FCPS Early Release Mondays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

As a parent of a kid who just finished 5th grade.... He was in 1st grade when the pandemic hit....2nd grade was all virtual....of course your students this year didn't know what wasn't taught to them and missed out on crucial foundational 1st and 2nd grade topics! The schools were closed then. And as many have pointed out on these threads, parents aren't experienced educators....

Blame the pandemic for what you experienced in the classroom this year, blame ineffective virtual classrooms....but not the parents!

NP. I disagree. As an educated and involved parent, you are privileged. YOU are responsible for ensuring that your child learns. If your child is struggling, you need to get them help.

Don’t wait for the school to do so. Especially because so many other children are in even worse shape and do not have an involved parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

Honestly, I already know this. It is why my child has been taking math classes at RSM and participates n different STEM activities. He enjoys and asks to participate in these activities, mainly because they teach him something and are more challenging then school is. It would be great if he had classes that meet his needs in math and science but the schools don't have the resources to do that. We are lucky and can afford to use outside enrichment so we go that route.

And that is not a huge change from when I wa a kid in the 80's. My parents paid for tutoring for my brother and I, we have LDs and needed additional support in school, and enrichment for my older siblings who were bored in the honors classes at their school. I don't remember my parents complaining, it is what you did to support your child. I am not sure when things changed and parents started to expect that the schools can meet every kids exact needs. I would guess that kids that are on grade level and making good progress in school tend to have parents who are less angsty and most of the pressure on Teachers is coming from parents of SPED kids and parents of advanced kids. My parents worked hard to make sure that I received the supports I could get at school, resource support during study hall and different testing accomadations, but they didn't expect that the school would have team taught classes, never mind team taught honors classes. My brother worked with a reading specialist at school and my parents worked with a tutor to further support his reading. We seem to have lost the thread and expect that schools are going to provide full OT, PT, academic supports, speech therapy and everything else under the sun. Schools cannot afford that. Schools cannot afford to have specialized programs for the kid who is massively advanced in math or science. They can move kids up grade levels but then you have social issues that can come into play.

If you want your kid to be fully supported by the school you need to look at private schools. There is a reason why those schools with smaller classes and supports and all the bells and whistles cost $60,000 a year. Stop thinking that you are going to get that in public school.

It's not the parents who want on grade level education asking for the bells and whistles and supports. It's an unwillingness to differentiate or fail a student that forces a 7th grade math class to cover 5th grade math. Remove those supports and let the class move at the pace it should

There are few to no resources to provide the remedial instruction outside of the classroom. So it needs to happen in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

As a parent of a kid who just finished 5th grade.... He was in 1st grade when the pandemic hit....2nd grade was all virtual....of course your students this year didn't know what wasn't taught to them and missed out on crucial foundational 1st and 2nd grade topics! The schools were closed then. And as many have pointed out on these threads, parents aren't experienced educators....

Blame the pandemic for what you experienced in the classroom this year, blame ineffective virtual classrooms....but not the parents!

NP. I disagree. As an educated and involved parent, you are privileged. YOU are responsible for ensuring that your child learns. If your child is struggling, you need to get them help.

Don’t wait for the school to do so. Especially because so many other children are in even worse shape and do not have an involved parent.

It depends on the school. At Woodlawn, you're correct, the school has other issues and your kid will not get the help they need. At Great Falls, most of those kids with other issues just aren't present and your kid will get help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

Honestly, I already know this. It is why my child has been taking math classes at RSM and participates n different STEM activities. He enjoys and asks to participate in these activities, mainly because they teach him something and are more challenging then school is. It would be great if he had classes that meet his needs in math and science but the schools don't have the resources to do that. We are lucky and can afford to use outside enrichment so we go that route.

And that is not a huge change from when I wa a kid in the 80's. My parents paid for tutoring for my brother and I, we have LDs and needed additional support in school, and enrichment for my older siblings who were bored in the honors classes at their school. I don't remember my parents complaining, it is what you did to support your child. I am not sure when things changed and parents started to expect that the schools can meet every kids exact needs. I would guess that kids that are on grade level and making good progress in school tend to have parents who are less angsty and most of the pressure on Teachers is coming from parents of SPED kids and parents of advanced kids. My parents worked hard to make sure that I received the supports I could get at school, resource support during study hall and different testing accomadations, but they didn't expect that the school would have team taught classes, never mind team taught honors classes. My brother worked with a reading specialist at school and my parents worked with a tutor to further support his reading. We seem to have lost the thread and expect that schools are going to provide full OT, PT, academic supports, speech therapy and everything else under the sun. Schools cannot afford that. Schools cannot afford to have specialized programs for the kid who is massively advanced in math or science. They can move kids up grade levels but then you have social issues that can come into play.

If you want your kid to be fully supported by the school you need to look at private schools. There is a reason why those schools with smaller classes and supports and all the bells and whistles cost $60,000 a year. Stop thinking that you are going to get that in public school.

It's not the parents who want on grade level education asking for the bells and whistles and supports. It's an unwillingness to differentiate or fail a student that forces a 7th grade math class to cover 5th grade math. Remove those supports and let the class move at the pace it should

There are few to no resources to provide the remedial instruction outside of the classroom. So it needs to happen in the classroom.

Kumon, mathnaseum, even Khan Academy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone saying they want vouchers for their kids to go to private school is right up there with things that immediately tell me you’re a bad person.

My kids are almost done. I want vouchers to force schools to care about all kids, not just those federal law requires them to care about

Vouchers are a failure in states where they have been implemented. Stop pushing for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

Honestly, I already know this. It is why my child has been taking math classes at RSM and participates n different STEM activities. He enjoys and asks to participate in these activities, mainly because they teach him something and are more challenging then school is. It would be great if he had classes that meet his needs in math and science but the schools don't have the resources to do that. We are lucky and can afford to use outside enrichment so we go that route.

And that is not a huge change from when I wa a kid in the 80's. My parents paid for tutoring for my brother and I, we have LDs and needed additional support in school, and enrichment for my older siblings who were bored in the honors classes at their school. I don't remember my parents complaining, it is what you did to support your child. I am not sure when things changed and parents started to expect that the schools can meet every kids exact needs. I would guess that kids that are on grade level and making good progress in school tend to have parents who are less angsty and most of the pressure on Teachers is coming from parents of SPED kids and parents of advanced kids. My parents worked hard to make sure that I received the supports I could get at school, resource support during study hall and different testing accomadations, but they didn't expect that the school would have team taught classes, never mind team taught honors classes. My brother worked with a reading specialist at school and my parents worked with a tutor to further support his reading. We seem to have lost the thread and expect that schools are going to provide full OT, PT, academic supports, speech therapy and everything else under the sun. Schools cannot afford that. Schools cannot afford to have specialized programs for the kid who is massively advanced in math or science. They can move kids up grade levels but then you have social issues that can come into play.

If you want your kid to be fully supported by the school you need to look at private schools. There is a reason why those schools with smaller classes and supports and all the bells and whistles cost $60,000 a year. Stop thinking that you are going to get that in public school.

It's not the parents who want on grade level education asking for the bells and whistles and supports. It's an unwillingness to differentiate or fail a student that forces a 7th grade math class to cover 5th grade math. Remove those supports and let the class move at the pace it should

There are few to no resources to provide the remedial instruction outside of the classroom. So it needs to happen in the classroom.

Kumon, mathnaseum, even Khan Academy

Exactly. This is where parents need to turn to if they have a concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone saying they want vouchers for their kids to go to private school is right up there with things that immediately tell me you’re a bad person.

My kids are almost done. I want vouchers to force schools to care about all kids, not just those federal law requires them to care about

Vouchers are a failure in states where they have been implemented. Stop pushing for them.

Do you really want to compare Virginia's rankings to Texas or Florida? FCPS compared to South Lakes doesn't look so great

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.[/quote]

As a parent of a kid who just finished 5th grade.... He was in 1st grade when the pandemic hit....2nd grade was all virtual....of course your students this year didn't know what wasn't taught to them and missed out on crucial foundational 1st and 2nd grade topics! The schools were closed then. And as many have pointed out on these threads, parents aren't experienced educators....

Blame the pandemic for what you experienced in the classroom this year, blame ineffective virtual classrooms....but not the parents![/quote]

NP. I disagree. As an educated and involved parent, you are privileged. YOU are responsible for ensuring that your child learns. If your child is struggling, you need to get them help.

Don’t wait for the school to do so. Especially because so many other children are in even worse shape and do not have an involved parent. [/quote]

If MOST of her students are struggling with the same concept then it really should be taught in the classroom. It probably means it got skipped because of the pandemic. Remember when the curriculum was cut in half and we were told not to worry about it?

I'm going to teach my kids work life balance and let them choose enrichments that let them explore their passions/ hobbies.
I don't believe in making my kids go to school after school unless they show that they are truly struggling/ behind.

[Anonymous]

Re: pandemic years. I’d argue against this being a source of FCPS problems.

The basics are simply no longer being taught and haven’t since my own DC began kindergarten in 2006 in FCPS.

Here’s what is NOT taught in FCPS ES in no particular order: handwriting/penmanship, phonics, math facts, geography/state capitals, spelling, reading fundamentals, grammar and usage and the school system has done away with worksheets, homework and textbooks.

Parents flock to AAP/Center schools because they see this track as their only option for their
TJHSST-bound or at the minimum, their college-bound student. And I understand. AAP is considered to be more rigorous with specially-trained and certified teachers. What the parents don’t or won’t admit to is that to achieve an AAP designation means your DC will no longer be in a classroom with ESOL students and/or a new student every month until the last few weeks of school - and all the chaos and distractions in an overcrowded classroom. There simply isn’t time for the basics because it’s daily survival for teachers and students.


Parents like to think their AAP student is getting a superior education when I’d argue the AAP education now pales in comparison to the rigor of “ regular” FCPS a decade ago. We’re in a downward spiral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. As a veteran 5th grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, I can only do so much with the limited resources, unprepared students, and huge class sizes. And my school has a relatively low FARMs rate, especially compared to other schools in the district with much higher percentages.

One clear example - last year, I noticed that most of my students couldn't grasp place value. Without a solid understanding of this basic 1st/2nd grade concept, they struggled with grade-level math topics. So, I spent most of my time reteaching these basics, which meant much less time for other critical areas of the math curriculum.

Students who come in unprepared are becoming the norm even in “good” schools. I’m not sure what is going on - maybe too much iPad? But Covering the entire curriculum is a pipe dream.

From my experience, it's clear that public education can only aim to provide the essentials and Virginia needs to do more to adjust the standards. We need to have the hard conversations around AAP/honors. If public education is to survive, we need to ensure EVERY student has a solid foundation by graduation instead of pushing the kids who are already ahead even further ahead.

So if you want more advanced learning, look elsewhere and stop blaming your child’s teacher or the school system.

Honestly, I already know this. It is why my child has been taking math classes at RSM and participates n different STEM activities. He enjoys and asks to participate in these activities, mainly because they teach him something and are more challenging then school is. It would be great if he had classes that meet his needs in math and science but the schools don't have the resources to do that. We are lucky and can afford to use outside enrichment so we go that route.

And that is not a huge change from when I wa a kid in the 80's. My parents paid for tutoring for my brother and I, we have LDs and needed additional support in school, and enrichment for my older siblings who were bored in the honors classes at their school. I don't remember my parents complaining, it is what you did to support your child. I am not sure when things changed and parents started to expect that the schools can meet every kids exact needs. I would guess that kids that are on grade level and making good progress in school tend to have parents who are less angsty and most of the pressure on Teachers is coming from parents of SPED kids and parents of advanced kids. My parents worked hard to make sure that I received the supports I could get at school, resource support during study hall and different testing accomadations, but they didn't expect that the school would have team taught classes, never mind team taught honors classes. My brother worked with a reading specialist at school and my parents worked with a tutor to further support his reading. We seem to have lost the thread and expect that schools are going to provide full OT, PT, academic supports, speech therapy and everything else under the sun. Schools cannot afford that. Schools cannot afford to have specialized programs for the kid who is massively advanced in math or science. They can move kids up grade levels but then you have social issues that can come into play.

If you want your kid to be fully supported by the school you need to look at private schools. There is a reason why those schools with smaller classes and supports and all the bells and whistles cost $60,000 a year. Stop thinking that you are going to get that in public school.

It's not the parents who want on grade level education asking for the bells and whistles and supports. It's an unwillingness to differentiate or fail a student that forces a 7th grade math class to cover 5th grade math. Remove those supports and let the class move at the pace it should

There are few to no resources to provide the remedial instruction outside of the classroom. So it needs to happen in the classroom.

This is ridiculous. I’m a high school teacher. My own elementary-aged child needs remediation and I do it myself. Her teacher has 30 other students to teach. I can’t expect the teacher to perform miracles, which is what individualized instruction would be in a class that size.

I have two children at home. It’s much easier for me to work with them in the evenings, and much more effective.

Yes, I’m tired at the end of each day… but I do it anyway. No, I’m not trained in elementary-aged learning… but I figure it out.

[Anonymous]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; woe to the solidly average student who isn’t identified as eligible for AAP and doesn’t have an IEP, doesn’t need a mentor, isn’t at-risk and comes to kindergarten from a play-based preschool and English is spoken in the home.

You, as parents, will get nothing from the school. You’ll be told average is fine. You’ll also begin teaching your student how to read, write and learn math facts at home. Good preparation for being your DC’s kitchen table math tutor from 5-8th grades. By high school, you’ll likely need to turn instruction over to paid tutors and then a SAT prep company.

Just be prepared to fill the gaps either DIY or outsourcing.

Oh - you will get some attention ahead of SOLs - your DC will be identified as “needing extra help” and so every morning for two weeks ahead of SOL, you’ll drop your kiddo off early. You’ll also be notified by the AP that your DC really should retake the SOL and so re take boot camp at the school starts ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; woe to the solidly average student who isn’t identified as eligible for AAP and doesn’t have an IEP, doesn’t need a mentor, isn’t at-risk and comes to kindergarten from a play-based preschool and English is spoken in the home.

You, as parents, will get nothing from the school. You’ll be told average is fine. You’ll also begin teaching your student how to read, write and learn math facts at home. Good preparation for being your DC’s kitchen table math tutor from 5-8th grades. By high school, you’ll likely need to turn instruction over to paid tutors and then a SAT prep company.

Just be prepared to fill the gaps either DIY or outsourcing.

Oh - you will get some attention ahead of SOLs - your DC will be identified as “needing extra help” and so every morning for two weeks ahead of SOL, you’ll drop your kiddo off early. You’ll also be notified by the AP that your DC really should retake the SOL and so re take boot camp at the school starts ASAP.

This was my kid, except they got pass advanced, so none of that extra help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Here’s what is NOT taught in FCPS ES in no particular order: handwriting/penmanship, phonics, math facts, geography/state capitals, spelling, reading fundamentals, grammar and usage and the school system has done away with worksheets, homework and textbooks.

Phonics and reading fundamentals are back (Science of Reading)

AAP is considered to be more rigorous with specially-trained and certified teachers.

The AAP training and endorsement is a few extra classes. I wouldn't say AAP teachers are "specially-trained" per se.

What the parents don’t or won’t admit to is that to achieve an AAP designation means your DC will no longer be in a classroom with ESOL students and/or a new student every month until the last few weeks of school

This is 100% untrue. There are students in AAP who are speakers of other languages and who might even be receiving some ESOL support, just as there are AAP students who have disabilities and might be receiving special education support.

New students come into AAP, as well. There might not be a new student every month, but at most schools, that's also rare in general education classes, to have a new student every month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is only responsible for providing a basic level of education. Anything more is not part of their mandate.

"Each student is entitled to an excellent education that meets their individual needs."

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/beliefs-mission-vision#:~:text=Fairfax%20County%20Public%20Schools%20inspires,responsible%20and%20innovative%20global%20citizens.

Basic means excellent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is only responsible for providing a basic level of education. Anything more is not part of their mandate.

So if kids are gettings all Ds thats ok?