Posts by wanderingbadger44

redridge13 said:Most people were basically just 😁
killing whatever little bit of time was left on the clock, doing homework or prepping for the next period
and some people were just scribbling away...
We even had crowds from the neighboring classrooms drifting in to hang out while they skipped their own classes or got kicked out of them...

Look at that... eventually, we’re going to uncover why nobody ever thought to report someone like that. It sounds like everyone just looked the other way because things were easy, right? I bet everyone walked away with glowing report cards. That’s basically the secret formula for keeping students, parents, and teachers all perfectly happy. 👍

And honestly, I’m dying to know which kids are supposedly sitting there quietly during those 45 minutes while the teacher just stays silent, without tearing the classroom apart, causing total mayhem, or screaming loud enough to be heard from space. 😁

Seriously, if such a school actually exists, point me toward it because I’d love to go work there myself. 🙂

Michelle Nelson4 said:The education system is completely dysfunctional. If you think a regulatory audit is a nightmare, try jumping into the private sector. I’m talking about unpaid overtime, dragging yourself out of bed at 5:00 AM, and lying awake staring at the ceiling because you're dreading the sheer mountain of problems waiting for you at the office—all while playing a guessing game as to when some corporate headquarters decides profits aren't high enough and starts cutting payroll through layoffs.

But no, apparently an inspection is pure hell, yet a single email complaining about ticket prices can trigger a full-blown town hall meeting for all the first-grade parents, where everyone who doesn't work in academia gets called out just because a principal doesn't know how to hit "reply" and handle a trivial parent complaint properly.🤦

There is zero standardization in how things are done, no external performance reviews, no objective metrics, no actual methods for improvement, and absolutely no meaningful consequences for those who don't pull their weight or, even worse, exploit students. Everything just gets swept under the rug until the person involved eventually retires. Honestly, if you're unhappy with your working conditions, what is the point of having a union at all?

Did you somehow miss the addresses for the College of Arts and Sciences or Harvard University? And honestly...

Anyway, the School of Law has already implemented entrance exams. 👋 I really hope the better high schools follow suit soon. Then you can all hang those inflated straight-A reports you squeeze out of kids like they mean something. 😁 Between parental pressure and student demands, things have spiraled into total absurdity; there are so many "honor students" now that the title has lost all meaning. And through all the whining about how hard it is for underprivileged kids and how the curriculum is too heavy, we've lost any sense of distinction between a solid student and a truly exceptional one. Because at this point, everyone is supposedly perfect. 😁

redridge13 said:War?
Because, excuse me, but I don't think it’s "normal" for some notorious alcoholic to be handing stuff over to my kid, right? If that happened, I’d be reporting them to the principal immediately and then taking it even further...
Or how about a woman who’s clearly having a mental breakdown, showing up to class just to sit there in dead silence for 45 minutes straight—and doing that for four years straight?
Is that supposed to be okay in your book?

If you honestly think those kinds of scenarios constitute a "war" between parents and teachers, then I’m speechless...
It’s honestly no wonder our school system is such a disaster—zero standards, zero oversight, just total chaos... ☕

No, it isn't normal to me. And honestly, because it feels so far from reality, I can't help but feel like you might be making this up. I'm sorry, but since we don't know each other, I have no desire or reason to be unkind to you. It's just that what you described sounds so impossible to me that it doesn't seem plausible.

redridge13 said:Some guy (who even is this person in the job description, anyway?) actually had the audacity to try and micromanage a teacher's work 😲
It absolutely crushed her ego, and she’s been a total wreck from the stress for the last few days 😲
A pure T-R-A-G-E-D-Y
I honestly don't have any other words for it 😢 🙄

Good grief, what kind of parallel universe are you people living in?
Nobody else ever has their performance, quality, or actual results scrutinized... it's always just the poor teachers
And get this—other people can make massive mistakes or deliver terrible results and they just get a slap on the wrist or maybe even a warning, but they rarely get fired!

If you want to know everything you need to know about how they "monitor" school staff (and their supposed quality), just look at the fact that some notorious alcoholic, predator, and mentally unstable woman who worked at my elementary school over 30 years ago is *still* working there today...
Just sweep it under the rug, don't make waves, don't mess with your colleagues... screw the kids. Even if you happen to run into an aggressive parent who threatens to call the school board, they'll just let it slide, and you'll be stuck dealing with his kid for another four years 🙄

I couldn't have put it better myself. 👍

It feels like some people are just looking for a fight. We aren't even allowed to argue with you because the user is always right. All we're left with is what you wrote here.

But you really should ask yourself who this actually hurts. It certainly isn't us.

Kyle Rogers9 said:Exactly this. 😁

Not long ago, I was in high school. My group of friends fought with teachers constantly. They’d skip exams, and then the parents would step in to make excuses because apparently, having seven excused absences is better than one if you want to protect your GPA.

Unthinkable. My upbringing was such that even if I had the worst teacher in the world, I was always the one at fault 😁 while others somehow managed to get good grades. End of story. 😁

I remember middle school, 8th grade, maybe 14 or 15 years old. A geography teacher told some chatty boys to move to the back row. Instead, they picked up the desk and threw it out a third-story window. The kids got a verbal warning, and the teacher got reprimanded by the administration because she "clearly failed to maintain order in the classroom."

There were times when, if a teacher tried to wrap up a unit, students would show up to class with knives or dogs. There’s actual footage of stuff like that from a vocational high school in a small town somewhere.

I don't work in education; I'm nowhere near that field. But today's kids are shielded from everything. No matter how strict my parents were, once my own kid starts school, I'll be just the same.

The teacher didn't lose her job, though. It’s not like she was fired. 😬 But what about the fact that the administration was breathing down her neck and telling her straight to her face that she’s incompetent and can't manage her students? In the end, nothing really changed for her.

redridge13 said:Look, permanent contracts aren't even the real issue—that's strictly a problem within government agencies and public sector bureaucracy.
In the private sector, if you aren't pulling your weight, you're out the door regardless of what kind of contract you signed.
The actual nightmare is that mediocre teachers basically have total immunity. They don't face any real consequences for breach of contract or poor performance, and they don't answer to anyone when they're failing at their jobs. That’s exactly why every single teacher's ultimate goal is to snag one of those lifetime tenure deals; they know once they have it, they can coast right until retirement without a care in the world.

Judging by how many educators are posting on this forum, you'd think every single one of them was living under a constant threat of being fired.☕

But honestly, you don't even need the threat of losing your job to make working in a school feel like a total nightmare. It's more like a slow burn—that relentless, grinding pressure where you realize that out of those 200 students in your classes, any one of them could decide they don't like you or disagree with a grade, leaving you stuck in a constant loop of defending your decisions and dealing with endless pushback.

In most cases, when the district inspectors come knocking, they don't actually find anything majorly wrong; they usually just nitpick some technicality or paperwork error and tell the principal to fix it immediately. That might be why you don't hear much about teachers actually getting sacked.

As for all these posts from people on this board, it almost sounds like every kid mentioned here—and kids in general—are little angels: perfectly behaved, hardworking, polite, and wonderful (though, of course, their teachers would never notice). 😁

urbantinker8 said:Exactly.😁
Quincy:

I suppose I should probably mention that I’ve been thinking quite a bit about rhinoceroses lately, though I’m not entirely sure why it’s on my mind at this particular moment, maybe it’s just because of how they carry themselves, that sort of heavy, deliberate presence that seems almost out of place in our frantic, modern world. It’s a strange thing to dwell on, I guess, but there’s something about that singular focus they have, an unhurried way of moving through space that feels almost meditative if you look at it from a certain angle, although I realize that sounds a bit silly when you consider how much damage they can actually do if they lose their temper. I was reading somewhere—or perhaps I just imagined reading it—that their skin is like a suit of organic armor, which makes me wonder about our own lack of such natural defenses in a society that feels increasingly abrasive, but then again, maybe that’s just my own tendency to overanalyze things that don't really require it. Anyway, I’m just rambling now, I suppose, but the thought persists. urbantinker8 says: I suppose I’m just hoping there are some truly rigorous and high-energy schools out there somewhere.

I guess there are quite a few enthusiasts out there, if you ask me.
It’s possible there might be some traces left over, though I guess that’s assuming anything remains at all.

I suppose neither one of them really plays any meaningful part when it comes to actually pushing these reforms through, I guess.

Who’s actually saying that? Everyone is standing united against it. 🥳

As long as teachers are treated like they're in the wrong the second a parent files a complaint—which, let's be honest, is exactly how it works—as long as you're living under the constant shadow of the Inquisition (since an inspector might actually allow you to appeal their findings, whereas you can't exactly argue with the Inquisition), as long as your principal or the school board won't back you up but instead tosses you straight to the wolves of the Inquisition, and as long as your entire worth as an educator is judged by the sheer mountain of paperwork, spreadsheets, logs, reports, lesson plans, and endless bureaucracy you churn out, we aren't going to entertain any "experiments." Just give us a clear syllabus, an approved textbook, and a straightforward set of rules telling us exactly what needs to be done.

Real experimentation can only happen when a teacher is actually free and isn't being squeezed from every side.

Total nonsense.

Nicole James said:When the Secretary of Education mentioned that religious studies should ideally be held during the first or last period, the Archdiocese immediately jumped to their feet, citing the Education Act which explicitly forbids special treatment for religious studies regarding where they fit into the daily schedule—essentially saying we shouldn't even discuss specific cases that might serve as exceptions.

Integrating religious education directly into the standard school day is really just the most practical way to ensure high attendance. The second factor is ensuring students receive proper grades. We all understand those basics, and what you pointed out just serves as further confirmation of that reality.

If you look at it through the lens of basic math and logic, forcing these classes into only the first or last slots would essentially require five times as many instructors, each working only a fifth of a full-time schedule. What would they even do during the hours between the first and sixth periods? It’s completely unfeasible from a logistical standpoint.

There isn't some divine reason why religious education can't be held after school hours; rather, it seems to stem from the Church's deep-seated fear that their enrollment numbers would plummet if they weren't integrated into the main day.

They seem so convinced of the necessity and desirability of having religion taught in schools that they won't even risk offering it as an extracurricular option. If I could feel any sympathy for them, I might, but there is something deeply unsettling about seeing such insecurity—this realization that their program might not be wanted—driving them to use these sneaky tactics to wedge themselves into the regular curriculum.

Jacob Lewis5 said:You're acting all high and mighty by judging everyone else and pointing out their sins. Even brisknomad13 tried her best to explain how religious education actually works.

Honestly, I don't really care; what's being quoted here doesn't hold any weight over me. 🥳 I'm not a believer anymore—not after everything. To be fair, people like you and brisknomad13 are a big part of why I walked away.

brisknomad13 said:Yeah, we’re talking about religious education in a combined thread, so if abortion comes up because someone brought it up based on old debates, I don't see the issue with me addressing it from a theological standpoint.

Anyway, let's move on.

Catholicism or any other faith isn't "imposed"—parents choose it. Kids don't have to go.

Discussing these topics or religious doctrines isn't the same thing as forcing your worldview or maxims on people.

It's just that this kind of content isn't exactly popular, so people try to label it as preaching or imposing.

If someone is actually interested in religious studies—both the facts and the relationships involved—they can always get an answer.

🤣

Do you really think I have a memory like that? Look, I'm not going to sit here and claim you made it up; it’s entirely possible that conversation happened.

But that isn't why I brought up the topic of abortion.

My point was actually to show you that the legal precedent you were using to justify special privileges for religious studies is a pretty shaky foundation. You asserted quite boldly that religious education deserves its status simply because the law allows it, so I gently pointed out that the same legal framework also permits abortion. In that specific instance, it seems you aren't nearly as keen on following the letter of the law.

I am sorry for circling back to this tangent, as it really isn't the heart of our discussion, but I felt I had to set the record straight regarding what you said. I truly don't recall things that way.

Anyway, I won't bring it up again. 🙂

brisknomad13 said:Fair point—you can't really put religion in the same box as math or history. Sure, it’s technically on the school schedule, but it goes way deeper than that. Its whole purpose is about connecting people to the Lord—students, parents, teachers, and the whole church community all in one go.

It’s got this depth that’s way more powerful than any individual's attempt to toss aside the human spirit and its specific Christian search for meaning.

Obviously, history shows us that totalitarian systems will always try to force out whatever they don't like, but when it comes to faith, that’s a much tougher nut to crack. It's practically impossible because we're talking about an existential reality, not just some textbook curriculum.

(The critics who actually get this realize they're biting off way more than they can chew)

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; (Matt. 23:8)

(...) shepherd the flock of God that has been entrusted to you, watch over it – (...) not as masters over those entrusted to you, but as examples to the flock. (1 Pet 5)

Honestly, please, don't mention it. 🙂

Jacob Lewis5 said:So, you claim kids learn absolutely nothing in religion class, then I point out that they don't learn much in other subjects either, and suddenly I'm the one being arrogant?

This is just a personal attack at this point. It's a total dead end.

Sure, I maintain that religion class just isn't in the same category as science or art, so trying to weigh them on the same scale feels a bit misplaced. Beyond the issues we've already touched on, what else is bothering you? 😁

Jacob Lewis5 said:...after spending a grueling 12 years studying American English... there’s clearly way more effort put into language arts than into religion throughout our entire schooling.

If "quality of education" is the metric we're using, then we might as well scrap the entire school system entirely, not just religious studies.

Religion isn't inherently privileged. We spend all our time fighting hate and discrimination at every level, fighting for the right to be different—but the second it involves Christian diversity, this self-proclaimed "tolerant" crowd starts acting up.

Mickey Mouse, I think pride has gotten the better of you a bit, leading you to compare a core academic subject to religious studies. Pride is really that first and most difficult sin that serves as the root for all the other mortal sins we face. You should probably do some soul-searching before you head to confession this season. Go in peace. 🙂

brisknomad13 said:I'm not questioning if abortion is legal—I already pointed out it’s been legal since '78.

I'm talking about the philosophical and moral side of things, which is my lane, just like everyone else has theirs. Legality isn't the issue, even if laws can change.

Comparing religious classes to abortion is a reach. You can't compare the two when one involves the end of an embryo's life, making the moral weight totally different.

They actually dive deep into all these moral dilemmas in religion class, so don't hold your breath thinking those kids won't learn anything...
Keep dreaming.......

They learn just enough to ensure that even after twelve years of Sunday school and claiming to be devout believers, they still feel the need to push for abortion bans, simply because the moral compass they developed in those classrooms isn't quite strong enough to guide them without the government stepping in to enforce it, right? 🙂

If they truly internalized those teachings and lived out their faith authentically, there wouldn't even be a need to debate abortion laws in the first place. It’s like saying you need a sign to tell you not to walk off a cliff when you can already see the drop; if eighty-four percent of people were actually living by those values, the legal necessity for such restrictions would essentially vanish.

brisknomad13 said:You're hilarious. 🤣 Too bad it doesn't actually help your point.
Bread and circuses.

There’s something genuinely intimidating about you, though I suspect you don't find that unsettling—if anything, you probably find it quite empowering, almost like a soldier marching under their colors...

It seems like you’ve run out of ground to stand on, so you’ve resorted to calling me funny while trying to sidestep the fact that I actually met you on your own terms by using your favorite logic: legality.

You argue that religious studies gets special treatment in schools simply because it’s baked into the law.

By that same logic, abortion is a woman's right just because it’s codified in the statutes.

Well, look at that—it turns out we aren't nearly as committed to the rule of law as we claimed to be. ☕

brisknomad13 said:Just because someone messed up doesn't really prove anything. It's an elective, so people don't hold them to the same standard.
Personally, I'm way more bothered when kids can't even write a basic essay in English class or struggle with simple math after years of studying the core subjects.
Not to mention some teachers who show up to their certification exams and struggle to write a decent essay themselves...😁
And then they're out here logging notes in the digital gradebook...🤣

Look, it's legal and it's fine. As long as the majority wants it this way, it stays.

It’s like when a whole room goes silent because nobody knows the answer, and then one person finally blurts something out; everyone jumps for joy and accepts it as truth simply because the tension was broken, not because they actually verified the facts.

Sure, there is a legal basis for it.

Hmm, interesting take. But I don't think that logic applies to something like a legally sanctioned abortion, does it? You really are in a league of your own when it comes to that kind of narrow-mindedness.

When it comes to religious education in schools, it really boils down to a matter of principle. I can say with total sincerity that kids aren't actually gaining any real substance from these classes. For instance, they were claiming today that the first thing you do on Easter morning is attend Mass—and this was a seventh grader in middle school. 😬 It’s just how they approach all the other topics in the curriculum, too, whether the information is useful or completely off base.

The core issue here is purely one of fairness: it simply isn't right for one subject to be granted such privileged status and special treatment over everything else.

analogseal18 said:As a "staunch atheist," I find myself in complete agreement with the sentiments expressed by plus.nešto.
Through this contract, the church has secured exactly what it set out to achieve—something I would never personally grant them—but let’s be clear: this does not imply any sort of obligation toward the children. Students who choose not to participate in religious studies, and the resulting gaps in their daily schedules, should be treated as an administrative issue for the school to solve. Should the school not be capable of designing a schedule that ensures these students aren't left idling during those periods? If such a feat is truly impossible, then surely they could provide an alternative activity or even just an empty classroom where they might focus on their homework while their peers attend religious instruction.

My seventh grader is experiencing one of these scheduling gaps for the very first time because of these religious classes. Most of the time, she simply uses that period to get ahead on her homework, though occasionally she joins a geography study group. While I would certainly prefer a schedule free of these interruptions, one must accept the reality of the situation; at least the teachers aren't being paid for doing absolutely nothing.

But who’s actually footing the bill for someone to run those extra activities? It feels like you or the Church might be assuming people will just volunteer their time, which almost feels like a lack of real concern for the kids' needs.
And what happens if there aren't any spare classrooms available? Some schools in the States are still running on three shifts instead of two, so space is already at a premium.

Alexander Ortiz3 said:I honestly don't understand how some of you struggle with such straightforward concepts.
There is an established agreement between the Church and the state (and it wasn't just the Catholic Church; other religious groups have signed agreements too).
From that legal framework, specific rights, obligations, and jurisdictions are derived.
The Church has neither the right, nor the obligation, nor the authority regarding students who choose not to attend religious studies. It certainly doesn't have the power to dictate their supervision or their programming during their free periods.

Everything you just laid out is spot on.

But I’m still struggling to see why you think this automatically makes these non-religious students the responsibility of the teacher, the librarian, the homeroom instructor, or the principal. Can you actually point me to a source where that is explicitly stated in black and white?

Maybe you're interpreting it this way because the school functions more as a Christian institution than the Church itself does, stepping in to look after the kids who were essentially pushed out of the classroom when religious studies was slotted in as an elective.

Think about it—any teacher, librarian, or administrator who finds a gap in their schedule caused by religious classes could just as easily say, with a straight face, that looking after those kids isn't part of their job description.

So, we end up in this scenario where, legally speaking, neither the Church nor the State—the actual signatories of these agreements—is responsible for those children.

You’d think a person would expect more Christian compassion from the Church than from the government, but it seems the Church isn't losing any sleep over it, and they aren't particularly concerned with their neighbors. So, the burden falls on the schools and the state. It's like trying to drive a bull that refuses to move.