Anther school vent...............

[RichNKatHolly]

uh...I think I get it...

Yay you !!!! My high school boyfriend told me that one - he heard it from his dad.

 

[C.Ann]

I am very sorry that the public schools in your area - and the teachers they employ - have been such a problem for you..

DGD started school in a different area than where we live now and although the school seemed pretty good - and the teachers were pretty good - we had no idea how much better things could be until we moved in 2006 to the area that we're in now.. I have to say - this school district is awesome and the teachers are a dream!!! Everything is so "student/family" oriented it's unbelievable! Actually, one of the reasons that DD & her DH chose to move here was based on the research of the school district that they did ahead of time and they have not been the least bit disappointed.. I honestly can't say enough good things about the school district and the teachers here..

Of course next year it will be time for DGD to enter the middle school - and it will be interesting to see if we still feel the same.. But if the research is accurate, everything should be A-okay..

I know you said your choices are limited to PS or HS, but is there not a church affiliated school somewhere nearby? Feeling the way you do, I'm sure that it inadvertently filters down to your child and could be causing him just as much stress and unhappiness with his quality of education.. If there is a Christian school in your area I believe they will take all religious denominations - if that would not be a problem for you..

Of course some of these things may have been posted already, so please forgive me if I am repeating what others have said.. Today is one of those days where I seem to be just reading the initial post by the OP and then hitting the respond button immediately..

I sincerely hope you can find a solution before your DD is ready to enter school or it's going to be a terribly stressful time for all of you..

 

[dipin]

I realize they are not going to the spa with the money or a fabulous shopping spree. That is ridiculous. I am referring to the fact that it is greedy to receive money that is contigent upon certain criteria and when you are purposely not complying with that criteria and still accepting the money that is what makes it greedy. Funny, at the beginning of the year I am given a list and go buy what is on that list of school supplies. Oh and let me point out on that list it doesn't say just crayons no it says CRAYOLA crayons. It doesn't say glue. No it says ELMER's glue. Also during the middle of the year we get little memos from the teachers asking to please send in various other supplies as well.

Same with standardized testing -- it's always teach for the test so we can get more funding, not teach so the children learn and become well rounded student and individuals. The test should be to see how much the children have learned overall, not what you can cram into them in the weeks leading up to the test so they can do well on the test (again for funding purposes only). Obviously, that's not the policies of the individual teachers, but rather the school districts and state and federal governments.

Schools do these things not because they are "greedy."

The are required, often by federal law, often by state law, to provide a number of services and teach a number of subjects. And if the students dont take full opportunity of these things, or dont do well, schools are still required to do them, but may lose a significant chunk of the funding for them.

I know a teacher at a school who is borderline on the adequate yearly progress NCLB scores. To the point where 2 or 3 students doing slightly worse might put them on the list of failing schools. Right now, they are pretty much required to "teach to the test." If NCLB was fully funded, maybe it would be a different matter, but its not and they have to fight for everything they have, not because they want extra amenities or anything like that, but because otherwise they might have to start making cuts elsewhere, like school lunches, class sizes, etc.

This is the key problem of American education: anyone who studies education knows that the key determinants of student performance are all on the family side. Family stability, financial stability, parent involvement all have a huge impact on student achievement, yet we expect schools and teachers alone to make up for that.


Now, as far as teachers and salaries go, none of them are asking for pity. They are just setting the record straight form all the people who think that a teachers day ends at 3, and that they have oh so much free time, especially paid time.

 

[dipin]

Kids don't get to make many mistakes any more without paying for them big time. Parents have to teach kids they can't talk about weapons, wanting to hurt someone, say I hate you, bring a cough drop or tylenol to school without a dr note, etc and on and on. It has to start in nursery school and continue thru HS. Parents have to reinforce it over and over and if they don't both kids and parents will have consequences. Schools can't use common sense any longer. I think common sense is rare nowadays.

While I agree that that is unfortunate, this is something that is out of the school's hands.

As lawsuits become rampant, it becomes a matter of liability, and so much of this is required because of liability or sometimes to just remain eligible for insurance against lawsuits.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Yay you !!!! My high school boyfriend told me that one - he heard it from his dad.

Of course I'm dying to be "in" on the horizontal vertical joke....I'm guessing it's adult...can you give me a clue.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Of course I'm dying to be "in" on the horizontal vertical joke....I'm guessing it's adult...can you give me a clue.

Women. If she's a ver..., she's standing up. If she's the other, she's laying down.

I'm kicked off the Dis now, right?

 

[december]

I don't know what offends me more-that people think I work "part-time" or that my level of education and professionalism was compared to someone who works at McDonald's. No wonder students don't respect teachers anymore-their parents are teaching them not to. I get to work at 7:15 every day, and I never leave before 3:30. 2 days a week I stay until 4:30 to tutor. And at least once every 2 wks we have an after school meeting. How many hours is that? That isn't counting the hours I spend at sporting events, choral events, band events, etc. because my students want me there. No lunch break-I get 25 min and have my 5th pd with me in the cafeteria. I have a 50 min planning pd-not quite time to make out lesson plans for my 6 classes (3 different subjects), grade 120 papers, make out tests, run copies, contact parents, etc. Well, I have a planning pd a few days a week anyway, when I'm not tutoring students who are trying to pass the wonderful state tests or covering classes for other teachers. No, most of my grading and preparing happens at home, at night and on the weekends. I was off today for some medical tests, but still went in this morning for 30 min from 7:15 until 7:45 in case my students had any last min questions about the test the sub was giving today, for no pay. I get 7 sick days and 2 personal days a year-after that my pay is cut.

Yes, I knew the pay going in. Unfortunately, I didn't know about the pissy attitudes of some parents. Respect-that is the rule in my classroom. Too bad so many parents on this board don't seem to have any for my profession.

Oh, and with a degree in math and 12 yrs experience, a supplement for being dept head, and a supplement for mentoring a new teacher, I finally topped $37,000 this year. I know, I'm way overpaid for my part-time job.

And for those who don't understand how the pay works. I work 187 days a year. My pay is based on 8 hrs a day for those 187 days. That amount is then divided up into 12 equal paychecks. So no, we aren't getting "paid" holidays all year-my check is based on the days I'm contracted to work only. Yeah, I know. McDonald's workers are envious. How many CEUs do they need every year to keep their jobs?

I love working in education, and love my kids. I've tried other jobs, and always come back to teaching. But sometimes these threads make me wonder why.

 

[december]

Oh, and I teach my kids that horizontal is like the horizon. I don't get in trouble that way!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Oh, and I teach my kids that horizontal is like the horizon. I don't get in trouble that way!

LOL - i've heard that one too. Of course, the other one is the one that sticks in my head.

 

[SnowWhite607]

I don't know what offends me more-that people think I work "part-time" or that my level of education and professionalism was compared to someone who works at McDonald's. No wonder students don't respect teachers anymore-their parents are teaching them not to. I get to work at 7:15 every day, and I never leave before 3:30. 2 days a week I stay until 4:30 to tutor. And at least once every 2 wks we have an after school meeting. How many hours is that? That isn't counting the hours I spend at sporting events, choral events, band events, etc. because my students want me there. No lunch break-I get 25 min and have my 5th pd with me in the cafeteria. I have a 50 min planning pd-not quite time to make out lesson plans for my 6 classes (3 different subjects), grade 120 papers, make out tests, run copies, contact parents, etc. Well, I have a planning pd a few days a week anyway, when I'm not tutoring students who are trying to pass the wonderful state tests or covering classes for other teachers. No, most of my grading and preparing happens at home, at night and on the weekends. I was off today for some medical tests, but still went in this morning for 30 min from 7:15 until 7:45 in case my students had any last min questions about the test the sub was giving today, for no pay. I get 7 sick days and 2 personal days a year-after that my pay is cut.

Yes, I knew the pay going in. Unfortunately, I didn't know about the pissy attitudes of some parents. Respect-that is the rule in my classroom. Too bad so many parents on this board don't seem to have any for my profession.

Oh, and with a degree in math and 12 yrs experience, a supplement for being dept head, and a supplement for mentoring a new teacher, I finally topped $37,000 this year. I know, I'm way overpaid for my part-time job.

And for those who don't understand how the pay works. I work 187 days a year. My pay is based on 8 hrs a day for those 187 days. That amount is then divided up into 12 equal paychecks. So no, we aren't getting "paid" holidays all year-my check is based on the days I'm contracted to work only. Yeah, I know. McDonald's workers are envious. How many CEUs do they need every year to keep their jobs?

I love working in education, and love my kids. I've tried other jobs, and always come back to teaching. But sometimes these threads make me wonder why.

GREAT POST! I agree that my 4 yrs of undergrad work and 2 yrs of grad school are not QUITE equal to the average McDonalds worker. (no slam against McD's or their employees, maybe the manager has a Master's??)

When I was teaching in the public schools, I was at work at 6:55 every morning and left around 3pm. Cafeteria duty at lunch plus sponsored the dance team which practiced approximately 3 days per week and attended 1 football game per week, 2 basketball games per week and 2 outside competitions on the weekends. We also live in Louisiana so we marched in Mardi Gras parades in our town on Sundays for 3-4 hrs. Oh, for the dance team thing, I got a one time stipend of about $300 a year. Add up my salary and divide it by the days I work and I was probably making LESS per hour that the typical McDonalds worker! But once again, not for the money....

Has anyone heard from the OP?

 

[december]

I don't want anyone to think I'm slamming McDonald's workers either! I respect anyone who works.

I also agree that there are bad teachers-my kids have had a few. But they've had plenty more great teachers. I just think it is sad that so many really have no idea what all we do.

 

[PrincessBelle94]

There is really no reason at all for me to post this other than to get it off my chest but may I say that I personally bitterly hate public schools and just about anything related with them. I hate to say this out loud but Im almost to a point that if someone tells me that they are a teacher im automatically on the defensive. Good grief, is there really any left that actually give a hoot if a child learns or not because if they are I would LOVE to meet one. I honestly dont think I can think of a place that has so many educated (cant write that here) in one spot as a public school building.

Let me explain a little more. We as a family really do try to abide and live by the rules. We really, really do. However, my ds is in the 5th grade this year and from the very day he started school its been nothing but one headache right after another.. Heck, I cant keep up with the rules there are so many of them and they're making more by the day. Its probably going to sound like my son may be the problem but my gripe isnt disiplinary related because he is a very good student with high grades and never causes any trouble, its all school policy junk.

The SOL thing is so off the charts that it would take me all day to complain about that. The absenteeism thing is almost as smart. Accelerated reading points being mandatory, yeah, thats a great way of instilling a love of reading. That was a great idea (yeah, right).

And then, God forbid, if you have to go in to talk with one of them about something, anything really, you get this im so educated and smart and you're the dumbest hillbilly to ever breath fresh air attitude. When all you can do is sit there with a smile plastered on your face agreeing with whatever in the hades they're saying because, really, does it do any good at all to try to talk to these people, well not in my experience.

Wouldnt you just love to say just one time "Wipe that holier than thou smirk off your face because all YOUR policys and rules are failing, its not ME!!) But 2 things stop me, one is I dont want her to go back and take it out on my son because she doesnt like me and the other is security. LOL But its a very nice thought.

I have to laugh a little when I see posts talking about how come parents and teachers cant work together (in a Walgreens world maybe) well its because once the kids start school they think they own them and they can lead the parents around by the nose rings. Most parents dont like this attitude and hence the friction. I can honestly remember before my son started school thinking that I would volunteer in the classrooms, join PTA, just help out and be supportive. It was all of a week before I realized what a rosey picture I had because school isnt like it was when I went and they dont want you in the vicinity of the school much less in the building.

I know they're a lot of teachers on this board and Ive never met you and you may just be wonderful and love kids, love your job, etc. that would be great and I sincerely apologize if I hurt anybody feelings but you obviously dont live where I do and I know I have flames coming but this is one issue where I honestly dont care. My care has officially run out as of today.

7 yrs (counting Pre-School & Kinder.) of TRYING to work WITH the school system and im just fed up. You have a problem and you (following the rules here) call and set up an appt with the teacher, you tell her what is wrong and would like to come up with a way to help the situation, nah, nah, nah, back up little girl, I'LL tell YOU how WE'RE going to handle the situation, you take your opinion and go on back home and live with it.

I really wish that we had more school options here but we live in a very remote area and there are 2 options, PS or HS. I would choose HS but my son loves going to school and being with his friends so HS is out for him. BUT my daughter is 2 and Im seriously thinking about never letting her set foot in a school building.

Yes, im p!ssed off as heck.

Go ahead and flame away but please dont tell me how bad the kids are vs. the teachers because I would be willing to bet my house that as bad as the kids are the teachers are as bad if not worse in most cases.

Oh and let me address the teacher appreciation thing before that gets going too. I would above anyone appreciate a good teacher, I really would. Just send us one and I will be the first in line.
Shew, I feel better. Im not sure how long Ive had that on my mind and Ive never let on to this extent how much I hate PS.

Oh and I HAVE to tell this one more story before I go. Now this is what I call smart. This past Christmas THE SCHOOL gave my nephew a Christmas present (he's very low income so he qualified for some sort of program) now keep in mind THEY gave it to him. Well hes in the 4th grade and told his buddies that it could be a bomb. One of the buddies told the teacher what he said and she took the present and him to the principals office and they called the police and the mom. Well when mom gets there they have the boy in a chair and a pair of handcuffs on the table in front of him and the principal and police are all telling him that he could go to jail for remarks like that. The kid was scared to death. Mom asks where he got the gift to begin with and they told her at school. OK now (well this is where they probably would've had to put the handcuffs on me to keep me from choking somebody silly) I could not believe, well I guess I can, that this could happen. If I give you a gift im pretty much gonna know what I put in it and then you turn around and tell me that its a bomb, well correct me if im wrong here but wouldnt you disagree with that person and say NO its not, its a teddybear (or whatever). I cant say that I would start screaming and run for my life. Geez am I missing something. I know that common sense is pretty much extinct but good grief these people run, actually run, a school. But anyway they suspended nephew for 2 weeks. Mom took the present and threw it at the principal and told her to NEVER give her son nothing else as long as he was in her school. The nephew was told to never, ever, under any circumstances to utter the B word at school. Not even playing.

I told my son to never take anything they gave him unless it was homework or schoolwork related, speak when spoken too, dont do anything out of the ordinary, and come home.
Oh well 7 more years to go and he might get out on good behavior. LOL

Mods, if this post is against the rules, go ahead and delete it because in truth I just wanted to write it down.

I'll start of saying that I haven't read this whole thread. Just half of the first page.

One, breathe. Okay. Good.
Two, in regard to the bomb thing, let's remember we're living in a post 9/11 world people.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

There is a specials teacher that is retiring this year in my district... the salary for this position was posted at 94,000. Yes, 94,000 for a specials teacher that only teaches five periods a day!

A few people have mentioned gym teachers making such and amount or specials....I am confused. K-12, gym, special ed, specials, ap calculus or 6th grade, or kindergarten, we are all on the same pay scale. Is that not the same in other places? in that case, I think I deserve more! hahaha Not only do I teach 7th grade, I teach math!

 

[PrincessBelle94]

never mind!

 

[PrincessBelle94]

Has anyone heard from the OP?

Nope .

 

[AC7179]

Accelerated reading points being mandatory, yeah, thats a great way of instilling a love of reading. That was a great idea (yeah, right).

I don't understand this.....and I know it's a view that others hold as well.

Kids get better at math by doing math practice, so at our school, kids get math homework every night (15 minutes or so). To me, AR is the same thing. Kids pick their own book, but they ARE made to do it for 15 minutes or so a night.

Why do people say this will make kids hate reading? Why don't they say doing math homework will make kids hate math?

 

[MM27]

I have a don't call me, I won't call you policy with my kids public school.

That is so sad.

What in the heck do you think schools are doing with the money they recieve. Buying margarita machines for the teacher's lounge so we can all get a good buzz while discussing how to ruin Snowflake's school experience?

THAT MONEY IS SPENT TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN.

Good lord.

Now that would be the perfect Teacher Appreciation Day gift. Should I slip it into conversation with my principal? Last year we got these nifty little calendars with shiny apples on the front.

There is a specials teacher that is retiring this year in my district... the salary for this position was posted at 94,000. Yes, 94,000 for a specials teacher that only teaches five periods a day!

I don't believe that for a second. The NJEA posts starting salaries every year in our magazine and even the highest paid districts in NJ only start in the 50s. Even with a Phd, I don't believe any district would start someone at 94,000. Some administrators don't even make that.

 

[Cindy B]

A few people have mentioned gym teachers making such and amount or specials....I am confused. K-12, gym, special ed, specials, ap calculus or 6th grade, or kindergarten, we are all on the same pay scale. Is that not the same in other places? in that case, I think I deserve more! hahaha Not only do I teach 7th grade, I teach math!

in my local district, the specials teachers have 4-5 one hour periods versus the "academic" teachers that have 6-7 periods. The specials teachers have one hour preps versus a 42 minute prep for the academic period teachers.

There are trade offs being the special teachers. They usually have to travel inbetween schools and they do have larger amounts of students. (for example, a gym teacher can/does have 2 classes of kids and can/does travel to multiple locations)

Sure, the pay scale is the same, but there is a sort of envy/jealousy that the specials teachers have it easier...

 

[Bluestars]

I don't understand this.....and I know it's a view that others hold as well.

Kids get better at math by doing math practice, so at our school, kids get math homework every night (15 minutes or so). To me, AR is the same thing. Kids pick their own book, but they ARE made to do it for 15 minutes or so a night.

Why do people say this will make kids hate reading? Why don't they say doing math homework will make kids hate math?

I agree. Accelerated reading is one of the best things I have seen in school. I only wish my older two kids were able to do it starting in first grade like my youngest. My 7th grader just took the ACT test and scored a 28 in reading. There is no doubt in my mind that all of those years of accelerated reading helped. For kids who have very poor reading comprehension, there are audio books out now that they can listen to and then take the test.

Reading books improves so many things for kids like their vocabulary and writing skills. Anyway, I am thrilled with the accelerated reading program at our school.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Women. If she's a ver..., she's standing up. If she's the other, she's laying down.

I'm kicked off the Dis now, right?

Nah, I've seen worse!