Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for your kids

You beat me to it.

And I'm a teacher.

To PP:

You have a point. When I was growing up the kids in my class who grew up to teach elementary school were not the top students. Why should I now take their advice (no math, no homework, no work sheets, no memorization) about educating my own children--some 30 to 50 years later? That would be dumb.

In my case, I would never have been as professionally successful and a top student at every educational level if I did no challenging math, no science, no computer science, no homework, no work sheets and no memorization.

That would be dumb.

Remember - we are talking about "prepping for a test" that the county explicitly says the best prep is a good night's rest and a good breakfast....

So what, if my child went to bed at midnight and only had a banana for breakfast what is the hell is the County going to do? If my child read and did math for 2 h a night for 6 months up until their stupid exam what is the County going to do? What is so mighty about the County? Do you worship the County --- the final truth and common sense?

I have done exactly the opposite of any MCPS advice of simply going to sleep and eating breakfast when it comes to education. Eduction MCPS style! Teachers shouldn't teach math, children shouldn't do homework, worksheets and any neurologic task requiring memory and memorization. No wonder all these educators and bureaucrats ("bottom half {C-} of the class types") neither had the intelligence nor work ethic in youth to get into medical school. These are not the type of people I get my advice from. It's simply a matter of credibility. The County doesn't have it.

There's are lot to do before you go to bed and eat that breakfast everyday from K through 12.

Remember - we are talking about "prepping for a test" that the county explicitly says the best prep is a good night's rest and a good breakfast....

If kids can practice playing instruments, dancing, singing, sports, to become perfect in what they do, we should not hesitate to provide the same training in academics.

Even Jimmy Newtron has access to a lab!

I know some families in Chevy Chase and Bethesda who value lacrosse big time and shell out big bucks year round for lacrosse club and summer activities for their children. I doubt these kids were born with lacrosse on the brain and a stick in their paws.

Hey, Peyton Manning's family valued football and Michael Phelps' swimming -- while the kids were just infants!

There are families that value their kids competing in beauty competitions, dance competitions, sports, music, singing, acting etc.

Paying for tutoring is in the same category. You may not value it but others do.

I happen to shell out $ for sports and for music because my child has fun - not so child can get ahead. In fact, my child does not excell at either of these.

If you cannot spend money for your own child to get ahead in life (only sports and rock and roll music) what about others who are less fortunate. I have helped others in school including supporting kids in less developed areas get ahead. Selfish and self-centered. It's shocking your kind wouldn't shell out money for your own children to get ahead.

I'm sure you also shell out $$$ for your booze, guns and coke too.

I happen to shell out $ for sports and for music because my child has fun - not so child can get ahead. In fact, my child does not excell at either of these.

That's great. My kids hate field hockey but love math. I shell out money for math, computer programming/science, physics and my kid loves the competitions. He excels in these activities and guess what? He has a blast! Different strokes for different folk. Don't worry, one can still shell out big bucks for their kids' activities even if they don't excel in them and they are having fun. One can excel in an activity and also have fun.

I feel sorry for your kids

Why? Is it because they did not spend hours upon hours per week training in swimming and football since age 7 (like Peyton and Manning) or is it because they do not spend hours upon hours per week training in math, the violin and reading (like many of the kids who will get into the HGC and secondary school magnet programs)?

My advice to you is not to feel sorry for my kids or other children (this in wasted and non productive emotion), rather spend more attention with your own children. This is the best approach. Remember other families have significantly different interests than yours. These interests are no less noble than yours.

I happen to shell out $ for sports and for music because my child has fun - not so child can get ahead. In fact, my child does not excell at either of these.

I feel sorry for your kids

I guess if Peyton's and Tom Brady's parents can pay the fees for year-round athletic club membership and training, camps, and extra coaching lessons at age 7, 8 and 9, I see this as no different as parents paying the fees for lessons, coaching in math, music and reading. Some parents and children who can't afford this in the marketplace do daily push-ups, sit-ups and run up the stairs or go to the library or computer and read books and play games, puzzles and other brain preparatory work. Would it bother you if Peyton's and Tom's family shelled out 2K/ year since age 8 for math, piano, computer science, and academic test coaching rather than swimming, football, golf, tennis and lacrosse?

If kids can practice playing instruments, dancing, singing, sports, to become perfect in what they do, we should not hesitate to provide the same training in academics.

Even Jimmy Newtron has access to a lab!