SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers have a choice to work in a public school or private. Pros and cons to both but you do have that choice. There are surely reasons why you have chosen one over the other and that is an important context.

I think that’s not a fair assessment of the current situation. Of course teachers make the choice that makes sense to them, but they don’t pick a place and realize they’ll end up in a toxic work environment. They don’t deserve that and have every right to be upset that they needed to face crap under RG, and he didn’t even have the decency to take time to have a conversation with each person he laid off. Everyone deserves that much respect.

Yes of course all teachers deserve decency and respect. I am responding to the post regarding the type of contract private school teachers apparently receive. If true that private school teacher contracts are not legally binding then that is another element one must consider as they weigh the pros and cons of seeking employment with a private school or a public school. Ultimately that person posting chose to be a private school teacher and had reasons for doing so that are important to the context. Sure those reasons are personal but we can't then just look at one element (non binding contracts) as a sensational revelation. The contracts themselves have nothing to do with RG and SSFS. The type of contract and the way SSFS handled layoffs are separate issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

I'm sorry you are upset by a class size of 16. If you are concerned that not enough individual support will be provided you should raise that concern with the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

Breathe, OP. You are panicking and losing perspective. A class size of 16 is objectively small. MCPS has class sizes upwards of 27+. Furthermore, the 3rd grade teacher is very experienced (and an amazing human). Your kid is in capable hands. The lower school also has a dedicated learning specialist who does pull-outs for kids who need extra attention.
And there are experienced support staff who can be pulled in as needed. You really don't need to worry about this part.

But SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

A third grade class size of 16 is not "so large". And if the teacher needs to use the bathroom they will do what public school teachers do- ask the teacher next door to stand in the hall between both classrooms to keep an eye on things for 5 minutes, or call the front office to send someone to the room to keep an eye on things. And if parents are worried about not having an aid then stop up and be a classroom volunteer for a few hours each week.

This will be fine.

I wish I could volunteer for a few hours each week, but I have to work five, 8 hour days to pay for this school.

Oh, and you missed the part about "What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher?"

I'm sorry you are upset by a class size of 16. If you are concerned that not enough individual support will be provided you should raise that concern with the school.

I'm upset that SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it's misleading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

I meant 16 students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking forward to the school year ahead and are choosing to remain optimistic.

Same!

Same here as well. But unfortunately, we just found out that third grade only has 1 teacher for 16 students! No teacher's aid, no other teacher support. What if the teacher has an emergency and needs to leave the classroom... what then?... just leave the children alone, unsupervised? What if a child needs extra explanation for something but there are so many students that the teacher can not provide the individual support the student needs, all because the class size is so large with no relief for the teacher? I'm starting to get upset.

I am confused, that's a really nice ratio and class size. I would assume that if the teacher has an emergency, it would be covered the way it gets covered in the vast majority of schools in this country, where an admin, or specials teacher would step in, or the class would get temporarily combined with 2nd or 4th.

"Really nice ratio"? Nope not at all. 16 to 1 is "good" for public school ratios (U.S. average is 15.5 for public). Private schools average ratios in the U.S. is 12.5 to 1. We're used to private being 10 to 1 in my experience. SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. But paying $34,990k per year for public school ratios is absolutely ridiculous.

I've taught at 2 of the Big 3 and 26 students was the average class size. The student to teacher ratio that appears in most schools' overviews is on paper, not in practice.

I meant 16 students.

SSFS advertises their teacher to student ratio at 8 to 1. It's double that, they should update their website and advertising materials... it is highly misleading as it is currently written.