Losing faith in the public school system and feeling bad about it.

[Anonymous]

I don't need to contact the teacher to find out what they are doing. I've been in the classroom week after week after week to see what "stations" are all about ... 85% of it is kids wasting time goofing around. Maybe 15% of the time the child actually learns or does something sort of like learning (i.e. listening to a story on tape or playing a computer game). So, you can keep your "guarantee" b/c YOU have not been in my child's class week after week.

I cannot agree with you that a system that allows some 2nd graders to be in a class of 30 and some 2nd graders to be in a class of 21 should be labelled as equally "gold standard." There is a big difference.

And while I was totally opposed to homework a few years ago, I have come to see that since there is so little direct-teacher interaction during the school day, homework is actually a good thing b/c it gives parents the opportunity to see what kids are supposed to be learning and to see whether the kid gets it or not. Plus, young kids need the repetition in math and practice with spelling in order to learn these things. They need homework like spelling lists and subtraction and addition. So, yes, I am wondering what is going on in my supposedly great Ffx cnty school when I see other kids in other schools and other districts do have homework. It shows that those schools has a plan for what the kids are learning and they want that info. reinforced at home. I am happy to help out with that b/c I don't think my kids are getting sufficient instruction at school.

As for SAT scores, again, how can my kids' HS qualify as "gold standard" when the average scores for the SAT are essentially equal to the average scores for SAT in the nation? And even the average scores for white kids (if you are assuming there are language/econ. barriers suppressing the average for this HS), even the ave. for white kids is just a little above the national SAT ave. So, really, my experience with Ffx Cnty schools is not "gold standard." There may be other areas/schools in our large system that are fab, but don't generalize your fab experience to every school in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't need to contact the teacher to find out what they are doing. I've been in the classroom week after week after week to see what "stations" are all about ... 85% of it is kids wasting time goofing around. Maybe 15% of the time the child actually learns or does something sort of like learning (i.e. listening to a story on tape or playing a computer game). So, you can keep your "guarantee" b/c YOU have not been in my child's class week after week.

I cannot agree with you that a system that allows some 2nd graders to be in a class of 30 and some 2nd graders to be in a class of 21 should be labelled as equally "gold standard." There is a big difference.

And while I was totally opposed to homework a few years ago, I have come to see that since there is so little direct-teacher interaction during the school day, homework is actually a good thing b/c it gives parents the opportunity to see what kids are supposed to be learning and to see whether the kid gets it or not. Plus, young kids need the repetition in math and practice with spelling in order to learn these things. They need homework like spelling lists and subtraction and addition. So, yes, I am wondering what is going on in my supposedly great Ffx cnty school when I see other kids in other schools and other districts do have homework. It shows that those schools has a plan for what the kids are learning and they want that info. reinforced at home. I am happy to help out with that b/c I don't think my kids are getting sufficient instruction at school.

As for SAT scores, again, how can my kids' HS qualify as "gold standard" when the average scores for the SAT are essentially equal to the average scores for SAT in the nation? And even the average scores for white kids (if you are assuming there are language/econ. barriers suppressing the average for this HS), even the ave. for white kids is just a little above the national SAT ave. So, really, my experience with Ffx Cnty schools is not "gold standard." There may be other areas/schools in our large system that are fab, but don't generalize your fab experience to every school in the county.

Why don't you home school your child? You obviously have time, and even more obviously know much more about education than your child's teachers. Why is your kid still there? Seems irresponsible on your part, since you can easily provide your child with a better education yourself. I am sure your school will be deeply saddened to see you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you home school your child? You obviously have time, and even more obviously know much more about education than your child's teachers. Why is your kid still there? Seems irresponsible on your part, since you can easily provide your child with a better education yourself. I am sure your school will be deeply saddened to see you go.

Uncalled for. Are you a teacher? Or work for FCPS? Why is it that everytime someone disagrees with FCPS and their child's situation you jump all over the parent? You couldn't possible know what goes on in every classroom of FCPS. As one parent who had a miserable experience, I do not want to homeschool my child and don't think that I can teach better than a teacher. I just want my child to learn and enjoy going to school - not have scissors thrown at him or him being placed in a trashcan in the boys room. Yes, these things happened in my DS' first grade class.

[Anonymous]

Thank you 18:04. According to 17:21, every school in the county is equally wonderful. They simply aren't.

I have a friend who moved to Knoxville, Tn. They were apologizing to her for having such "big" first grade classes... they had 20 kids in each first grade class... and this was not a Title I school. It was the top school district in that city. She was thrilled to leave behind her 30-kid first grade class in Ffx.

Lastly, just b/c I don't find Ffx to be "gold standard," doesn't mean it's the absolute worst either. I certainly had higher expectations. At this point, I take it for what it can offer and try to make it work. But, I feel far more responsibility to teach my child the basics at home than I ever expected to given that I was placing my child in one of the "best public school districts" in the US. Full-time home schooling would not be for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you home school your child? You obviously have time, and even more obviously know much more about education than your child's teachers. Why is your kid still there? Seems irresponsible on your part, since you can easily provide your child with a better education yourself. I am sure your school will be deeply saddened to see you go.

Uncalled for. Are you a teacher? Or work for FCPS? Why is it that everytime someone disagrees with FCPS and their child's situation you jump all over the parent? You couldn't possible know what goes on in every classroom of FCPS. As one parent who had a miserable experience, I do not want to homeschool my child and don't think that I can teach better than a teacher. I just want my child to learn and enjoy going to school - not have scissors thrown at him or him being placed in a trashcan in the boys room. Yes, these things happened in my DS' first grade class.

Not the PP but I am a teacher. Are YOU a teacher? Frankly, I would much prefer parents like you homeschool your kids. You think you know so much when you really know very little. Parents like you drive the good teachers out. The FCPS system is good. Why do you think there is no shortage of teachers applying for this system? It's certainly not because of the high salary, raises or bonuses. It's because it's a good system. But, parents with unrealistic expectations, unreasonable demands and little understanding of the educational process think they know so much better. They're "disappointed" in FCPS. Feel free to go elsewere.

[Anonymous]

According to my child's teacher, she's here b/c she couldn't get a job in her home city/state -- no openings. So, there are many reasons why people take teachings jobs here. Some are in the area b/c their spouses are military. Some simply need a job.

Don't know why you are attacking 18:04.

[Anonymous]

I wish I could personally contribute to something more worthwhile such as more teachers and reduced class size verses new textbooks on the FCPS website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I could personally contribute to something more worthwhile such as more teachers and reduced class size verses new textbooks on the FCPS website.

This would be great. I am one of the crazy people who would happily pay more taxes, though, for such things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Uncalled for. Are you a teacher? Or work for FCPS? Why is it that everytime someone disagrees with FCPS and their child's situation you jump all over the parent? You couldn't possible know what goes on in every classroom of FCPS. As one parent who had a miserable experience, I do not want to homeschool my child and don't think that I can teach better than a teacher. I just want my child to learn and enjoy going to school - not have scissors thrown at him or him being placed in a trashcan in the boys room. Yes, these things happened in my DS' first grade class.

FWIW, I'm with you. I am a graduate of FCPS - K through 12. I really am an advocate of the public school system. But I'm truly worried about my kindgergartener right now. He is in a class of 26 and comes home every day looking defeated and sad b/c he has no friends. We supposedly have the "best" teacher in the school, but my son just doesn't seem to be clicking with his classmates. Many of the boys have known each other for years and my son is a little on the shy side (he is great in small groups, but not so great trying to make friends with 12 boys who already know each other).

He hasn't gotten any homework either, and I'm not sure he will. I don't love homework, but see the virtue in getting SOME feedback from his teachers as to what he is actually learning. I've decided to supplement with private tutoring in reading and math, but a part of me just feels like maybe this particular FCPS isn't all it is cracked up to be (and it is considered one of the "best" ones).

[Anonymous]

It's still early in the school year, so I'd suggest that some of you take a deep breath and give things a bit longer to settle into a routine. It's very easy to conjure up a mental image about what you think your child's experience is going to be like in school, and it can be hard to reconcile that with the challenges that your kids - as bright and precious as they are - may confront.

If things don't improve by the middle of the quarter, I'd look to speak with the teacher one-on-one. If things don't improve by the end of the quarter, I'd start to consider other schooling options for next year.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I'm with you. I am a graduate of FCPS - K through 12. I really am an advocate of the public school system. But I'm truly worried about my kindgergartener right now. He is in a class of 26 and comes home every day looking defeated and sad b/c he has no friends. We supposedly have the "best" teacher in the school, but my son just doesn't seem to be clicking with his classmates. Many of the boys have known each other for years and my son is a little on the shy side (he is great in small groups, but not so great trying to make friends with 12 boys who already know each other).

He hasn't gotten any homework either, and I'm not sure he will. I don't love homework, but see the virtue in getting SOME feedback from his teachers as to what he is actually learning. I've decided to supplement with private tutoring in reading and math, but a part of me just feels like maybe this particular FCPS isn't all it is cracked up to be (and it is considered one of the "best" ones).

You have got to be kidding me?! You need to step back and take a deep breath. This is your oldest kid, right? A couple of the 12 boys in your DS's class may know each other but most don't. They're all trying to figure out who is who and what is what. They're still overwhelmed and uncomfortable. It's likely the kids only remember the names of the kids they sit with. It's WAY too early to declare your DS doesn't click with any of his classmates.

They also aren't learning anything academic yet. They're learning the routine of school. You may have a high desire for information about your DS's day but you need to realize that this isn't daycare or preschool. You're going to get a lot less information on what your DS does all day than you're accustomed to and you need to revise your expectations. Did you got to Back To School Night? The teachers should have given you a lot of information about what your kids will be learning.

Are you serioulsy thinking about getting a tutor for your kid after 2 weeks of kindergarten? That's got to be one of the most outrageous things I've heard on DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You have got to be kidding me?! You need to step back and take a deep breath. This is your oldest kid, right? A couple of the 12 boys in your DS's class may know each other but most don't. They're all trying to figure out who is who and what is what. They're still overwhelmed and uncomfortable. It's likely the kids only remember the names of the kids they sit with. It's WAY too early to declare your DS doesn't click with any of his classmates.

They also aren't learning anything academic yet. They're learning the routine of school. You may have a high desire for information about your DS's day but you need to realize that this isn't daycare or preschool. You're going to get a lot less information on what your DS does all day than you're accustomed to and you need to revise your expectations. Did you got to Back To School Night? The teachers should have given you a lot of information about what your kids will be learning.

Are you serioulsy thinking about getting a tutor for your kid after 2 weeks of kindergarten? That's got to be one of the most outrageous things I've heard on DCUM

All b/c your experience with your FCPS has been different than mine, doesn't make *your* experience the norm. Actually a LOT of the 12 boys in the class (out of 26 kids I might add) know each other. They all came from 2 preschools and this is one of those elementary schools where EVERYBODY is from the neighborhood. I am not exaggerating here. About 1/10 of the kids get bussed in. Many of these kids have known each other for YEARS doing sports, playing at the local pool, etc. It is VERY different from my FCPS experience.

Sure, I may be overreacting a little...but trust me when I tell you that this is more the norm than you think. Oh, and I'm only doing the tutoring b/c it was recommended to me by some of the other parents b/c EVERYBODY does it. The whole this is outrageous, which is why I"m stotally stressed out about it.

[Anonymous]

regardless what others were saying. but finding a tutor for your K-aged kid is outright crazy!!!!!!! I dont think even a 'tiger mom' would do that! take a deep breathe and enjoy your kid when s/he is still young and innocent! making no friend at the very beginning of the school year is also very normal! my boy is a 3rd-grader at an AAP center, and he knows a lot of kids there already from other venus. but he told me that he has not found his friends yet! he had several BFFs at our home school and he looked sad.

[Anonymous]

All b/c your experience with your FCPS has been different than mine, doesn't make *your* experience the norm. Actually a LOT of the 12 boys in the class (out of 26 kids I might add) know each other. They all came from 2 preschools and this is one of those elementary schools where EVERYBODY is from the neighborhood. I am not exaggerating here. About 1/10 of the kids get bussed in. Many of these kids have known each other for YEARS doing sports, playing at the local pool, etc. It is VERY different from my FCPS experience.

Sure, I may be overreacting a little...but trust me when I tell you that this is more the norm than you think. Oh, and I'm only doing the tutoring b/c it was recommended to me by some of the other parents b/c EVERYBODY does it. The whole this is outrageous, which is why I"m stotally stressed out about it.[/quote]

You need a new peer group! You're doing the tutoring thing because "EVERYBODY does it"? You are insane! You have got to name the elementary school! If "EVERYBODY" is getting their kids tutored in kindergarten (or at any other grade level) then the principal and superintendent need to know because the school is failing - or a lot of parents are buying into the hysteria.

In your initial post you said all the boys know each other, now you say a LOT of the boys know each other. There's a difference. I can also tell you that while the boys may know each other, it doesn't mean they aren't open to making new friends. You really need to take a deep breath and chill. I don't think it's FCPS that has changed since you were there last - it's you. Your expectations are just unrealistic.

[Anonymous]

While FCPS certainly has areas it can improve on, how are they supposed to adequately deal with children knowing each other before school starts? What is expected of them other than to help children be open to new friendships and be nice to everyone? In my child's K class, some children, especially boys, don't even have the ability yet to join in and play, much less be BFF's with them.