healthier high schools from a teacher perspective

[Anonymous]

Bottom line: if parents won't do anything about the cellphones then perhaps punishing them if their child violates the policy more than once or twice. It is clear that students are doing all they can to access their devices in class and disrupting lessons in the process, after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Notes to you:

Later Start time: No, some parents have to drive their kids and a later start time is an issue with work. Its also an issue with outside activities. Those activities enhance kids physical and mental well being. Instead be a parent and enhance a bed time.

Cell phone use: As a teacher, start teaching again. Don't do few google slides and call it a day. Use a real textbook, teach a lesson, review the homework from the previous day and hold kids accountable. Kids are partly on cell phones because they are bored. Your class is boring and not stimulating. Fix it. (and thank you to the teachers who do teach and put in an effort - referring to two we had last year who were life changing).

For high school students? You can drop off a high school student early and as long as the library or common areas are open they can study or socialize until school starts -- they aren't in preschool. Also by high school most kids can get to school on their own.

Your comment about the importance of activities would be more convincing if there was any indication that their importance should be balanced against getting proper rest so that you can be functional in school. Perhaps if kids weren't in so many activities they would not be so overtired and an early start time wouldn't matter as much. But kids are doing tons of activities on top of school and this is why they are absolutely exhausted. A later start time would be more likely to get kids needed rest than telling parents to "enforce a bedtime" (again: for high school students?) because no matter when school gets out extra-curriculars will find a way to keep kids at practice or rehearsal or whatever until 8pm or even later. But far fewer activities will try to force kids into morning practices so pushing school start until 8:30 or later gives kids a chanc eof actually getting some extra sleep.

As others have pointed out it doesn't matter how engaging classroom material is -- it can't compete with a freaking phone (or a classroom full of them). Phones are designed to distract. Opposing policies that eliminate the option of using phones in class is just bizarre.

Kids aren't going to get extra sleep, they will just go to bed later and get the same sleep. As a parent, YOU need to tell your kids to go to bed and enforce bedtime. If not, that's fine but stop justifying your lack of parenting with messing things up for many people.

I find it absurd that you would refuse a child to explore their intersts as it doesn't meet your needs or fit into your parenting or lack there of.

Mine has morning sports practices. And, they can be at school from start to 9-11 PM depending on what. You clearly don't have kids in activities or just in school activities. However, MCPS doesn't have high level music or sports so if you want that, you have to go privately.. Starting school at 8:30 would be a transportation issue and mess up after school activities. Not all schools have lights outside so MCPS would have to pay for lights or cancel those sports/band, all so your kids can sleep in.

Somehow our exhausted kids manage just fine, so why can't you who aren't in activities?

And, there is no safe way between dangerous roads, its sometimes dark and no sidewalks for my chidl to walk or bike and there are no public buses. And, then they'd miss sports because they could not get to the facility on time since its right after school.

Phones are not the problem, the adults are. And, the curriculum. The curriculum outside AP classes is very basic. Its very easy to check out.

I agree adults are the problem. But many of the problematic adults are completely oblivious to this fact. They think they are already doing what is best for kids and they are very resistant to any suggested change because they can't see the issue with how they are currently raising their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As to delaying start times, how do you intend to compensate for the hardship this creates for families depending on older siblings to look after younger siblings after school or for kids who have to work to contribute to the family’s income? I don’t think it will help a student’s well-being and performance if their younger siblings are removed from the home by CPS and their parents are being charged for leaving young children unattended, or if the family faces food and/or housing insecurity from loss of income of the high schoolers after-school jobs.

As for cellphones, I’m confused by what, specifically, you’re objecting to. If you’re objecting to phone usage in class, I think everyone agrees that would be problematic and is already against policy, although perhaps the policy needs to be enforced more vigorously. If you’re objecting to a student’s use of a cellphone at home, I think you’re being shortsighted, sanctimonious, and presumptuous. Indubitably, there is some content students access on cellphones that can be extremely damaging. There is also content that can be educational and provide other positive benefits. Basically it’s a tool that allows access to electronic media, that like any media should be judged on the content rather than the format. I think most problematic content is not uniquely dependent on cellphones, but could be accessed through most electronic devices (laptops, desktops, tablets, etc.). Are you suggesting that high school students should regress to the ‘80s and rely on print versions of encyclopedias for research and typewriters to prepare their essays?

If you’re concerned about how the student’s home life is affecting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, have you considered the effects of having marijuana smokers in their home? Even if the student doesn’t smoke themselves, we learned from tobacco that exposure to secondhand smoke is also serious. According to the CDC, not only can can secondhand exposure make someone high (which would seem to impair a student’s attempt to do homework and study), it can also have longterm impacts on a developing brain including causing problems with attention, motivation, and memory. If you want to try and regulate a student’s home life, this would seem to be more urgent than whether they have access to a cellphone.

Hey Sarah Huckabee, we are not accommodating the child labor needs of corporations and families should not be dependent on their child's labor to survive in any way

Then MCPS/you/the county needs to provide free child care in every school and offer more day care vouchers with day cares that accept it if you don't want siblings to care for each other. Check your privilege.

That's going to happen. It's called Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

No, its not, MCPS is screaming poverty and making cuts. How are they going to provide child care?

PP is right. The Blueprint calls for middle class and up to pay for all sorts of services for poor people: food clothing, before school care, after school care, summer care, medicine, tutoring, etc. And they'll pay for it just like they pay for everything...raising taxes.

The state is committing $63 billion for the ENTIRE state in FY 2025. MCPS, because of its budget shortfall, zeroed out its initial funding of $8 million just to START planning to meet this underfunded mandate for the next school year. No dodging it after that. This is a boondoggle and if you don't like it, contact your state legislators and the governor. I am sure the state, because we are the wealthiest county, expects MoCo property taxes to cover most of our costs for the Blueprint.

Here is information on the planned state funding: https://marylandmatters.org/2024/04/23/breakdown-of-funding-for-blueprint-education-reform-plan-comes-into-focus/

We don't have sufficient classroom space now in our schools. Think of the capital costs that will need to be incurred to meet the state mandate in Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

MCPS canceled the new preschool programs planned.

MCPS cancelled the initial planning year's funding. It cannot dodge the state requirement for preschool after this coming school year. Get ready for a property tax hike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

My MCPS middle school principal banned cell phones in the classrooms this past year. It worked. Students were better behaved and more attentive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line: if parents won't do anything about the cellphones then perhaps punishing them if their child violates the policy more than once or twice. It is clear that students are doing all they can to access their devices in class and disrupting lessons in the process, after all.

So glad this isn't a real policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

There is zero chance this is actually from a HS teacher. An actual MCPS teacher would know that the issue is enforcement of the current cell phone policy, and would already know that the bell time issue is complicated and requires massive coordination with ES and MS bell times.

Basically, it's an appeal to authority, but not from someone actually in a place to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

There is zero chance this is actually from a HS teacher. An actual MCPS teacher would know that the issue is enforcement of the current cell phone policy, and would already know that the bell time issue is complicated and requires massive coordination with ES and MS bell times.

Basically, it's an appeal to authority, but not from someone actually in a place to know.

+1

I’ve been wondering if it isn’t the OP from the persistent thread about moving back start times, or at least one of their supporters. They would not let it drop for the longest time, and when it finally lapses, this one pops up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bottom line: if parents won't do anything about the cellphones then perhaps punishing them if their child violates the policy more than once or twice. It is clear that students are doing all they can to access their devices in class and disrupting lessons in the process, after all.

Glad this isn't a real policy. It seems like it would be very unpopular and wind up taking up so much time that it would detract from the quality of education even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

There is zero chance this is actually from a HS teacher. An actual MCPS teacher would know that the issue is enforcement of the current cell phone policy, and would already know that the bell time issue is complicated and requires massive coordination with ES and MS bell times.

Basically, it's an appeal to authority, but not from someone actually in a place to know.

+1

I’ve been wondering if it isn’t the OP from the persistent thread about moving back start times, or at least one of their supporters. They would not let it drop for the longest time, and when it finally lapses, this one pops up.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Notes to you:

Later Start time: No, some parents have to drive their kids and a later start time is an issue with work. Its also an issue with outside activities. Those activities enhance kids physical and mental well being. Instead be a parent and enhance a bed time.

Cell phone use: As a teacher, start teaching again. Don't do few google slides and call it a day. Use a real textbook, teach a lesson, review the homework from the previous day and hold kids accountable. Kids are partly on cell phones because they are bored. Your class is boring and not stimulating. Fix it. (and thank you to the teachers who do teach and put in an effort - referring to two we had last year who were life changing).

For high school students? You can drop off a high school student early and as long as the library or common areas are open they can study or socialize until school starts -- they aren't in preschool. Also by high school most kids can get to school on their own.

Your comment about the importance of activities would be more convincing if there was any indication that their importance should be balanced against getting proper rest so that you can be functional in school. Perhaps if kids weren't in so many activities they would not be so overtired and an early start time wouldn't matter as much. But kids are doing tons of activities on top of school and this is why they are absolutely exhausted. A later start time would be more likely to get kids needed rest than telling parents to "enforce a bedtime" (again: for high school students?) because no matter when school gets out extra-curriculars will find a way to keep kids at practice or rehearsal or whatever until 8pm or even later. But far fewer activities will try to force kids into morning practices so pushing school start until 8:30 or later gives kids a chanc eof actually getting some extra sleep.

As others have pointed out it doesn't matter how engaging classroom material is -- it can't compete with a freaking phone (or a classroom full of them). Phones are designed to distract. Opposing policies that eliminate the option of using phones in class is just bizarre.

Kids aren't going to get extra sleep, they will just go to bed later and get the same sleep. As a parent, YOU need to tell your kids to go to bed and enforce bedtime. If not, that's fine but stop justifying your lack of parenting with messing things up for many people.

I find it absurd that you would refuse a child to explore their intersts as it doesn't meet your needs or fit into your parenting or lack there of.

Mine has morning sports practices. And, they can be at school from start to 9-11 PM depending on what. You clearly don't have kids in activities or just in school activities. However, MCPS doesn't have high level music or sports so if you want that, you have to go privately.. Starting school at 8:30 would be a transportation issue and mess up after school activities. Not all schools have lights outside so MCPS would have to pay for lights or cancel those sports/band, all so your kids can sleep in.

Somehow our exhausted kids manage just fine, so why can't you who aren't in activities?

And, there is no safe way between dangerous roads, its sometimes dark and no sidewalks for my chidl to walk or bike and there are no public buses. And, then they'd miss sports because they could not get to the facility on time since its right after school.

Phones are not the problem, the adults are. And, the curriculum. The curriculum outside AP classes is very basic. Its very easy to check out.

I agree adults are the problem. But many of the problematic adults are completely oblivious to this fact. They think they are already doing what is best for kids and they are very resistant to any suggested change because they can't see the issue with how they are currently raising their kids.

The phones are not the problem. The curriculum, discipline policy and lack there of are. If it’s not phones it’s the chromebooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Hilarious you think your principal at your school controls either of these issues.

There is zero chance this is actually from a HS teacher. An actual MCPS teacher would know that the issue is enforcement of the current cell phone policy, and would already know that the bell time issue is complicated and requires massive coordination with ES and MS bell times.

Basically, it's an appeal to authority, but not from someone actually in a place to know.

+1

I’ve been wondering if it isn’t the OP from the persistent thread about moving back start times, or at least one of their supporters. They would not let it drop for the longest time, and when it finally lapses, this one pops up.

It’s easier to post than parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Thank you teacher. I support this enthusiastically.
Signed. Parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Thank you teacher. I support this enthusiastically.
Signed. Parent.

The OP isn't a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:notes to our principal

Start School Later: Consider delaying the start of the school day to after 8:30 AM. Research shows that later start times can significantly benefit students who are currently showing signs of exhaustion. This change is not only age-appropriate but has also been linked to improved student performance and well-being.

Cell Phone Use and Mental Health: There is a growing concern about cell phone addiction and its detrimental effects on students in the classroom. With mental health issues at unprecedented levels among youth, it is crucial to address and manage cell phone usage to foster a healthier learning environment and care for our kids addictions.

Notes to you:

Later Start time: No, some parents have to drive their kids and a later start time is an issue with work. Its also an issue with outside activities. Those activities enhance kids physical and mental well being. Instead be a parent and enhance a bed time.

Cell phone use: As a teacher, start teaching again. Don't do few google slides and call it a day. Use a real textbook, teach a lesson, review the homework from the previous day and hold kids accountable. Kids are partly on cell phones because they are bored. Your class is boring and not stimulating. Fix it. (and thank you to the teachers who do teach and put in an effort - referring to two we had last year who were life changing).

Newsflash: teachers ARE teaching. Kids simply don't care how stimulating a lesson is, they care only about their phones. You'd know this if you stepped foot in a classroom instead of smugly posting from behind a screen. It's very clear you are completely blind to how phones are negatively impacting classrooms across the country, but continue to live in your world of delusion. You're the problem.