Posts by Jacob Lopez2

Jack Gray6 said:Our preschool psychologist suggested we delay enrollment. He mentioned he’s willing to draft a formal recommendation if we decide to go that route. I'm just a bit lost on the logistics here. Does anyone know who actually needs to see that paperwork? Should I hand it to the school doctor or the educational specialist during the testing phase? We have the school evaluations scheduled for April, followed by the pediatrician appointment in May.

It doesn't matter who you give it to because they all coordinate their findings and reach a consensus anyway. It's best to hold onto it until the end so it doesn't bias their initial assessment.

Look, the recent exam results are living proof that parents are only enrolling their kids in religion classes just to chase an A, rather than out of any actual faith.
I’m seriously starting to worry that every kid out there is just coasting through theology class solely to pad their GPA.

So what exactly is the issue here? You are doing things the right way, but that certainly doesn't mean the rest of the American education system is functioning correctly. Why on earth do you feel personally attacked when people critique the system? True progress requires self-reflection if we ever want to see actual improvement. While things might be better than they used to be, don't for one second assume we have reached some kind of peak performance.
We need constructive dialogue instead of this immediate, knee-jerk defensiveness.

urbantinker8 said:urbantinker8: I was thinking about that point made by Quincy, and I suppose there’s some merit to it, though it feels like we might be oversimplifying things just a little bit, if that makes sense. It’s funny how these discussions tend to drift toward the obvious, but then you realize the nuances are actually where all the messy parts live. I guess I’m just wondering if we aren't overlooking the broader context of how these systems interact with everyday life here in the States. Maybe it isn't as black and white as it seems at first glance, and perhaps we should probably sit with the uncertainty for a moment before jumping to any final conclusions. It’s a lot to process, I suppose.

So, there’s this rumor going around that the professor is actually the one to blame for the failing grades. I guess it’s just one of those things people are whispering about, though I'm not entirely sure how much truth is behind it. Maybe he is, or maybe it's just the usual talk.
Well, I guess even Salih is saying the same thing now, and since you actually signed off on it, you might as well own it.🤷

Even if your experience was a bit different from mine, I suppose you have to wonder whether the professors were actually the ones at fault for those sporadic failing grades. Maybe they weren't intentionally being difficult, but I guess there's always that possibility that the instruction just wasn't hitting the mark for everyone.
I’m not exactly saying their parents are the ones to blame here, though I suppose there's always that element to consider, but I do feel like any average kid should probably realize that sometimes you just have to put in the work and grind it out to get the grade you're aiming for. It shouldn't really matter if the professor is one of those captivating lecturers or just someone incredibly dry, or if the subject itself feels like a breeze or an absolute uphill battle; you just kind of have to sit there, stay focused, and earn that GPA.
I guess you could say the curriculum is pretty much tailored to hit that middle ground, though I suppose whether that’s actually a good thing or not is a bit of a toss-up. It seems designed to cater to the average student, maybe even a little too closely, if you ask me.

That is simply untrue. Nowhere in the meeting was it explicitly stated that the teacher is to blame for failing grades; rather, it was noted that their role is to teach the specific material, which is not the responsibility of the parents, as they likely lack the specialized knowledge required. You have all latched onto something that has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion and are speaking in extremes about "problem students." In this story, the child is not the problem. Furthermore, if you truly believe that teaching isn't your job, then you have completely misunderstood the profession. No one discussed the range of grades, but if a student is failing everything, that is a deeper issue to be resolved on multiple levels—it isn't solved by a single teacher, nor is it likely solved solely by parents. One ought to know that.
But of course, it is easiest to just label a child lazy or uninterested without ever digging into the root of the problem.

And please, start reading posts with actual comprehension instead of commenting on a single word that doesn't represent the whole context.

I don't work in education, but I do work at a corporation where I train new employees. Some grasp things instantly, while others require a different approach. Sometimes I start explaining as if the person already knows certain fundamentals, but then I have to backtrack. I always revise my methods based on my experience with each individual. Unless there is an underlying issue with an employee, I view their lack of knowledge as a personal failure on my part and attempt to fix it by adjusting my training. If a person is generally "problematic," then HR, the Director, and management get involved... (not the parents 😉), and in the end, we are all evaluated and validated—subordinates, superiors, and colleagues alike.

I don't have amnesia. In both my elementary and middle school years, these issues were rare exceptions, and the only student I ever saw struggling significantly with learning was someone who required a specialized individual education plan.

Allow me to state that my own experience has been quite different.

And who exactly was talking about a teacher's failure? If a parent hasn't even mastered basic geography themselves, why on earth should they be expected to teach their child anything at all? That is precisely the point.

urbantinker8 said:I mean, obviously everyone who finished school has some level of experience; it would be pretty weird if they didn't.
but it seems like a lot of people have developed a bit of selective amnesia along with that experience.

thank goodness that every single student is perpetually attentive during class, shows up religiously, always finishes their homework, and possesses endless talent for every subject, so any given "failure" like an F or a D is exclusively and solely the fault of the teachers:clap:

good grief, what a silly little joke this is, this supposed "anecdote" or whatever you want to call it.😵🤦

In this story, the boy is quiet, obedient, and well-behaved, so his failing grades have nothing to do with his conduct.
And if certain students are constantly disruptive, then yes, I believe that does involve the teacher, provided the child doesn't have some other underlying diagnosis—in which case specialists and parents need to step in (school psychologists and counselors aren't just there to check boxes, after all). I remember quite clearly that even the "troublemakers" could manage a passing grade if they had a teacher who knew how to present the material in an engaging and understandable way. Failing grades are extreme outliers, especially in elementary school.

urbantinker8 said:...since everyone is supposedly able (and actually required) to pull a five out of five on every subject, provided the professors are "good" enough, right?

Just a bunch of nonsense, I guess.🤦

There isn't a single mention of anyone getting an A; all you hear about are the Fs and Ds, which represent total ignorance—an ignorance largely driven by incompetent instructors, because you could pass with a D just by sitting in class and listening. Those of us who actually went through the American school system know exactly how this works, so...

Susan James said:Just wanted to bump this thread a little bit:



🙂

I agree with Sarah
😉

Sarah Hall53 said:

I don't really know where to start with this one—it’s kind of a mess in my head—but I just felt like I had to get it out there. It’s funny how some things just hit you out of nowhere, right? Like, you’re just going about your day, maybe grabbing a coffee at Starbucks or something, and suddenly you're thinking about these deep, complicated stuff that you probably shouldn't be worrying about at 10:00 AM. Anyway... it's all just a bit much sometimes. Just a bit much. kaže:
I guess I should probably start by saying... well, I don't really know where to begin, honestly—it’s one of those things that feels a bit overwhelming when you actually sit down to type it out—but I figured I’d just jump in and try to share what's on my mind. It’s kind of funny, actually, how these things work—how you just sort of find yourself staring at a blinking cursor for ten minutes before realizing you have something to say—anyway, here goes nothing. I mean, honestly... isn't this just a massive overreaction? It feels like everyone is just totally blowing things way out of proportion—it’s actually kind of wild if you think about it.
I mean, honestly—stuff like that probably only happens during the Dark Ages... or maybe just when everyone’s gone back to believing in alchemy and magic instead of actual science.🙄 That’s exactly why it matters so much—you really need to know the specifics. Like, how many kids from class A, B, or C are actually heading off to religion class at any given moment? And you have to account for where everyone is—like if the librarian is tied up, or what the teacher is actually working on right then. It gets so messy. Plus, there's the whole issue of why certain kids aren't getting extra help or tutoring sessions—or why some *are* getting them at that exact time, which honestly feels like it’s just picking favorites and leaving the rest of the class in the dust. It’s all about those little details that make everything feel unfair.🤦
Hey, everyone—just take a breath and relax for a second. Seriously.☕

I mean, honestly—aside from when they’re off at religious studies or whatever—there aren't many times where you see little kids just wandering the hallways for forty-five minutes straight without a single adult keeping an eye on them. It’s one of those things that really sticks in my mind... just sitting there in the hall, totally unsupervised.

It is absolutely disgraceful how these schools operate. In my own neighborhood, I have never once heard of children just being left to loiter in the hallways like that.

urbantinker8 said:to me>, this whole thing feels like a massive exaggeration.
I mean, it seems like stuff like this would only really happen during religious studies class🙄 so it becomes incredibly important to track exactly how many kids from group A, B, or C are attending, which teacher happens to be working in the library at that exact moment, and why there isn't a makeup session—or why there *is* a makeup session at that specific time, which might end up discriminating against the rest of the class, and so on and so forth.🤦
just relax, everyone.☕

I couldn't agree more with you. 🙂 My sister is constantly obsessing over every single possible scenario before anything even happens. Honestly, listening to her spiral like that is enough to give anyone a massive headache.

Frankly, I don't see why we should care what a kid is doing when they aren't in religious studies; what does that have to do with attending the class in the first place? If a bully corners my child in the hallway and I find out there's an issue, of course we’re going to step in and take action, but that certainly doesn't mean my child should be forced into religious education because of it. The logic behind linking those two things is completely nonsensical to me.

driftinggull83 said:😠 I already know his two little friends are planning on taking religion class. At what stage of the school enrollment process do we actually decide on that subject? And how am I supposed to find out how many kids are signing up or opting out? My husband is dead set on our child skipping it, and I’m the parent you guys were just talking about (so please, don't start with me)
good grief 🕺

Well, if you're going to cause trouble, you should probably just side with your husband instead of some random mom from down the street.

The school principal was just on the news, and she’s out here claiming that because the students are signing a petition to get their teacher back, he can return to his position as long as he isn't convicted in court.😵👎 As if that somehow excuses or nullifies what he actually said.

Larry Walker24 said:As far as I know, using your phone during class is a total violation of the rules.

So what? If some kid needs to face certain disciplinary actions, let them, but this kind of constant nitpicking is a much bigger problem.

Why on earth would anyone make things up? It all comes down to what you actually want to accomplish. Personally, I managed to get everything done that I set out to do that day—especially in the mornings when it’s just me and the baby; there are zero distractions and you simply sync up with the child's rhythm. Everything went perfectly according to plan. It was the exact same principle with both my first and second child.

I would set my tasks for every single morning, and I cooked every day, though if I had errands to run in town or a meeting scheduled and we didn't get back until later, I'd just make lunch something simpler.

The key is setting realistic goals for yourself.
In the evenings, I could whip up desserts without any trouble at all. For the first few months, people were constantly dropping by, so I ended up making them twice a week. If I hadn't wanted to, I wouldn't have done it.

It's as if some people actually manage to get everything done even when they don't have kids.

And as for not having enough time to shower or wash your hair...
either I'd do it in the evening while the kids were with their dad, or during the morning while the kids were still sleeping—or I'd just pop him in the playpen and talk to him while I showered.

And both of them got plenty of haircuts.

mistymoose48 said:Hey, I’m stuck. My 7-year-old is supposed to start school soon, but they’re telling us he should repeat preschool because his drawings are "underdeveloped." They also claim he’s too playful—basically, too childish. We went back for more testing, and this time his drawing was great, but they’re still pushing for him to wait a year. I talked to some other moms from the same elementary school and compared the test assignments; honestly, there isn't much difference between them. Some kids knew numbers, some knew letters, some knew nothing at all. My kid can write his full name, draw, holds his pencil correctly, and has an incredible memory and reasoning skills. He knows some numbers and letters, but he can't read yet. Well, for heaven's sake, that's why he's going to school. I have two girls in 3rd and 4th grade, and they weren't much ahead of him either, so it wasn't an issue then. The worst part is the school didn't even notify me about the board's decision. They said they'd call, but I ended up finding out by accident when I called the school myself. Classes are starting soon and we just feel helpless... especially since we know our son is ready. Who knows him better than his parents? Looking for any advice, or if anyone has dealt with something similar. Thanks.

If everything you've described is accurate, I would absolutely insist that the child be enrolled in school this year.

Chloe Roberts2 said:It was already too late, and neither of us were being particularly clear. My bad.

Apology accepted.

Taylor Swift 👍 I am pleased that my thoughts were clearly understood.

Chloe Roberts2 said:From what, woman? You honestly think it's okay for your kid to learn that atheists are somehow responsible for Auschwitz? That is pure indoctrination.
It's one thing to claim the world was created in seven days—which is just a blatant lie—but this is something much more sinister.

Are you even religious? Do you have atheist friends? Co-workers, neighbors? How can you even look them in the eye after posting something like this?

Look, I'm an atheist. I'm not a communist. I'm an atheist and a capitalist. And I'm certainly not a Nazi. Take someone like Stepinac, for example; he was both a Catholic and a fascist. He essentially gave the green light to the atrocities at Auschwitz, and frankly, if it weren't for the presence of atheists, America wouldn't even be larger than a small suburb outside of Washington, D.C. Without atheists, California would probably be part of the Kingdom of Italy. Personally, I don't trust a single word coming from anyone making claims about Auschwitz like this.

Go back and actually read my posts, because you are clearly reading them with total misunderstanding and attacking the wrong person. I expect an apology in your next post, because I was the one who explicitly wrote that parents should STOP enrolling their children in religious education, whereas some other woman on this forum argued they enroll them just to protect them from being mocked by kids for not going...
So, you've targeted the wrong person in the lowest way possible. You're spitting on someone who thinks exactly like you do. What will you do to those who don't think at all? You've gone way too far.

Thomas Harris33 said:Go ahead and teach your kids whatever you want. Eventually, that same kid will head to school and be taught in religious education that atheists are responsible for Auschwitz. It’s just the usual state-sponsored spread of hate and intolerance.

☕

Isn't that enough of an argument for believers to stop enrolling their children in religious education under the guise of "protection"? I still don't get the logic here. If you actually wanted to protect them, you'd remove them from that environment entirely.