Thinking good thoughts for school start up

E

Ed Delabama

Active member
Good morning to all-

So both of our older kids- both teachers in public schools- are either getting ready to start their classes this year or already back in the saddle. It's a hard time, the start of school- new kids, new rooms, new routines- it's hard on everyone. But, it's very, very important, these long, hard school days.

For many kids, public school is their only hope of a better life. Learning skills, learning new things, learning to get along with a wide range of people- these are all things that are learned in public schools. I will go to my grave knowing that the public schools of the US have done more good for more people than any other public institution in history- I know this. I did this job for almost forty years, and I know just how hard it can be. I also know how rewarding it can be.

It's easy to criticize the public schools- it's a big, slow target, and those politicians in high places who have never spent any time in public school classrooms often think they know more about what should and should not happen in the public schools than those who are actually there doing the job. People who have no stake in the public schools often feel they should not have to support the public schools.

I am not bold enough to claim that the public school system in our country is perfect- I know too much about this topic to claim perfection for it. But I will claim that the public schools do a much better job of recognizing individual student needs, abilities, and potential than any other system. In the public schools an individual student's special needs and special abilities are more likely to be discovered and addressed than in any other educational system.

So, while I am glad that my days of getting ready for the next school year are long since past, I am also very, very grateful and proud of my kids and all of the other public school teachers who are doing the hard work to improve the lives of their students. Best of luck to them all.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
Both my granddaughter and her husband are teachers. She's a 5th-grade science teacher (but she has taught junior high and high school plus special education in the past) and he's a high school math teacher and a football coach.

They are thoroughly enjoying their (short) summer off but are preparing for the school start on August 10th.

I think it's ridiculous to start school that early. Back in the day, school got out after Memorial Day and started the day after Labor Day. As it should....
 
Good morning to all-

As far as school schedules go, I think a year-round schedule- with breaks between terms- would be a good idea to consider.

A lot of places, a year-round run would help keep kids safe, well fed, and out of super-hot temperatures. These schedules would have a good holiday break, then a spring break and then a fall break. The days out would be the same- just not all in one extended run. This sort of schedule works well for families where both parents work.

There's no school schedule that is going to be perfect for all- not possible.

But I am glad I don't have to think about school starting any more.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
Teaching used to be one of the most respected occupations. Now it's one of the most difficult occupations. I know quite a few teachers personally and most of them are looking forward to their last day in the classroom.


"would help keep kids safe, well fed, and out of super-hot temperatures." Is it the taxpayer's responsibility to do all that? Shouldn't the parents be responsible for providing it?
 
If memory does not fail me:
Christmas two weeks
Whitsen one week
Summer five weeks
Easter one week

F in a mayor class back to the same grade. You could actually flunk for religious Ed or short hand.
 
With the possible exception those AG families who need the kids working the farm during summer months, I see no need in having such a long school-out vacation for the kids.

For one, whether the school is public, private or charter, with such a long span, teachers have to spend much of the first quarter rehashing old material.

Second, some teachers I have known in the past have had to pick up summer jobs to supplement their income. Granted, ya do what ya gotta do but throwing hash during the graveyard shift at a Waffle House isn’t called prepping for the upcoming school year.
 
Taking summer vacation away from children and presenting them as a gift to the public schools would be a grave error, in my opinion. They already have nine months out of every year to indoctrinate the children, so giving the kids to them full-time would greatly exacerbate what is already a terrible problem. In most areas, there are summer educational programs for parents who feel they need a year-round babysitter, and who aren't concerned about the outcomes, but taking kids out of summer camps, sports programs, and other summer activities to give the public school system another three months of indoctrination time would be awful.

Raising a child, even as a single parent, I valued summer vacation as a time to take my son camping, on trips to other parts of the country, or just to spend time hanging around with him; plus, he enjoyed a week of summer camp, learning to make friends of kids he didn't see every day of school the rest of the year.

I do think that teachers should come in for at least a portion of summer vacation to complete required workshops rather than closing the schools for a day every few weeks for teacher workshops,
 
Last edited:
Good morning to all-

Please explain just how "taking summer vacation away from children" is a "gift to to the public schools?"

And the only "indoctrination" I ever did in my years of teaching in the public schools was to insist on decent and respectful behavior towards others and the development of good work habits.

I'm sorry if that effort was "indoctrination" in your opinion.

And for your information, most public school teachers already do "come in for at least a portion of their summer vacation to complete required workshops".

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
It has been 20 years since any of my children were in public schools, and LOTS of things have changed dramatically in that time. I know several teachers/administrators who absolutely could not wait to retire due to the school district changes and the absolute breakdown of children's' behavior, coupled with disinterested parents.

While my granddaughter was here last week I took several opportunities to ask her some questions about school and I feel that she is getting a sufficient education, but she lives in a small town in Texas and her parents are very involved.
 
Ed Delabama said:
And the only "indoctrination" I ever did in my years of teaching in the public schools was to insist on decent and respectful behavior towards others and the development of good work habits.
Click to expand...
Given that you are incapable of putting politics behind you even when you are trying to, I can't imagine that your politics weren't a large part of what you "taught" children who were your captives during the school year, perhaps disguising it as "decent and respectful behavior."
 
Bobby Cole said:
With the possible exception those AG families who need the kids working the farm during summer months, I see no need in having such a long school-out vacation for the kids.

For one, whether the school is public, private or charter, with such a long span, teachers have to spend much of the first quarter rehashing old material.

Second, some teachers I have known in the past have had to pick up summer jobs to supplement their income. Granted, ya do what ya gotta do but throwing hash during the graveyard shift at a Waffle House isn’t called prepping for the upcoming school year.
Click to expand...
That is why the school schedule was moved from Memorial Day end to sometime in early May here. It was so the teachers could get a leg up on the summer jobs. I have one good experience with public schools and our children, but it has mostly been very bad. That is why we homeschooled for 25 years. I have a few tales, but this thread is not the place to tell them.
 
Ken Anderson said:
Given that you are incapable of putting politics behind you even when you are trying to, I can't imagine that your politics weren't a large part of what you "taught" children who were your captives during the school year, perhaps disguising it as "decent and respectful behavior."
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing @Ken Anderson. I suspect his teaching was much like his posting but to a much more naive audience.
 
Ken Anderson said:
Given that you are incapable of putting politics behind you even when you are trying to, I can't imagine that your politics weren't a large part of what you "taught" children who were your captives during the school year, perhaps disguising it as "decent and respectful behavior."
Click to expand...

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Alaska- I truly wish I could sit down and speak with you in person. I do believe you'd find that I am a positive, encouraging, and dedicated person who worked very hard for almost forty years in all kinds of educational situations to help my students improve their skills and their abilities.

And "politics" were never a part of my classes. Good, decent behavior and effort was.

And I assure you that my students were never "captives" in my classes. In fact, more often than not I had students who wished more time with me than those who wished to "escape."

And please let me disillusion you- I put "politics" behind me constantly. I do not put misinformation and distortion behind- no matter where it comes from. I address distortion- lies, falsehood- and present the actual facts accurately.

I believe that we have much more in common than we have differences- but the differences are there.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
Don Alaska said:
That is why the school schedule was moved from Memorial Day end to sometime in early May here. It was so the teachers could get a leg up on the summer jobs. I have one good experience with public schools and our children, but it has mostly been very bad. That is why we homeschooled for 25 years. I have a few tales, but this thread is not the place to tell them.
Click to expand...
Home schooled kids have continually ranked extremely high on the SAT’s.
 
Good morning to all-

Home schooling for some kids is the best placement. I have never and never will claim that public schools work for all kids.

I will claim that for the great majority of kids, public school is the best place for them to learn, grow and prosper.

I rejoice with all kids who score high on SAT and other college placement exams- no matter where the kid attends.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed
 
Homeschooling works under some circumstances. Parents know and understand what they are teaching, have the time, have the focus. What about social skills, building networks and experiencing things that do not exist at home?
 
Mary Robi said:
Both my granddaughter and her husband are teachers. She's a 5th-grade science teacher (but she has taught junior high and high school plus special education in the past) and he's a high school math teacher and a football coach.

They are thoroughly enjoying their (short) summer off but are preparing for the school start on August 10th.

I think it's ridiculous to start school that early. Back in the day, school got out after Memorial Day and started the day after Labor Day. As it should....
Click to expand...
But schools weren't babysitters/daycare back then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top