Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

I am a social worker. Probably far more than you. Shoes, clothing, food, car seats, school supplies and things for work like pens. Teachers are not the only ones who use their money.

What's your caseload?

In an elementary setting, with 25+ kids, over half may be needy. In a high school, we're looking at 30+ kids per class. Now, we're not handing out coats to every needy kid, but we are looking at general supplies - paper, pencils, pens, etc. It gets costly. And yes, we often give them $ for food.

This is no competition, sweetie, but since you opened up the discussion, spend a day in OUR shoes.

How about the social workers posted in schools? Ours came in whenever she pleased, had her own office, and rarely came into direct contact with an actual student. I think social workers can sit this one out.

With her plan, is the entire day mandatory or can you pick up after the academic day is done? Will busses run for both the end of the academic day and then again for the end or the after school care?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Be creative? Heavy fabric? I have 5 bookcases of books to lock up in addition to all of the supplies in each desk (pencil cases filled with supplies, bags of crayons, markers, colored pencils), dry erase boards, clipboards, center tubs, etc. There is no way I can lock all of this up. It takes nearly a week to pack it up and creatively pack it away in my closet and decide what needs to be taken home (usually larger items like rugs). The "teachers" in charge of the program just let the kids use my stuff. I've talked to them and they nod and say that they will tell the kids not to touch anything. That might last for a day or two and then the kids are back to using and trashing my stuff. The person in charge says that she talks to the kids but if their classroom teacher doesn't care, the kids will do what they want. Last week, the kids pulled out puzzles I use during center time and left all of the pieces in various desks around the room. When my students tried to put the puzzles back together, there were tons of missing pieces. I have no idea where they are.

If you're in fcps, your principal is playing you. Principals have control over how classroom resources are used - they have decided against giving aftercare their own area and have decided to let them use teacher space instead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be done for the benefit of the parents and not the children. Let's be honest about that at least.

100% yes.

+1. Nobody is talking about what would be best for the CHILDREN! Yes, sure, just leave them in jail, I mean, school for 10 hours !!!! a day. Who needs free time to be kids, to participate in family activities, to just be bored at home!?? Do you all really think it would be healthy for a kid to spend 10 hours in a building a day???

This isn’t aimed at UMC kids that go home to a safe neighborhood and food on the table.
It’s geared towards kids that live in low income areas. Going home usually means going home to a parent or sibling that is drunk or high, with no supervision, no help with homework, etc. I see these kids daily. Unbathed, dirty clothes. Living off the free breakfast and lunch. Our schools sends home bagged lunches on weekends for the poor kids. They provide coats and hats and gloves.
But the school can only do so much. 30 hours out of week they are in warm, safe environment. It’s not much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

I am a social worker. Probably far more than you. Shoes, clothing, food, car seats, school supplies and things for work like pens. Teachers are not the only ones who use their money.

What's your caseload?

In an elementary setting, with 25+ kids, over half may be needy. In a high school, we're looking at 30+ kids per class. Now, we're not handing out coats to every needy kid, but we are looking at general supplies - paper, pencils, pens, etc. It gets costly. And yes, we often give them $ for food.

This is no competition, sweetie, but since you opened up the discussion, spend a day in OUR shoes.

Anonymous wrote:I work in a high FARMS school. The majority of students have at least one adult in the home that stays home and doesn't work. Sometimes it's mom, sometimes it's dad, sometimes it's an older sibling, sometimes it's a grandma or grandpa or another member of the extended family. Sometimes the working parent works at night and the only time they get to see their child is the time between when the child gets home from school and the parent needs to go to work. Very few families at my school work 9-5 jobs. This is something that is really not aimed at low income families. As it is typical in education, the people making the decisions know jack sh*t about the realities of schools.

true

In my 20+ years in a large system, the mother or the grandmother is home. Or there's an aunt or an older sibling.

We sometimes think money grows on trees. This will run out eventually. And even if the young teachers - looking for extra income - step in, there won't be enough of them to handle the numbers. So they'll have to outsource. translation - more $

Have you seen some of the after-school programs? We think we have problems now with abuse, well, think again. MCPS has already lowered the criteria for hiring subs. And teacher certification is a joke, especially with the Praxis. So you can imagine who will be with these kids - many who misbehave simply b/c they're damn tired.

a recipe for disaster

But who am I but a lowly educator . . .

Kamala is an idiot who doesn't understand that money runs out.

Before and after care isn’t the problem. That’s already subsidized. If she really wants schools to help working families then please address all of the weather closures that are not really needed. SACC also adjusts their hours in the morning and this is horrible for working parents who rely on the 7am drop off. Fine with their is actual winter weather but most often there is no reason at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

This is a principal issue, not a teacher issue. Your principal needs to go to the after-school program head and require that the classrooms be used appropriately. When the classrooms are not used appropriately then the program loses the right to use that/those rooms. We had this issue at our school as well until we got a new principal and she laid down the law with the after-school programs. We had presented her with photos of our classrooms before we left at the end of our workday and the way the classrooms looked the next morning. She was appalled, nearly apoplectic in fact. Her take was/is that use of classroom materials without permission is stealing and leaving the classrooms in a mess was the equivalence of vandalism. Behaviors by the children and the staff members of the after-school programs changed very quickly once she addressed the issue. None of us have had a problem in our classrooms since then other than one or two occasional lapses that were immediately addressed once we informed our principal.

It is important to remember that while the after-school programs provide an important child-care service, the greater importance is what is happening in that classroom that day when good teaching and learning is supposed to occur. It is hard to have good teaching and learning when classrooms are in disarray, and materials are broken, used inappropriately or flat out missing. Your principal needs to work with teachers and staff to ensure that classrooms are clean, organized and ready to be used each day when students arrive for their education. This includes ensuring that the after-school programs are doing what they are supposed to do and use the classrooms respectfully and appropriately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

I am a social worker. Probably far more than you. Shoes, clothing, food, car seats, school supplies and things for work like pens. Teachers are not the only ones who use their money.

I’m a teacher. I’ve paid for the stuff you listed as well. That’s what happens when you work in a high FARMS school. There are constant requests for teachers to donate this stuff. Now we’re getting into the season of being asked to donate Thanksgiving dinners and holiday gifts. After this year I have to bow out and prioritize my own family. It’s just getting to be too much and once the precedent has been set they expect more and more from us.

Anonymous wrote:One thing parents really love at a private school I know is that the kids can stay there until 6. They get homework done, have study groups, get tutoring, hang out with friends, have snacks, do clubs, sports, and just play.

It's a good model for kids and parents.

And charge by the minute when parents are late to pick up their student.
At my public school, several parents are perpetually late. Students stay in the office with an adult until they are picked up - - up to an hour after regular dismissal time. Knowing building servicemen/women are on site, parents will take advantage of this.
Teacher- - who has to stay late with school every day because of late pick-ups.

This already happens in many schools. It would be great to get funding for it to happen more places. My kids do before care starting at 7, have school from 9:15-4, and I pick them up. But many kids stay til 6 when after care ends. I believe this program is tiered pricing for income level. Also, my church does a program with a local elementary where volunteers show up to tutor and interact with the kids after school. It's necessary but I do think it's already happening lots of places.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

I am a social worker. Probably far more than you. Shoes, clothing, food, car seats, school supplies and things for work like pens. Teachers are not the only ones who use their money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

Federal data show that more than 9 in 10 educators spend an average of nearly $500 a year on supplies

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Got it. So I should shell out more money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my money. How much of your own money do you spend on supplies just to be able to do your job? I know you're trying to be helpful but I shouldn't have to spend more of my own money to protect the stuff I've already bought with my own money. Do you know what a teacher's maximum annual deduction is? $250.

Should I be expected to lock up everything in students' desks as well? Think about how much time that would take every day to put it all away and then bring it back out in the morning. I don't have time to pack up and then set up the classroom every single day. But if I don't then I have to field parent complaints about their child's stuff being tampered with. And if I use communal supplies out on tables they'll get stolen and/or broken. It's a lose lose situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

NP and this also happens to me. My principal’s response is that it’s out of her jurisdiction since the aftercare is responsible. The aftercare won’t hold themselves responsible. They both said to just lock up anything I don’t want them to use. I’m not sure how to lock up open shelves of books and supply closets that don’t have locks and won’t fit an external lock. It’s a huge time and money issue and no one really cares because it only impacts me (the teacher who purchased most of the stuff they’re using out of my own pocket).

I would get a lockable chest/locker like we had in college. And, some teachers put a heavy fabric and make it very hard to get to the open shelves. Be creative. Principal is wrong.

Be creative? Heavy fabric? I have 5 bookcases of books to lock up in addition to all of the supplies in each desk (pencil cases filled with supplies, bags of crayons, markers, colored pencils), dry erase boards, clipboards, center tubs, etc. There is no way I can lock all of this up. It takes nearly a week to pack it up and creatively pack it away in my closet and decide what needs to be taken home (usually larger items like rugs). The "teachers" in charge of the program just let the kids use my stuff. I've talked to them and they nod and say that they will tell the kids not to touch anything. That might last for a day or two and then the kids are back to using and trashing my stuff. The person in charge says that she talks to the kids but if their classroom teacher doesn't care, the kids will do what they want. Last week, the kids pulled out puzzles I use during center time and left all of the pieces in various desks around the room. When my students tried to put the puzzles back together, there were tons of missing pieces. I have no idea where they are.