Homeschool World Forum

Theodore · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject: Schools of the ridiculous:

I often read news stories about schools with ridiculous policies, so why not start a thread for them? Here's one to start with:

Play hookey half the school year (and get 80% on the other half), but still pass! (Edit: Story no longer displayed)
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momo3boys · User Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 574 Location: Western Mass

I was just talking to a parent that had her son's first three quarters of F's wiped out and told that if he passed that last quarter that he would pass the year!
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MeganWiles · User Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 22 Location: California

That is just sad! Crying or Very sad

On the other hand, one wonders who these parents are who are okay with their kids skipping half of the school year and passing with a "D".
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Theodore

Academics KO Grammar Again
Gotta watch out for that chauvinistic, hegemonic grammar! But I guess we should expect this point of view from a system that promotes "whole language" instead of phonics.
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The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

bobbinsx5 · User Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 60

I picked up a supply list for middle school in the public school here just to see what was on it. I was amuzed at a lot of it, it just sounded silly. But I got a kick out of the "communication arts" title for the language arts class.

Theodore · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

Protect children's self-esteeem in sports by not keeping score! (Edit: Story no longer displayed)
Of course, with no competition or standards, kids have no motivation to work hard, so the best possible outcome is that they feel good about being totally untrained. Then they hit the business world and lose that carefully-protected self-esteem in about 30 seconds.

When everyone is a winner, nobody wins.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

AnnetteR · User Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 39 Location: Minnesota

One of my biggest beefs with the public school system is the outrageous list of supplies they request every year. I've always wondered why they feel a kindergartener or first grader needs pencils, color pencils, fat markers, skinny markers, dry erase markers, crayons, etc.

According to a pamphlet I downloaded from one of the local schools these items are needed to develop writing skills. I think it's an abuse. Now that parents bear the burden of buying all the school supplies (including paper plates, cups, napkins, and utensils) they think there is no limit to what they can claim as necessary.

How long will it before students are required to bring cellphones, personal organizers, and laptops to further develop their writing skills?

JenniferSylvie · User Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 10

What got me about the school supply list "required" at our public schools, was the demand in BOLD CAPITOL letters to NOT put your childs name on any of the supplies!?!?!? Why not??? If I was sending my child to public school and had to buy these supplies I'd want to make sure my child used them. I have no problem donating school supplies to those in need, but I expect my child would have the use of the supplies I bought for them, without having to dispute ownership.
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Jennifer

BigBoned · User Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Earth

I mean really, what makes me irratated is that schools, which are suppose to be preparring my child for the future, are giving me completely ridiculous lists. So when I buy the items, and it's the end of the school year, my child comes home with all of her supplies and some of the items have only been used once or twice! (For example, the dry erase markers and eraser for them was only used once, if at all!) That just really makes me peeved. Mad

Oh, great, check out these guy's stories
http://roughdraft.typepad.com/dotmoms/about_school/index.html
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Theodore · Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject:

Looks like the Detroit school system is going down the tubes:

- Closures drive away 1,500 pupils (Edit: Story no longer displayed)
- Detroit Public Schools attendance records show 25,000 fewer students than expected
- Audit: DPS lost 11,600 kids in '05 (Edit: Story no longer displayed)

This is undoubtedly a plus for homeschooling, but I wouldn't wish the situation on anyone. What a mess.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

Theodore

Attleboro School Bans Tag, Other Recess Games
You can't win. Either you're getting knifed and shot, or you're locked in a padded room so you won't hurt yourself. Schools really need to find a proper balance between the two extremes. In this case, I largely blame lawyers and our ridiculous legal system, which allow anyone to sue for any reason, at no risk to themselves, but it doesn't really matter who's to blame - the problem is there.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

dkatiemom · User Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Little Elm, TX

Yes, the school supply lists sometimes seem padded to me, too.

I have also been bothered by:

Letters sent home in my child's folder saying, "We have run out of paper towels, please send more."

or:

"We need more lined paper."

"We need more dixie cups."

"More construction paper, please."

I am waiting for the day when I see, "We are out of coffee filters."

or:

"Please send (insert brand name and flavor) liquid creamer."

"Please send $5.00 for the teacher's bonus fund."

I mean, really. Some of those things, like paper towels...Shouldn't they be provided or replaced by the school? It seems a bit like, whenever possible, normal operating expenses are being passed down to the parents.

Another awful imposition is that we are sent letters at the beginning of the year stating that we have to send in "X" amount of dollars for the PTA holiday parties. Instead of my being able to make an awesome batch of sprinkled cupcakes, or even send streamers, etc., I am now REQUIRED to send checks to the PTA for the specified amount or *MY* child will be singled out and have to sit at his desk while the rest of the class has a great time having a (insert holiday here) party. Seeing that I have 3 children, it is blackmail times three, and it really takes a bite out of our thin bank account.

Also, we get another letter telling us how much money to send in order for the school to put together luxury gift baskets for each teacher during teacher appreciation week. I can't remember if it was $10.00 or $15.00 per student. Multiply this times 20, and you see where I'm going with this...Spa day coupons, restaurant gift certificates, gourmet chocolates, etc. They ALSO send a sheet home which has categories like favorite food, favorite clothing store, dream item, etc. The teacher FILLS IT OUT and it is sent home in preparation for teacher appreciation week, where each day of that week your child is expected to bring an item for their teacher off of that sheet.

It gets worse. My autistic son has 1 teacher, 2 aides, 1 speech therapist, and 1 physical therapist. Guess how many sheets got sent home?

My 7 year-old has 1 teacher, 1 resource room teacher, and 1 speech therapist.

Each one had their hand out, and it begins to get obvious that you aren't bringing something when, say, the resource room teacher only has a limited number of students she works with (obviously, the parents put to/from labels on each gift to make sure the teacher knows their child complied).

GEEZ! Whatever happened to a shiny apple or a sweet single flower? Isn't it the thought that counts? Shouldn't THAT be the lesson for our children?

The painful lesson, instead, was for me to realize that if I didn't comply (and with gusto!), the one it would affect would be my child. Who wants their child to be "that one", the one who *gasp* didn't bring the gifts, who must not care, who has bad manners and neglectful parents who don't "play by the rules".

As a parent, you begin to realize pretty quickly that your lack of compliance will directly affect not only how your teacher favors your child, but how they will feel being left out of the loop.

Theodore · Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

Florida: School Dance Turns Teen Away
What makes this news is that the teen was homeschooled. He was invited by a student at the school, she paid for their tickets, and the school had no rule against bringing non-students as dates. The school claims they thought he was a security risk, but his dad had brought proof that he wasn't in the form of letters from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, the Crystal River Police Department, and the Withlacoochee Technical Institute.

Either they're totally nuts or they just don't like homeschoolers.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

BusyBee · User Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

This is my first post here, but I got very excited when I found this website! Smile

I just started homeschooling my autistic son this month and boy is HE glad for it! I too, could not believe how ridiculously LONG the "supply list" is. Then for my son, I had to send in extra toileting things every single day..it just got SO crazy. I also have 2 other kids that are still in public school. Come September I think I'll be having all 3 home for school. I too, am FED UP with the public school's system. Rolling Eyes

FLMom · User Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 19

As I've stated elsewhere, my son is still in PS.

I just yesterday filled his teacher's supply list order of "Package of white child sized socks". Yep...socks.

Since I know they aren't planning to use them for a craft type thing (comes home in a different type letter), I can only assume someone in class is lacking socks and the parent can't/won't supply the necessary item for their child. Sorry, but I'm going to clothe the nekked and cold kids, so I bought them.

Past purchases I've made over the years for a PS...

Dry erase markers
Tape
T-shirts
Skittles - oh ya...this went with a letter.
Two cases of bottled water
Poster Board
Construction Paper
Copy paper
Magazine subscriptions
Books

I think it's nuts that the school does not have the funds to provide the teacher's/student's needs. However, I am in a position where I can contribute and would much rather them NOT do without.