Extended calendar next school year at two schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

I've read quite a few posts on this forum but this one absolutely mirrors my thoughts - right down to your band aid comment. Sometimes I'll use this - "placing an expensive foundation over a boil."

People just don't get it.

Expanding the school year for kids living in poverty may help a few whose parents "get it." For the majority, however, it's a quick, short-lived fix.

FARMs meals are terrible, often high in fats and sugars. Kids return to homes where English isn't spoken and no one can help with homework. Many are being raised by older siblings b/c parents are working round the clock. Kids miss school b/c it's not valued, or even if it is, some are pulled out to act as translators. Others are in gangs b/c it's a form of protection. Imagine being recruited in upper elementary school!

Examine the abuse - sometimes in the form of unintentional neglect as parents are forced to work odd hours.

And then language barriers often mask learning issues and emotional obstacles. What happens then?

Do some of you think, as you live in your bubbles, that 30 days will reverse the negative situations these kids experience on a DAILY basis?

Do you think that some arrogant ass in central office, who managed to squeak by on maybe five years of "classroom teaching" before being kicked up, GETS IT?

These are the people making decisions for teachers.

This county is a sinking ship. But as long as it uses the W schools to puff up its image, it's all good, yes?

band aid on an infected wound, people

I have five+ years left before I can retire b/c I was a career-changer. My husband is done in another year! We've worked in low-performing schools for most of our careers. Who's going to replace us? I've seen new teachers quit after a year. I encourage college kids to stay away from education b/c there are better routes for them to take. My own kids know better, too!

The general public should school itself (pun intended) on these issues. Unless you, as parents, demand real change and learn to appreciate the work teachers put into your kids each day, often sacrificing family time to do so, nothing will change.

off my soapbox now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They are not providing tons of supports. Our Focus school is selfish and excludes parents from volunteering. We've suggested things like a clothing closet so when kids need stuff the teachers can give it to them and they have refused. I have plenty of barely worn or brand new clothing that we've be happy to donate. Yes, some people use the money poorly, but not all do. We don't always do homework as it is not related to the school work and its just dumb!

You don't see any reason other than "selfishness" that a school might have concerns about letting middle class families unload their used clothing on their children's peers? Not only would facilitating that be a logistical nightmare that most schools have neither the resources nor space for but it also raises all sorts of questions about the "haves" and the "have nots."

Just donate to Adventist Social Services or whatever equivalent is in your community. That way the needy families get warm clothes, from a charity that has the resources to clean and sort them, and there's at least one degree of separation to minimize potential awkwardness.

Middle class parents in economically diverse schools often have a lot of big ideas, but not necessarily the understanding or cultural awareness to implement them. I see that a lot at the Focus school that my kids attend. Middle class parents come in with all sorts of ideas, but they are usually ideas that they want someone else to implement, or they don't understand that thing already exists but isn't being publicized to middle class parents so as not to embarrass the kids receiving it.

My friend's focus school asks for donations all the time. These items are organized and then distributed to some of the neediest families. If you believe donating useful items is considered embarrassing, then it's your attitude that needs to change b/c you're stigmatizing poverty. It's not as though teachers and counselors are entering classrooms and hand-delivering items to kids. Furthermore, being "culturally aware" is a PC cop out. Do you think ANY child wants to leave the house in 30 degree weather in a windbreaker?

You must think educators are buffoons. Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I think we can handle this situation in a way that doesn't "embarrass" kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They are not providing tons of supports. Our Focus school is selfish and excludes parents from volunteering. We've suggested things like a clothing closet so when kids need stuff the teachers can give it to them and they have refused. I have plenty of barely worn or brand new clothing that we've be happy to donate. Yes, some people use the money poorly, but not all do. We don't always do homework as it is not related to the school work and its just dumb!

You don't see any reason other than "selfishness" that a school might have concerns about letting middle class families unload their used clothing on their children's peers? Not only would facilitating that be a logistical nightmare that most schools have neither the resources nor space for but it also raises all sorts of questions about the "haves" and the "have nots."

Just donate to Adventist Social Services or whatever equivalent is in your community. That way the needy families get warm clothes, from a charity that has the resources to clean and sort them, and there's at least one degree of separation to minimize potential awkwardness.

Middle class parents in economically diverse schools often have a lot of big ideas, but not necessarily the understanding or cultural awareness to implement them. I see that a lot at the Focus school that my kids attend. Middle class parents come in with all sorts of ideas, but they are usually ideas that they want someone else to implement, or they don't understand that thing already exists but isn't being publicized to middle class parents so as not to embarrass the kids receiving it.

You sound clueless and elitist. Why such hate for middle class families? They are the ones floating these FOCUS schools and without them, the whole county goes down.

We are at a FOCUS school that does collect coats and meals for lower income families. There is no ‘embarassment’. Counselor collects the items and diatributes as needed. All the K-2 teachers keep extra coats and gloves around. It’s the middle class families buying tissues and glue sticks and paper towels and sending in snacks.

If a FOCUS school is not engaging it’s middle class families to do this, they are failing miserably and doing a terrible job running the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

I've read quite a few posts on this forum but this one absolutely mirrors my thoughts - right down to your band aid comment. Sometimes I'll use this - "placing an expensive foundation over a boil."

People just don't get it.

Expanding the school year for kids living in poverty may help a few whose parents "get it." For the majority, however, it's a quick, short-lived fix.

FARMs meals are terrible, often high in fats and sugars. Kids return to homes where English isn't spoken and no one can help with homework. Many are being raised by older siblings b/c parents are working round the clock. Kids miss school b/c it's not valued, or even if it is, some are pulled out to act as translators. Others are in gangs b/c it's a form of protection. Imagine being recruited in upper elementary school!

Examine the abuse - sometimes in the form of unintentional neglect as parents are forced to work odd hours.

And then language barriers often mask learning issues and emotional obstacles. What happens then?

Do some of you think, as you live in your bubbles, that 30 days will reverse the negative situations these kids experience on a DAILY basis?

Do you think that some arrogant ass in central office, who managed to squeak by on maybe five years of "classroom teaching" before being kicked up, GETS IT?

These are the people making decisions for teachers.

This county is a sinking ship. But as long as it uses the W schools to puff up its image, it's all good, yes?

band aid on an infected wound, people

I have five+ years left before I can retire b/c I was a career-changer. My husband is done in another year! We've worked in low-performing schools for most of our careers. Who's going to replace us? I've seen new teachers quit after a year. I encourage college kids to stay away from education b/c there are better routes for them to take. My own kids know better, too!

The general public should school itself (pun intended) on these issues. Unless you, as parents, demand real change and learn to appreciate the work teachers put into your kids each day, often sacrificing family time to do so, nothing will change.

off my soapbox now

You are spot on. 100% correct.

Anyone who works at a Title 1 or Focus school echoes your sentiments.

You will, unfortunately, be replaced by a young teacher, with little experience, who will burn out quickly due to all the BS (useless initiatives, overcrowded classrooms, unhelpful meetings) and then be replaced by another new teacher with little experience.

We are at a FOCUS school and the teacher turnover is ridiculous. My kids have only had one teacher with more than five years experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think its terrible and should be voluntary. Lots of kids of divorced parents only get to see the other parent in the summer if there is distance so they lose out on their family time. We have relatives in another country and tis the only time we get to see them. Our child is also on daily summer swim team so that would conflict with school.

This is the most elitist, self-absorbed post I've seen in a while and that's saying a lot. Do you really have that much trouble putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think its terrible and should be voluntary. Lots of kids of divorced parents only get to see the other parent in the summer if there is distance so they lose out on their family time. We have relatives in another country and tis the only time we get to see them. Our child is also on daily summer swim team so that would conflict with school.

This is the most elitist, self-absorbed post I've seen in a while and that's saying a lot. Do you really have that much trouble putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

Why should they? Why change everybody’s life on an unrealistic whim of reaching the unreachable. Let’s invest in the kids that get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think its terrible and should be voluntary. Lots of kids of divorced parents only get to see the other parent in the summer if there is distance so they lose out on their family time. We have relatives in another country and tis the only time we get to see them. Our child is also on daily summer swim team so that would conflict with school.

This is the most elitist, self-absorbed post I've seen in a while and that's saying a lot. Do you really have that much trouble putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

Why should they? Why change everybody’s life on an unrealistic whim of reaching the unreachable. Let’s invest in the kids that get it.

You do remember that we're talking about children here, right? What effed up moral code do you live by that you think 5 year-olds could be "unreachable?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

You want CHILDREN to go hungry because you don't like how their parents are parenting?

For the love of G-d I hope you are lying about being a public school teacher, because that's abhorrent.

You realize it is the parents who are subjecting these kids to hunger, these are the ones who need he classes the most

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think its terrible and should be voluntary. Lots of kids of divorced parents only get to see the other parent in the summer if there is distance so they lose out on their family time. We have relatives in another country and tis the only time we get to see them. Our child is also on daily summer swim team so that would conflict with school.

This is the most elitist, self-absorbed post I've seen in a while and that's saying a lot. Do you really have that much trouble putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

Why should they? Why change everybody’s life on an unrealistic whim of reaching the unreachable. Let’s invest in the kids that get it.

You do remember that we're talking about children here, right? What effed up moral code do you live by that you think 5 year-olds could be "unreachable?"

Math and statistics. Most (90%+) kids of the bottom rungs of society end up in the bottom rungs of society. Nothing you do will change that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

You want CHILDREN to go hungry because you don't like how their parents are parenting?

For the love of G-d I hope you are lying about being a public school teacher, because that's abhorrent.

You realize it is the parents who are subjecting these kids to hunger, these are the ones who need he classes the most

...and how will spending their evenings in "parenting" class put food on the table? You can't solve systemic inequality with parenting classes. We have a class mobility problem in this country. The solution isn't to force poor families to "earn" a social safety net in the form of hot meals for their children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think its terrible and should be voluntary. Lots of kids of divorced parents only get to see the other parent in the summer if there is distance so they lose out on their family time. We have relatives in another country and tis the only time we get to see them. Our child is also on daily summer swim team so that would conflict with school.

This is the most elitist, self-absorbed post I've seen in a while and that's saying a lot. Do you really have that much trouble putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

DP

No, it’s elitist to think that an extra 30 days of school is going to make a difference in the life of these kids.

If you actually put yourself in these kids’ shoes, you would see that. Theses kids bed way more than an extra 30 Days of school. Unless we, as a society can see that, we are just putting Band Aids on oozing wounds like the PP said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

You want CHILDREN to go hungry because you don't like how their parents are parenting?

For the love of G-d I hope you are lying about being a public school teacher, because that's abhorrent.

You realize it is the parents who are subjecting these kids to hunger, these are the ones who need he classes the most

...and how will spending their evenings in "parenting" class put food on the table? You can't solve systemic inequality with parenting classes. We have a class mobility problem in this country. The solution isn't to force poor families to "earn" a social safety net in the form of hot meals for their children.

You also can’t expect schools to solve ALL of society’s problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

You want CHILDREN to go hungry because you don't like how their parents are parenting?

For the love of G-d I hope you are lying about being a public school teacher, because that's abhorrent.

You realize it is the parents who are subjecting these kids to hunger, these are the ones who need he classes the most

...and how will spending their evenings in "parenting" class put food on the table? You can't solve systemic inequality with parenting classes. We have a class mobility problem in this country. The solution isn't to force poor families to "earn" a social safety net in the form of hot meals for their children.

So what do you think is the solution? The reality is that people can't afford to feed the existing child(ren) they have, but choose to keep having more children without much consequence because they know others will provide for them. Adding extra days of school and universal Pre-K just adds to that mentality. Nothing will change until people are held accountable for their actions. Educating these parents might help to put an end to this cycle. It wouldn't happen immediately, but would be better than digging a deeper hole like we're currently doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad they are willing to try new things, honestly. It's a shame if teachers felt blindsided, but I also don't know whether this is the sort of thing that needs to be put up to an employee vote.

So people who have been out of the classroom for years - some who have never taught in challenging situations - should make these decisons.

bc that makes the most sense

Thanks for the input.

What would you suggest? If we all agree that the achievement gap is a problem, and that summer learning retention plays a role in that gap, what would the teachers want done?

Fix the poverty issue. That is putting a bandaid on an oozing infected wound. I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing that whether I work 40 hour weeks or 80 hour weeks it really won't make a difference, which is a sad realization since I've devoted years of my life to these kids to the detriment of my own health and family.

I honestly would like for parents to have to attend parenting classes in order to receive FARMS or other benefits. The parents are the kids' biggest barrier to learning. 30 extra days in school won't fix what's broken. --teacher in a Focus school

You want CHILDREN to go hungry because you don't like how their parents are parenting?

For the love of G-d I hope you are lying about being a public school teacher, because that's abhorrent.

You realize it is the parents who are subjecting these kids to hunger, these are the ones who need he classes the most

...and how will spending their evenings in "parenting" class put food on the table? You can't solve systemic inequality with parenting classes. We have a class mobility problem in this country. The solution isn't to force poor families to "earn" a social safety net in the form of hot meals for their children.

You also can’t expect schools to solve ALL of society’s problems.

Thank you for saying this. Too many people believe that schools should solve all of society's problems.

[Anonymous]

So what do you think is the solution? The reality is that people can't afford to feed the existing child(ren) they have, but choose to keep having more children without much consequence because they know others will provide for them. Adding extra days of school and universal Pre-K just adds to that mentality. Nothing will change until people are held accountable for their actions. Educating these parents might help to put an end to this cycle. It wouldn't happen immediately, but would be better than digging a deeper hole like we're currently doing.

You seem to have this idea that every child who uses the FARMS program is part of some welfare queen long con. What you are describing has no relationship to the kids I see at my children's Focus School. At all. Families tend to be 2 kids maximum, usually three or four years apart. Parents work, but rely on the social safety net because even working multiple jobs doesn't make ends meet in the DC area. Many are first generation Americans, and were middle class back home before war came to their countries and forced them to flee. They are hard-working, involved, and working every day to make sure their kids only spend a single generation poor.