Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a question about recess at Cooper. My son said that there were several hundred kids were all out one a small blacktop. I went and looked at it and it’s is TINY. I don’t see how more than 20 kids could use it, let alone 1/4 of the school at the same time.

My daughter said Longfellow is doing the same. I just assumed they’d be free to walk around in the huge grassy field next to the school and talk to friends. This is what I did at middle school recess in the 80s (different school, different grassy field, but same idea). And some kids thew or kicked a ball around. I’m trying to figure out what the concerns are that are leading them to jam the kids into a little enclosed space. Wtf

Due to the construction, no one is allowed on the grassy field.

I have a question about recess at Cooper. My son said that there were several hundred kids were all out one a small blacktop. I went and looked at it and it’s is TINY. I don’t see how more than 20 kids could use it, let alone 1/4 of the school at the same time.

I just spoke to my son and they have to sit with their class for the first two weeks. They should be able to sit wherever they want in a week.

I remember PE being a ton of kids in a gym when I was in middle school. I had to change into uniforms for PE and it was awkward for me to change in front of others.

Middle school is just an awkward time for all.

Anonymous wrote:1) It's not the end of the world
2) Assigned seats will change throughout the year
3) Hardened criminals...lol
4) Overseas and FFX County do things differently...best to be a little flexible to different systems
5) 100 kids in one PE class? I think your daughter is exaggerating...or she does not know how to count

Sounds like your overseas school was great with lunch privileges, but terrible with teaching math. I wonder what else the overseas school missed? Logical thinking? I'm wondering if with the leap to "hardened criminals" whether OP was educated in this terrible overseas school herself.

This post is overly dramatic (hardened criminals?). They do not have assigned seats, they are assigned certain tables for their class.

This is only for the first couple weeks. Lunch is very confusing for kids because they have the recess time and some classes have part of class then then lunch and then part of class. When you keep the whole class together, they can find their way back to class together at the correct time. Again, only temporary until everyone gets used to the system.

This way you are just complaining about them being treated like hardened criminals instead of how they are so confused about when to go where during 5th period.

100 kids in a gym is probably exaggerating by about 20 kids. 80 kids in one huge gym with 2+ teachers is fine.

The middle school i teach at does this. It serves a few purposes.

1) More efficient seating while the chaos of the lunch room is worked out. No pushing/shoving to get seats with people at tables that are full.
2) New kids have guaranteed table mates for the first couple weeks, alleviating massive anxiety for a lot of kids
3) Sets the tone that the lunch room isn't a playground
4) Teachers come and "claim" their kids after lunch to walk them back to class. They can hold their class accountable for cleaning up their tables before being released.

After a couple weeks, privileges to pick your own seats are instated. If things get too rowdy again, kids will again sit by class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid and Cooper and he said he ate lunch with a bunch of people he didn’t know while two of his best friends were across the cafeteria at another table. I’m not sure why he can’t just walk over and eat with his friends. Last year he was able to sit with friends.

it is a chance to meet new people

Hmm. Wonder if it is so people who don’t know others don’t feel so awkward not having anyone to sit with.

I moved when I was in 7th grade. Still remember how awful and scary it was to walk into a huge cafeteria not knowing anyone.

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid and Cooper and he said he ate lunch with a bunch of people he didn’t know while two of his best friends were across the cafeteria at another table. I’m not sure why he can’t just walk over and eat with his friends. Last year he was able to sit with friends.

it is a chance to meet new people

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid and Cooper and he said he ate lunch with a bunch of people he didn’t know while two of his best friends were across the cafeteria at another table. I’m not sure why he can’t just walk over and eat with his friends. Last year he was able to sit with friends.

Maybe there’s a premium on getting kids in and out of the cafeteria and through the halls while the school is under renovation?

There was construction last year and everyone was still wearing masks. Seems strange that they are making kids sit together now.

It is temporary.

DD said they're assigning 2 tables to each class for the next couple weeks. After that, they get to sit wherever they want. She said no outdoor seating this year b/c of construction though.

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid and Cooper and he said he ate lunch with a bunch of people he didn’t know while two of his best friends were across the cafeteria at another table. I’m not sure why he can’t just walk over and eat with his friends. Last year he was able to sit with friends.

Maybe there’s a premium on getting kids in and out of the cafeteria and through the halls while the school is under renovation?

I have a kid and Cooper and he said he ate lunch with a bunch of people he didn’t know while two of his best friends were across the cafeteria at another table. I’m not sure why he can’t just walk over and eat with his friends. Last year he was able to sit with friends.

1) It's not the end of the world
2) Assigned seats will change throughout the year
3) Hardened criminals...lol
4) Overseas and FFX County do things differently...best to be a little flexible to different systems
5) 100 kids in one PE class? I think your daughter is exaggerating...or she does not know how to count

My daughter has said they have assigned seats at lunch? Or they have to sit only with their class? Why are they treating these kids like hardened criminals? When we were overseas, the middle schoolers were allowed to take their lunch, eat outside etc. Kids that didn't make it to their next class were dealt with but the other kids were allowed free rein.

In addition, my daughter says there are over 100 kids in her PE class? I thought the whole reason it was ok not to have a longer lunch was that they were getting plenty of exercise in their PE classes. No one will be exercising with 100 kids squeezed into 1 gym.