Teacher gave out candy and certificates...

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Originally Posted by JPN4265
I say we string up all of the children who make good grades and attend class. How dare them apply themselves and work hard.

We've turned into a society in which it's not okay to reward the kids that do well because it might hurt someone's feelings.

Nevermind....not worth the points. Just saying - read the whole thread.

OP - hope this year will be better for your DS!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I often wonder, why is it that the smart, talented, self controlled kids get nothing but the expectation to keep doing it.

I guess they figure knowledge is its own reward.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I'm still hoping that someone, anyone, can explain to me what is bad about rewarding students for good performance?

I could write a book on this subject! Seriously, I could! But no one would buy it or read it, and if they did, they wouldn't agree. So I will spare you my thoughts.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I read this thread with interest, because in our our dd's pre-k class the teacher gives them each a piece of candy at the end of the day if they have had good behavior. I don't know if it is just because it was the first week of school, or if she plans on continuing it, but I plan on asking her about it. I don't like anyone giving my child candy without asking us first. While she has no weight problems (nor anyone in her class based on outward observation) I don't like the idea of rewarding with candy, but I can see how it might "work" for that age level. If I asked the teacher not to do it for our dd, she would get upset that others got it and she didn't. Maybe I can suggest they use sugar-free candy? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

If you don't want your child to have the candy, then let the teacher know.

I for one wouldn't have been bothered by my son having a piece of candy each day.

It drives me nuts when parents try to change things like this for everyone instead of just having their child opt out.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

If you don't want your child to have the candy, then let the teacher know.

I for one wouldn't have been bothered by my son having a piece of candy each day.

It drives me nuts when parents try to change things like this for everyone instead of just having their child opt out.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

When I was in 5th grade our teacher posted the names of honor roll students on the outside of the door for everyone to see. When kids scored in the top 10% of the class on a big test, they got to pick a number which corresponded to a box in the "mystery chest" which could contain anything for a small piece of candy (usually), to one get out of homework free pass, or a gift certificate to chuck e. cheese. I NEVER worked so hard in any class.

I have no problem with teachers rewarding hard work. Neither does my dh, who is severely dyslexic and ADD. Our dd also has learning disabilities. If it REALLY upset her, I might set some goals with her at home and provide a similiar reward if she reached them. I suppose you could also speak with the teacher about an "effort" award or "most improved" if you know he will never reach honor roll. Maybe the teacher could establish specific goals for your son that he could work towards and be rewarded. But I hate that we can't reward kids who do great because of risk of hurting others feelings. That whole thing from the incredibles of everyone is special, which is really a way of saying no one is.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I really don't have a problem with teachers giving out some kind of reward for students who do well.

We've never had a teacher hand out candy, but DS used to get "Way to go" stickers all the time last year. I feel it makes them feel all their hard work was acknowledged , instead of expected or ignored.

 

[aprilgail2]

If you don't want your child to have the candy, then let the teacher know.

I for one wouldn't have been bothered by my son having a piece of candy each day.

It drives me nuts when parents try to change things like this for everyone instead of just having their child opt out.

I agree!!!!

 

[claudia]

Perefct attendance awards are stupid, for the reasons already stated.

Rewarding a child because they do well in school is not. We have to get out of the mentality that every child deserves every award. They don't and it teaches them to handle disappointment when they don't get an award.

I didn't always make the honor roll. So I tried harder for next time. I didn't make every sports team I tried out for. So I became the team manager/scorekeeper. I didn't get asked by every guy I liked. But I did get asked out by guys who I realized were great guys too because I gave them the chance. I didn't get the part in the school play I tried out for. So I did props and costumes. I didn't get every job I interviewed for. But I have a job I enjoy.

I am not in therapy. I am not a serial killer. I learned to handle disappointment.

There is always going to be someone who is prettier, smarter, more athletic, more talented in some way, than you. The sooner kids learn to deal with that, the better off they will be. Teach your child to love their gifts and not to be jealous about what others have.

very well said.

 

[claudia]

Oh and my kids do get the Perfect Attendance awards. Not because they go to school sick, but because they rarely are sick. I think they deserve to be rewarded for consistency, and like good grades, its not something they can always get. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Some years you get sick and break your perfect attendance, some years you don't. Thems the breaks. But I see nothing wrong with sending out the message that consistency is every bit as important as good grades.

good grades are the result of consistency. Now for Perfect Attendance, that's the luck of the draw. As for the Perfect Attendence awards, even though my son always misses close to 25 days a year due to severe allergies (even with his shots and meds) I think he should get one also, as he consistantly misses that amount of time each year

 

[JPN4265]

Nevermind....not worth the points. Just saying - read the whole thread.

OP - hope this year will be better for your DS!

Poor, poor me, its just not fair.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Why on earth did someone bring back a thread from February...I suspect the OP has dealt with the issue by now.

 

[Mkrop]

I agree BUT I do have a big problem with kids that go to school sick just to get perfect attendance.

There are also kids who get sent to school bc mom or dad dont want to bother to take off work either! Heaven forbid they should miss a day's work, or they send the kid and sit there at meetings with their cell in hand and say "yeah well I sent Johnny to school today, he had a fever so now I am just waiting to get the CALL" so dont go blaming peferct attendance awards!

My son got perfect attendance 2 years in a row and was working on #3 when we decided to Disney so he missed school. DS9 is rarely sick depsite his allergies during school but any holiday or inservice day or weekend, we are the first in line at the Dr's office for something.

I think it is ok to award kids for perfect attendance, it is preparing them for what lies ahead in the employment world.

DH's aunt was awarded perfect attendance when she retired from Bell Telephone bc she never had peferct attendance for like 40 years or some crazy number like that! Wow!

We have to acknowledge achievements this is how the real world works, if you acheive youget that promotion/raise etc. We are setting our kids up for dissappointment if we dont teach them that.

 

[Mkrop]

Why on earth did someone bring back a thread from February...I suspect the OP has dealt with the issue by now.

I didnt bring it back but sorry I responded, no caffeine yet didnt look at the dates.

 

[Mermaid02]

Op here! Wow- I couldn't believe this when I saw it. LOL

I did deal with this- I let it go. We had MUCH bigger fish to fry last year.... the whole year was a complete wash for my son. We are hoping for better things this year. I already requested a PET for the start of school- requested this in June... my son needs special Ed. services, which he was denied last year.

 

[Kitty 34]

Op here! Wow- I couldn't believe this when I saw it. LOL

I did deal with this- I let it go. We had MUCH bigger fish to fry last year.... the whole year was a complete wash for my son. We are hoping for better things this year. I already requested a PET for the start of school- requested this in June... my son needs special Ed. services, which he was denied last year.

Hope this year is a great one for your son!

 

[Galahad]

Don't see a problem in that, well done those kids

I agree. Particularly for the Honor Roll. It ought to actually mean something to achieve.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Op here! Wow- I couldn't believe this when I saw it. LOL

I did deal with this- I let it go. We had MUCH bigger fish to fry last year.... the whole year was a complete wash for my son. We are hoping for better things this year. I already requested a PET for the start of school- requested this in June... my son needs special Ed. services, which he was denied last year.

I hope he gets the services he needs. What a waste of an important year in a kid's life. I'm really sorry you all had to go through that.

 

[lg3]

Why on earth did someone bring back a thread from February...I suspect the OP has dealt with the issue by now.

I brought it back as it was relevant to what was going on currently in dd's class, and someone else on the thread brought up the rewarding with candy situation. I certainly didn't mean any disrespect and was trying to address that part of the issue.

 

[Merriwind]

Wow, you found a thread from February that interested you? Cool. How far back was it?

Giving out candy is against the new federal guidelines. Teachers shouldn't be giving any foods of minimal nutritional value. If your child's teacher does, ask her the official policy about foods of minimal nutritional value. If she gives you a blank stare, write it down and tell her to ask her principal and you'll talk to her about it tomorrow.

HOWEVER, that is only for public schools. Otherwise, ask what the center/school's policy is. You may have to deal with it, move your child, or speak with the director and change it for all kids (be prepared for them to refuse in which case go back to options one and two).

Asking for sugar free candy won't support your goal. It's not that that amount of sugar will cause a weight problem, it is the idea of sugar being a reward. Sugar free candy is still sweet. The children don't know the difference.

Can you send a citation for this new federal guideline? I have searched and searched and can only find the old guideline banning the sale of certain foods of minimal nutritional value in cafeterias that in the federal school lunch program during meal periods. The food included are: soda, water ices, gum and certain candies - hard candies, jellies, marshmallow, fondant, licorice, cotton candy and candy covered popcorn. (Basically the "pure" sugar candies.) This has been in effect for over 20 years--since 1985. Utah has just taken that rule a step further by banning the sale of nearly all junk food in their schools at all times. Again, my research found prohibitions only to sales--both at the federal and the state levels.

I am sorry to keep this thread alive, but if I missed this, I want to know. I have to say that I really hope that my research is correct. I cannot imagine where a total ban on foods of minimal nutritional value could lead--no cupcakes on birthdays?!