I think our school has lost it!...update post #48

[Allison]

I think the difference is that band and chorus are optional activities. Health class is not.

If you choose to have your child participate in band or chorus, you probably expect some expenses. But taking a class in a public school should not come with a price tag!

Not when band is a graded class like health class.

Of course, they have to have an instrument and there are rental fees if someone doesn't have one (which can be waived).

But, it shouldn't cost money to get the points that determine your grade.

Anyway, that's off topic from the original post.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, I had to go to a week long meeting on "how to push the socialist agenda to students."

Give me a break. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving kids the opportunity to help those less fortunate, the problem here was in that it meant a GRADE.

Dawn

It's called...indoctrination.

Teachers are in on it and now it seems they will punish students grades for not falling in line with socialist agenda.

America, what happened to you? Calgon, take me away!

 

[mjkacmom]

I think the difference is that band and chorus are optional activities. Health class is not.

If you choose to have your child participate in band or chorus, you probably expect some expenses. But taking a class in a public school should not come with a price tag!

Although dd12 auditioned in, concert choir is a class, 5 days a week, and they get graded on attendance, performance, and attending all of the concerts. It counts towards her GPA as much as science. She has one of the leads in a community theater production, playing in January, and will be missing 2 rehearsals for 2 concerts, because she can't miss them. And missing rehearsal less than a month before opening night is huge.

 

[twooley2]

yes my daughter has a similar instance in Band last year and it was that there was an hour before school started once a week that she has to be there and if not her grade was deducted. Sounds simple unless there are times that one cant get them there. Not to mention this is not a childs grade but a parent grade. Maybe we should make 2 report cards in this day parent and childs . LOL Like the kids can drive themselves at 13 years old ?? I was angry but learned that it did not matter. I just have a better respect for the teachers that have common sense vs their reputation.

 

[mom2princessj]

I see your kids are young - starting in about 3rd or 4th grade, notes rarely get sent home. If my ds10 needs a protractor for math, or more pencils, or posterboard for a project, it is up to him to let me know - the teacher is not sending notes home anymore. I think the assignment wasn't a good one, but I also see how the OP's ds dropped the ball. For all we know, this could've been prevented with a $1 bag of lentils, or having him do something else to contribute (sorting the food, etc.), if the teacher was made aware that he could not bring in a food item.

While I see your point of view getting a protractor or more pencils/posterboard is a bit different than an assignment where a child is required to spend money on food. The parents should have been notified...maybe the child didn't understand fully the assignment or thought it was optional...on assigments like this there is no excuse for parents NOT to be notified. When money is involved parents should be notified of what is needed to be spent. The child can't go to the store him/herself to get the needed groceries and the teacher knows that. Most schools have a bookstore where the child can get a protractor, posterboard, etc easily by saying mom I need $5 to get some supplies for my math class. My children may be young but I'm very well informed about the school system we moved into and I know how they communicate with parents and what supplies are necessary for school. There is a school bookstore accessible for the kids and you have an account that you can put money in for lunch, supplies, etc so if your child needs something for class that the parent hasn't supplied the bookstore can take it out of your account. The school then notifies you that your school account was debited for lunch, supplies, ect. Parents are in touch with teachers via the internet schoo sitel twice a month on progress and if they need to notify you otherwise they send home notes, a newsletter, or via email (assuming everyone has email otherwise you get a note). The school also puts supplies and responsibilities on the website along with a list you get on the first day of class to make sure your child is fully prepared for class this year.

Something else you might also mention to the teacher - if a parent is required to be involved in a project, there needs to be an assignment sheet or note that goes home. It sounds like the kids were given the information verbally but there was nothing written explaining that they would be graded on their donations (or lack of). Obviously, a parent would need to be involved in food donations. Therefore, parents should have been informed in writing.

I like how our school does it. The barrels are placed around the school. You put your donations in the barrel, or not. No one is pressured or held accountable for what they did or did not donate. And that's the way it should be, especially in this economy!

Exactly what I posted (I agree!)...a child's parent NEED to be involved to buy food. It's not up to the child to be responsible for that. The food will be bought by the parents where as a school supply can be picked up by the child at the bookstore if need be (at least the catholic school we toured last year and the public school system my kids will go to all have bookstores in their schools but maybe other school systems dont ). Most of the time you will get a list of required supplies for school (its listed for each class on our schools website) and anything additional is sent home in a newsletter from the teacher for the classes. My kids may be young yet but I've done alot of research into our school system and talk with my neighbors all the time about what their kids are doing/learning and what is required of them.
Plain and simple this teacher dropped the ball

 

[gaelic grace]

I too am a teacher and am looking at this through bother educator and parent eyes. Sure, the teacher has his/her side and students do not always convey all the info...I would like to know how administration let this pass. I was in a school that had to have all lesson plans approved and my administrator would not have approved sonations for a grade, but like you said there may have been other components.
As far as doling out $$ for additional supplies...I don't agree with that either. Parents pay out for posterboards, project boards, glitter, glues, etc. for the child to do the assignment, it possibly be put on display, and then what...trashed??? If my mom kept ever large project I ever did I would have a whole walk-in closet worth. I agree that the $$ could be spent for other things like donations...not saying that the arts projects offer are not important...but at my son's school the parents often end up doing the projects to out-do each other and make it look adult pretty, not second-grader pretty.
The best way to prevent any issues in schools is with open communication...unfortunately this seems very limited these days.

I understand what you are saying it's just that everyone is ready to tar and feather the teacher and call the media over what may or may not be a bad assignment. I'm glad I'm out of teaching because of things like this. It's still possible that there was a legitimate assignment involved. Our school does a project at this time of the year with children bringing in various food items and seeing their nutritional value and content vs price. It is done to show children how hard it is for people on a limited budget to afford quality food and then the food brought in is donated. Granted it doesn't sound like that's what this project was about but my point is without us knowing this could have been part of a legitimate lesson plan or unit. It is also true that if the OP had known about this from the beginning it might not have escalated to this point and she would have been able to question it from the very beginning. It sounds like from the OP response that she is handling this in a great manner and finding out a little more information and trying to strike a compromise. I just think this is a small example of why it's so hard to get good people in education. At worst the teacher made a mistake which she should be allowed to correct. Not knowing anything else about the teacher it seems like we are making some harsh comments about someone who may not be in the wrong and may have just made a bad decision. Give a little grace until we know more.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I understand what you are saying it's just that everyone is ready to tar and feather the teacher and call the media over what may or may not be a bad assignment. I'm glad I'm out of teaching because of things like this. It's still possible that there was a legitimate assignment involved. Our school does a project at this time of the year with children bringing in various food items and seeing their nutritional value and content vs price. It is done to show children how hard it is for people on a limited budget to afford quality food and then the food brought in is donated. Granted it doesn't sound like that's what this project was about but my point is without us knowing this could have been part of a legitimate lesson plan or unit. It is also true that if the OP had known about this from the beginning it might not have escalated to this point and she would have been able to question it from the very beginning. It sounds like from the OP response that she is handling this in a great manner and finding out a little more information and trying to strike a compromise. I just think this is a small example of why it's so hard to get good people in education. At worst the teacher made a mistake which she should be allowed to correct. Not knowing anything else about the teacher it seems like we are making some harsh comments about someone who may not be in the wrong and may have just made a bad decision. Give a little grace until we know more.

I can totally understand the assignment that you described. At the end of the assignment the students COULD either leave the food, or in such a case off not having extras to provide bring the food home.
I know teachers are on the front lines for the good and bad. This is quite unfortunate, but it is how the education system is. I was in the system, have been out *having my babies* and will return to the classroom next year...not that I am ready for all the extras.
The whole topic of money/items and communication really strikes home because my DS5 started 1st grade this year. Although the teacher is wonderful, the school is constantly asking/begging for $$ on top of parents spending hundreds of $$ on all the school books needed. Living in the Bahamas what would be $1 in the US is $3-5 here, so it add up fast. The communication from the school to home is a joke. Students have to write the notes to the parents because the teacher can afford or is not allowed to make all the copies of need to know info to send home...my son's handwriting is horrible, so info can be missed--he's just 5 with no Kindergarten in school system. However, amazingly the principal can send home letters...go figure. Due to lack of communication since Sept 1...the children were transported to the clinic for physicals without a school staff accompaning them, My DS and several aother 1st graders were hit on the arm by the PE teacher as a form of "discipline" and happened to find this out 3rd hand 2 weeks after it happened, and one of the biggest non-communications was when the school had a Halloween party and dismissed school nearly 2 hours early without notification of this possibility--the school is on the ocean--My Dh happened to drive by and see the kids out and looked for DS...another parent(friend) took him with her because she was there to help with the party.
Communication is SOOO important and Overly overlooked!

 

[parkers*momma]

Thank you for all the ideas on how to present this...I really do appreciate all the insight. After reading all the posts and slow breathing on my end, I really had calmed down a lot. I didn't know what her inital plan was but I could see the good she was trying to do.

Well, I took my son to school this morning about 1/2 early and had an opportunity to talk to the teacher-one on one before school started. Instead of putting her immediately on the defense (I really do appreciate everything teachers do for our children), I commended her on the food drive and getting the children involved in a community. I listened contently to her enthusiasm and really believe she didn't realize exactly what she had done by assigning a letter grade based on donations.(BTW-She is a first year teacher...subbing for the homeroom teacher out on maternity leave)

After she finished, I again told her I thought it was a wonderful lesson for the children but I personally am uncomfortable with the idea of basing a letter grade on a donation. That because of my decision not to participate in the class project, my son was being penalized in his grades, and I didn't feel it was fair or the right thing to do within a school-basing grades on how much a family donates. Then I asked her if there were alternatives for the children who's family decided they weren't allowed to participate. (Which there wasn't). So I point blanked asked her....Do you see how I, as a parent, find this is not acceptable (which she did and admitted that she hadn't thought about it from a parents aspect). Then instead of accusing/belittling her idea, I offered her the suggestion from the DISBOARDS (bonus points, volunteering to help sort, a report, etc) as alteratives.

We discussed the issue for the entire time before school started. She, herself, was going to talk to the principal because she wanted to discuss with him the things we had talked about plus as I told her, I'm sure more parents would be concerned once they seen their child's grades.(my son wasn't the only child who didn't participate---phewww).

Anyway, this afternoon a note with sent home with the students explaining the food drive and how the points are classified as bonus points (0/0 to 100/0). Those who opted not to participate with the food drive has an opportunity to earn bonus points with a report on how the economy has affected their family or by volunteering to help during academic assist with the upcoming plastic bag collection or the toy collection that our school does in Decenber. (BTW-my son is back up to an A- ) I'm glad I was able to spend this morning with her-in a calm frame of mind-and together a happy medium was achieved.

I'm so glad that I didn't go up when I was upset or first became aware of the situation. We really had a good dicussion...on a positive level...and everything worked out without accusations or hard feelings.

Honey is better than vinegar

 

[gaelic grace]

I can totally understand the assignment that you described. At the end of the assignment the students COULD either leave the food, or in such a case off not having extras to provide bring the food home.
I know teachers are on the front lines for the good and bad. This is quite unfortunate, but it is how the education system is. I was in the system, have been out *having my babies* and will return to the classroom next year...not that I am ready for all the extras.
The whole topic of money/items and communication really strikes home because my DS5 started 1st grade this year. Although the teacher is wonderful, the school is constantly asking/begging for $$ on top of parents spending hundreds of $$ on all the school books needed. Living in the Bahamas what would be $1 in the US is $3-5 here, so it add up fast. The communication from the school to home is a joke. Students have to write the notes to the parents because the teacher can afford or is not allowed to make all the copies of need to know info to send home...my son's handwriting is horrible, so info can be missed--he's just 5 with no Kindergarten in school system. However, amazingly the principal can send home letters...go figure. Due to lack of communication since Sept 1...the children were transported to the clinic for physicals without a school staff accompaning them, My DS and several aother 1st graders were hit on the arm by the PE teacher as a form of "discipline" and happened to find this out 3rd hand 2 weeks after it happened, and one of the biggest non-communications was when the school had a Halloween party and dismissed school nearly 2 hours early without notification of this possibility--the school is on the ocean--My Dh happened to drive by and see the kids out and looked for DS...another parent(friend) took him with her because she was there to help with the party.
Communication is SOOO important and Overly overlooked!

Bless your heart! I can't imagine any of the situations you describe and you are right to be upset. This does seem to be more than a communication problem. I think once physical safety is involved it has moved out of the arena of compromise. I wish you well and hope you can have a positive influence on the situation. Good Luck!

 

[gaelic grace]

Thank you for all the ideas on how to present this...I really do appreciate all the insight. After reading all the posts and slow breathing on my end, I really had calmed down a lot. I didn't know what her inital plan was but I could see the good she was trying to do.

Well, I took my son to school this morning about 1/2 early and had an opportunity to talk to the teacher-one on one before school started. Instead of putting her immediately on the defense (I really do appreciate everything teachers do for our children), I commended her on the food drive and getting the children involved in a community. I listened contently to her enthusiasm and really believe she didn't realize exactly what she had done by assigning a letter grade based on donations.(BTW-She is a first year teacher...subbing for the homeroom teacher out on maternity leave)

After she finished, I again told her I thought it was a wonderful lesson for the children but I personally am uncomfortable with the idea of basing a letter grade on a donation. That because of my decision not to participate in the class project, my son was being penalized in his grades, and I didn't feel it was fair or the right thing to do within a school-basing grades on how much a family donates. Then I asked her if there were alternatives for the children who's family decided they weren't allowed to participate. (Which there wasn't). So I point blanked asked her....Do you see how I, as a parent, find this is not acceptable (which she did and admitted that she hadn't thought about it from a parents aspect). Then instead of accusing/belittling her idea, I offered her the suggestion from the DISBOARDS (bonus points, volunteering to help sort, a report, etc) as alteratives.

We discussed the issue for the entire time before school started. She, herself, was going to talk to the principal because she wanted to discuss with him the things we had talked about plus as I told her, I'm sure more parents would be concerned once they seen their child's grades.(my son wasn't the only child who didn't participate---phewww).

Anyway, this afternoon a note with sent home with the students explaining the food drive and how the points are classified as bonus points (0/0 to 100/0). Those who opted not to participate with the food drive has an opportunity to earn bonus points with a report on how the economy has affected their family or by volunteering to help during academic assist with the upcoming plastic bag collection or the toy collection that our school does in Decenber. (BTW-my son is back up to an A- ) I'm glad I was able to spend this morning with her-in a calm frame of mind-and together a happy medium was achieved.

I'm so glad that I didn't go up when I was upset or first became aware of the situation. We really had a good dicussion...on a positive level...and everything worked out without accusations or hard feelings.

Honey is better than vinegar

I'm so glad that this worked out. Being a first year teacher is so hard and you make so many mistakes but that is usually balanced with optimism, enthusiasm and new ideas. I'm glad you were able to let her make a modification without putting her on the defensive. You allowed her an out and did her a great service but teaching her to consider how others may interpret things and she will be better for it as a teacher.

BTW I was talking to my sister about this tonight, who is also a teacher. She works in a school with a decent percentage of low income kids and they had a discussion about toy, food drives etc., and how appropriate it was or wasn't to do them this year. Several teachers who had been on the receiving end of these drives at other times in their life pointed out that everyone likes an opportunity to give. They talked about the pride they see in children's faces when they bring something to give or share even if it's a .33 can of green beans. They know they helped. I know that is different because it would be optional but lets not assume that people of meager means can't or won't help or shouldn't be given the same opportunities to give a helping hand as others.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I will be honest - I still would not be comfortable with the idea that there are grades given based on volunterism or donations. Do you get a better grade if you gave more food or a better grade if you were a better helper? It is not something that a child can 'learn' like math or reading so how is the grading gong to work? I love the idea that children are being introduced to donating/volunteering but I just don't like the grading part. We have several food drives throughout the year and a book drive and a clothing drive. Everything is dropped off on a table as the kids enter the school. This way no one KNOWS who donated or who didn't. Any child who wishes to help with the collection/distribution/packing is welcome to do so but there is no 'reward' such as a grade attached to it.

I am glad you were happy with the outcome.

 

[mjkacmom]

While I see your point of view getting a protractor or more pencils/posterboard is a bit different than an assignment where a child is required to spend money on food. The parents should have been notified...maybe the child didn't understand fully the assignment or thought it was optional...on assigments like this there is no excuse for parents NOT to be notified. When money is involved parents should be notified of what is needed to be spent. The child can't go to the store him/herself to get the needed groceries and the teacher knows that. Most schools have a bookstore where the child can get a protractor, posterboard, etc easily by saying mom I need $5 to get some supplies for my math class. My children may be young but I'm very well informed about the school system we moved into and I know how they communicate with parents and what supplies are necessary for school. There is a school bookstore accessible for the kids and you have an account that you can put money in for lunch, supplies, etc so if your child needs something for class that the parent hasn't supplied the bookstore can take it out of your account. The school then notifies you that your school account was debited for lunch, supplies, ect. Parents are in touch with teachers via the internet schoo sitel twice a month on progress and if they need to notify you otherwise they send home notes, a newsletter, or via email (assuming everyone has email otherwise you get a note). The school also puts supplies and responsibilities on the website along with a list you get on the first day of class to make sure your child is fully prepared for class this year.

An onsite bookstore? Lucky you - I still hand my kids $2.50 a day for lunch money. If my children need extra supplies or things for projects, either they tell me, or in the case of a project, it's on the assignment (which can easily become stuck in the bottom of a backpack ). Sure, the kids in the younger grades get a lot of notes sent home by the teacher, but by 4th grade, a lot less - the kids are responsible to write this information in their agenda pads (part of the teaching process, to make the kids more independent).

 

[parkers*momma]

I will be honest - I still would not be comfortable with the idea that there are grades given based on volunterism or donations. Do you get a better grade if you gave more food or a better grade if you were a better helper? It is not something that a child can 'learn' like math or reading so how is the grading gong to work? I love the idea that children are being introduced to donating/volunteering but I just don't like the grading part. We have several food drives throughout the year and a book drive and a clothing drive. Everything is dropped off on a table as the kids enter the school. This way no one KNOWS who donated or who didn't. Any child who wishes to help with the collection/distribution/packing is welcome to do so but there is no 'reward' such as a grade attached to it.

I am glad you were happy with the outcome.

I can understand your feeling towards this but now instead of it being a straight grade it is extra credit with bonus points attached. Also, instead of it being a financial donation (buying the canned goods), the extra credit is now well rounded for everyone. If a child's parents can't afford or choses not to send in canned goods but the child wants/needs those bonus points, there is the option to volunteer or do a report. Many teachers offer extra credit throughout the school year, it gives the students a chance not only to pull a grade up but also learn a lil more about the subject they are currently studying.

I, personally, think it is a happy medium for the students, teachers, and parents.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Thank you for all the ideas on how to present this...I really do appreciate all the insight. After reading all the posts and slow breathing on my end, I really had calmed down a lot. I didn't know what her inital plan was but I could see the good she was trying to do.

Well, I took my son to school this morning about 1/2 early and had an opportunity to talk to the teacher-one on one before school started. Instead of putting her immediately on the defense (I really do appreciate everything teachers do for our children), I commended her on the food drive and getting the children involved in a community. I listened contently to her enthusiasm and really believe she didn't realize exactly what she had done by assigning a letter grade based on donations.(BTW-She is a first year teacher...subbing for the homeroom teacher out on maternity leave)

After she finished, I again told her I thought it was a wonderful lesson for the children but I personally am uncomfortable with the idea of basing a letter grade on a donation. That because of my decision not to participate in the class project, my son was being penalized in his grades, and I didn't feel it was fair or the right thing to do within a school-basing grades on how much a family donates. Then I asked her if there were alternatives for the children who's family decided they weren't allowed to participate. (Which there wasn't). So I point blanked asked her....Do you see how I, as a parent, find this is not acceptable (which she did and admitted that she hadn't thought about it from a parents aspect). Then instead of accusing/belittling her idea, I offered her the suggestion from the DISBOARDS (bonus points, volunteering to help sort, a report, etc) as alteratives.

We discussed the issue for the entire time before school started. She, herself, was going to talk to the principal because she wanted to discuss with him the things we had talked about plus as I told her, I'm sure more parents would be concerned once they seen their child's grades.(my son wasn't the only child who didn't participate---phewww).

Anyway, this afternoon a note with sent home with the students explaining the food drive and how the points are classified as bonus points (0/0 to 100/0). Those who opted not to participate with the food drive has an opportunity to earn bonus points with a report on how the economy has affected their family or by volunteering to help during academic assist with the upcoming plastic bag collection or the toy collection that our school does in Decenber. (BTW-my son is back up to an A- ) I'm glad I was able to spend this morning with her-in a calm frame of mind-and together a happy medium was achieved.

I'm so glad that I didn't go up when I was upset or first became aware of the situation. We really had a good dicussion...on a positive level...and everything worked out without accusations or hard feelings.

Honey is better than vinegar

Good work mom!!!!

gaelic grace: Thanks! Hopefull this will be his first and last year at the school and my DD will never hae to be there...praying to move to the US this spring . I know we all have our different views...especially based on individual experiences...Nice "talking" with you

 

[edamethyst]

I will be honest - I still would not be comfortable with the idea that there are grades given based on volunterism or donations. Do you get a better grade if you gave more food or a better grade if you were a better helper? It is not something that a child can 'learn' like math or reading so how is the grading gong to work? I love the idea that children are being introduced to donating/volunteering but I just don't like the grading part. We have several food drives throughout the year and a book drive and a clothing drive. Everything is dropped off on a table as the kids enter the school. This way no one KNOWS who donated or who didn't. Any child who wishes to help with the collection/distribution/packing is welcome to do so but there is no 'reward' such as a grade attached to it.

I am glad you were happy with the outcome.

I agree. Teach them to donate or help just for the sake of doing it not for what you can get out of it.

 

[nessz79]

Glad you talked to her!

I am a high school teacher and we're not even allowed to offer extra credit for something like that. We give incentives that are not based on grades at all- for example, admission to our Powder Puff game was 2 cans of donated food. Most of our low-income kids were able to do this and if they couldn't, it certainly didn't affect their grades (most of our kids are low-income and we didn't hear any complaining).

I would have been distraught, OP. I think you handled it very well.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

I personally think the teacher should have to remove the extra credit points for everyone and rethink any further extra credit projects. I could have sent in 8 cans of chicken noodle soup at 4/1.00 and gotten my kid 100 extra credit points potentially? But since the OP child didn't, he could spend an hour or more volunteering or writing a paper and only get 100 extra credit points, that seems extremely unfair. the first scenario only involves the child's mom to unzip the back pack and throw in the cans, the alternatives require much more from the student. Also I don't think anyone can fault the child for not appropriately conveying the assignment. Had my daughter come home and told me this I would have responded "Sweety, surely you are mistaken, no school would approve of such a thing". The teacher should have sent home information on the project( at which point parents could point out to her how she failed to think it through). We donate to everything at school canned goods, angel tree christmas presents etc. But it is a donation- our choice, should not be so strongly pressured by the teacher. I also think there should be follow up with the principal as he or she probably has no idea of what is going on and would want to be aware. It could be done in a friendly note to the teacher outlining your discussion, concerns, and confirming with her the outcome and just cc: the principal on it. This teacher is in need of more supervision/guidance.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I'm glad you got to talk to the teacher and that things worked out well! You are right, it is MUCH better to wait until you have calmed down and then have a nice discussion rather than to jump in head first when you are upset.

 

[lntsmom]

I've run food drives in schools numerous times and have NEVER tied them to grades in any way. How did we encourage kids to participate? Well, we'd offer prizes (a holiday movie, an extra recess, an art project, etc.) for the top three classes. My class would gather, count, and graph the donations each day.

Another time we offered a different reward...a local gentleman who was the city's leprechaun came to perform for all the Kindergarten children as a reward for the school meeting a goal. Yet another year the entire school marched in the city's St. Patrick's Day parade as a reward.

Encouraging volunteerism is one thing...tying it to an academic reward is another. I would still go back and talk to the principal about ways this could be handled better next year.

Here's why: I taught in the inner city for 10 years. Families who are living in poverty sometimes don't have transportation...sometimes the parent or parents are working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet...and sometimes (as is the case at all income levels) the parents have addictions that make simply showing up to bag groceries next to impossible. It is not fair to the children in those families to tie these types of activities to grades because they are children! They have no control over whether they participate or not...although, I can see the possibility of children desperate to participate stealing food from home or a store. I would never put children in that position.

No matter where you live there will some children who live in those types of situations.

Last year two teachers I know offered bonus points to kids who were going to be vacationing out of the country over Christmas break. I was just as upset about that. Do they think that some families stay home instead of going to Costa Rica for a week because they don't want to travel??? UGH.

This is a hill I'm willing to die on! No grades for anything that the child him/herself can't control!

 

[disykat]

This is a hill I'm willing to die on! No grades for anything that the child him/herself can't control!

I feel the same way.