Warning...a vent post here. Okay, forgive me first if I don't know a whole lot as this is my first year w/ the high school world. I'm still trying to figure out why on earth they only have FOUR classes a day. I just don't understand where the academics are going here. Truly, I don't. At this point, I"m realizing why Jay Leno has no trouble finding Jaywalk Allstars. My daughter only has math, pe, art, and teen living. She is in highschool and never seems to have any homework for math which I am approaching the teacher tonight about. No homework & she's in high school. Is it just me or does that seem wrong? I go to the school and obviously no dress codes are enforced which I could careless about. Just saying, don't print them if you don't follow them. And why on earth would you send home a permission slip (okay, not even really a permission slip but more notification as there's no place to check off no) for the child to be able to use listening devices and such IN CLASS?! I just don't get this. I'm trying to understand it as apparently I lived a totally different life in high school. I told my mom today about the four classes & what she had and she is just stunned. She said none of us had this type of thing growing up. My brothers and sisters & I all had core academics EVERY semester. My daughter told me she stood up the other day in the cafeteria for lunch. I said well, probably just being a freshman and she didn't want to interrupt a group or something like that. I said were there other people standing up? yes, mom a bunch b/c there weren't any places to sit due to the rain. I'm sorry but even on rainy days there should be a place to sit and eat lunch. Anyone else hear of this? I've heard of her talking of the normal high school "meaness" and her seeing pregnant girls in the school stuff going on. She said they get pushed a lot in the hallways. I said pretend you're in Europe again fighting for a place in the subway--LOL. She didn't think that was funny. I need to know if this is all pretty typical stuff in high school nowadays b/c I had not a bit of this growing up in my high school. Is this normal to have such little academics? Just confused as a parent & obviously upset. Gave it a week to see if maybe some of the things were exaggerated(hey, w/ teens you've got to wait & see sometimes). I'm still hearing a bunch of the same things. Though she can sit & eat lunch now. But then again, it hasn't rained lately--LOL. Then, the bus driver is getting in trouble for get this...getting to school too early. So, today they drove around some other neighborhoods to waste time. What?! They are also being bribed to be good btw. Lovely. What is this really teaching the kids. Kids should be abel to do what they're supposed to or suffer consequences. Maybe I'm just old fashioned. Don't know. Started to write this & never finished. Went to open house. Yep, math teacher doesn't give homework. Just her policy. I will be giving some then. I did like the teachers I met & thought they knew their stuff & very professional. Just think the "system" in general is a bit messed up. Is it really just me? Do I need to lighten up or is there something more to all this? I would like to hear what others have experienced on the high school level. Maybe put my mind at ease. so far, I don't like it. I feel like she's losing out on academics in high school. stephanie--mom to 7
I can't speak for WJHS, but it is my first year with a son at Clayton and he has had a great experience. All of his teachers are professional and nice. One even sends a weekly email with updates (I was surprised)! He has the block schedule too (2 core classes and p.e and band), but his spring schedule is much tougher with 3 core classes and band then. I see no lack of academics on the horizon. I actually like the block schedule so far. It gives us time to have a family life of sorts rather than him having to juggle homework in 6 classes, like middle school! I agree students should have meaningful homework, not just busy work! I am sorry you are having a bad experience. I taught in the system for over a decade and there is definitely a difference among schools. Stay involved and take cues from your child. If she is adapting well, that is important too!! Good luck!!
Hi Stephanie, here is the reasoning behind some of it. The 4 classes are extended length. They are able to get through twice the material in a semester than the traditional way. So they are able to get 8 classes a year. When i was a freshman in high school (almost 30 years ago) we did it similarily, but we would alternate 1, 3, 5, days with 2, 4, and 6. This year my daughter will cram 2 years of math into 1 year, which is impossible the traditional way because math classes builds on the previous ones. A lot of studies have been done about homework, and how necessary it is. I think kids get too much meaningless homework. It starts in elementary school and continues from there. Homework should not be given except to review what was done in the class that day, or for projects. I had homework growing up, but not nearly the amount that my kids had in elementary school. Next semester your child will probably be swamped with work. English, social studies, science and whatever else she has. As a disclaimer, my wife is a teacher at WJHS. Take care, Trevor
My daughter was a Freshman last year at WJHS and she had a great time. She was in all Honors classes. Some students has easier classes the first 1/2 of the year and then harder classes the second 1/2 of the year it depended on what you chose to take and how it was assigned. She nevered mentioned having to stand during lunch or being pushed around in the halls that might just be because it is such a big school with a lot of people. I was pushed in school in the hallways because everyone is running around trying to get from place to place, I wouldn't worry about that, that is kid stuff, unless of course she notices that it is being done to her on a regular basis. As far a girls walking around pregnant, I'm glad it is not my daughter!!! However they need an education too!!!! and I'm sure by now your daughter knows about that stuff so it shouldn't be new to her if you have already talked to her. She should know right from wrong and had that girl had someonw to talk to her she might not be in the predicument she is in right now! My daughter loved her Freshmen year and said she absolutely loved high school.
My daughter is a freshman @ WJHS and is loving it! She has a group of friends that make room for her to sit! Tell your daughter to make some friends and save her a seat! They are building another school for next year so be patient... This is a learning experiment for her, This is how life works, let her learn from it... Your baby is growing up!:nopity:
The blocks are a new thing, but my son likes them and I tend to agree. When I was in HS you got in, sat down, got involved, then it was time to pack up and go to your next class. I *do* wish his core classes were a little more balanced, I think he has 3 in the second semester - just when spring fever will be settling in.
