Posts by Michelle Nelson4

feralmoose32 said:Boys and girls are night and day—whether they're 3, 6, 15, or even 30...😬

I have to respectfully disagree here. I have a son, and he’ll be turning six and a half in two years, so for us, delaying school isn't even a consideration. It's just not on the table.
If that were some kind of universal rule, I suppose every guy out there would be pushing his start date back by a full year just to stay ahead of the curve. It’s funny how those things work, isn't it? If everyone followed that logic, the whole timeline would just shift entirely.

I know for a fact that my child wasn't actually required to start school this year, but I opted to enroll her early because she was just so incredibly ready and eager to dive into learning. We started when she was 6 years and 4 months old, and honestly, thank goodness we did! Even now, things feel a bit unchallenging for her since she already knows most of the first-grade curriculum. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if we had waited another full year. To claim that you shouldn't send a child to school at 6.5 years old—even if they are completely prepared and genuinely excited about it—just seems like such an unusual perspective to me...

Could someone please just give me the bottom line? I honestly don't have the energy to wade through this entire thread—are they actually introducing a standardized middle school exam or entrance tests for high school?
Because if they aren't, none of this really matters. As long as the focus for students in grades 6 through 8 remains strictly on their report card grades, we haven't changed anything. This whole idea of "flexibility" might actually end up widening the inequality gap, since an 'A' in one district won't mean nearly the same thing as an 'A' in another when it comes to actual knowledge and comprehension.
I feel like once kids realize they can just coast with a 'C' or a 'B' in subjects they find boring or difficult, they’ll stop pushing themselves. People love to make such a huge drama out of getting into vocational schools, but maybe if there were more accountability, students would actually find the motivation to dive into something they truly enjoy. Until then, they're just going to take the path of least resistance to avoid a bad grade—which, if I'm being honest, is actually pretty logical behavior given how the current system is set up.

I’m just hoping this is for a school assignment so I can help my kid come up with some properly subversive answers. That bit about "gratitude" really strikes a chord with me 😬

Susan James said:😂 🤣

About a year ago, I was scrolling through an article in a liberal newspaper, and it mentioned an AP project that was part of the push for the recent curriculum reforms. They listed certain schools that were essentially acting as the pilot leaders for these changes.
From what I recall, it wasn't a huge group of famous schools; in fact, there were only a handful of them in the Chicago area...

If I'm understanding the rollout correctly, they start with the first, third, fifth, and seventh grades, and then move to the even-numbered grades when the kids hit 17 or 18.

Also, I have this feeling—and I really hope I'm right—that the shift toward moving away from traditional grading starts for everyone this year. 😂
Basically, they'll be using descriptive feedback for individual students instead of letter grades, and numerical grades won't kick in until the third grade. 🤔

Is this happening for everyone across the board, or is it just starting with certain groups? Because if my kid ends up getting traditional grades for this mid-term, but then suddenly doesn't next year—only to have them brought back again the year after—I'm going to start seeing this whole reform as nothing more than a classic, chaotic mess that leaves a child feeling completely lost...

Canada? The Czech Republic? Estonia?...

Christmas Eve is that special time right before Christmas Day when we start getting the house ready. We decorate everything, send out warm greetings to our loved ones, bake plenty of treats, and even do those little traditions like sprouting wheat seeds. On Christmas Eve itself, we put up the tree, and then later that night, we head over to the local church for Midnight Mass. When Christmas morning finally arrives, the whole family gathers at home to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, share heartfelt wishes, and exchange gifts.

Then there's Easter, which is arguably the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar. It’s how we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Much like the winter holidays, we decorate our homes and reach out to friends and family with cards. We have the fun tradition of dyeing eggs, too. On Easter, the family comes together at home, and we usually attend service in the morning. People often bring eggs, rolls, and bread to be blessed. It's a beautiful time for exchanging eggs and wishing one another a happy holiday.

Of course my kid asked if we were going to Midnight Mass, since the books say you go to church on Christmas 😵

I just love that unspoken sense of "everyone"—the idea that everyone goes to church together, everyone attends the blessings and the masses and the midnight services... 🙄

Matthew Young35 said:Perhaps the piece is indeed "biased" or even false, but let’s look at the reality here. The fact remains that children who aren't being taught Catholic ideology in school are being discredited in a million different ways.

LOL, have you actually looked at any other subjects besides religion class? Every kid in school gets hit with a heavy dose of Catholic indoctrination regardless of whether they signed up for theology or not.
Personally, I think just reading the Republican Party platform during first grade is enough to realize we'll have more than plenty of time to discuss these topics later on, even if my child skips the religious lessons. I honestly believe this approach will lead to a much stronger foundation for my kid by the end of elementary school—they'll understand what faith preaches and why we don't necessarily subscribe to it, rather than just blindly accepting whatever was taught when they were little.😁

You’ll find all sorts of wild theories floating around here—for instance, the idea that kids attending religious education during an alternative shift are somehow in mortal danger (assuming it's a Catholic course, of course; the others don't count).
Or take the argument that if the government decides it’s perfectly fine to permit prayers and blessings in schools, then we just have to roll with it because "that's the law." It really makes you wonder, though: is there anything a government could decree that *isn't* acceptable? I mean, certain historical examples involving concentration camps immediately come to mind when you hear the phrase "the state has decided"—but hey, who are we to question the state, right?
Besides, we've already learned that a blessing from an atheist is perfectly harmless; nobody ever died from one. I can already see the next big initiative coming from the University of Iowa—mandatory baptisms in maternity wards for little American boys and American girls, since no one has ever been harmed by a baptism, so why bother complaining?

And apparently, moral upbringing only happens during religious studies. If your child doesn't attend those classes, they're destined to hate, steal, lie... (you get the picture)

I’d honestly just put this whole thread on ignore, but I feel like it's important to stay aware of the kind of people we're sharing this supposedly "flawless" country with. It makes it pretty obvious why things are the way they are...

Lawrence Torres56 said:I feel the same way😉...honestly, I'd love for my kid to have two hours less of that stuff per week in exchange for a much broader understanding of global faiths—like, instead of a poem about a dandelion, maybe they learn a prayer or a mantra... or instead of being encouraged toward hate in the 21st century, they listen to lessons about how similar we all are as humans...

But we don't really have that, do we? We just love pretending we do... because if we actually did, discussions like this would be ridiculous, especially since we all know nobody is getting hurt or dying just because someone splashed them with holy water or because a priest walked past them on the street.😁
So, what is religion class actually for? Well, maybe it exists, among other things, to teach kids what we call "interpersonal communication skills," which includes "respecting the teacher and peers. It involves practicing courtesy, attention, grace, and sincerity in human relationships." In other words, it's the stuff we've stripped out of every other subject because apparently, it's perfectly fine for an older person to call a student a "cow" just because they're in religion class and don't believe in God, or because it's considered "fine" to lie, be dishonest, or encourage hate, or to judge a classmate just because he's wearing his brother's old sneakers... you name it. Is that enough, or do I need to keep listing examples?🍿

To wrap this up—basically, those who skip these classes are raised thinking it's "perfectly fine to lie and incite hate" simply because they aren't there to receive "character building," while the religious students are viewed as the only ones receiving proper guidance since they're attending the one place where it's supposedly offered...

And honestly, who is actually spreading hate or prejudice here? All I see is how your religious studies class has successfully instilled a certain "culture of interpersonal communication" in you...

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about the curriculum differences between religious studies and our standard academic subjects. It’s an interesting comparison when you really sit down and look at what students are actually absorbing in each classroom. On one hand, you have the core subjects—math, science, history—where the focus is largely on objective data, logic, and building a foundation of factual knowledge. It's very structured, very much about "this is how the world works" according to measurable metrics. Then, you have religious education. It feels like a completely different animal, doesn't it? Instead of just memorizing formulas or dates, students are often navigating deeper waters: ethics, morality, and the historical influence of faith on our culture. It’s less about finding a single "correct" answer on a multiple-choice test and more about understanding values and the human experience. I sometimes wonder if we lean too heavily on one side or the other. Should religious studies be treated as just another academic discipline, or does its purpose inherently require a different approach than, say, a chemistry lab? It’s a delicate balance to strike in any school district, but I find the distinction fascinating. What do you all think? Is there a way to bridge that gap, or are they destined to remain two entirely different worlds within the same school day?

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Tanita lately—you know, that specific kind of soulful, melodic quality she brings to her music. It’s one of those voices that just seems to float above the arrangement, doesn't it? There is something so incredibly grounding yet uplifting about her style. I find myself putting her tracks on during my morning coffee, just letting the melodies settle in before the chaos of the day starts. It’s a lovely way to center oneself. Michelle Nelson4 says:
... It’s such a shame when parents take that hardline approach, isn't it? They won't even let their kid watch cartoons or listen to stories because they dismiss the whole thing as complete nonsense. It feels like such a missed opportunity for imagination.And meanwhile, we’re told that reading fairy tales every single day and sitting through cheap cartoons packed with violence is somehow absolutely essential...

I’m just sitting here thinking about how much things change over time, isn't it funny? It really makes you wonder about the little details we often overlook in our daily routines. Anyway, I was just reflecting on that! kaže:
Honestly, I was thinking about this earlier—just because we decide to cut out two hours of religious studies per week from the school curriculum and swap that time for three hours of computer science, it doesn't mean the kids are actually getting an easier ride or having less to learn. It’s just a shift in focus. We aren't necessarily lightening their workload; we're just pivoting toward skills that are going to be vital for them down the road. It's all about how you balance those priorities.It’s funny how things work out in school. In religion class, they don't really expect you to sit there and cram facts just to pass some test—it's more about the ideas, I suppose. But then you step into computer science? Man, if you aren't memorizing everything word-for-word, you're basically lost. It's a totally different world.So, I’ve been sitting here thinking about this, and it really makes you wonder: are we actually helping them find some breathing room, or are we just piling more onto their plate? It feels like a bit of a double-edged sword, doesn't it?

I’m still thinking about that point tanita brought up earlier—it really does get you wondering about the long-term implications, doesn't it? It's one of those things that seems simple on the surface, but once you start peeling back the layers, there's so much more to unpack. I find myself drifting back to it quite often! Michelle Nelson4 says:
Is it even worth bringing up the argument? I mean, really... does anyone actually want to dive into that again?
It’s funny how things work out sometimes. I was thinking about this earlier—you could turn in the exact same essay for an American History class and a Theology class, but you wouldn't get nearly the same result. They aren't even testing the same set of knowledge, and the grading rubrics couldn't be more different if they tried. It just goes to show that the context of the subject changes everything. The essay titled "A Letter to Saint Nicholas" is currently being featured on the American clock, and just a heads-up for anyone working on it: they are definitely grading heavily on spelling and grammar.I was sitting in my religion class earlier today, just reflecting on everything we were discussing, and it really got me thinking: how much of our humanity are we actually keeping intact? It’s one of those deep, heavy questions that you don't expect to hit you in the middle of a lecture, but there it was....

The age-old debate of "us" versus "them." It’s funny how quickly we fall into those mental camps, isn't it? Whether it's in politics, sports, or just a heated discussion at a local diner, that distinction between "we" and "they" seems to be hardwired into our social DNA. It’s such a fascinating psychological hurdle to clear.

I’m just sitting here thinking about Tanita—you know, that specific kind of energy she brings to everything? It’s actually quite fascinating when you stop to consider it. I was reading through some recent discussions, and it really struck me how much her perspective shifts the tone of the conversation. It’s always such a pleasant change of pace! Michelle Nelson4 says:
....
Since that one letter where he was... I was looking out the window during my flight earlier, and I couldn't help but notice how strikingly different the values seem when you view them from an aerial perspective. It’s one of those things where everything looks so distinct from up there. One of our own. Kids.Honestly, putting on this kind of drama and posting such nonsense... I’m sorry, but it’s just sad. To be perfectly honest, I find it a little embarrassing.

I think we could all stand to use a little more empathy and compassion when it comes to those who don't quite fit the mold. We really need to talk about the tendency to just stand on the sidelines and judge, rather than understanding why someone might be different. For instance, if you see fourteen first-graders sitting out in the hallway working on their homework instead of being in a classroom, it’s easy to pass judgment. But honestly? It’s perfectly okay. Sometimes, that’s just where they need to be to get the job done.

I've been thinking quite a bit about Tanita lately—you know, that specific kind of soulful, melancholy beauty she brings to her music. It’s funny how certain artists just seem to capture a mood so perfectly that you can almost feel it in your bones. There's something incredibly grounding about listening to her when you need to just sit still and process things. I find myself returning to those melodies more often than I probably should! Michelle Nelson4 says:
It’s actually quite interesting when you think about it; there's a much better way to handle this. If those first graders—since there are seven of them—go to their religious studies during the opposite shift, they end up crossing busy streets twice as ofteninstead of just having someone sitting in the hallway working on homework....

Lawrence Torres56 said:If you don't want your kid participating in a blessing, just tell the teacher and they won't go... just don't come whining later that your little one is standing on the sidelines during the ceremony... nor should you expect the person who actually wants to receive the blessing to skip out just to accommodate you.😁
And hey, if you aren't actually uncomfortable being there, then stop being so dramatic and don't stoop so low as to insult others who might find actual meaning in a faith that you just don't see.😉 Sorry, but when someone writes something like ".....in that blessing, the crossing, the spoken words, and the sprinkling of water—because to me, it's totally on par with, say, worshipping chickens in a Santeria ritual or whatever" and then starts lecturing about demanding respect for their freedoms... it just comes off as totally unserious... and frankly, they're saying way more about themselves than about the people they're trying to bash.😉

Quincy:

As for the holidays and days off—if someone started an initiative where instead of these government-mandated ones, everyone got 14 floating holidays to use whenever they wanted, I’d be the first to sign up. And I definitely wouldn't waste five of them in the dead of winter; I'd extend my summer vacation by at least another week. And yeah, I truly couldn't care less that we supposedly "celebrate" these on religious dates; just give me the holidays without the endless reruns. These winter ones are pretty much pointless to me—it's cold, foggy, the days are short—just a total drag where we "celebrate" the fact that the days aren't getting shorter anymore. I don't need religion for that; a basic understanding of astronomy is enough to know the Earth has passed that point in its orbit around the sun and keeps circling thanks to good old gravity... which is basically the whole point of Christmas...

That's not happening, honey. Those holidays exist because the majority of the population here in America has identified as Catholic. The second those Catholics become a minority, those won't be national holidays anymore; they'll just be regular workdays... and trust me, nobody is going to grant you even two flexible days, let alone fourteen... because the government isn't obligated to pay for 14 national holidays when they can get away with just six....😉...and in that situation, all your knowledge about astronomy, the earth, and its orbit around the sun isn't going to help you much at all.☕
Also, if you don't understand the meaning of Christmas, that's your problem... and because of that, you have no right to spit on those who do... at least not while you're shamelessly enjoying all the benefits provided solely because of those very people....

I suppose when you run out of actual arguments, resorting to emotional emojis becomes the go-to strategy.

Lawrence Torres56 said:😁

Well, the evidence speaks for itself...

Lawrence Torres56 said:What are you even talking about? 🤦 We are discussing the US and religious education in American schools—specifically school plays and kids getting blessed at school... why are you trying to derail the conversation? Go ahead, start a whole new thread about those countries where Christmas is celebrated despite 80% of the population being "non-believers"... and I'll happily explain my reasoning to you there... 😉
And don't you worry, I know you'll still "shamelessly" refuse to work on Catholic holidays that are officially declared national holidays, all while you're busy trashing the church and the believers... 😁...some things are just painfully obvious, so I'm not even going to exhaust myself pointing them out... anyway, enjoy yourself 😉

Oh, and regarding the P.S.
Maybe it's because you clearly don't even realize what you're saying... or how much that little comparison of yours veers into hate speech, which is actually a crime...
So I really have to ask, what are you even looking for here? What do you think you're actually going to achieve with this? ☕

Wow, those are some heavy words you're throwing around—hate speech and criminal offenses? All because I compared two religious rituals from different faiths. Honestly, were you perhaps thinking of the word "heretic" and planning to report me to the Inquisition? 😂 Don't you worry about a thing—if I end up needing anything at all, I'll be sure to let you know! Exactly. I know exactly who to turn to when I need an answer about Catholicism. I'm not feeling it. It looks like you want me to address the community on this forum. I’m happy to jump in! Just let me know what topic we're diving into, and I'll get started. 😁 And until then—I truly wish everyone nothing but the best of luck with their grades. At the end of the day, those numbers on a transcript don't define who you are as a person, though they certainly keep us all on our toes! 🤦

Lawrence Torres56 said:If you don't want your kid participating in a blessing, just tell the teacher and they won't go... just don't come whining later that your little one is standing on the sidelines during the ceremony... nor should you expect the person who actually wants to receive the blessing to skip out just to accommodate you.😁
And hey, if you aren't actually uncomfortable being there, then stop being so dramatic and don't stoop so low as to insult others who might find actual meaning in a faith that you just don't see.😉 Sorry, but when someone writes something like ".....in that blessing, the crossing, the spoken words, and the sprinkling of water—because to me, it's totally on par with, say, worshipping chickens in a Santeria ritual or whatever" and then starts lecturing about demanding respect for their freedoms... it just comes off as totally unserious... and frankly, they're saying way more about themselves than about the people they're trying to bash.😉

Quincy:

As for the holidays and days off—if someone started an initiative where instead of these government-mandated ones, everyone got 14 floating holidays to use whenever they wanted, I’d be the first to sign up. And I definitely wouldn't waste five of them in the dead of winter; I'd extend my summer vacation by at least another week. And yeah, I truly couldn't care less that we supposedly "celebrate" these on religious dates; just give me the holidays without the endless reruns. These winter ones are pretty much pointless to me—it's cold, foggy, the days are short—just a total drag where we "celebrate" the fact that the days aren't getting shorter anymore. I don't need religion for that; a basic understanding of astronomy is enough to know the Earth has passed that point in its orbit around the sun and keeps circling thanks to good old gravity... which is basically the whole point of Christmas...

That's not happening, honey. Those holidays exist because the majority of the population here in America has identified as Catholic. The second those Catholics become a minority, those won't be national holidays anymore; they'll just be regular workdays... and trust me, nobody is going to grant you even two flexible days, let alone fourteen... because the government isn't obligated to pay for 14 national holidays when they can get away with just six....😉...and in that situation, all your knowledge about astronomy, the earth, and its orbit around the sun isn't going to help you much at all.☕
Also, if you don't understand the meaning of Christmas, that's your problem... and because of that, you have no right to spit on those who do... at least not while you're shamelessly enjoying all the benefits provided solely because of those very people....

Lol. There are plenty of other countries where 80% of the population is non-believing, yet Bozic remains a holiday—I suppose by your logic, that's also thanks to American Catholics. 🤣 As for me, I will certainly continue to "shamelessly" refuse to work on a legally mandated holiday just because it doesn't fall on a warmer date. 😬

PS, I get the feeling that comparing shamanism or animal sacrifice to a priest and a blessing isn't quite hitting the mark for you. I'm truly not sure why; perhaps you feel one of these rituals is inherently better or more worthy than the other? 🤔

Lawrence Torres56 said:In America, we had 14 national holidays and 8 of them were Catholic holidays, so more than half😁...Three Kings, Easter, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption, All Saints, Christmas, and St. Stephen's... which, of course, don't bother anyone when it's a day off work🍿 or maybe on those days, you suddenly insist on working because you're obviously so allergic to anything involving the church?

The priest addresses non-believers with respect by acting exactly how he does....which means, he isn't addressing you and isn't imposing anything on you....he's addressing the people he specifically mentioned....just like teachers address their students when they head back to class after an assembly...when they say "Class 2A, let's go," only 2A follows, not 2B.😉
And hey, if someone there feels uncomfortable, they're feeling that way because of themselves, not because of the priest.😉

And stop talking nonsense; some kid is being forcibly crossed and blessed through coercion 🤦, while others are fighting to keep their kids from coming to the assembly after the blessing or leaving before it....😲....the blessing is wrapped up in the assembly; why on earth would they pause mid-show just so the priest can bless everyone and only then continue the performance?🤦

And who even are you guys?😕

Look, if someone decides without asking to take my child for a blessing—which people have already tried to do—then I have every right to view that as a violation of our religious freedom, specifically the freedom *from* religion that we practice. As for the rest of your post regarding my emotions, that’s pure fiction. It's never "uncomfortable" for me to be caught in the middle of religious rites if I happen to be there, I just find them incredibly boring (and sometimes it's hard to keep a straight face listening to some of those little stories).

Regarding holidays and days off—if someone started an initiative where instead of these government-mandated dates, everyone got 14 floating holidays to use whenever they wanted, I’d be the first to sign up. And I certainly wouldn't use five of them in the dead of winter; I'd extend my summer vacation by at least another week. And honestly, I couldn't care less that we supposedly "celebrate" these on religious dates; just don't marry me off with endless reruns. These winter ones are all pretty much pointless to me—it's cold, foggy, and the days are short; it's just a dull period where we "celebrate" that the days aren't getting shorter anymore. I don't need religion for that; a bit of astronomy is enough to know the Earth has passed that point in its orbit around the sun and continues to circle thanks to good old gravity... which is more or less the whole point of Christmas...

Alexander Ortiz3 said:I honestly don't understand who has such a hard time respecting others and their faith. Why would anyone feel excluded by someone else's religious traditions if they are actually being welcomed? If the entire assembly is centered around a religious holiday, why is having a blessing during the event even an issue? That's literally the whole point of a holiday. It would be terrible and totally unacceptable to bar anyone from attending the ceremony. But if certain narrow-minded people can't accept those who are believers, why force them to participate in something they find objectionable?
Or should the majority just abandon their own convictions just because someone might feel discriminated against? On the flip side, believers aren't bothered by atheists or people of other faiths; nothing is being forced on anyone, and everyone is welcome if they want to join. Likewise, if they don't want to come, they are perfectly free not to show up. Should we really be forcing people to do things against their will?

The assembly is meant for all children, and it isn't strictly a religious event since it’s held in observance of a national holiday. Now, if it were organized exclusively by religion teachers for students enrolled in religious studies classes, then you could argue it was a religious service.

As for this idea of being "welcome"—firstly, they aren't actually participating in the rite because at the start of every such ceremony, the priest clearly begins with phrases like, "We have gathered here, those of us who believe in Christ/the Resurrection/life after death..." In other words, he is always addressing his specific congregation, not everyone else. Therefore, everyone else is just an incidental bystander subject to an unwanted religious rite.
Secondly—given that the blessing is "packaged" inside a school assembly, it’s obviously a case of "take it or leave it." It’s a transparently cheap and low-level form of coercion. Those who want to attend the regular part of the show are basically blackmailed into accepting something they don't want, or they miss out entirely. At that point, what the principal wants becomes irrelevant (and honestly, I couldn't care less about his preferences or opinions).

So, to sum it up: manipulation, misery, and pathetic behavior. I don't know what other words to use to describe the practice of blessing children against their will by leveraging the performance as bait... it's just wretched, truly wretched.

And please, just understand once and for all—it's not that we think there is anything supernatural happening with the blessing, the sign of the cross, the spoken words, or the sprinkling of water—to me, that's on the same level as, say, chicken worship in a Santeria ritual. What truly revolts me is the coercion applied to our children and the blackmailing tactics used to pull it off.

Jerry Anderson87 said:Well, I figured I’d weigh in too. You lose about two hours a week per classroom when you factor in subjects like math or English... not to mention that time could be used for something like computer science, which is also an elective, right? I’m just glad my kid doesn't spend those hours wandering the halls since their class has religion as the very first or last period, but I know some families aren't as lucky. This year, we had a first-grade class with 21 students, and 14 of them chose NOT to take the religion course. And no, they didn't move the class to accommodate the majority; it stayed right in the middle of the schedule. So much for equality, I guess... It would have been easier if those seven kids could just switch to the other school shift, but of course, that's not how it works...

I heard that you need at least 7 students to run an elective course, so maybe they could just persuade one or two more parents from that group of seven to opt out of the religious studies class? That might actually solve the scheduling headache 👍 Besides, if they represent the clear majority, they should be able to have their way, shouldn't they? ☕

Lawrence Torres56 said:It's funny, isn't it? It's apparently a much better option to have those seven little first-graders commute on a different shift—meaning they cross busy American streets twice as often—rather than having someone sit in a hallway doing homework🤣 because their parents won't allow their kid to watch cartoons or listen to stories that they personally deem to be "nonsense"... even though reading fairy tales and watching cheap, violent cartoons every single day is considered absolutely essential for them....
If these people are going to complain, why are they complaining about religious studies being in the middle of the school day instead of playing the role of moral guardians and putting pressure on the kids who don't share their views? Do they really not care that forcing kids to travel to school twice a day increases the risk of accidents on the road? Or is it just that everything has to go exactly their way...🤣 because the only thing that matters is "my child," while everyone else can just fend for themselves?😲....

Sure, religious studies eats up two hours a week that could go toward math or English, but it doesn't eat into the PE time they have scheduled three times a week—well, actually, there's no room in the gym for all three sessions, so they have to settle for just once a week...🤦The other two hours where kids are basically drifting through the classroom? That doesn't count as wasting time, right?

Sorry, but reading this thread, the only question popping into my head is, "My goodness, people, can you see anything past the end of your own noses?" Seriously, before you start pushing your "ideals" so hard, do you ever stop to think about the actual consequences your actions cause? Or is your only goal just to get your own way?

By the way, regarding computer lab in first grade—do you honestly believe a seven-year-old is going to find learning about software, hardware, or what a byte is super thrilling...
Look, this is literally what they teach in the first year of computer class...
-identifying and naming computer parts and input/output devices and what they do
-naming the workspace
-how to properly turn a computer on and off
-how to use a mouse correctly
-knowing how to use certain keys on the keyboard
-properly using and caring for the CD/DVD drive
-taking care of input/output devices
-recognizing user interface elements and their functions
-working with windows
-understanding terms like quick menus and drop-down menus
-running programs like Art and the Recycle Bin
Do you really think kids who have computers at home don't already know this? Or do you think this stuff is somehow "challenging" material for first graders who don't have access to technology at home? Do you honestly think a seven-year-old finds any of this interesting?

And just look at these brilliant alternatives! Instead of risking anything on the road, they could just sit comfortably in a hallway and churn out homework until their class starts. I suppose that’s what hallways are actually for—providing a place for kids to sit on the floor and write assignments.🙂
We certainly wouldn't want to selfishly deny children attending religious studies that modern pedagogical standard applied to the 21st century. Sitting at desks and chairs is such an outdated concept, isn't it?😬

Alexander Ortiz3 said:So, what you're saying is public schools shouldn't observe federal holidays at all? Should they just go out and invent their own arbitrary days off instead? I don't see any issue with having a blessing for students and faculty during a school assembly held for a religious holiday, provided that attendance isn't mandatory for anyone involved.

So, if the blessing happens right in the middle of the ceremony, kids basically face a choice: attend the program with the blessing, or don't attend at all. When I read about this supposed "generosity" and how we have to be so careful that no child feels left out or excluded from a school program—which, mind you, is supposed to be for everyone—I really can't say I'm surprised anymore by our society. We've become so narrow-minded and exclusive, living by that constant mantra: "If you don't like it, there's the door."

Given how much this content actually contributes to the topic—or rather, how little it does—it’s probably for the best if we just go ahead and delete 😁

Look, I’m not going to go back and forth dissecting this sentence by sentence, but to put it simply: I just feel a little bummed that my kid isn't particularly interested in using the laptop yet. I’d love to spark some curiosity there, and one idea I had was getting her into google sheets—why not? Honestly, I’ve always loved data and spreadsheets; even as a kid, I was obsessed with those old-school calculators, so I figured she might enjoy the logic of it too. Beyond that, I am genuinely open to any suggestions on how to get a child interested in computers or tech in general.

Regarding your responses to me, they felt a bit much. You kept saying things like "don't force it on her," "you shouldn't push something she isn't interested in," and "at that age, there's no point in forcing her to learn things she doesn't strictly need to know right now." The word "forcing" came up quite a few times.

Anyway, I hear you loud and clear. From your perspective, trying to teach a child computer skills when they aren't interested feels like unnecessary struggle, and since it isn't an absolute necessity for her right now, you don't see the point in even trying to pique her interest. That's fine. We just have different philosophies on it. End of discussion.