It always amazes me that I somehow managed to attend and graduate from high school in relatively smooth process, now that I see it from the other side. How were master schedules planned without computers? And why did it seem to work so much better? Why is it that we're told ever year about declining student population and still end up with classes of 38 without loosing any teachers or sections?
I'm a tad bitter at the moment. One of my AP classes was taken away and switched for an Sophomore class. Why? Oh, because I said last spring that anyone who hadn't completed the summer reading would be removed from class. This was before discovering that there would be no classes for those passive-agressive slackers to move into. Of course, in an effort to ensure they "couldn't" take the course, they just didn't bother to read over the summer. You want to see a freaked out teenager? Tell a 4.0 student that there's now, no way for them to achieve an A in their English class because of a scheduling glitch. Because, that 4.0 student isn't really a good student - they're a good player in the game of school. They could have just as easily dropped my class and gone to the community college... although, they may have erroroniously assumed that the community college took actual work as well. But we'll leave that for another day.
On the positive side, I will no longer recieve nasty notes from parents about the situation (because I personally want to ruin every student's life) and I'm hoping for no shouting matches at the open house... at least from these parents.
Apparently, I have already upset a parent in another class for demanding that the students attend the second day of school with all the required supplies. Although I didn't say that.... what kind of parent assumes their child won't need a binder, paper and pen for school when it opens? It's not like I requested a specific brand name or specified the most expense one available. If you as a parent are waiting until the day after school starts to start purchasing the basics, then I understand why you're living paycheck to paycheck. And this is why I believe that students need to be taught about real-life budgeting and real-life finances. School supplies shouldn't be a "make-it-or-break-it" type of thing. *Especially when there so many other options.
*edited to say, "yes, I am a bitch."
I'm a tad bitter at the moment. One of my AP classes was taken away and switched for an Sophomore class. Why? Oh, because I said last spring that anyone who hadn't completed the summer reading would be removed from class. This was before discovering that there would be no classes for those passive-agressive slackers to move into. Of course, in an effort to ensure they "couldn't" take the course, they just didn't bother to read over the summer. You want to see a freaked out teenager? Tell a 4.0 student that there's now, no way for them to achieve an A in their English class because of a scheduling glitch. Because, that 4.0 student isn't really a good student - they're a good player in the game of school. They could have just as easily dropped my class and gone to the community college... although, they may have erroroniously assumed that the community college took actual work as well. But we'll leave that for another day.
On the positive side, I will no longer recieve nasty notes from parents about the situation (because I personally want to ruin every student's life) and I'm hoping for no shouting matches at the open house... at least from these parents.
Apparently, I have already upset a parent in another class for demanding that the students attend the second day of school with all the required supplies. Although I didn't say that.... what kind of parent assumes their child won't need a binder, paper and pen for school when it opens? It's not like I requested a specific brand name or specified the most expense one available. If you as a parent are waiting until the day after school starts to start purchasing the basics, then I understand why you're living paycheck to paycheck. And this is why I believe that students need to be taught about real-life budgeting and real-life finances. School supplies shouldn't be a "make-it-or-break-it" type of thing. *Especially when there so many other options.
*edited to say, "yes, I am a bitch."
Comments
And as a result, I'm sure, as much as they want to prepare their kids for success, school supplies might slip lower on the list.
Should they? No. But, for some, that's just a fact of life.
One that we, as teachers, should be sensitive to - and do what we can to help.
Does your school district offer any type of back-to-school program for underprivileged children?
If not, it's highly worth looking in to. I've seen schools where it is done - and everyone from parents to students to teachers are incredibly appreciative.
Regardless, here's to hoping your school year ends up being a good one!
BTW, how is the house coming? Do you feel all settled in?