The Storm and HS Homework/Tests - No Excuses (Vent)!

[Anonymous]

So my DC has had several emails last night and this morning from his high school teachers stating that various projects and tests are still due on Wednesday before the marking period ends, even if we all lose power. WTH? I think this is a bit ridiculous. I don't care if these are AP or Honors classes, and I know the marking period ends, which increases the sense of urgency to get the grades in. These kids aren't emergency personnel and they aren't brain surgeons. Would it kill MCPS to extend these deadlines if in fact this storm is as bad a expected and we all lose power?

Honestly, the pressures on kids these days has gotten out of control! (VENT OVER)

[Anonymous]

That is ridiculous. Time for the parents to step in (even though it is H.S.) and go to the principal. Time to tell the principal to reign the teachers in and to get a grip and have some perspective. There is a life threatening storm out there. We will likely lose power. Kids will be hunkering down and trying to remain safe. Homework should be the last thing on anyone's mind.
That teacher should be ashamed. Post the name.

[Anonymous]

So what has your child done this morning?

Obviously not go to school.
And no one has lost power.

So what is the issue?

[Anonymous]

This is OP - I am so frustrated! It's not even just one teacher -- it is two teachers both making these demands. We are new to the MCPS schools, and all I can say is that if this is how things run down here then I want out! The teachers and administration need to get some perspective!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what has your child done this morning?

Obviously not go to school.
And no one has lost power.

So what is the issue?

Haven't you seen the threads? Its an-all-day TV-a-thon around town.

Because homework should be (and therefore is) the last thing on anyone's mind. Spongebob should be on people's minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what has your child done this morning?

Obviously not go to school.
And no one has lost power.

So what is the issue?

Well, actually he woke up and completed one of the two assigbnments. Then he got the second email from the other teacher, and now he is trying to work on that. He is hard working and dedicated. I still think this is unfair and needless pressure to place on high schoolers. To what end? Again, this isn't brain surgery. The world will not end if these assignments are extended by two days. Sorry, but that is my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my DC has had several emails last night and this morning from his high school teachers stating that various projects and tests are still due on Wednesday before the marking period ends, even if we all lose power. WTH? I think this is a bit ridiculous. I don't care if these are AP or Honors classes, and I know the marking period ends, which increases the sense of urgency to get the grades in. These kids aren't emergency personnel and they aren't brain surgeons. Would it kill MCPS to extend these deadlines if in fact this storm is as bad a expected and we all lose power?

Honestly, the pressures on kids these days has gotten out of control! (VENT OVER)

Well then, who encouraged your child to take AP and/or honors courses in the first place?

I find that at OUR end, it's the parents pressuring teachers. I'm at home, and I made sure my child completed her work that was due today. A test is scheduled on Tuesday, too, but if we return Wed, I would expect her to be prepared for the test.

Once your child hits college, deadlines are deadlines. At the HS level, that's our goal - to prepare most for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So my DC has had several emails last night and this morning from his high school teachers stating that various projects and tests are still due on Wednesday before the marking period ends, even if we all lose power. WTH? I think this is a bit ridiculous. I don't care if these are AP or Honors classes, and I know the marking period ends, which increases the sense of urgency to get the grades in. These kids aren't emergency personnel and they aren't brain surgeons. Would it kill MCPS to extend these deadlines if in fact this storm is as bad a expected and we all lose power?

Honestly, the pressures on kids these days has gotten out of control! (VENT OVER)

Well then, who encouraged your child to take AP and/or honors courses in the first place?

I find that at OUR end, it's the parents pressuring teachers. I'm at home, and I made sure my child completed her work that was due today. A test is scheduled on Tuesday, too, but if we return Wed, I would expect her to be prepared for the test.

Once your child hits college, deadlines are deadlines. At the HS level, that's our goal - to prepare most for college.

Actually when I went to college, deadlines were moved for things like storms that shut down the school.

Even judges entertain moving court deadlines when weather and other unexpected conditions occur.

Plus, high school is not actually college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP - I am so frustrated! It's not even just one teacher -- it is two teachers both making these demands. We are new to the MCPS schools, and all I can say is that if this is how things run down here then I want out! The teachers and administration need to get some perspective!

were you unaware when you enrolled that you were at one of the top districts in the country? why do you think that is?

if you want a more relaxed pace, do not sign up for honors/AP classes. It sounds like that may be a better fit for you and your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So my DC has had several emails last night and this morning from his high school teachers stating that various projects and tests are still due on Wednesday before the marking period ends, even if we all lose power. WTH? I think this is a bit ridiculous. I don't care if these are AP or Honors classes, and I know the marking period ends, which increases the sense of urgency to get the grades in. These kids aren't emergency personnel and they aren't brain surgeons. Would it kill MCPS to extend these deadlines if in fact this storm is as bad a expected and we all lose power?

Honestly, the pressures on kids these days has gotten out of control! (VENT OVER)

Well then, who encouraged your child to take AP and/or honors courses in the first place?

I find that at OUR end, it's the parents pressuring teachers. I'm at home, and I made sure my child completed her work that was due today. A test is scheduled on Tuesday, too, but if we return Wed, I would expect her to be prepared for the test.

Once your child hits college, deadlines are deadlines. At the HS level, that's our goal - to prepare most for college.

Actually when I went to college, deadlines were moved for things like storms that shut down the school.

Even judges entertain moving court deadlines when weather and other unexpected conditions occur.

Plus, high school is not actually college.

Have you SEEN the Seven Keys? one big push starting with K

KEY 1: Read at advanced levels in
Grades K–2

KEY 6: Score 3 on an AP exam or
4 on an IB exam
college credit! - Towson gives 30 credits for an IB diploma.

I don't recall having any days off in college for bad weather.

With all this complaining, I wonder just how much of this issue is YOU - the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP - I am so frustrated! It's not even just one teacher -- it is two teachers both making these demands. We are new to the MCPS schools, and all I can say is that if this is how things run down here then I want out! The teachers and administration need to get some perspective!

were you unaware when you enrolled that you were at one of the top districts in the country? why do you think that is?

if you want a more relaxed pace, do not sign up for honors/AP classes. It sounds like that may be a better fit for you and your child.

bingo

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty certain MCPS's reputation does not rest on the fact 2 (or more) teachers insist that deadlines are kept during a historic storm.

OP did not complain about the pace of the class. Her kid is working and presumably has worked to get into the class in the first place.

However, emailing students today and saying things will be due on Wednesday shows a complete lack of perspective and judgment on the part of the teachers.


More proof that some of you will flame a poster for just about anything.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. To those of you with the hardline approach, I don't get it. I work at a college and we are completely shut down today and tomorrow. Even the law school is shut down and has canceled classes. Don't most of the adults get off work when there's a storm like this? Sure, there are certain obligations that must be met in life, and I certainly agree we must prepare our kids to face that. All I'm asking for is some reason and balance. Sadly, this isn't easy to come by in many schools these days.

For those who are suggesting I've pressured my DC to be in these AP classes, you would be incorrect. He puts the pressure on himself to do well. I know he'll do what he needs to do to be successful. I don't think that's the point. This isn't necessary. It's pressure for pressure's sake, and who really needs that?

I know not eveyone will agree with me, but I know there are plenty of parents out there who understand.

[Anonymous]

We'll see if they really don't extend the deadlines once the scope of the damage becomes clear. I think they just don't want kids to assume that they're off the hook because you never know. Not every kid is as industrious as your son -- many would be treating today as a throwaway day even though they still have power.

[Anonymous]

Actually, since there is no school, that means students have MORE time, not less, to complete these assignments. Why in the world would a storm be an excuse to sit around all day and ignore schoolwork? No one has actually lost power yet, and even once we do, there is such a thing as a computer battery, or (gasp!) writing longhand.