MCPS teachers - what would you tell parents in your class(es) if you could?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

The biggest advantage of private school is the ability to a) keep the size of the school at whatever level they choose and b)select all the students that attend such that you don’t actually have a large spectrum of learners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

DP here. We used to collect phones, but no longer. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. If that phone gets taken out of my desk, I will be held liable and I’ll have to pay the family back. I’ve found students rummaging through my desk on occasion, so this idea isn’t too hard for me to imagine. (I even have clear policies about not going behind my desk and I’m known as a firm teacher. That doesn’t matter anymore since there are students who don’t respect rules or boundaries.)

I would give my kid a fake phone. No way I’d allow them to hand it over. My kids have phones for my needs, not theirs.

And this right here is a huge part of the problem. Parents are actively teaching their kids that the rules don't apply to them and how to skirt the rules. This right here is why I want to quit.

We have had serious safety issues that included an er visit. If I felt teachers would do best and keep my kids safe and communicate and not lie I would not need to send a phone. Nothing like picking up your child from school and seeing them have an allergic reaction because a teacher gave them a treat they could not eat.

Mcps as a whole needs to focus on safety for students and staff.

And hold staff accountable for mistakes.

Then teach your kid that the phone is for emergencies only. True emergencies. Medical emergency, school shooter. And it stays in the bag. And if the teacher sees it the kid is in the wrong because it should stay buried in the bag unless the world is ending. It won't get confiscated if it is in the bag at all times.

Why do you assume we don’t? Phones are not the issue. You need to learn better classroom management. Our kids devices are heavily locked down and monitored. We also monitor their mcps accounts heavily.

Ok so if your kid isn’t using their phone during class then there isn’t a problem. It won’t get confiscated. But if you’re the same poster who said above that you text with them during math class because you’re a better teacher than their teacher, then you’re contradicting yourself.

My kids phones are locked down but if they asked for help as the teacher was not responsive of course I’d help.

Is this what your kid is telling you? That the teacher refuses to help? Cut out the baloney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

DP here. We used to collect phones, but no longer. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. If that phone gets taken out of my desk, I will be held liable and I’ll have to pay the family back. I’ve found students rummaging through my desk on occasion, so this idea isn’t too hard for me to imagine. (I even have clear policies about not going behind my desk and I’m known as a firm teacher. That doesn’t matter anymore since there are students who don’t respect rules or boundaries.)

I would give my kid a fake phone. No way I’d allow them to hand it over. My kids have phones for my needs, not theirs.

And this right here is a huge part of the problem. Parents are actively teaching their kids that the rules don't apply to them and how to skirt the rules. This right here is why I want to quit.

+100 Everyone now has a reason why the rules shouldn’t apply to their snowflake. And the kids pick up the entitled attitude from home and it is leading to chaos in schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

DP here. We used to collect phones, but no longer. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. If that phone gets taken out of my desk, I will be held liable and I’ll have to pay the family back. I’ve found students rummaging through my desk on occasion, so this idea isn’t too hard for me to imagine. (I even have clear policies about not going behind my desk and I’m known as a firm teacher. That doesn’t matter anymore since there are students who don’t respect rules or boundaries.)

I would give my kid a fake phone. No way I’d allow them to hand it over. My kids have phones for my needs, not theirs.

And this right here is a huge part of the problem. Parents are actively teaching their kids that the rules don't apply to them and how to skirt the rules. This right here is why I want to quit.

We have had serious safety issues that included an er visit. If I felt teachers would do best and keep my kids safe and communicate and not lie I would not need to send a phone. Nothing like picking up your child from school and seeing them have an allergic reaction because a teacher gave them a treat they could not eat.

Mcps as a whole needs to focus on safety for students and staff.

And hold staff accountable for mistakes.

Then teach your kid that the phone is for emergencies only. True emergencies. Medical emergency, school shooter. And it stays in the bag. And if the teacher sees it the kid is in the wrong because it should stay buried in the bag unless the world is ending. It won't get confiscated if it is in the bag at all times.

Why do you assume we don’t? Phones are not the issue. You need to learn better classroom management. Our kids devices are heavily locked down and monitored. We also monitor their mcps accounts heavily.

Ok so if your kid isn’t using their phone during class then there isn’t a problem. It won’t get confiscated. But if you’re the same poster who said above that you text with them during math class because you’re a better teacher than their teacher, then you’re contradicting yourself.

My kids phones are locked down but if they asked for help as the teacher was not responsive of course I’d help.

Is this what your kid is telling you? That the teacher refuses to help? Cut out the baloney.

No, they don’t tell me, i have seen it. They gave up complaining about bad teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

The biggest advantage of private school is the ability to a) keep the size of the school at whatever level they choose and b)select all the students that attend such that you don’t actually have a large spectrum of learners.

And?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, new topic!

I would tell them that complaints from parents go much further with admin than complaints from teachers. Be the squeaky wheel. We try to fix problems but often can’t without ruffling our boss’s feathers or risking our own jobs.

Some of us will not do that as we don’t want teachers in trouble, especially the ones who will retaliate against the kids and we know admin does not care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

That’s a lovely fantasy “in your view.” Now do reality.

We’ll wait.

My child got his phone taken away in class and had to pick it up from that teacher’s class at the end of the day. That only happened once, and he was pretty good about keeping it off and in his pocket after that. My understanding is that usually the teachers just tell the kids to put their phones away if they see them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

DP here. We used to collect phones, but no longer. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. If that phone gets taken out of my desk, I will be held liable and I’ll have to pay the family back. I’ve found students rummaging through my desk on occasion, so this idea isn’t too hard for me to imagine. (I even have clear policies about not going behind my desk and I’m known as a firm teacher. That doesn’t matter anymore since there are students who don’t respect rules or boundaries.)

I would give my kid a fake phone. No way I’d allow them to hand it over. My kids have phones for my needs, not theirs.

And this right here is a huge part of the problem. Parents are actively teaching their kids that the rules don't apply to them and how to skirt the rules. This right here is why I want to quit.

We have had serious safety issues that included an er visit. If I felt teachers would do best and keep my kids safe and communicate and not lie I would not need to send a phone. Nothing like picking up your child from school and seeing them have an allergic reaction because a teacher gave them a treat they could not eat.

Mcps as a whole needs to focus on safety for students and staff.

And hold staff accountable for mistakes.

Then teach your kid that the phone is for emergencies only. True emergencies. Medical emergency, school shooter. And it stays in the bag. And if the teacher sees it the kid is in the wrong because it should stay buried in the bag unless the world is ending. It won't get confiscated if it is in the bag at all times.

This is mcps. Phones don’t get confiscated so it is not an issue. I don’t care if technically my kid is on their phone texting me as long as the work is done. There is so much wasted class time doing make up work.

Unbelievable how parents these days need to be in constant communication with their children. This is a big reason why kids are such a mess these days. No independence or resiliency

[Anonymous]

In other news, helpful bits for us, parents, included:

Make sure kids get enough sleep. (with suggestions to advocate for later HS start times)

Limit kids' time on devices outside of school and don't send them in with devices unless absolutely necessary. (with responses asking to limit their use in school and suggestions for advocacy to admin/central to empower teachers to engage in related discipline in the classroom)

Work on better car loop (dropoff/pick-up) etiquette.

Recognize that teachers need to take days off for medical appointments, family affairs, etc., just like the rest of us, so there will be substitutes.

Encourage discipline in your child at home, helping establish good study habits and improving class manageability.

Have kids show up, be prepared and put in effort.

Check synergy regularly for grades/feedback/communications. (with requests for teachers not to add other modes of expected comms, like ClassDojo, without ensuring all that communication gets to Synergy or direct email, too, so that parents don't have to go searching for the info; also with a request to return graded material/post grades/provide feedback in a timely enough manner to be actionable)

Don't expect an A for non-A work. (with a request to make the standard for an A in a class/on an assignment or test detailed and clear ahead of time)

Don't anticipate much time for individualized attention/teacher meetings. (with implied requests for advocacy to reduce teachers' admin burdens)

Don't expect honesty about special needs [this is a tough one to swallow]. (with admonitions to be honest and rejoinders that such honesty is effectively forbidden by admin)

Be an advocate with admin, as teachers often can't without repercussion and/or aren't given as much credence on such issues as parents.

Lots of other stuff in here, but too much of that is simply argumentative/recrimination.

[Anonymous]

Your kids are great. I want to get to know them better and help them reach their potential. Please investigate programs that allow you to track how much they text / surf internet during the day. (Not asking you to check the actual messages, just the amount of time.) Their cell phones / social media prevent them from interacting with each other in positive ways. It leads to many unhappy kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t expect much. I literally only get 18 seconds per school day to think and plan for YOUR kid. 0.8 part time teacher = 36 minutes/day planning time with over 100 students

This would be my message, too. We are overwhelmed and we get very little time during the work day to actually get work done. I’m lucky if I get 30 minutes a day to respond to emails, look at data for all 140 students, plan lessons, grade papers, call parents, eat lunch, and go to the bathroom.

I’m not arguing but can you explain what happens to your time? You are supposed to get an hour planning/grading time per day plus a 45 minute lunch. And then some time after school. Are they making you cover other classes during your break? Or attend meetings? This seems like the kind of thing that could be grieved.

Lunch is taken to help kids, at least that is what happens at many high schools. The kids can come to our rooms at lunch for extra help, so lunch is not really lunch. That goes for both teachers and students. Can you imagine being a kid with 7 class and finally, you have lunch only to spend it with a teacher going over concepts that you don't understand? Everyone is tired.

High school teachers have two planning periods -- each 45 minutes long. But one can be taken by admin for meetings or other activities. Plus, the 45 minutes might be the only time to dash to the bathroom, so the 45 minute planning period can go by fast.

However, I think the big problem is that lunch is not just lunch. It is extra help / supervision of students / club mentoring / etc.

Thank you for asking.

[Anonymous]

Another issue with cell phones is that students use them to cheat. Kids are constantly texting each other answers to test questions and also try to google answers. Cheating has become an epidemic in MCPS high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t expect much. I literally only get 18 seconds per school day to think and plan for YOUR kid. 0.8 part time teacher = 36 minutes/day planning time with over 100 students

This would be my message, too. We are overwhelmed and we get very little time during the work day to actually get work done. I’m lucky if I get 30 minutes a day to respond to emails, look at data for all 140 students, plan lessons, grade papers, call parents, eat lunch, and go to the bathroom.

I’m not arguing but can you explain what happens to your time? You are supposed to get an hour planning/grading time per day plus a 45 minute lunch. And then some time after school. Are they making you cover other classes during your break? Or attend meetings? This seems like the kind of thing that could be grieved.

Lunch is taken to help kids, at least that is what happens at many high schools. The kids can come to our rooms at lunch for extra help, so lunch is not really lunch. That goes for both teachers and students. Can you imagine being a kid with 7 class and finally, you have lunch only to spend it with a teacher going over concepts that you don't understand? Everyone is tired.

High school teachers have two planning periods -- each 45 minutes long. But one can be taken by admin for meetings or other activities. Plus, the 45 minutes might be the only time to dash to the bathroom, so the 45 minute planning period can go by fast.

However, I think the big problem is that lunch is not just lunch. It is extra help / supervision of students / club mentoring / etc.

Thank you for asking.

This is where the free tutoring was nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another issue with cell phones is that students use them to cheat. Kids are constantly texting each other answers to test questions and also try to google answers. Cheating has become an epidemic in MCPS high schools

Right because there was never cheating before phones. Just more creativity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of middle and HS students - your kids are on their cell phones way more than you think during school despite what they tell you.
Please advocate for tougher cell phone rules in schools. Private schools are doing a much better job of enforcing cell phone rules and their kids are getting a better education because of it. Also, for high school, I don’t mind the early start but period 1 is a waste because kids are either half asleep or arrive late. If I was a high school parent I would advocate for a later high school start time. Many states have adapted to a later start time. I feel so bad for high school kids who look so tired in school but not much I can do about it.

THIS THIS THIS! I can't think of any two changes that would have a bigger impact on my students' success than this.

Honestly, the biggest advantage kids may be getting from a private school education is the ability of privates to restrict phones in the classroom.

-- public high school teacher whose child just graduated from a Catholic school.

If it were not phones it would be something else. Stop blaming phones and learn classroom management. When we grew up teachers were clear of expectations, no non sense and not trying to be our friends.

Tell me what you would like me to do. How should I enforce a no cell phone policy in the classroom? I am constantly telling kids to put away their phone but at my school we are not allowed to take the phone away or deduct any points. We cannot call security or send the kid to the office. We cannot do lunch detention. I don’t think parents want to face the reality of phones in schools. If you cannot control it at home, trust me it is not better at school. And I wish I could invite you to my classroom to see for yourself what first period in high school is like.

DP - does the principal prohibit you from taking away the phone, or is it central office? That policy needs to change. In my view, if a kid has it out and they're not allowed, that phone goes away and they can get it at the end of the day.

DP here. We used to collect phones, but no longer. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. If that phone gets taken out of my desk, I will be held liable and I’ll have to pay the family back. I’ve found students rummaging through my desk on occasion, so this idea isn’t too hard for me to imagine. (I even have clear policies about not going behind my desk and I’m known as a firm teacher. That doesn’t matter anymore since there are students who don’t respect rules or boundaries.)

I would give my kid a fake phone. No way I’d allow them to hand it over. My kids have phones for my needs, not theirs.

Huh? Like for your needs, such as what?

Abuse, allergic reactions, pick up changes.