LilSugar

Tell Mommy Your Thoughts on Paying Cash For Extra Credit

babysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:30:52 -0800

Would you work a little harder on a task at the office if your boss offered to give you a bonus upon completing it? Many would answer that question with a resounding, "Yes." What if that same situation was applied to schools with teachers and their students? Kids earn extra credit points a number of ways but one North Carolina school came under fire for offering its pupils 20 test points (10 points to be used on two tests of their choosing) if they brought in a $20 donation to the school.

Like many schools across the country, Rosewood Middle School is facing tough economic times and was looking for innovative ideas in fund-raising. After the parent advisory board came up with the concept and then the principal endorsed it, it looked like the fund-raiser was a go, but it never actually took off. The state education officials got wind of the practice and stopped it before it was ever set in motion. They believe it is teaching children the wrong lesson - that grades can be bought. Instead of cash, they insist the students should be rewarded bonus points for knowledge gained, not green paper. In defense of the program, Principal Susie Shepherd made the point that two test bumps won't make a difference in a student's final grade but that the money would have been helpful in upgrading the computer lab and their classrooms.

Do you agree with the state education officials or do you think the fund-raiser was a legitimate way to get kids involved in the school's improvement efforts?

President Obama Wants Kids to Stay in School Longer

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:28:27 -0700

President Obama may be leading our nation, but he's just dad to his daughters, Malia and Sasha. And, his new idea to have longer school days and years is none too popular with them. In addition to adding class time, the commander in chief wants schools to be safe places for children to go in the afternoons and on weekends. According to one report, American students spend less days in the classroom but not less hours. It said:

Kids in the US spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the US on math and science tests - Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the United States (180 days).

Many American parents feel their children have too much academic pressure and are over-scheduled already. What's your take on this educational initiative?

Parents Try to Stop Obama's Speech From Airing in Schools

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:17:35 -0700

Do we send our children to school to learn or monitor what they learn? Parents throughout the country are objecting to many public schools' decisions to broadcast President Obama's speech next week. The Commander-in-Chief's address which will be made directly to students at a high school in Virginia, is scheduled to be streamed live on the White House website. Many schools across the nation also plan to air it in their classrooms.

According to the White House, the speech will emphasize "the importance of education and hard work in school, both to the individual and to the nation." But groups of parents, including some in Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, and Utah, are accusing the government, and their school districts, of forcing the Democrats' agenda on their children by not reviewing the speech prior to presenting it. Do you think these parents are overreacting?

Preschool Isn't Mandatory, Mom Can Teach It Too

babysugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:00:03 -0700

If mama always knows best, then why send her tot off to school? Or nursery school at least? During one of my many preschool tours, a gutsy mother asked a bold question to the director. She said, "Why do I even want to send my child to preschool? Is it necessary?" The head of the school stuttered a bit and then said, "Many children don't need preschool. Your child will be fine without it if you choose not to attend." She then followed it up with the significant fact that there was only one opening for the Fall. Too bad she didn't tell the room full of parents that before we all donated $50 to her funds.

Many folks send their toddlers off to preschool with the hope they will flourish socially and educationally with their peers. For others, the play-based versus academic environment question doesn't come into play because they keep their babies (and cash) at home and teach them the ABCs at the breakfast table. Are you a preschool or home-school mom?

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Teachers Teach Mom and Dad a Thing or Two

babysugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:00:36 -0700

The sneakers are glowing and the lunchboxes are fresh. It's time to head back to the little red school house for another year of education. Entering a new classroom promises never before seen math problems, spelling rules and lectures in science for sponge-like brains. While most everyone expects that type of learning, it is sometimes a different lesson that gets moms and dads fired up for a new year. Parents see their children grow every day, but it is a fresh perspective from their child's new teacher than can often offer them a new vantage point into their kiddo's life. An art instructor may spot a budding Van Gogh or the P.E. coach sees the next Mia Hamm. The reading teacher may see a writing future while the math tutor discovers a counting issue that needs special attention. What have you learned from your child's teachers?

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Would You Send Your Baby Off to Boarding School?

babysugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:45:17 -0700

What's school without carpool, bus lines, permission slips, and weekend sleepovers? Boarding school! Instead of a crossing guard being on alert, a dormitory watchman or housemaster keeps tabs on the students. Parents who attended boarding schools often feel the desire to have their offspring follow in their footsteps and carry on the tradition. Alumni of the system boast about life-long friendships cultivated while living amongst their "brothers" or "sisters" as their families maintained their lives back home. Out on their own, children also become independent, raise a lil cane, and hopefully get a top-notch education. And, every night is a sleepover!

Not every pupil will be lucky enough to have a dorm mom like Mrs. Garrett or an English teacher like John Keating to show them the ways of the Dead Poets Society, but they'll likely find themselves buddies and a bit of mischief like those attending Hogwarts. Would you consider boarding school for your child?

Should Parents Be Responsible For Kids' Actions in School?

LilSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:47 -0700

Sit down and behave yourself will take on a new meaning in British schools this year. Under a government plan, parents of children enrolled in state schools will be required to sign a Home School Agreement regarding rules on attendance, behavior, school uniforms and homework. Should kids break the rules, their parents could face court proceedings and a fine up to $1,600. In explaining the reasoning for the new rules, the British schools secretary said:

If the large majority of parents are doing the right thing but a small minority do not engage you can have one lesson for 30 kids disrupted by one child. Every parent will have to, as part of the admissions process, say they take on board the obligations in the Home School Agreement, and every parent will be expected to reaffirm that every year.

In a rather unique twist, parents will have the ability to complain about other moms and dads that are not complying with the agreement. If the parents are found guilty, the courts can force them to attend parenting classes to ensure better behavior. Would you want to see such rules enforced in the United States?

Is It Fair For Public Schools to Ask Parents to Contribute?

LilSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:29 -0700

The school bell's ringing, but are there enough teachers to adequately educate your child? That's the question many public school districts face as budget cuts have forced administrators to remove special ed teachers, aides and supplies from our kids' classrooms. The lack of funding has led many PTAs to ask families to contribute money to help maintain the staffing and supply levels that schools have grown accustomed to each year.Tax dollars are the traditional monetary resource for public school systems, but the lagging economy has emptied many municipalities' coffers. It is estimated that states will reduce school funding by $350 billion over the next two years. The recent reliance on school families to pay teacher and aides' salaries is not without controversy. One report said:

Some fear that relying on parents' generosity could leave poor districts even further behind. These districts do not have the well-to-do residents, the big property tax bases or the successful local businesses that wealthier communities have.

How do you feel about financially contributing to your child's public school education?

Bring on the Counting Tools!

babysugar — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:23:32 -0700

Children can learn how to count at an early age by doing mundane tasks. Next time mom brings the tot her meal or tosses the lil one in the bathtub, she can introduce a lesson in math. Check out the slideshow to see how you can get your wee one involved in adding things up!

View Slideshow ›

It's Never Too Early to Learn Your Numbers

babysugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:00:20 -0700

ABC, it's as easy as 123, that's how easy math can be! When children start to learn their alphabet, it seems they should also begin counting their numbers. Wee brains are like sponges and can soak up more information than adult brains can fathom. Take advantage of that window and get the ball rolling on their arithmetic before they become timid of the subject. Watch how these children shine in the subtraction spotlight!

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