1st grade is a bad as we suspected

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No one is saying online learning was super effective for K students. But if parents literally did nothing additional for all of last year, while knowing virtual was ineffective, that’s on them.

Perhaps you can come up with things parents could have done or should be doing, to make this all work out?

I have a friend who is a nurse, with 3 kids, 8th grader, 5th grader, and K. All through the pandemic, she has been working, often long hours. Her husband works overnight, so that someone is home most of the time, but obviously, in between work, they have to do things like chores and sleeping. Since dad sleeps during the day, he is unable to supervise anyone. Oldest kid was in 8th grade. Self sufficient. He was responsible for making sure that the K kid was logged on, but that was about the extent of what he could do, because he can't do his schooling and supervise the K kid. Obviously, the kid learned nothing all last year. No idea how the little one is doing this year, but I'm assuming that he is among the kids that is behind.

They could have worked with the little one every day on the basics. Zero excuse.

Yeah, sure. When one parent works 7 - 7, and the other one leaves home at 9 and isn't back until 7 in the morning, that leaves plenty of time to spend teaching the basics to a 5 year old that has spent the day on zoom classes.

Was she working daily? Most nurses who work 7-7 only work 2/3/4 days a week (24/36/48 hrs/wk). More than that (60 hrs/wk) is not often sustainable longer term.

oh stuff it.

Again, truth hurts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No one is saying online learning was super effective for K students. But if parents literally did nothing additional for all of last year, while knowing virtual was ineffective, that’s on them.

Perhaps you can come up with things parents could have done or should be doing, to make this all work out?

I have a friend who is a nurse, with 3 kids, 8th grader, 5th grader, and K. All through the pandemic, she has been working, often long hours. Her husband works overnight, so that someone is home most of the time, but obviously, in between work, they have to do things like chores and sleeping. Since dad sleeps during the day, he is unable to supervise anyone. Oldest kid was in 8th grade. Self sufficient. He was responsible for making sure that the K kid was logged on, but that was about the extent of what he could do, because he can't do his schooling and supervise the K kid. Obviously, the kid learned nothing all last year. No idea how the little one is doing this year, but I'm assuming that he is among the kids that is behind.

They could have worked with the little one every day on the basics. Zero excuse.

Yeah, sure. When one parent works 7 - 7, and the other one leaves home at 9 and isn't back until 7 in the morning, that leaves plenty of time to spend teaching the basics to a 5 year old that has spent the day on zoom classes.

Yes, it’s very hard, and tiring, to find the time when you have a busy schedule. But you don’t work 24/7. I’m sorry. You just don’t.

It was really challenging for me during the school year. I only helped and reviewed work on the weekends. During the summer the school system offered a reading program and I also had my kids do a few pages each day in a summer workbook. According to fall assessments my kids are above grade level. It's not too late for your friend's children but they can't depend only on the school. They need to find time or use resources to help.

[Anonymous]

truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

I agree, but probably for the opposite reason of you. It demonstrates how lazy parents are, and how they abdicate all of their responsibility as to parents to “society.” I didn’t fail my child, society did! If anything is wrong with my child, it is society’s fault! It explains so much about so many of the kids at my kids’ schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for 1st grade teachers. My DD who was in person in private all last year is incredibly bored in public 1st. She’s normally very well behaved but I got a note from the teacher today letting me know she’s refusing to do some of her work because “it’s easy kindergarten work that she already knows”. She’s not wrong (it’s a lot of what she did last year) but it’s like 2 months into 1st grade, she’s just like “nope…” Sigh.

You pulled your DD out of private? That was such a bad decision. I know others IRL who did this and I’m like… why? Why wouldn’t you wait another year or two until things settle down? So dumb.

DP. I think many folks had a few faulty misconceptions that cost their kids 18 months of education, sports, and meaningful connection with friends.
1. If everyone wears a mask we won’t have many cases
2. The vaccine will stop transmission
3. The vaccine will provide sterilizing immunity

Now more people are realizing that herd immunity will never be reached and interventions have a tradeoff. Many are being choosy about in person activities while they await a pediatric vaccine. But everyone is doing more than they were 18 months ago, and everyone I know is risking Covid for the sake of school and sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No one is saying online learning was super effective for K students. But if parents literally did nothing additional for all of last year, while knowing virtual was ineffective, that’s on them.

Perhaps you can come up with things parents could have done or should be doing, to make this all work out?

I have a friend who is a nurse, with 3 kids, 8th grader, 5th grader, and K. All through the pandemic, she has been working, often long hours. Her husband works overnight, so that someone is home most of the time, but obviously, in between work, they have to do things like chores and sleeping. Since dad sleeps during the day, he is unable to supervise anyone. Oldest kid was in 8th grade. Self sufficient. He was responsible for making sure that the K kid was logged on, but that was about the extent of what he could do, because he can't do his schooling and supervise the K kid. Obviously, the kid learned nothing all last year. No idea how the little one is doing this year, but I'm assuming that he is among the kids that is behind.

They could have worked with the little one every day on the basics. Zero excuse.

Yeah, sure. When one parent works 7 - 7, and the other one leaves home at 9 and isn't back until 7 in the morning, that leaves plenty of time to spend teaching the basics to a 5 year old that has spent the day on zoom classes.

Was she working daily? Most nurses who work 7-7 only work 2/3/4 days a week (24/36/48 hrs/wk). More than that (60 hrs/wk) is not often sustainable longer term.

Not PP but surely you heard about the shortage of healthcare workers? I know nurses who have had to take extra shifts. It's almost like you think more parent healthcare workers should have quit to homeschool their children....until you needed care, of course. Let me guess, you take SUCH good care of yourself at home that you've ben able to forgo all healthcare the last 18 months?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

I agree, but probably for the opposite reason of you. It demonstrates how lazy parents are, and how they abdicate all of their responsibility as to parents to “society.” I didn’t fail my child, society did! If anything is wrong with my child, it is society’s fault! It explains so much about so many of the kids at my kids’ schools.

I'm amazed you sent your kids back to that place given how unsafe it is, when clearly you can offer them a better education at home. Who's lazy now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

Agree. It really has brought out some odd and nasty opinions.
First grade is a disaster this year?
Well oh, that's because you lazy parents didn't get Kumon workbooks to supplement at home last year.
And that's a realllllly weird perspective. Were those workbooks supposed to supplement being in a classroom with other kids? Because that's what was lost here and what the OP was about.
Closing down schools had real effects on kids in school. It's not worth blaming parents or teachers for those decisions or the consequences of those decisions. We as a society lost because of the pandemic and now the energy should be focused on how to help those affected catch up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

Agree. It really has brought out some odd and nasty opinions.
First grade is a disaster this year?
Well oh, that's because you lazy parents didn't get Kumon workbooks to supplement at home last year.
And that's a realllllly weird perspective. Were those workbooks supposed to supplement being in a classroom with other kids? Because that's what was lost here and what the OP was about.
Closing down schools had real effects on kids in school. It's not worth blaming parents or teachers for those decisions or the consequences of those decisions. We as a society lost because of the pandemic and now the energy should be focused on how to help those affected catch up.

That’s what’s frustrating. We lost more loves per capita than almost any other country AND we sacrificed our kids. We truly had the worst pandemic response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for 1st grade teachers. My DD who was in person in private all last year is incredibly bored in public 1st. She’s normally very well behaved but I got a note from the teacher today letting me know she’s refusing to do some of her work because “it’s easy kindergarten work that she already knows”. She’s not wrong (it’s a lot of what she did last year) but it’s like 2 months into 1st grade, she’s just like “nope…” Sigh.

You pulled your DD out of private? That was such a bad decision. I know others IRL who did this and I’m like… why? Why wouldn’t you wait another year or two until things settle down? So dumb.

Yes, I did and I am regretting it on some levels. We never wanted to do private school but were forced into it last year so she could go in person. I naively thought this year would be better than it has been and was eager to get her with her peer group. Right now, I'm kind of wishing we hadn't left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for 1st grade teachers. My DD who was in person in private all last year is incredibly bored in public 1st. She’s normally very well behaved but I got a note from the teacher today letting me know she’s refusing to do some of her work because “it’s easy kindergarten work that she already knows”. She’s not wrong (it’s a lot of what she did last year) but it’s like 2 months into 1st grade, she’s just like “nope…” Sigh.

You pulled your DD out of private? That was such a bad decision. I know others IRL who did this and I’m like… why? Why wouldn’t you wait another year or two until things settle down? So dumb.

Yes, I did and I am regretting it on some levels. We never wanted to do private school but were forced into it last year so she could go in person. I naively thought this year would be better than it has been and was eager to get her with her peer group. Right now, I'm kind of wishing we hadn't left.

I'm curious about this as someone who made similar choices. I think that in-person first grade is actually going really well at the public school. Better than I expected. What are you missing now that you got last year in private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:truly, this thread is the worst of DCUM.

Agree. It really has brought out some odd and nasty opinions.
First grade is a disaster this year?
Well oh, that's because you lazy parents didn't get Kumon workbooks to supplement at home last year.
And that's a realllllly weird perspective. Were those workbooks supposed to supplement being in a classroom with other kids? Because that's what was lost here and what the OP was about.
Closing down schools had real effects on kids in school. It's not worth blaming parents or teachers for those decisions or the consequences of those decisions. We as a society lost because of the pandemic and now the energy should be focused on how to help those affected catch up.

That’s what’s frustrating. We lost more loves per capita than almost any other country AND we sacrificed our kids. We truly had the worst pandemic response.

PP with kid with anxiety. I don’t know what the OP was trying to achieve with their post but for myself and many other parents I know it’s important for the school system to admit what a disaster virtual learning was especially for younger kids so we can point to this if god forbid we have another rise in cases this winter or some other situation that people might think merits returning to virtual learning. It was SO bad and SO unnecessary (as demonstrated by many US states who kept schools open with reasonable precautions). Academics are easy to quantify so the losses there are obvious already but the far more important mental health, delay in diagnosis of learning disabilities and increase in obesity in these kids (and many adults) are not getting the attention they deserve. My kid is fine academically but it’s not because I demanded that we spend extra hours doing enrichment after she used every single bit of self control she had to sit in front of Zoom for 4.5 hours, no kid should have to do that. She just learns easily and we are lucky in that regard and less lucky in others. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for 1st grade teachers. My DD who was in person in private all last year is incredibly bored in public 1st. She’s normally very well behaved but I got a note from the teacher today letting me know she’s refusing to do some of her work because “it’s easy kindergarten work that she already knows”. She’s not wrong (it’s a lot of what she did last year) but it’s like 2 months into 1st grade, she’s just like “nope…” Sigh.

You pulled your DD out of private? That was such a bad decision. I know others IRL who did this and I’m like… why? Why wouldn’t you wait another year or two until things settle down? So dumb.

Yes, I did and I am regretting it on some levels. We never wanted to do private school but were forced into it last year so she could go in person. I naively thought this year would be better than it has been and was eager to get her with her peer group. Right now, I'm kind of wishing we hadn't left.

I'm curious about this as someone who made similar choices. I think that in-person first grade is actually going really well at the public school. Better than I expected. What are you missing now that you got last year in private?

I like that she's getting to know her peer group and kids in our neighborhood - honestly, that was our #1 reason for switching to public. However, the curriculum of public 1st thus far has been equivalent to her private K. She's not learned a single new to her thing yet. The teacher has mentioned there's a lot of catch up she's needing to do for a lot of kids. I get the sense that she's doing a lot of waiting for other kids to finish up and I know she's not being challenged. Also her class size is giant (24) compared to her private last year (14). From a purely academic standpoint, she's gotten nothing out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
No one is saying online learning was super effective for K students. But if parents literally did nothing additional for all of last year, while knowing virtual was ineffective, that’s on them.

Perhaps you can come up with things parents could have done or should be doing, to make this all work out?

I have a friend who is a nurse, with 3 kids, 8th grader, 5th grader, and K. All through the pandemic, she has been working, often long hours. Her husband works overnight, so that someone is home most of the time, but obviously, in between work, they have to do things like chores and sleeping. Since dad sleeps during the day, he is unable to supervise anyone. Oldest kid was in 8th grade. Self sufficient. He was responsible for making sure that the K kid was logged on, but that was about the extent of what he could do, because he can't do his schooling and supervise the K kid. Obviously, the kid learned nothing all last year. No idea how the little one is doing this year, but I'm assuming that he is among the kids that is behind.

They could have worked with the little one every day on the basics. Zero excuse.

Yeah, sure. When one parent works 7 - 7, and the other one leaves home at 9 and isn't back until 7 in the morning, that leaves plenty of time to spend teaching the basics to a 5 year old that has spent the day on zoom classes.

Was she working daily? Most nurses who work 7-7 only work 2/3/4 days a week (24/36/48 hrs/wk). More than that (60 hrs/wk) is not often sustainable longer term.

Not PP but surely you heard about the shortage of healthcare workers? I know nurses who have had to take extra shifts. It's almost like you think more parent healthcare workers should have quit to homeschool their children....until you needed care, of course. Let me guess, you take SUCH good care of yourself at home that you've ben able to forgo all healthcare the last 18 months?

Oh stop, I'm a nurse myself but not in the hospital anymore. I'm simply pointing out a typical nurse who works 7-7 in the hospital only works 2-3 days a week, and often at least one of those days is on the weekend. What is the nurse doing the rest of the time? I'm sure many picked up extra shifts but even then, the amount of OT and bonus $$$ would have been insane enough that they could have hired some help, so there's really no excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for 1st grade teachers. My DD who was in person in private all last year is incredibly bored in public 1st. She’s normally very well behaved but I got a note from the teacher today letting me know she’s refusing to do some of her work because “it’s easy kindergarten work that she already knows”. She’s not wrong (it’s a lot of what she did last year) but it’s like 2 months into 1st grade, she’s just like “nope…” Sigh.

You pulled your DD out of private? That was such a bad decision. I know others IRL who did this and I’m like… why? Why wouldn’t you wait another year or two until things settle down? So dumb.

Yes, I did and I am regretting it on some levels. We never wanted to do private school but were forced into it last year so she could go in person. I naively thought this year would be better than it has been and was eager to get her with her peer group. Right now, I'm kind of wishing we hadn't left.

I'm curious about this as someone who made similar choices. I think that in-person first grade is actually going really well at the public school. Better than I expected. What are you missing now that you got last year in private?

I like that she's getting to know her peer group and kids in our neighborhood - honestly, that was our #1 reason for switching to public. However, the curriculum of public 1st thus far has been equivalent to her private K. She's not learned a single new to her thing yet. The teacher has mentioned there's a lot of catch up she's needing to do for a lot of kids. I get the sense that she's doing a lot of waiting for other kids to finish up and I know she's not being challenged. Also her class size is giant (24) compared to her private last year (14). From a purely academic standpoint, she's gotten nothing out of it.

Also, the amount of kids in her class that are being pulled out for extra support because they are below level during reading groups is unreal. According to DD, it's over half the class. I actually reached out to the teacher because I thought there's no way that was possible and I was misunderstanding the small groups and maybe my DD was misplaced in her group ... in the most PC way possible, the teacher confirmed there is an above average amount of kids getting pulled out for extra support.