Ah, Education… Russell County Elementary School
Last Friday was “field day” at Alex’s school. I remember field day from elementary school. I remember it fondly, so I’m ok with that, despite the fact that I DO mind that there has been alot of movie watching the last few days/weeks.
- Luau Day was today (Monday). They watched a “little bit of CARS (the movie)” while they were doing setup outside. Then they spent the rest of the day outside. Hoping for an educational component of SOME type, I asked my daughter what she learned at the Luau. “How to shoot water guns and hit people in the eye.” Oh yes, that’s charming. Makes a mother proud.
- Tomorrow, Tuesday, is “Picnic Day” wherein they will spend most of the day outside, and my daughter was told they may come in to finish up the movie “CARS” later in the afternoon. Again, no educational component.
- Wednesday, she’s not sure of the schedule, but assures me that they may do some work or something. Yeah, right. I’m sure she will. *rolling eyes*
- Thursday is “Fiesta Day” – which is held outside all day. She’s not sure what it’s all about except that she will need sunscreen and will be outside all day.
- Friday… is an unknown (at least to my daughter).
Where, exactly, is the education and why am I trying to juggle getting the kids here for school during the week, and working up in Lexington to prepare the house on the weekends?!?! I’d ask Byron, but he’s too busy in school right now watching movies and playing cards.
Basically, the testing (CATS testing) is all over. Byron has one final. One. And the only reason he has that is because it’s a college dual-credit course. But that’s ok, he tells me, since they are spending all week this week and next reviewing for the final.
I must be really old. REALLY old. I thought a final was something you studied for at home, into the wee hours of the morning, cramming and sweating and hoping that you remembered everything from the entire year so you would do well on this essential graded portion of a class. (At least that’s the way it was when I had finals.)
I only hope that the Lexington schools will be better because I consider this “education” of my children fraud. Tax fraud… using my money to pay for it. Grrrrrr.
I happened upon your website while researching a “Darwin Awards” education book I’m writing. Just wanted you to know I’ve written a novel coming out this summer entitled “Chain Gang Elementary”–one of the major themes in it is the overuse of non-educational TV in classrooms. (Basically, it literally drives an anti-TV advocate crazy.) Keep the faith, and raise holy heck when they use TV as a babysiter.
Jonathan Grant - May 15, 2007 9:26 pm
Angela, Angela, Angela.
If you want to criticize a school system on how they speak and teach, you really should check your spelling and grammar.
First of all it is a lot, not alot. This is an incomplete sentence also, “Requirements which are, apparently, to watch movies and gab with friends during “free time.”. My goodness, I was wondering have you visited the schools and voiced your worries. It amazes me that you do not know everything that goes on in the schools, but you can voice your opinion. Do you volunteer? Do you visit often? Unless you have went to school to be a teacher and have actually taught, you should really keep your mouth shut. You have no idea what it is like. “Kinda” is not a word either. Make sure your daughter knows all of this, I wouldn’t want her sounding like a hillbilly. I don’t know where you are originally from, but I am sure you do not value compassion or love. Some of these kids need our love and attention while being educated. Some kids do not have rooms decorated to the max like your children. Take a look around mam, we are a safe alternative for many kids. Shame on you.
A friend of education - May 20, 2007 4:18 pm
Dear Friend of Education –
I agree, one should not use “alot” and “kinda” in formal writing. My spell check program always chastises me, but since that’s the way I speak (and this is a casual blog) I choose to type it the way I say it and ignore formal dictates as I know them.
I also agree that I should have used a complete sentence, as you noted. Instead, I opted (incorrectly) for typing a thought. My apologies.
Yes, I have voiced my concerns. I have blogged about voicing my concerns. I have voiced more concerns than I have blogged about the local education system. I’m also quite involved with my children’s education both in school and OUT of school. My children and I discuss their school day every afternoon when they arrive home.
I don’t leave the education of my children solely to the public school system.
Do I volunteer? Yes. I do, I have, and I probably will again in the future. Have I volunteered in the school system this year? No. This year, I’m busy raising a family and running a business. Will I next year? Probably.
I have also noted that, overall, I’m impressed with the elementary education locally. I’m dramatically underwhelmed by the high school. My concern on the blog you referenced is the lack of educational content once testing is over. Then, school basically stops and I object.
I do not believe that public, tax-funded education should be merely babysitting. Although, as you note, school may be “a safe alternative for many kids,” my own children are safe at home. I would prefer a safe, EDUCATIONAL curriculum for students while they are attending school.
I know problems with educational choices aren’t limited to the local system. My own hometown (Danville/Boyle County) recently had a flurry of news coverage for inappropriate movie viewing in school:
Advocate Letter to the Editor
Movies in Schools Story
I simply can’t imagine viewing R-rated movies in school when I attended class at the high school. Any movies we watched (which were few and far between) had an actual educational component. Whereas, my middle school child (while attending Casey County) was permitted to see “Enough,” an R-rated movie I had NOT permitted him to watch at home. In my humble opinion, that particular movie had no redeeming qualities and was completely inappropriate for a middle school audience. My other son watched “Miss Congeniality 2″ which, also was of no educational value — and had not been approved for home viewing. These were, of course, used to fill the day and babysit after CATS testing. (Note: My son reminded me of the “Enough” movie today. I think I had blocked that until he reminded me. I did remember the Miss Congeniality 2 and several other questionable movie incidents without his assistance.)
Yes, I recognize that children need love and attention — I have three children and they need “alot” of attention — but I would hope and expect that they receive an education during regular school hours. I don’t see love, attention and education as mutually exclusive goals. To assume that I “do not value compassion or love” would be an error and I’m not sure how you jump to that conclusion. If I didn’t care, I’d sit quietly and (as you recommended) keep my mouth shut.
Thank you for the compliment on Alex’s room. Isn’t it amazing what can be done with a quart of paint, some throw pillows, a strand of fabric flowers and a little imagination?
Although I agree on a couple of your points, I disagree on several.
Granted, I do not know everything that goes on in the schools. I doubt any single person could. But, I DO have a right to my opinion about the education of my children. I also have a right to voice that opinion (at least as long as the First Amendment is still standing — or wobbling — as the case may be.)
In answer to your comment, I’m from Kentucky (hometown is Danville, as mentioned earlier). I’m PROUD to be from Kentucky. I’m NOT proud to have the misconceptions — like your own reference to “hillbilly” — be the primary view of our fine state and our citizens. I believe that proper speech would improve this misconception. This is one reason I get so agitated when my own daughter learns proper grammar at home and unlearns it at school.
When I started reading your response, I assumed you were an educator in the local area. I also assumed that your punctuation and spelling errors were typos (I’m guilty of those, myself). But, once you said, “Unless you have went to school,” I could only wonder.
No, I do not know what it’s like to teach in the local school system. I can only imagine.
When I homeschooled my children, it was really hard to get in all the information they needed and to keep them both engaged and challenged — and I only had three students! A school counselor in the Casey County system referred to me as a “real” homeschooler. When I questioned that reference, the official explained that many “homeschooling” families in the area only “homeschool” to avoid truancy issues — because the kids didn’t want to go to school and the parents didn’t value education. I’m sure these challenges only make being a public educator more difficult.
When I taught other people’s children (on a preschool level), I was chastised for spending too much of my own, after-hours time developing preschool curriculum. I was told by the administration of that particular facility that we were babysitters, not educators and I was making the other “teachers” look bad.
So, I commend those able and willing to put up with the parents, the children, and the administration to do the job of teaching. I do wish, however, that teaching and education extended as long as the school year does. And, I would prefer that “free” days, television, movies and similar “babysitting” techniques be abandoned in school. If there is no educational offering at school following testing, I’d prefer to keep my children home … where they just might learn something.
Angela-Parker - May 21, 2007 10:04 am
Jonathan –
Thanks for the comment and the information. I’d be extremely interested in your book and your research.
Drop back by when you can and keep me updated on your progress!
Angela-Parker - May 21, 2007 10:50 am
[...] House Almost Ready [...]
WickedBlog » Blog Archive » New House Almost Ready - May 21, 2007 12:59 pm
I stumbled across your blog while Google-ing for my uncle’s book, “Chain Gang Elementary”. I am in the process of creating a website for it so that he can self-publish, so if I remember, I will drop back by with a link when we have a domain set up.
Jordan Grant - June 12, 2007 12:59 pm