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

[Pigeon]

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).

I'm completely opposed to community service requirements for graduation. Fortunately we don't have them here, but I think they are ridiculous. My kids (and their parents) are involved in various community service activities because that's something we value as a family, but it should have nothing at all to do with school. Schools have a hard enough time focusing on teaching subject matter. They should keep their noses out of things that don't concern them, and stop trying to control how people spend their time out of school.

 

[TinklednPants]

Gee when I needed extra credit I just showed a little leg.

 

[tomthebarncat]

OP, you now have proof of her request. I would print that out and immediately go to the Principle with this information. I would then immediately request that my child be removed from her classroom. I would also request a meeting with the schoolboard and demand that she be reprimanded for violations of the schoolboard code of conduct. I would also forward this to whatever regulatory agency covers teaching and licensing in your state. She is a terrible teacher and a very poor reflection of her profession. I would not stop until I had exhausted all possible misconduct avenues. There are a lot of teachers/educators out there who would love to take her place and do the students and profession proud. Would I have any problem doing any of this? absolutely NOT!. As a former licensed social worker, if I told a client I will get you benefits if you bring me a $25 candle, I would expect to be immediately fired, lose my license and be blacklisted from my profession. I would expect nothing less for what is clearly a serious violation of the teachers code of conduct.

 

[wdwfan16]

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.

Is it possible that she is doing some type of charity work with the candles? Otherwise this seems like an odd request.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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 different and typically can be accomplished easily if a student uses their noodle. I know opportunities are endless where we live.

Though community service hours are only required for scholarships and some private schools. It isn't a state graduation requirement that I am aware of.

 

[patsal]

It doesn't matter what it is for, it is just wrong. I am a teacher and the only things you can do to get credit is work hard and turn in all assignments. I will give extra credit for those that struggle but do have everything turned in done to the best of their ability, yet just don't get it for whatever reason. I will work with kids who struggle to help them as best I can, but I will not sell, bargain or negotiate for anything. I don't give extra credit to anyone who doesn't do what was for regular credit. I do have a courtesy policy of automatically dropping the lowest grade of the quarter for each student--hey everyone has a bad day now and again!

 

[RitaZ.]

That's different and typically can be accomplished easily if a student uses their noodle. I know opportunities are endless where we live.

Though community service hours are only required for scholarships and some private schools. It isn't a state graduation requirement that I am aware of.

It isn't a state requirement, but many public schools in FL do require a specific number of community service hours. I'm in Broward county where it is a graduation requirement.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Update - There will be no extra credit for candles

I did call the school and the principal was aware of the complaint as a couple others have called to question it also. He is handling the situation and I was told that this is not allowed. I never did hear from the teacher about what the candles were for and I want to chalk this up to inexperience on her part as she is new. I will stay on top of the issue though to make sure that something like this does not happen again.

 

[DizBelle]

Update - There will be no extra credit for candles

I did call the school and the principal was aware of the complaint as a couple others have called to question it also. He is handling the situation and I was told that this is not allowed. I never did hear from the teacher about what the candles were for and I want to chalk this up to inexperience on her part as she is new. I will stay on top of the issue though to make sure that something like this does not happen again.

If you do find out what she wanted the candles for, please let us know. I'm really curious about what she was going to do with the potentially dozens of candles she might have gotten.

 

[MrsSpratt]

I certainly hope she is RETURNING candles to the poor students she duped!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

If you do find out what she wanted the candles for, please let us know. I'm really curious about what she was going to do with the potentially dozens of candles she might have gotten.

I will but I have a feeling I won't get an answer on this.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I certainly hope she is RETURNING candles to the poor students she duped!

I hope so too. I'm not sure how many classes there are but as far as I know my son said that no one from his class had brought any in.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Our public high schools have communitiy service requirements too, but they are not tied to grades in specific classes, and there is no way on earth I would ever consider the collection of scented candles a community service project. Do homeless or women's shelters even accept candles? Wouldn't they be a fire hazard in what is likely a cramped and crowded living area?

If this teacher was doing this for community service she would have asked for necessities. Even if she was going for providing little luxuries to those in need (I am not opposed to raising their spirits this way, if the donor wants to), she would have been more general about it, not requiring a specific brand of expensive candles. She would have indicated to the class that it was for community service, so the kids would know what they were doing, and not feel like they were buying a grade.

Well, a logical teacher would have done those things anyway. Either way, she's whacked.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Update - There will be no extra credit for candles

I did call the school and the principal was aware of the complaint as a couple others have called to question it also. He is handling the situation and I was told that this is not allowed. I never did hear from the teacher about what the candles were for and I want to chalk this up to inexperience on her part as she is new. I will stay on top of the issue though to make sure that something like this does not happen again.

Good!

 

[cat83]

I will but I have a feeling I won't get an answer on this.

I don't know- I would think she would have to provide some explanation on what she was going to do with them! If I were her, I would be so embarrassed, and never want to face the parents again.

 

[a1tinkfans]

MAn I'm in trouble...when one of my riding students falls off of their horse during a lesson, they have to bake me a pan of brownies (or cookies).

Of course, I also have a "rule" that if they fall off and land on their feet, I have to bake something for them. I've both baked and received many a tray of brownies.

Too Funny not the falling part) my Niece JUST did this like 2 mos ago! They all thought it was GREAT, me...I thought it was STRANGE, but Whatever works, I guess...she loves to ride and loves the lessons too!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Update - There will be no extra credit for candles

I did call the school and the principal was aware of the complaint as a couple others have called to question it also. He is handling the situation and I was told that this is not allowed. I never did hear from the teacher about what the candles were for and I want to chalk this up to inexperience on her part as she is new. I will stay on top of the issue though to make sure that something like this does not happen again.

Just want to wish your son WELL in that class. That was one strange way to get extra credit! Glad it was resolved to your satisfaction..............wonder if she'll be teaching there next year?

 

[Rora]

Glad to hear the principal is going to take care of it and you don't have to!!

Hopefully this teacher gets it together..

 

[Jennasis]

Too Funny not the falling part) my Niece JUST did this like 2 mos ago! They all thought it was GREAT, me...I thought it was STRANGE, but Whatever works, I guess...she loves to ride and loves the lessons too!!

It's sort of a tradition amongst us trainers. My trainer made us do it as a kid and hers did and so on. The idea was to diffuse the "trauma" of falling by adding in something lighthearted and fun. Baking brownies for the trainer is a right of passage for young equestrians. The kiddos actually sit around taking "war-stories".

"you baked a tray of brownies last week? Hah! I baked FOUR this month!"

Lessens the "ouch" of the fall.

 

[teacups]

I dont know if I would chalk it up to inexperience though.... maybe to lack of good judment or worse. Anyone with any sense knows this woud have been worng. This teacher needs a serious CHAT with her superiors.