Failings Of A School System/Teacher?
”I feel just like I'm sinking
and I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go”
-Sarah McLachlan, Full Of Grace
So, I’m annoyed. Very annoyed. It’s my opinion, based on experience and understanding
of things that today’s school system simply sucks. Let me give you some examples why:
1.) My son’s first homework assignment. It was a 2 sided work sheet (meaning all of it typed/computer printed/mass produced company worksheet, nothing handwritten on it). On one side, was a long empty box with a single light grey “a” written in it for Bryan to write out/practice the lowercase “a”. Below was a circle of jumbled letters in which Bryan was to circle the “a”s in the group (the backside was the same thing, only capital “A”s).
Well, she must have passed them out and started explaining what to do on the sheet and didn’t start with, “do not do this now, just listen”. As she explained, Bryan began doing it, actually getting the entire 1 side done. The teacher felt it warranted to go to my son, ERASE all he did and not explain quite why he wasn’t supposed to have done it yet. He came home to me, explaining he was wrong and felt bad he was in the wrong, without really knowing why.
2.) This is actually related to #1. That same sheet I had him do when we got home and I thought he did a wonderful job. I should note that the letter “a” that was typed was the font that looks like a “c” with a | straight down. We’ve all seen this. So, being as this was the “a” shown, this is the “a” I had him do.
He comes home the next day, the homework again completely erased with her writing “practice and return”. Basically, they weren’t good enough for her. She even “demonstrated” what to do in dotted green “a”s that were a.) not consistent, and b.) looked more like the “a”s we do as a o and just come back straight down.
I had him do what was needed, but I wrote a note back (she enclosed a written note about the letters and another incident) that I saw nothing wrong with his work and if she wants him to practice her written format, then next time enclose a written example of what is wanted.
3.) There was an incident before this, but I’m skipping to this one. Read this letter emailed to me Thurs (which I’m just not even bothering to read as it’s my internet provider email addy, which isn’t my main).
“Hello Mr. Cichetti,
I wanted to let you know that I've enclosed clarification concerning Bryan in his folder today. Overall, he did a much better job today listening and following directions. He continues to need guidance in knowing when it's ok to talk and when he needs to listen. (So that we do not disturb others, we wait quietly in the hallway during bathroom break and we need to listen quietly when announcements are on at dismissal time.) Bryan was on red again today because he chose to talk during these times when he needs to listen
and/or wait quietly. Bryan knows what is right and wrong, he is a smart, capable boy, and I expect him to be responsible for his actions. I am just letting you know what happened today. Perhaps it may be helpful to sit with Bryan and discuss what the right thing to do is in these situations and ask him to tell you what he will do next time to fix it. Thank you for your support.”
Respectfully,
XXXXXX
I know I’m not the only one seeing something wrong with that. I already showed Slaixth and he saw something wrong on her end. And I’ve told Bryan about the other incidents and he agrees she’s got issues.
Part of me things she’s a moron. Part of me wants to try and understand where this is coming from. This is her first year teaching as young as kindergarten. She’s used to teaching slightly higher grades, so I think part of it is simply habit and lack of patience.
But please, I’d love to know what others think about it.
It’s just, to me, he’s FIVE years old. How “responsible” can he be? What does she expect a five year old to do? And you know, if I wanted to get religious about it, God himself doesn’t hold a being accountable/responsible until age 8. I have half a mind to point that out to her and said she’s nowhere on par with God; get over it. But I won’t…
*sigh*
These aren’t the only things, mind you. And my issues with the system aren’t just related to my son. I have 6 younger brothers and sister, all of whom have gone through some aspect of Talbot county school system (and my youngest half bro is in first grade, so I know a year in advance what to expect). And there’s a lot wrong with how they handle things.
I’m gonna end this now before I get more wound up than I am.
and I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go”
-Sarah McLachlan, Full Of Grace
So, I’m annoyed. Very annoyed. It’s my opinion, based on experience and understanding
of things that today’s school system simply sucks. Let me give you some examples why:
1.) My son’s first homework assignment. It was a 2 sided work sheet (meaning all of it typed/computer printed/mass produced company worksheet, nothing handwritten on it). On one side, was a long empty box with a single light grey “a” written in it for Bryan to write out/practice the lowercase “a”. Below was a circle of jumbled letters in which Bryan was to circle the “a”s in the group (the backside was the same thing, only capital “A”s).
Well, she must have passed them out and started explaining what to do on the sheet and didn’t start with, “do not do this now, just listen”. As she explained, Bryan began doing it, actually getting the entire 1 side done. The teacher felt it warranted to go to my son, ERASE all he did and not explain quite why he wasn’t supposed to have done it yet. He came home to me, explaining he was wrong and felt bad he was in the wrong, without really knowing why.
2.) This is actually related to #1. That same sheet I had him do when we got home and I thought he did a wonderful job. I should note that the letter “a” that was typed was the font that looks like a “c” with a | straight down. We’ve all seen this. So, being as this was the “a” shown, this is the “a” I had him do.
He comes home the next day, the homework again completely erased with her writing “practice and return”. Basically, they weren’t good enough for her. She even “demonstrated” what to do in dotted green “a”s that were a.) not consistent, and b.) looked more like the “a”s we do as a o and just come back straight down.
I had him do what was needed, but I wrote a note back (she enclosed a written note about the letters and another incident) that I saw nothing wrong with his work and if she wants him to practice her written format, then next time enclose a written example of what is wanted.
3.) There was an incident before this, but I’m skipping to this one. Read this letter emailed to me Thurs (which I’m just not even bothering to read as it’s my internet provider email addy, which isn’t my main).
“Hello Mr. Cichetti,
I wanted to let you know that I've enclosed clarification concerning Bryan in his folder today. Overall, he did a much better job today listening and following directions. He continues to need guidance in knowing when it's ok to talk and when he needs to listen. (So that we do not disturb others, we wait quietly in the hallway during bathroom break and we need to listen quietly when announcements are on at dismissal time.) Bryan was on red again today because he chose to talk during these times when he needs to listen
and/or wait quietly. Bryan knows what is right and wrong, he is a smart, capable boy, and I expect him to be responsible for his actions. I am just letting you know what happened today. Perhaps it may be helpful to sit with Bryan and discuss what the right thing to do is in these situations and ask him to tell you what he will do next time to fix it. Thank you for your support.”
Respectfully,
XXXXXX
I know I’m not the only one seeing something wrong with that. I already showed Slaixth and he saw something wrong on her end. And I’ve told Bryan about the other incidents and he agrees she’s got issues.
Part of me things she’s a moron. Part of me wants to try and understand where this is coming from. This is her first year teaching as young as kindergarten. She’s used to teaching slightly higher grades, so I think part of it is simply habit and lack of patience.
But please, I’d love to know what others think about it.
It’s just, to me, he’s FIVE years old. How “responsible” can he be? What does she expect a five year old to do? And you know, if I wanted to get religious about it, God himself doesn’t hold a being accountable/responsible until age 8. I have half a mind to point that out to her and said she’s nowhere on par with God; get over it. But I won’t…
*sigh*
These aren’t the only things, mind you. And my issues with the system aren’t just related to my son. I have 6 younger brothers and sister, all of whom have gone through some aspect of Talbot county school system (and my youngest half bro is in first grade, so I know a year in advance what to expect). And there’s a lot wrong with how they handle things.
I’m gonna end this now before I get more wound up than I am.