[nickydim]

Originally Posted by cityflower

you sound like one of those people who don't have kids, and the points of these issues go over your head. Putting all the blame on parents shows that you are either one of those privileged parents I mentioned in my original post, or childfree ones.

My wife and I raised 4 kids in a mediocre school system. They all graduated in the top 10%. We sat with each kid during homeworks until not only they were done, but understood. We never missed an opportunity for parent-teacher conference where we explained what we expected from our child's teacher, we sat with the vice principal when we weren't satisfied with some results, we nurtured and spent great amounts of time, our dinner table was and continues to be a place where all family members (who still live at home) are required to be at and we talk and ask explicit questions of things going on in our kids lives. They are all upstanding members of society, in full time jobs, morally straight and values driven.

It was hard work and it's paid off. We would have done the same in the best schools or the worst schools, because teaches, admins, schools in general will never care about your kids education as much as a parent. So don't be assuming I don't have kids. My kids have been in public schools the entire time and that covers 22 years total for all 4 kids. All the blame lies squarely on the parents, and to shift that blame to someone else is the easy cop out, but if you are shifting the blame you are looking for that cop out anyway.

You don't know the first thing about me. I wasn't insulting you personally( I should have said moronic not moron, sorry), I was rebuking your statement "I agree parent involvement plays a part, but that's an outside factor that cant be controlled." which is hogwash. Parents an outside factor that can't be controlled?!?!?!? Read that again and tell me you mean it.

[winter-rabbit]

I totally agree with everything you wrote and like to add:

There is material learning from school, and learning from parental guidance is huge impact on attitude and developing self confidence.

In a poor school system, parental guidance can help kids navigate social circumstances and help them resolve peer issues to not go off path.

Originally Posted by nickydim

My wife and I raised 4 kids in a mediocre school system. They all graduated in the top 10%. We sat with each kid during homeworks until not only they were done, but understood. We never missed an opportunity for parent-teacher conference where we explained what we expected from our child's teacher, we sat with the vice principal when we weren't satisfied with some results, we nurtured and spent great amounts of time, our dinner table was and continues to be a place where all family members (who still live at home) are required to be at and we talk and ask explicit questions of things going on in our kids lives. They are all upstanding members of society, in full time jobs, morally straight and values driven.

It was hard work and it's paid off. We would have done the same in the best schools or the worst schools, because teaches, admins, schools in general will never care about your kids education as much as a parent. So don't be assuming I don't have kids. My kids have been in public schools the entire time and that covers 22 years total for all 4 kids. All the blame lies squarely on the parents, and to shift that blame to someone else is the easy cop out, but if you are shifting the blame you are looking for that cop out anyway.

You don't know the first thing about me. I wasn't insulting you personally( I should have said moronic not moron, sorry), I was rebuking your statement "I agree parent involvement plays a part, but that's an outside factor that cant be controlled." which is hogwash. Parents an outside factor that can't be controlled?!?!?!? Read that again and tell me you mean it.

[cityflower]

Originally Posted by nickydim

My wife and I raised 4 kids in a mediocre school system. They all graduated in the top 10%. We sat with each kid during homeworks until not only they were done, but understood. We never missed an opportunity for parent-teacher conference where we explained what we expected from our child's teacher, we sat with the vice principal when we weren't satisfied with some results, we nurtured and spent great amounts of time, our dinner table was and continues to be a place where all family members (who still live at home) are required to be at and we talk and ask explicit questions of things going on in our kids lives. They are all upstanding members of society, in full time jobs, morally straight and values driven.

It was hard work and it's paid off. We would have done the same in the best schools or the worst schools, because teaches, admins, schools in general will never care about your kids education as much as a parent. So don't be assuming I don't have kids. My kids have been in public schools the entire time and that covers 22 years total for all 4 kids. All the blame lies squarely on the parents, and to shift that blame to someone else is the easy cop out, but if you are shifting the blame you are looking for that cop out anyway.

You don't know the first thing about me. I wasn't insulting you personally( I should have said moronic not moron, sorry), I was rebuking your statement "I agree parent involvement plays a part, but that's an outside factor that cant be controlled." which is hogwash. Parents an outside factor that can't be controlled?!?!?!? Read that again and tell me you mean it.

and outside factor meaning you cannot and will not change someone's parenting skills. If the school district feels it is ok to not care because parents don't, how does that help? They need new careers then. Where I come from outside factors don't effect the school systems 100%, but partially. Because offering things like free in-school childcare for teen moms during schools hours, a mayor that works hard to improve the city (even though some have not) and better funding, you have students who are improving despite their home life. More kids are graduating now then when I was in school. My old high school specifically, improved once we got better principals, staff, administrators, ect. The students home life really had no effect on the schools improvement as a whole.

[cityflower]

once again... Vegas residents defend this town without acknowledging the bigger picture....

[cityflower]

Originally Posted by winter-rabbit

I totally agree with everything you wrote and like to add:

There is material learning from school, and learning from parental guidance is huge impact on attitude and developing self confidence.

In a poor school system, parental guidance can help kids navigate social circumstances and help them resolve peer issues to not go off path.

Do you have kids? just asking..
I have yet to meet anyone from beyond the keyboard who actually defends the school system here. Besides the ones who don't have children at all or in public school so they could care less about anything beyond their privileged lifestyle.

[winter-rabbit]

I have 3 kids.

One in 4th grade. One in kindergarten. One in daycare.

Guess what also? I moved from Massachusetts, the highest rated education state.

I'm not terribly concern about the state of CCSD.

Originally Posted by cityflower

Do you have kids? just asking..
I have yet to meet anyone from beyond the keyboard who actually defends the school system here. Besides the ones who don't have children at all or in public school so they could care less about anything beyond their privileged lifestyle.

[winter-rabbit]

My kids current school has been nothing short of great. Teachers are very involved. The school communicates to parents very often to get involved.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by cityflower

Do you have kids? just asking..
I have yet to meet anyone from beyond the keyboard who actually defends the school system here. Besides the ones who don't have children at all or in public school so they could care less about anything beyond their privileged lifestyle.

*couldn't care less..

This is the 3rd or 4th time you've mentioned "privileged lifestyle". Is that just jealousy on your part that you haven't been as successful as others? Many of us work hard to achieve things in life so that we live comfortably. I would hardly use that term in a derogatory manner as you seem to be.

While I have older children, not in CCSD, I can acknowledge that there is work to be done in the system. But I'm not sure how a "privileged lifestyle", as you put it, is germane to the conversation.

[cityflower]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

*couldn't care less..

This is the 3rd or 4th time you've mentioned "privileged lifestyle". Is that just jealousy on your part that you haven't been as successful as others? Many of us work hard to achieve things in life so that we live comfortably. I would hardly use that term in a derogatory manner as you seem to be.

While I have older children, not in CCSD, I can acknowledge that there is work to be done in the system. But I'm not sure how a "privileged lifestyle", as you put it, is germane to the conversation.

Privileged meaning you don't directly understand how certain issues effect others. If someone does not see or care that CCSD needs improvement because their kids go to private schools, that pretty much sums it up.

[winter-rabbit]

If more parents in the bad schools are involved, then the bad schools will improve.

I grew up in a poor family living in the housing projects with a lot of misfit kids. I used to get beat up on the way to school. My parents guided me. We also befriended the bullies and nothing happened ever after. My father worked all day at the restaurant, and my mom also took up a full time job. We went to school on our own as soon as we are up to age. We came home and did homework by ourselves. This attitude and responsibility are taught by my parents.

The problem now I see is parental laziness. In the poorer neighborhoods, I see non-working moms doing nothing to help their kids in general. They don't teach respect and playing well with others.


I live in the moment. I'm not waiting for the system to improve. I play with the cards that are dealt. You strategize with your kids to navigate successfully through the system. Don't depend on the system. Parental learning and guidance matters.

Even good school systems doesn't make everyone a success, because some well-off parents will throw money out for solutions rather than personal involvement.