OT - Our school force-moved us to D-Track!

[MinnieForMe]

That is really tough. Can you contact the superintendent (spelling ?, maybe, I could have used year round school) and make your feelings known? I always loved summer break and would be saddened if my kids lost it.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

That is really tough. Can you contact the superintendent (spelling ?, maybe, I could have used year round school) and make your feelings known? I always loved summer break and would be saddened if my kids lost it.

Sigh. Trust me he knows. Track is a way of life in Douglas County. There is absolutely no chance that it's going away. After talking to everyone in the school, the school district, and their uncle, they refuse to budge one iota EVEN THOUGH they admit unapologetically they broke their own policy and pulled us OUT OF ORDER.

These are my choices:

1. Suck it up.
Pros: stay in same school. retain school bus privileges. retain some of my child's friends. Cons: summer school. Paying huge HOA dollars for pool facilities we can't use. Not spending summer with grandmother who comes to live with us during their former summer vacation. being on a choppy calendar, although the school has haughtily informed ME that my son "doesn't transition well" when going off/returning from breaks. (So they gave him more breaks??? )

2. Apply for an open enrollment in a non-track school. Non track schools remain non-track for a year or two before their enrollment goes up and they go to track. The Superintendent confessed that he's counting on enough parents being annoyed with the track system that they move to the non-track school. Population control through pissing people off.
Pros. One year of traditional calendar. Cons. lose school bus privileges . resume track again in another year. go to option #1.

3. Move to another state. Tempting, but impossible.

So it looks like we'll be sucking it up, even though the school has admitted it pulled us off track OUT OF ORDER. Another victim of unfair bureaucracy.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I'm so sorry that you'll have to suck it up!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

That would be soooo frustrating.

Every once in a while, I hear talk about doing this in our county since the schools can't keep up with the number of kids added every year but nothing ever comes of it, thank goodness.

I do hate that the elementary school that my DD goes to had a 3 story addition put on several years ago and the school is already full. DS's middle school had an addition put on last year and they already have trailers.

I think I'd hate the year around school worse, though.

Best of luck with the new track. Hopefully, you'll be able to get day care
figured out and the kids will like the new track.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

Update:
I wrote a letter to the Principal and copied my son's psychiatrist, so they'd have my official protest on file. So there. (petulantly stamps foot.)

Here's what I wrote:

Laura Brinkman
Principal
Soaring Hawk Elementary

RE: reassigning our son Matthew _______ to D track

Dear Mrs. Brinkman,

As you know, Matthew has been a student at Soaring Hawk for the past four years. During that time, we have worked with all the staff (teachers, special education services, counselors) to help Matthew achieve success. At your direction, we have had Matthew independently tested by doctors of psychiatry and psychology. We have complied with the requests of the school psychologist and behaviorists. We have followed through with medicating Matthew, and he is currently under the care of Dr. Robert Bleck, at Kaiser.

I have been reminded by numerous teachers that Matthew does not transition well when going on and off track. It can take him a week or more to become productive and settle into his “on track” routine. Is it wise to put him on the track with the most numerous transitions and briefest “on track” windows? How much productive learning will occur when he is only in school for three weeks between breaks?

We want to be reassured that you have considered Matthew's academic best interests as you plan to shuttle him to a new track. We want to be assured that this major decision has been made expressly for his academic success -- not for some geographic or numeric plan. We would like a careful review made of this decision. Is it in Matthew's best interest to move him? We are counting on you at Soaring Hawk to make a professional assessment based on Matthew's best interest for a class placement.

Matthew's educational success is our family priority, and we trust that it is yours too. We need to be able to count on your professional advice. We ask for a review that will include the counselors, the teachers, and the principal. We trust that when you make your final decision, it will be based on what is best for Matthew -- not for the sake of numbers.

Sincerely,

xx


Cc: Dr. Robert Bleck
Val Marbury
Julie Browning
]​

 

[_queenie_]

RE: reassigning our son Matthew (last name) to D track

I'm not sure if you noticed your last name was still in there. Since you listed your town and DS's first name it might be a good idea to get rid of it. It might not be the worst idea to not name his school as well.

 

[HelenePA]

I'm not sure if you noticed your last name was still in there. Since you listed your town and DS's first name it might be a good idea to get rid of it. It might not be the worst idea to not name his school as well.

now that you quoted her she can't erase it.. you have to erase it too

 

[disneypharm]

Are you going to Clear Sky?

No. Eagle ridge.
I understand that this is very frustrating. I am sorry that you don't like year-round school system. Both DDs have been in track system since the beginning and we really don't know the difference as parents. Off course, both DH and I went to traditional schools and all I remember as a kid being bored during summer. Both DH and I work full-time and the girls go to my parents when off-track. There are also many off-track camps at our recreation center that kids can attend. This is the first summer my kids are going to have 9 weeks off for summer and I have no idea what to do with them. I know they wouldn't like to be at grandparents house for 9 weeks!

My kids are in A track right now and their schedule is less choppy than tracks C and D. They are off 3-4 weeks every 8 weeks (June, Sept, Dec, March). We try to take a week trip every time they are off-track. I have 6 weeks of vacation from work and take them every time the kids are off. In June, we take a family trip to other states to see relatives. We love to take a September Disney trip every year. We like to stay home for Christmas. In March, we do a Colorado mountain trip.
I know many families hate the year-round school, but I know many that do like them. I know it is different for parents with kids in different school systems (one in elementary track and one in middle-school traditional). I would definitely hate that.
I wish you lots of luck.

 

[disneypharm]

Wow, that track stuff in CO is crazy I never heard of anything like that! I feel so sorry for you having to go through stuff like that.

I'd suggest moving if I were you, back to America.

 

[_queenie_]

now that you quoted her she can't erase it.. you have to erase it too

I just realized that too! I'll erase the part that is quoted.

 

[jmom]

Hi
I'm sat here amazed at the variety of school systems happening in USA. Are you (USA) also having a population boom? I'm a Senior Leader / teacher in a primary school and we / others have a falling population. The biggest primary school in our entire county is 715 pupils...most schools (primary) are 100 - 300 pupils. I was thinking of teaching in America for a year...not so sure now.

Many of my school's parents take their children out of school for holidays (esp. to America). Out of school holidays the cost is half or less. But unfortunately for us we as a school get penalised for poor attendance!! You can't win.

School's are of course centres for academic learning...but also for social and emotional learning, for some children the choppy style of the track system would be very difficult. Some children (yes I know not all) need to get into the swing of a particular environment / set of rules (both said and unsaid).

I truly feel for your situation, as both a teacher and Mum to two young children.

 

[thatsmines]

As a teacher, I know the parents that keep on top of things usually get their way. I would keep contacting people (teachers, principals, superintendent etc..) regarding your feelings and concerns.

 

[srwarden1928]

I never heard of the track system before BUT

Where I teach we have a wonderful "alternative" calendar. Students start August 1 and finish May 31. We get two weeks in October, two weeks at Christmas, and two weeks in March off, plus holidays. Teachers start back in late July. Its enough of a summer break, but not so much that we get bored. October is a wonderful time for a trip--not so hot--not so crowded--to lots of places. We love this calendar and hope to never have to have "traditional" again. A break every nine weeks prevents burnout for teachers and students.

 

[_queenie_]

Where I teach we have a wonderful "alternative" calendar. Students start August 1 and finish May 31. We get two weeks in October, two weeks at Christmas, and two weeks in March off, plus holidays. Teachers start back in late July. Its enough of a summer break, but not so much that we get bored.

My kids have the same length summer break, June 20(ish) to August 25(ish), except they don't six weeks of vacation during the school year, only three.

 

[CNYGuy]

What about private schools? Do they have a traditional schedule? Is that an option for you?

 

[LisaNJ25]

Wow, that track stuff in CO is crazy I never heard of anything like that! I feel so sorry for you having to go through stuff like that.

I'd suggest moving if I were you, back to America.

 

[wdwdasiy]

Our schools are beginning to try some very exciting things. Our calander is traditional but some of the classrooms/grade levels are looping. That is when the teacher/ parapro/ students all go to the next grade together. Only a few of our classrooms are doing this for the coming school year and parents in these classes seem very happy. I'm one of the teachers doing this and I am so excited!!

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

What about private schools? Do they have a traditional schedule? Is that an option for you?

No. For two reasons: 1) I can't afford private school. 2) they don't provide transportation. I work full time and I'm dependent on the school bus program.

Our schools are beginning to try some very exciting things. Our calander is traditional but some of the classrooms/grade levels are looping. That is when the teacher/ parapro/ students all go to the next grade together. Only a few of our classrooms are doing this for the coming school year and parents in these classes seem very happy. I'm one of the teachers doing this and I am so excited!!

My son looped with his 2-3rd grade teacher. But now that they kicked us off the track his teacher was on, he'll rarely ever see her except for all school events (like the school dance or something.)

 

[meandtheguys2]

Squeak as loud as you can. It seems incredible to me that they can just randomly change people's schedules like that!

 

[Microcell]

Hi
I'm sat here amazed at the variety of school systems happening in USA. Are you (USA) also having a population boom? I'm a Senior Leader / teacher in a primary school and we / others have a falling population. The biggest primary school in our entire county is 715 pupils...most schools (primary) are 100 - 300 pupils. I was thinking of teaching in America for a year...not so sure now.

Many of my school's parents take their children out of school for holidays (esp. to America). Out of school holidays the cost is half or less. But unfortunately for us we as a school get penalised for poor attendance!! You can't win.

School's are of course centres for academic learning...but also for social and emotional learning, for some children the choppy style of the track system would be very difficult. Some children (yes I know not all) need to get into the swing of a particular environment / set of rules (both said and unsaid).

I truly feel for your situation, as both a teacher and Mum to two young children.

To answer, the Baby Boomers did not perpetuate like their parents did, so there are not as many kids in school as, say the 50's, but there are all the illegals we have to educate..

If you want to teach in the US, come to Kansas City! We do not seem to be as overcrowded as the coasts, and have a "regular" school year (which is still based on the old system of the Harvest breaks- kids in the US would have to be off in the summer months to help with the Harvest- not so anymore really with the advent of the corporate farm!).

We go from August 18 or so to May 25 or so.

To OP that is really crazy and I feel for you!