Comments on: I’ve Got The Elementary School Blues http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:21:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah Auerswald http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-266 Sarah Auerswald Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:38:27 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-266 I would love to get a list of those schools you know of that treat parents like customers, when you have a chance!! And I feel your pain about losing a good teacher just because she doesn't have the seniority -- it's not right. I would love to get a list of those schools you know of that treat parents like customers, when you have a chance!! And I feel your pain about losing a good teacher just because she doesn’t have the seniority — it’s not right.

]]> By: Angel http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Angel Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:45:17 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-265 Hey Sarah, I love your clear very well-stated response above. I do have to say though that many schools do consider parents and students "customers" who DESERVE the best education possible; unfortunately we are in a district that makes that so incredibly difficult. Not to mention a teachers union that fiercely protects teachers and there are definitely some that should not be protected. It angers me that I have a new teacher iat my school who is AWESOME but will probably lose her job due to budget cuts; yet, I also have a "veteran" teacher who is AWFUL who will get to keep her job. So incredibly frustrating to the parents and administration at the school site. What grade is your oldest going into next year? Hey Sarah, I love your clear very well-stated response above. I do have to say though that many schools do consider parents and students “customers” who DESERVE the best education possible; unfortunately we are in a district that makes that so incredibly difficult. Not to mention a teachers union that fiercely protects teachers and there are definitely some that should not be protected. It angers me that I have a new teacher iat my school who is AWESOME but will probably lose her job due to budget cuts; yet, I also have a “veteran” teacher who is AWFUL who will get to keep her job. So incredibly frustrating to the parents and administration at the school site. What grade is your oldest going into next year?

]]> By: Sarah Auerswald http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Sarah Auerswald Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:48:54 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-263 Justine, first of all, public schools are for everyone. Second of all, some of us "minority parents" (your definition) have spent all of our free time and energy (and money) while we've had our children in public school working for the good of all children in the school. Did it ever occur to you that changes made by a few active parents, no matter their ethnic makeup, might improve things for all the students in the school? That's the way it is at my kids' school. The funds we raised for our computer lab, for example, insure that all kids get a chance to use computers, not just the white kids. Same with field trips, library acquisitions, and keeping a nurse at our school for more days than the district pays for. Did it also occur to you that maybe I'm not upset about a teacher who isn't treating my child like a pampered genius but rather about a teacher who belittles all the children -- or a teacher who doesn't try hard enough because they feel their students aren't worth it? Please don't make assumptions about me or my motives based on a few blog posts. Justine, first of all, public schools are for everyone. Second of all, some of us “minority parents” (your definition) have spent all of our free time and energy (and money) while we’ve had our children in public school working for the good of all children in the school.

Did it ever occur to you that changes made by a few active parents, no matter their ethnic makeup, might improve things for all the students in the school? That’s the way it is at my kids’ school. The funds we raised for our computer lab, for example, insure that all kids get a chance to use computers, not just the white kids. Same with field trips, library acquisitions, and keeping a nurse at our school for more days than the district pays for.

Did it also occur to you that maybe I’m not upset about a teacher who isn’t treating my child like a pampered genius but rather about a teacher who belittles all the children — or a teacher who doesn’t try hard enough because they feel their students aren’t worth it? Please don’t make assumptions about me or my motives based on a few blog posts.

]]> By: justine http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-261 justine Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:59:53 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-261 In light of forced budget cuts by LAUSD, certain truths need to be admitted. LAUSD is comprised of largely low-income, non-English speaking students - some with parents that just want a babysitter, others that want their children to be more educated and succesful than they are. Regardless, they are why LAUSD exists and their needs should be met. UNFORTUNATELY, the minority comprised of well-educated parents (because they have more time & money & resources & education and attitude) feel that they can bully their neighborhood schools to meet only their needs, and ignore the needs of the masses. Which group (the struggling majority or the knowledgable minority) knows how to play the Magnet School game, knows how to understand the options available to their children, knows how to demand IEPs for special services, dares to complain about teachers that don't treat their child like a pampered genuis? Maybe it's time to start looking elsewhere - or maybe accept the benefits of a public school and work towards making it better for ALL! In light of forced budget cuts by LAUSD, certain truths need to be admitted. LAUSD is comprised of largely low-income, non-English speaking students – some with parents that just want a babysitter, others that want their children to be more educated and succesful than they are. Regardless, they are why LAUSD exists and their needs should be met. UNFORTUNATELY, the minority comprised of well-educated parents (because they have more time & money & resources & education and attitude) feel that they can bully their neighborhood schools to meet only their needs, and ignore the needs of the masses. Which group (the struggling majority or the knowledgable minority) knows how to play the Magnet School game, knows how to understand the options available to their children, knows how to demand IEPs for special services, dares to complain about teachers that don’t treat their child like a pampered genuis? Maybe it’s time to start looking elsewhere – or maybe accept the benefits of a public school and work towards making it better for ALL!

]]> By: Beatrice http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Beatrice Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:33:27 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-249 I worked for LAUSD as a special education teacher for four years, and honestly, the teachers are just as frustrated as the parents! While there are plenty of parents like you out there, there are an overwhelming number of parents who abdicate responsibility for raising their children to the school system. On top of that, have you ever had a look at the Open Court curriculum that they use for EVERY elementary classroom in the entire district? It's incredibly boring, difficult to manage, unengaging, and results in kids totally uninterested in learning. Don't blame (all) the teachers! I worked with an incredible group of teachers--with one or two exceptions--but would never have wanted my own children to attend the school. Not because of the teachers, but because of the students at the school. .-= Beatrice´s last blog ..<a href="http://mykingdomforabook.blogspot.com/2009/12/when-being-reader-being-writer-collide.html" rel="nofollow">When Being a Reader & Being a Writer Collide</a> =-. I worked for LAUSD as a special education teacher for four years, and honestly, the teachers are just as frustrated as the parents! While there are plenty of parents like you out there, there are an overwhelming number of parents who abdicate responsibility for raising their children to the school system. On top of that, have you ever had a look at the Open Court curriculum that they use for EVERY elementary classroom in the entire district? It’s incredibly boring, difficult to manage, unengaging, and results in kids totally uninterested in learning. Don’t blame (all) the teachers! I worked with an incredible group of teachers–with one or two exceptions–but would never have wanted my own children to attend the school. Not because of the teachers, but because of the students at the school.
.-= Beatrice´s last blog ..When Being a Reader & Being a Writer Collide =-.

]]> By: April http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-241 April Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:11:48 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-241 Good luck on your search! You know I agree with you 100%. .-= April´s last blog ..<a href="http://formerlyaprildawn.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-already-fragments.html" rel="nofollow">Friday (already!) Fragments</a> =-. Good luck on your search! You know I agree with you 100%.
.-= April´s last blog ..Friday (already!) Fragments =-.

]]> By: Sarah Auerswald http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-240 Sarah Auerswald Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:57:43 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-240 That's depressing! That’s depressing!

]]> By: justine http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-239 justine Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:51:03 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-239 It's only going to get worse ;( It’s only going to get worse ;(

]]> By: Jessica Gottlieb http://sarahauerswald.com/2009/12/04/ive-got-the-elementary-school-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-234 Jessica Gottlieb Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:45:11 +0000 http://sarahauerswald.com/?p=558#comment-234 Not using our neighborhood school is really sad for me. It's a horrible decision to feel like you have to make. Not using our neighborhood school is really sad for me. It’s a horrible decision to feel like you have to make.

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