what has happened folks?

[Catwoman]

It's called laziness on the part of the parents.  That's not a preschool's job to teach that information...That's the parents' responsibility.  The ability to parent is something that is going downhill rapidly and has been for the last couple of generations.

[Diane Amberg]

I agree and I don't understand it. Parents are demanding their kids be taught what they want taught, and how they want it taught but won't meet the teacher half way with the basics.

[jarhead]

Quote from catwoman :
The ability to parent is something that is going downhill rapidly and has been for the last couple of generations

Really !! Because you and Diane say so ? What is it I've read on here about not painting all teachers with a broad brush or something like that, then you question "our" ability to parent when there are a few bad apples out there ??

[srkruzich]

Actually I was speaking to Red. The President was trying to calm the people and get them to reconnect their country with God. At that time the communists were known to be anti God, anti organized religion of any kind. You are apparently very strict separation of church and state, but where does that leave our schools? No prayer, no flag, or neither?

Actually no i'm not.    The verse specifically directs christians to not swear an oath. to say yes or no. 
Doesn't have a thing to do with the "myth" of separation of church and state.   

By the way, to digress...For the last several years we have been running into a really odd thing at Safety Town. More and more of the four year olds didn't know their full names, addresses and phone numbers. That is so weird. When I was doing the parent session, the kindergarten teacher, who coordinates the lesson plans for each day and organizes the volunteer counselors, came in to ask the parents why their kids didn't know those important pieces of information. The parents just sat there with no reasons. I was shocked! These kids have been to preschool and start kindergarten in a couple of weeks! Every year Safety Town borrows our 9-11 simulator and when the fake dispatcher asks the child for that information...nothing. It's actually worse than it was five years ago. Anybody know what's up with that?

Don't know.  I don't rememer if my kids knew that at 4 or not.  They were never out of my sight.  Why would 911 be asking those questions anyway. They hae the information on their screen

[srkruzich]

Quote from catwoman :
The ability to parent is something that is going downhill rapidly and has been for the last couple of generations

Really !! Because you and Diane say so ? What is it I've read on here about not painting all teachers with a broad brush or something like that, then you question "our" ability to parent when there are a few bad apples out there ??

ROTFLMBO   Touche'

[Catwoman]

I only know what I've seen over these many years that I've taught and I only know what studies I've read...I don't create the facts, I just report them.  Yes, I've also taught my share of reclusive, "they're all out to get us" types' kids...I've also taught a heckofa bunch of "it's all about me" types' kids...And all of those kids, some of whom come from big money households, come in not knowing their own addresses for the most part.  Go figure.  I didn't list any names, Jar...I only reported what my own experience is.  If you are looking for others who also paint with a broad brush stroke, just start reading this board.

[Diane Amberg]

Jar, I didn't say or mean "all parents" any more than you apparently mean all teachers.
 What happened has a date and a time.That is very specific, no generality and sadly the list grows each year. These kids have names and faces and can be listed.  To have kids who don't know their own last name? Can you explain it? Why the attempt at a tactical diversion?  No touche' wise guy.
Steve, your kids never went to play at another child's house, or went to visit family elsewhere?  Or road bikes or went fishing or walked the hills? Hovering were you?
 As far as asking the questions ,not all kids call from home. Some are on cell phones that may or may not have GPS and even then it may be turned off. E 9-1-1-works very well almost always, but for lost or abducted kids it won't always help and not all states have it. Kids visit relatives in other states also and may know where they are, but not the address. In that case kids who are a little older are asked to see if they can find a piece of mail that has been addressed to that house. Fortunately the 911 operators are very good and get what they need almost every time. But the kids still need to know the right emergency number for where they are.
Some people have programmed phones where the kids just push one button, it may have a picture on it, but they are all different, not easy to teach any more. It's all those individual freedoms doncha know...makes  indoctrinating and socializing those kids harder!  Hey, come to think of it, if those parents didn't care, why should I?  I think Ill retire!

[Catwoman]

Diane, you can't blame them for not getting it.  People who don't teach...Who have no other experience with education other than the one they received themselves...Don't have any idea what it is to try to lead these newest generations forward, out of the darkness of ignorance, into the light of rational thought.  It just points up how oblivious most adults are to how hard it is, anymore, to try to be an educator.  They just flat out don't get it. 

[srkruzich]

Jar, I didn't say or mean "all parents" any more than you apparently mean all teachers.
 What happened has a date and a time.That is very specific, no generality and sadly the list grows each year. These kids have names and faces and can be listed.  To have kids who don't know their own last name? Can you explain it? Why the attempt at a tactical diversion?  No touche' wise guy.
Steve, your kids never went to play at another child's house, or went to visit family elsewhere?  Or road bikes or went fishing or walked the hills? Hovering were you?

Not at 4 and 5 years old they weren't. What parent would allow their 4 and 5 year old to run off alone?  Sheesh. common sense here.  When they were 8 or 9 then they ran around the neighborhood off in the woods ect and by then they did know their information.

[readyaimduck]

They just flat out don't get it. 

1. The kids have been told from the parents:  tell them no information!

2.  Trust no one!

I knew my name was Ready at birth,  but all kidding aside...
I knew my name cognitivly at 4 or 5.   (cuz when mamma called it...I came running!)
I was called a nickname untill I went to 1st grade.

The fact that these questions are being asked of PRESCHOOL kids is rediculous to me.
We barely knew our siblings and the house, let alone our full name and how to spell it!

Are we asking too much information too early from those that are too young?

ready, I was told!