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

[Becky2005]

Am I the only one who wonders if this teacher plans to give candles to all of her family members for Christmas?

That's what I was thinking because if I read it correctly, they are on their 2nd grading period. Nothing like this was said for their first, yet hmmm...timing for this makes it very suspicious & the fact that it was specified a Yankee Candle has me very baffled. I'm really wondering what in the world she is going to do with all the candles, assuming she has more than 1 class a day & each class has about 25 kids. What if each one DID bring her in a candle? That could be over 100 candles. Is SHE wanting to give them as gifts to her co-workers?

I'm just baffled as it is. I can not think of a single thing my kids have ever been asked for extra credit that would involve buying something like that NOR for a grade to be dropped, etc... Usually it's "add 5 - 10 points" so that could help raise your grade but you aren't going to magically get test score grades changed/grades dropped.

 

[brekin67]

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.

No need for the principal to know which student's parent you are. We could all send an email or call the principal and say she is doing this.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

There have been a few...last one on the previous page, I believe.

whoops- thanks!

 

[NC State]

I replied to the teacher asking what the candles are for but haven't heard back yet. I will be contacting the principal tomorrow morning. I was really hoping that my first email to her would be a wake up call but I really think she is a bit clueless about the situation.

Do you think she now knows that you are onto her and maybe she's rethinking the request?

 

[OceanAnnie]

Do you think she now knows that you are onto her and maybe she's rethinking the request?

That thought crossed my mind too. A little late to shut the barn door though. The horses are all out.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am wondering if in the time that we are discussing it here, some other parent hasn't already gone to to the teacher or principal with the issue. I find it hard to believe that others aren't outraged also.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I am wondering if in the time that we are discussing it here, some other parent hasn't already gone to to the teacher or principal with the issue. I find it hard to believe that others aren't outraged also.

Shall we teach this teacher a little lesson? I say we all send her the google eyes from the Geico commercial, so she knows we're watching her every move and we're on to her.

 

[Teacher03]

This is unbelievable! I would probably be fired over something like this! I can't wait to hear how it will all turn out. Keep us posted.

 

[Pigeon]

This is just strange to me. I teach high school, and I offer extra credit opportunities similar to this, but here is the reasoning behind it. First and foremost, my students and their parents are made aware of these opportunities when they arise, and they are made aware of what organizations are benefitting from their contributions. For example, our campus holds a soldier box drive, food drive and angel tree each year. When these opportunities come up I send an email to the parents and a note home with each kid letting them know what is occuring and the items that are needed, where the items will be sent, the timeline etc. Typically each drive is sponsored by a specific class period, and is a campus contest where the class that wins gets something like a lunch catered in by a local restaurant, so the students are getting something back for their contributions as well. I offer a specific amount of extra credit, like 1 point for each item they contribute up to 20 total points, and the total amount will go towards their test grades. However, it does not ever excuse a test grade, and I imagine if I offered it as such I would be putting my job in jeopardy.

I'd be on the phone to the principal and the superintendent, if you were my child's teacher.

Grades should be a reflection of academic achievement. They shouldn't be a reflection of catering to a teacher's particular "causes" or even a reflection of a student's (or more accurately, the parents')charitable inclinations. Further, even if the requested items aren't terribly expensive, many families are on tight budgets. Why should teachers be telling them how to spend their money? This kind of policy gives a grade advantage to families with more disposable cash.

I wish teachers could concentrate on teaching and less on trying to manipulate family matters.

 

[SpecialK]

I'd be on the phone to the principal and the superintendent, if you were my child's teacher.

Grades should be a reflection of academic achievement. They shouldn't be a reflection of catering to a teacher's particular "causes" or even a reflection of a student's (or more accurately, the parents')charitable inclinations. Further, even if the requested items aren't terribly expensive, many families are on tight budgets. Why should teachers be telling them how to spend their money? This kind of policy gives a grade advantage to families with more disposable cash.

I wish teachers could concentrate on teaching and less on trying to manipulate family matters.

Former teacher here and I totally agree. Points should be given for academic achievement - period.

 

[N.Bailey]

I'm disgusted after having read the updates. The bottom line for me is, I don't care what this teacher intends to do with candles, I'd be livid. There is NO reason that I would find acceptable for asking a child (or their family) to pay for a grade. It's unacceptable on EVERY level imaginable.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Shall we teach this teacher a little lesson? I say we all send her the google eyes from the Geico commercial, so she knows we're watching her every move and we're on to her.

NOOOOOOOOOO! That would be the worst form of torture for anyone!

I really hope we get an update in the morning. I can't wait to hear how the teacher responds to the OP's question of what the candles are for. I am totally just expecting to hear "I just love candles!!"

 

[jiminyC_fan]

My son is in 10th grade and I am a teacher...No way would I expect him to handle this himself. We talk about this all the time...how this is the time when parents step away and let kids handle things themselves and sometimes, the kids just aren't ready or the situation calls for parental involvement.

This is a situation that calls for parental involvement. What I would do...I would clarify it "calmly" with the teacher to make sure exactly what she is asking, preferably in email so you have something you can show, and then I would go to administration. This is grades, and these count for college, so I wouldn't fool around.

Former teacher here and I totally agree. Points should be given for academic achievement - period.

To both of you!

 

[dismom2]

I'd be on the phone to the principal and the superintendent, if you were my child's teacher.

Grades should be a reflection of academic achievement. They shouldn't be a reflection of catering to a teacher's particular "causes" or even a reflection of a student's (or more accurately, the parents')charitable inclinations. Further, even if the requested items aren't terribly expensive, many families are on tight budgets. Why should teachers be telling them how to spend their money? This kind of policy gives a grade advantage to families with more disposable cash.

I wish teachers could concentrate on teaching and less on trying to manipulate family matters.

I would not ask my child to take care of this matter; I would be on the phone myself. Teachers should not be doing things like this...it's wrong on so many levels.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I wonder what some posters would do if their kids were in some of the schools around here that require community service to graduate and are at least as proud of their commitment to teaching kids a sense of community as they are of their high test scores.

 

[laurie31]

I wonder what some posters would do if their kids were in some of the schools around here that require community service to graduate and are at least as proud of their commitment to teaching kids a sense of community as they are of their high test scores.

Requiring community service is fine, but I presume schools that require it aren't having the kids weed the teachers' yards.

Asking for an expensive item - down to specifying the BRAND, is nothing like community service. It's not like she's going to donate all the Yankee Candles to the homeless or something...if she were, why would the brand matter?

Our school is having a Thanksgiving food drive right now. The food will go to the community food bank (not associated with any church/religion) for those in need. Kids are encouraged to bring food to help others, but there is no extra "A" given for those who choose to do so (and no penalty for those who don't). Which is as it should be. No one should be able to buy a grade.

Everyone can do community service, though. It doesn't cost any money to pick up trash or whatever.

 

[barkley]

I wonder what some posters would do if their kids were in some of the schools around here that require community service to graduate and are at least as proud of their commitment to teaching kids a sense of community as they are of their high test scores.

that's a set requirement for high school graduation here, but there's no factor within it that would lead to a student having to/being able to 'buy' a grade. the students seek out their placements, have to do a set amount of time, and can only do it within their junior and senior years at a charity, organization or entity the school approves of.

i don't think anyone would argue against teaching about a sense of community, what people are upset about with this situation is that no matter what purpose the teacher is soliciting the candles for she has made it clear that the students can exchange a candle for a grade (and she's set a pricing criteria that sets a monetary value on the grades).

 

[alexandria674]

It's a scent that's vile and stinky. It lingers in the air for a long time after the fact and stinks up everything. It's a scent you never forget.

You must mean their brand of vanilla candles....

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wow! As a teacher, I just can't imagine anyone doing this! Hope it all works out!

 

[coolbeans]

I'm just subbing out of curiousity.. i wish i could do this at work... sure i'll waive that fee, just bring me a yankee candle.... who doesnt' love candles!!