Teacher asking for Yankee candles/test.....Update Pg 12 #168

[padams]

OP, please let us know what the principal has to say.

 

[DVCLiz]

OP, was your son satisfied with the group grade he received? If so, I would let that part go and be done with it. I suppose if he felt really cheated about the grade he could ask if he could do something additional to bring that up, but it sounds like a case of leaving well enough alone - especially since you didn't post anything about being unhappy with the group grade.

As far as the extra credit, well, that is bizarre. Personally, if it were me, I would ask my daughter how much she needed the extra credit in the class and get that candle in pronto!! If for no other reason, just to be able to tease my kid about it forever after - "Well, we wouldn't expect you to know that - they didn't make a candle for that class." etc. I just think it's so bizarre it would be funny to do.

But of course it's ridiculous to have a teacher allowed to give out test grades like that, so I don't know what I would do in real life if I actually had to make the decision.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have an update this morning. I will say that this teacher did promptly answer my email first thing this morning.

In her reply she stated that my son did receive the group grade for their presentation and the candle thing is not for this project BUT it is a over all extra credit opportunity for the whole class if they want the extra credit. So for extra credit she is offereing this....

Extra Credit - bring in by Nov 2nd

1 large yankee candle = 2 test grades
1 med Yankee candle = 1 test grade
1 small Yankee candle = removal of lowest grade

I am just stunned that she thinks it is ok to offer extra credit test grades for candles. I haven't replied to her yet but I will be calling the principal to make him aware of what is going on in this class room. I asked my son again and he still says that she told the class that anyone absent on friday needed to do this if they wanted to make their grade up.

I'm sorry---this is unacceptable and I am glad that you will be passing this along to the principle.

A Yankee Candle isn't even a "needed" item, so it doesn't even "pass" that this is for some kind of donation or something.

And for a FRENCH class--even more bizarre. Almost reminds me of my Junior Year French class. My teacher was too busy completing her PhD to be of any real benefit to us for a French education in a level III class. I got an "A"--but I didn't buy it. That was based on the VERY FEW grading opportunities on the VERY WEAK French she was teaching us b/c she was spending too much time on her dumb dissertation.

 

[Rora]

Very, very strange..

Are these candles for her? Regardless, this is NOT OKAY. I'm glad you're contacting the principle. It also seems strange that your son still says that this is what he has to do to make up his grade; in a way, I think I believe him more than the teacher!!!

Please let us know what the principle says. This should be interesting..

 

[hentob]

I feel sorry for the kids who don't have enough money for a candle

What a horrible teacher and person.

 

[ericamanda01]

I feel sorry for the kids who don't have enough money for a candle

What a horrible teacher and person.

This is just what I was thinking. I think this teacher is taking the phrase "The best education money can buy" a little to far!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

OP, was your son satisfied with the group grade he received? If so, I would let that part go and be done with it. I suppose if he felt really cheated about the grade he could ask if he could do something additional to bring that up, but it sounds like a case of leaving well enough alone - especially since you didn't post anything about being unhappy with the group grade.

As far as the extra credit, well, that is bizarre. Personally, if it were me, I would ask my daughter how much she needed the extra credit in the class and get that candle in pronto!! If for no other reason, just to be able to tease my kid about it forever after - "Well, we wouldn't expect you to know that - they didn't make a candle for that class." etc. I just think it's so bizarre it would be funny to do.

But of course it's ridiculous to have a teacher allowed to give out test grades like that, so I don't know what I would do in real life if I actually had to make the decision.

He is happy with his group grade and he is currently getting an A in the class however I'm not so sure that A really means anything now

I'm still trying to figure out how far to push this as it seems so wrong and the principal does need to know however my son is in her class for the whole year so I need to tread lightly here without causing too many waves that may come back and affect him. She is a fairly new teacher, this is her second year. I asked DS if she has done this before during their first nine weeks and he said no that this is the first time she has done this. I wonder if she really just does not understand how wrong this is. I hope that by me sending an email to question it that she thinks it over and decides that it is not the right thing to do.

It is indeed bizarre though and it will be something we can laugh about in the future.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would NOT expect my child to confront a teacher about a blatant breach of ethics and policy.
And, heck yes, if this involves $25.00 of MY money.... it does involve me.

I WOULD however, contact her to find out her favorite scent. Comment how you are there to support your son's education and academic success... You are just so sorry that your son was absent with a serious illness... etc.... etc... ad-nauseum.

If she is ready to actually accept this 'bribe'....
Then I would be ALL OVER THAT.... cc: to the Principal, School Administration, etc..

Hhhhhmmmm, actually you might want to consider actually taking her the darned candle, so that the 'crime' has then been committed.
Until then, it is all just he-said-she-said.
Maybe you should take Tinkr up on her coupon!

I like the way you think too.

You have the e-mail she sent you. I'd take a copy to the Principal and ask if this is the standard for extra credit. It's just all kinds of wrong.

ETA- On the other hand, you could have a meeting with the teacher and calmly discuss the situation. Tell her why you think it's wrong and give her a chance to rescind. If she doesn't then I'd let her know I would be taking my concerns to the principal. You shouldn't have to worry about retaliation towards your son.

 

[PollyannaMom]

OK call it anything u want thats bribery!!! Ur buying a grade not earning it! I think you should somehow let the principal know.

It's not even "just" bribery - it's class discrimination, as the wealthier children will be able to buy better grades than the poorer ones. I would definitely inform the principal, and I would do it with a group of other concerned parents, so my child was not singled out as the one snitch. Check your handbook, too. - I expect you'll find a written school policy on it.

 

[DVCLiz]

He is happy with his group grade and he is currently getting an A in the class however I'm not so sure that A really means anything now

I'm still trying to figure out how far to push this as it seems so wrong and the principal does need to know however my son is in her class for the whole year so I need to tread lightly here without causing too many waves that may come back and affect him. She is a fairly new teacher, this is her second year. I asked DS if she has done this before during their first nine weeks and he said no that this is the first time she has done this. I wonder if she really just does not understand how wrong this is. I hope that by me sending an email to question it that she thinks it over and decides that it is not the right thing to do.

It is indeed bizarre though and it will be something we can laugh about in the future.

I don't know what I would do about school and the teacher but I would make your whole family learn how to say "Yankee Candle" in french ( un/e lumiere Yankee, perhaps?) and every time I saw one in the future I would make sure and say it out loud. That would be a great private family joke in my family!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

He is happy with his group grade and he is currently getting an A in the class however I'm not so sure that A really means anything now

I'm still trying to figure out how far to push this as it seems so wrong and the principal does need to know however my son is in her class for the whole year so I need to tread lightly here without causing too many waves that may come back and affect him. She is a fairly new teacher, this is her second year. I asked DS if she has done this before during their first nine weeks and he said no that this is the first time she has done this. I wonder if she really just does not understand how wrong this is. I hope that by me sending an email to question it that she thinks it over and decides that it is not the right thing to do.

It is indeed bizarre though and it will be something we can laugh about in the future.

What she is doing is unacceptable.

However---I wouldn't worry about the rest of the year.

The reason--if she was doing something illegal, I'd want her out immediately.

I'm not sure if candle bribery is illegal, but it is most certainly an ethical issue that must be looked at and not ignored.

The fact that your son is getting an A--what if a student flunked 2 tests, so now he spends some moolah and gets those tests replaced. Goes from a D or C to an A.

How fair is that. Buying candles is not teaching the French language or culture and has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

I've had 2 crappy French teachers and while I loved the language, when I went immediately to take French in college, it was like I never had it before. Despite getting an A my senior year in French III.

She needs to be stopped from this asenine buying-test grades-policy.

 

[sneadae]

This all seems bizarre. Is there any chance that she is actually doing something good with these candles? Like maybe there is some sort of need for these candles? I know it seems crazy, but I can't imagine why a teacher would put it out there like that and not be worried about risking their job.

Perhaps you should come right out and ask her what the candles are for. I would want to know. You can just send a kind email and ask what she will be using the candles for? A school project? Holiday gifts for those less fortunate? There's gotta be an answer, don't you think?

 

[mamamary]

wow - i'd love an update to see what the principal has to say

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

What she is doing is unacceptable.

However---I wouldn't worry about the rest of the year.

The reason--if she was doing something illegal, I'd want her out immediately.

I'm not sure if candle bribery is illegal, but it is most certainly an ethical issue that must be looked at and not ignored.

The fact that your son is getting an A--what if a student flunked 2 tests, so now he spends some moolah and gets those tests replaced. Goes from a D or C to an A.

How fair is that. Buying candles is not teaching the French language or culture and has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

I've had 2 crappy French teachers and while I loved the language, when I went immediately to take French in college, it was like I never had it before. Despite getting an A my senior year in French III.

She needs to be stopped from this asenine buying-test grades-policy.

I agree and I am going to go further just trying to decide how to do it. I am checking the handbook now to see if there is anything listed in there about situations like this. I am considering replying to her email to explain calmly why it is not acceptable and to ask what the candles are for before going to the principal but I do think the principal does need to be aware of the extra credit issue in this class and I will be contacting him just trying to decide the best way first - if I should go straight to him or reply to her email first.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I agree and I am going to go further just trying to decide how to do it. I am checking the handbook now to see if there is anything listed in there about situations like this. I am considering replying to her email to explain calmly why it is not acceptable and to ask what the candles are for before going to the principal but I do think the principal does need to be aware of the extra credit issue in this class and I will be contacting him just trying to decide the best way first - if I should go straight to him or reply to her email first.

I would probably ask her what the candles are for and leave it at that. She should know that it is wrong and if not, you don't want her answer to be influenced by how her request is perceived. After you get your answer, then I'd let her know you think it is wrong.

I can't think of a reasonable reply as to why she is asking for these expensive candles.

 

[DVCLiz]

I agree and I am going to go further just trying to decide how to do it. I am checking the handbook now to see if there is anything listed in there about situations like this. I am considering replying to her email to explain calmly why it is not acceptable and to ask what the candles are for before going to the principal but I do think the principal does need to be aware of the extra credit issue in this class and I will be contacting him just trying to decide the best way first - if I should go straight to him or reply to her email first.

If you just want the candle issue to be stopped, just forward the email the principal and say, "Hey, are you aware this is going on?" Let the principal follow up instead of you getting involved in the candle issue at all.

If you want to make a point with the teacher, email her back and say, "We would prefer that our son receive extra credit for activities related to the coursework. What extra credit opportunities are there in place if he should need to earn that?"

Those are both short, sweet, and to the point, and they relieve you of having to get more involved than I think you want to be.

 

[Pennykay]

From the response that the teacher gave you it seems clear that she doesn't think that she is doing anything wrong. If it were me I would go to the principal at this point. He/She needs to get involved.

 

[Va-bear]

I feel sorry for the kids who don't have enough money for a candle

What a horrible teacher and person.

Wow, I agree, how very very sad. Money will buy a lot of things but education is _supposed_ to be fair! Think of the child who works hard all year, misses one day due to illness, and then can't afford the bribe gift? Will he have to take the C, while his friend w/ rich parents gets an A?!

This is one of the most disturbing things I've read in a long time, education-wise, please let us know what the priciple says....I'd be taking this to the school board also. If you are worried about effects on your son print out the email response and cut out you email address (I'm sure she sent out several replies to other parents, so she wont know who sent it in), but let them know, it is VERY important - she may be doing this to all of her classes for years to come, if its not reported.

 

[Jennasis]

Does Yankee Candle make a "poo" scented candle? That's what I'd buy her.

Maybe this one:

Do a google image search and you'll find plenty of ideas!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Wow! I can't believe any teacher would think this is OK. I can't wait to hear what the principal says about this. Heck, if that is Ok, then maybe our DIS teachers should start asking for Disney Pins and Parkhoppers in exchange for grades! (I know that none of you actually would)