I absolutely loved the idea, when I was a child, of being in a one-room school house. I thought it would be fun to watch younger and older students learning things other than what I was being taught. I also thought it would be more like a family and less like, I suppose, torture.

As a teacher I often thought the same thing. I noticed many of my students had unpleasant, if not horrible, home lives and I wanted the school to feel more like family. Unfortunately, communities have become much too large for such an environment to be realistic, or so I thought. As my first year teaching progressed I realized that it didn’t really matter how big or small the school was. It was possible for me to make my classroom feel like a home, and for my students to treat each other as family instead of as competitors or advisories. I admit it wasn’t an easy thing to accomplish nor was I always successful, but it was worth the effort for the times I did succeed.

My classroom became a place where everyone had to be polite to one another. I wasn’t so naïve or idealistic as to think everyone had to like each other, and I think that is what made the difference. The students knew I didn’t expect them to like or respect everyone, not even me. I explained that liking someone was an individual choice and respect had to be earned and shouldn’t be expected. Politeness, on the other hand, was something everyone was capable of offering everyone else.

Amazingly this one little concept truly did make my classroom feel more like a little family. People didn’t yell and weren’t mean to one another (most of the time) and the children were able to focus and be more productive because of that environment. I hope that being polite to others is a skill that they will take with them as they journey through life.

What was the most important skill you learned in school? What is your ideal classroom?

   Credit: Kevin Dooley (Flickr)

I tend to think if there were a rollercoaster themed around school one of the turns would look exactly as that hallway does. A long narrow passageway that tilts crazily to one side while not being well lit is just begging to make someone scream. That would be a scary ride for sure but no more so than a real school is for many students. 

What can parents do?

Parents can encourage their children to talk to them about what goes on everyday at school. Don't let them get away with saying nothing happened. Ask them leading questions. Find out who they sat with at lunch and what they ate. What games did they play at PE? Make them tell you one thing they learned (if they say they didn't learn anything try asking what their teacher told them that they already knew). These answers to these questions, when asked on a daily basis, will give you an idea of how they are really doing. You'll be able to find out if their having a spat with friends or if they are worried about a test. Start the ball of communication rolling and you'll be amazed what happens. They may not volunteer but I bet they'll dish if you show an active interest.

What can teachers do? 

As a teacher I was always seeing students picking on other students or trying to bully their way into whatever they want. I didn't stand for it, ever. I explained that everyone in my class would be treated politely even if they hated each other. I would treat them politely as I expected them to treat everyone else. I didn't demand respect nor did I offer it. Respect is earned. Politeness should be a given.

This worked pretty well with most of my students. When it didn't I would have a private talk with the student then move on to the parent and a form of discipline. Fortunately, most students respond well to a good example and consistent enforcement of rules. 

What can students do?

Students must be made aware that they do have a support network. Make sure they know they can go to a guidance counselor if they are having trouble. They should also be encouraged to talk to teachers if they have questions about assignments. Teachers aren't mind readers and can't help if they aren't asked. 

Students can also join clubs or other extracurricular activities. If they have something to look forward to every day, the ride might be a bit more fun and a bit less terrifying.

Did you or your children hate school? How did you learn to cope??

   Credit: James Sarmiento (Flickr)

There are a number of things parents can do to help make that first day in the middle of the year a bit easier. 

Ask the guidance counselor to show your child around after school is dismissed before his first day. This is much better for the child than during school hours. If he is shown around during school hours prior to the first day of school everyone will see him and be able to make judgments before meeting your child. If the child doesn't get a tour before the first day he will inevitably feel lost all day and have more trouble focusing on the new people he is meeting. 

Request that he be given his locker combination and textbooks before he begins classes. This allows him to take any at home books home and not have to carry them around all day. It also keeps him from having to march in front of the class to wait for his book, which can be embarrassing. If you give the school notice they should be able to have them ready the afternoon he tours the school.

Meet the teachers early. The after school tour is also a great time for students to meet their new teachers and learn the rules of the class. I almost never had a chance to introduce myself to a student before he or she started my class and I always felt bad for them. The rest of my students had a few days to get to know me while we went over the rules at the beginning of the school year. Obviously, it was impossible to stop my class for a few days every time I got a new student so they had to play catch up until they figured it out. If I'd had fifteen to twenty minutes of time with the new student I'm sure he or she would have been more confident in my class.

Did you or your child have to start a new school in the middle of the school year? If so how did you make the transition as smooth as possible??

As a teacher I can tell you that when the money people start talking about budget cuts for schools they aren't just talking about a few pennies less for teachers or keeping the same textbooks for an extra year. They are talking about cutting teacher jobs and getting rid of 'nonessential' classes. Bye-Bye art, music, and drama.

  Credit: William Murphy Flickr

Now I don't teach any of those subjects (I teach one of those essential subjects) but I do know that losing those subjects is going to hurt my kids. Why? Because the only reason some of them bother to come to school, or be productive while they are at school, is because of those non-essentials. Tell a drama geek or a music fanatic that you'll talk to 'their' teacher and suddenly you have a student who is not only good as gold but who is trying to do their best in my class.

The budget cuts happening across the nation aren't going to hurt the kids who are on the fast track to college but they can be deadly for those students who are barely squeaking through. The government, communities, school boards, and the other money people need to figure out a way to make 'budget cuts' that aren't going to rip away the only motivation many kids have.

I know it isn't easy deciding what should go and what should stay but surely there is a way to save money without compromising classes that play a vital role to so many children. Maybe across the board pay cuts for teachers and administrators? Lower stipends? Fewer field trips? More fundraising for extracurricular activities? I certainly don't have all of the answers but I am willing to make sacrifices that will help keep students in school.

Make your voice heard. What do you think schools and school districts should cut to save money?