tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post249827254689801638..comments2023-10-28T16:05:03.006+02:00Comments on Blog Ness Monster: Relieved and happyBetsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451957392894462983noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-25425471836926943812007-09-20T11:04:00.000+02:002007-09-20T11:04:00.000+02:00well that is such good news...schools are so impor...well that is such good news...<BR/><BR/>schools are so important for children, they spend a lot of time there and they need to get stimulated rather than disappointed!Goofballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11155032632164828945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-89870562853580292062007-09-20T08:41:00.000+02:002007-09-20T08:41:00.000+02:00Thanks Jen and Christina! He's nearing the end of...Thanks Jen and Christina! He's nearing the end of his first week and it's going really well. Again, big sigh!<BR/><BR/>Oops! I'm only just realizing that I've been spelling Schultüte wrong all this time! I suppose I should have known-- it isn't exactly a "school bag", but what is a Tüte anyway? I can't find it in my dictionaries-- am assuming it's an old word for cone or horn?Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05451957392894462983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-21680362407427851692007-09-17T22:24:00.000+02:002007-09-17T22:24:00.000+02:00Awww, how sweet! I'm SO glad he's got what sounds ...Awww, how sweet! I'm SO glad he's got what sounds like a reasonable, caring teacher. It makes all the difference. Our kids had the same teachers for four years as well. One was really strict and yelled a lot and the other was totally wishy washy and should have yelled a little more. But everyone survived in one piece. :-)<BR/><BR/>And just look at that Schultüte! It's gorgeous - you did a fantastic job. I bet he was so proud.christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15991148606497381478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-21500025239136955662007-09-17T15:05:00.000+02:002007-09-17T15:05:00.000+02:00I'm glad she's young and warm. And good for S for...I'm glad she's young and warm. And good for S for handling it, and I'm so glad that he has a good teacher NOW when that next transition will be so important. The German system <I>does</I> seem to produce uniformity above everything else. It's why they don't allow homeschooling. I loved the picture. And I can relate to the feeling of relief! So glad it's an easier start!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-46814030454134725002007-09-17T14:59:00.000+02:002007-09-17T14:59:00.000+02:00anonymous: FOUR YEARS!!! I can imagine that this w...anonymous: FOUR YEARS!!! I can imagine that this would be a good thing if you've got a great teacher, but there are so many bad ones out there!<BR/><BR/>The schools here (at least in BW) are set up so that even teachers whose students underperform year after year cannot be fired. They pass on whole classes of kids who are unprepared for the next grade and no one seems to be able to do anything about it!<BR/><BR/>That, and I've got a friend whose second grade son has a teacher who's been labeled by several other parents I know as "inhumane". This woman apparently admitted in the parents' evening that she's all for corporal punishment and would rather hit students who misbehave but unfortunately can't since it's against school policy.<BR/><BR/>And I realize that this sounds like melodramatic fear mongering, but these are just a couple of concrete examples I know of from our school.<BR/><BR/>As a parent I've often felt helpless and hopeless when confronted with the bizarre authoritarian atmosphere here.<BR/><BR/>I'm just relieved that we seem to have gotten lucky this year and don't have to start worrying for another two years...Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05451957392894462983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-85050283471405015692007-09-17T14:36:00.000+02:002007-09-17T14:36:00.000+02:00Hi Anno! Thanks, that thing he's holding is a Sch...Hi <B>Anno</B>! Thanks, that thing he's holding is a Schultütte. It's a large cone filled with goodies which is given to the first graders to celebrate the first day of school. I made it with the help of a kit- have to admit I swore a lot while I was doing it because I'm not very crafty, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. :-)<BR/><BR/>Hi <B>Laurie</B>! You and me both! (Happy about B's teacher.) <BR/><BR/>S's teacher is great too-- and it's really important for him because she'll ultimately be the one who decides if he goes to Gymnasium or Realschule. I've heard from other parents whose older children have had her that she's compassionate and enthusiastic. <BR/><BR/>I am just so relieved to know that they're both in good hands!Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05451957392894462983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-65072402864065155502007-09-17T14:20:00.000+02:002007-09-17T14:20:00.000+02:00You keep the same teacher for 2 years? In my part...You keep the same teacher for 2 years? In my part of Germany, you keep the same teacher for 4 years!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-49706155764234581932007-09-17T11:49:00.000+02:002007-09-17T11:49:00.000+02:00I'm so glad B. got the teacher he did! There's eno...I'm so glad B. got the teacher he did! There's enough to deal with in school at that age, without having to fear the teacher too... <BR/><BR/>Wow. So impressive, the way your two boys have both made the transition!africakidandtheworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664490603920452905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15820655.post-59323059112299607372007-09-17T11:14:00.000+02:002007-09-17T11:14:00.000+02:00Warmth and empathy are a promising start. I hope t...Warmth and empathy are a promising start. I hope there's a wonderful year ahead for all of you.<BR/><BR/>(Are those flowers your son is holding for his teacher? An art project? Whatever it is, it is amazing!)annohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102616203481686227noreply@blogger.com