a conversation many school parents are having, just not on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical — instead of addressing the substance or questioning authority, all the lambs have nothing to say other than, “Oh stop complaining and pick a new school.”

This is what happens when you go to mass 3x a week during school hours, instead of learning how to think critically and communicate effectively. Sad. Glad I went to normal Catholic school that emphasized learning.

Over the last few years, you have posted many times about how unhappy you are with your child’s school. Posters have responded to your posts addressing your questions and concerns. You have rarely responded to others’ questions, esp the main question.

You keep your child at a school you don't like. You complain about it w/o doing anything about it. You are not thinking critically about your situation or communicating effectively with the appropriate people.

Posting on here is not doing something constructive OP. And I don’t necessarily disagree with your complaint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary’s has in the last few years attended Mass more frequently than the other Alexandria Catholic K-8 schools. The students walk the several blocks to the church more frequently than just First Friday Mass, which does take longer than walking across a parking lot at the other local schools.

I’m not sure what caused the increase in Mass, but it does exist. A family who entered the school with a kindergarten student is experiencing a different school now as a 5th grade student or older. While the OP has posted about this issue several times, I think they are grappling with a school that is different than the one they joined several years ago. This is a conversation many school parents are having, just not on DCUM.

Exactly. I suspect it’s just a stealth (pathetic) way to reduce teachers’ working hours. If it’s going to turn into a lame daycare, I’d rather they be upfront about it so parents could adjust accordingly.

Not to mention the massive tuition increase next year (much of it masked by new “fees”).

[Anonymous]

^^ I highly doubt your concern is a teacher-directed decision, but one the principal and pastor have made. Harness your frustration at the school leadership, not your children’s teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary’s has in the last few years attended Mass more frequently than the other Alexandria Catholic K-8 schools. The students walk the several blocks to the church more frequently than just First Friday Mass, which does take longer than walking across a parking lot at the other local schools.

I’m not sure what caused the increase in Mass, but it does exist. A family who entered the school with a kindergarten student is experiencing a different school now as a 5th grade student or older. While the OP has posted about this issue several times, I think they are grappling with a school that is different than the one they joined several years ago. This is a conversation many school parents are having, just not on DCUM.

Exactly. I suspect it’s just a stealth (pathetic) way to reduce teachers’ working hours. If it’s going to turn into a lame daycare, I’d rather they be upfront about it so parents could adjust accordingly.

Not to mention the massive tuition increase next year (much of it masked by new “fees”).

Didn’t take long to turn this into an attack on teachers. Really… they are going to Mass to reduce teacher working hours? (And how would that work, exactly?)

You do realize that teachers would like to remain in the classroom as much as possible, correct? Disruptions make a teacher’s job harder.

[Anonymous]

This is the same at St John's High School and most catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

OP if it helps you feel better, there is way more time lost in my kid’s public school. There are “brain breaks” which just means being on screen, movie days, pajama parties, assemblies, and reward days. Not to mention the everyday instructional time lost due to transitions, bad behavior of 2 students, and the curriculum being under the abilities of half the class (the focus for the year is just babysitting the top half while teaching the bottom half to hopefully catch up eventually).