Edited (was Private School)
Originally I posted that I’ve been considering private school for my kids. It was a knee-jerk reaction from me after seeing his latest progress report and reading an email from one of his teachers.
I said: Is it any wonder my son is confused and not doing well now that he’s in 6th grade? I am as confused as all heck on what his homework is supposed to be and what he’s supposed to be doing. If *I* can’t figure it out, then how can I expect Kevin to figure it out? I have tried emailing his teachers. Two haven’t bothered responding (or returning my calls) and the one who did respond hasn’t given me straight answers.
For one, she said that he “didn’t bother taking his spelling test October 9th”. So I ask, “What do you mean he didn’t bother? What was he doing while the rest of the class took the test?” She responded saying, “It appears Kevin just chose to not take the test on Oct. 9th”. That didn’t answer my question at all. If it “appears” he did not take the test, then what the heck was he doing??? Apparently she has no idea…
I talked to Kevin and finally his teacher since I posted. He claims he did this test and it was graded. She said if so, he needs to turn it in again. So we’ll see.
After sorting through all his math papers, I’ve discovered Kevin was very confused about what he’s supposed to turn in for his math homework and is missing a LOT. Fortunately, some of the work he’s done and it’s just a matter of turning it in. Unfortunately, some that he’s done and showed to me, has been recycled and he’ll have to do it over. I asked him back when he showed me this work why it wasn’t graded and he said it was just practice work. Turns out he was wrong and it was work he was supposed to turn in. We’re talking 6 chapters worth of follow ups and such that he has to re-do. He’ll be a busy kid this week…
I also said: Kevin’s school has not impressed me since the day I first set foot in there. 
I feel this is a crucial time in his education and apparently none of his teachers can even be bothered about what is going on.
I still feel this way. I don’t know if the teachers just have too many kids and not enough time to keep parents informed or what. Sixth grade was a huge jump for Kevin and to say that he’s struggling is an understatement.
As for Melissa: She is doing well in school but is not reading where she should be. Apparently her teacher last year never felt it was important enough to mention. She reads from “memory”. It’s hard to explain but basically she memorizes shapes of words but isn’t actually reading or sounding things out. We were shocked to hear this because she reads to us from her books all the time. But she’s memorized the pages and isn’t reading. I’m grateful at least that her second grade teacher has caught this early and we know how to work on it. In other subjects she’s doing great.
