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Say No To Summer Packets

July 7, 2014 By Eileen Carter-Campos

On the last day of school this year, I was extremely surprised to see that there was no HUGE packet requiring my attention in either of my boys’ bookbags. Let me explain…. Let us rewind to a few years ago when, with every holiday that rolled around, my eldest would have page after page of math work and then a project due upon his return to the classroom. This was for short breaks from school but for summer breaks, there was even more pressure. I remember cringing at the thought when it was time to create these packets. As a teacher myself, I had to come up with what we would place in the packet. I did as I was told and sent home a ridiculous pile of papers that I knew served no real purpose for most of the children I taught.

photo-1405
He had a CHOICE on which book he wanted to read.

Many of the students in my classroom would NEVER turn these packets back in. I even had one child say when she returned to school, “my mom said we don’t do homework in the summer, summer is for fun!” I had to put the brakes on that one because, in my opinion, yes, summer can be fun but you can learn and enjoy yourself at the same time! However, summer learning was not fun with the packets being sent home by the schools. I know for my boy, it was TORTURE – that’s right I said it T-O-R-T-U-R-E – so I had to turn it into something FUN, but damn, how could I when the work was way too much?

 

After the winter break last year, I sent the principal and teachers an email in which I explained that I thought the work being sent home in these packets was way too much. I am all for keeping the children up to par with their education including all subjects, but I reminded the principal that children still need to be children. I even went on to say that, as a teacher I look forward to these breaks to spend “quality” time with my boys since we work so hard throughout the school year! It seems as though I wasn’t the only parent who voiced this opinion because the next packet sent home months later was significantly smaller. My son completed it with great satisfaction and I didn’t hear a word of negativity or opposition to it.

photo-1407
He was so happy with his choice he just had to take a picture!

Let’s fast forward to searching his bag as school got out this year and NOT finding a packet at all! I was SHOCKED but oh so relieved. Relieved because, without the pressure of the packet, I was given the opportunity to focus on what my son really needs to work on this summer instead of just giving him garbage that the school wants him to do. He will get to work on concepts and strategies that I know he needs strengthening in and we get to do it on our own time. He also gets to read a book that he wants instead of a mandatory selection that is of no interest to him. My school did nearly the same thing this year. Instead of giving out packets, they gave out bridge books for the children to complete throughout the summer. Once they complete the book, their parents approve it and provide them with the completion certificate to return to school in the Fall. It makes the children AND parents responsible!

I plan according to what my children need.
I plan according to what my children need.

I really enjoy the fact that the school took the parents’ voice into consideration and provided the students with no summer packet or required reading log. My son is more relaxed and enjoying his summer, but still learning and reviewing concepts in the process. Although education is important, children must learn how to socialize and be young as well. Parents need to begin stepping up to the plate, observing what their child needs throughout the school year and reviewing this throughout the summer. Children should be able to learn at their own pace and it should always be fun and resourceful for them.

 

Care to share: Did your child receive a summer packet for summer break this year and how do you feel about the packets?

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Filed Under: Managing Mommyhood, Teaching & Education Tagged With: packet, Packets, School, Summer

Comments

  1. Denise says

    July 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm

    Andre received one but it’s not nearly as big. He’s in charter school so they have always been “light” on homework. Their theory is the students work hard & long that home time should be quality time with family which I agree. But as he heads into 3rd grade this fall, my hubby is creating his own packet to strengthen Andre’s reading & vocabulary. Plus summer camp does their own school work everyday. I agree summer is for fun but we can’t let them forget to learn as well. Have a great summer!

    • Eileen Carter-Campos says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Denise,
      I completely agree with you. As a teacher I firmly believe in children NOT losing during summertime but I also know to be well rounded children they must have some down time and “quality” time with their family. We work hard and play even harder in our home. We have to choose what is best for our children. Kudos to you and your hubby. Thanks for reading and responding!!!

  2. Careshia Moore says

    July 9, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Yes, my son received a packet and guess what,he gets an ice cream party during the first week of school if he decides to complete it. This is the first year we have not been on top of it. We have been so busy doing other fun learning. Now we won’t blow it off but we will spend more time reading his favorite series Percy Jackson (the other day he compared Krispy Kreme donuts to sirens) and writing on his blog. You know fun stuff that he does while learning. I’m all for avoiding the summer slump but the packets are a bit too dense.

    • Eileen Carter-Campos says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:45 am

      Careshia…what a beautiful name!
      Thanks so much for reading and responding. You really hit the nail on the head when
      you said, “we have been so busy doing other fun learning”–that’s the key point to this post! There must be more CHOICE for children in order for work NOT to be considered WORK!!!!
      Thanks again, honey!

  3. Vicky says

    July 9, 2014 at 10:15 am

    I know what you mean with 2 books reading plus math packets it it is crazy. I respect reading and a book report but sometimes it just gets overwhelming and innocence is lost.

    • Eileen Carter-Campos says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:45 am

      Vicky,
      YES!!! Innocence should NOT be lost! They have their entire life for that–they need to LEARN but most importantly BE KIDS!!!!!
      HUGS!!!!

  4. Kitty Bradshaw says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Wow, didn’t know that they did this. I remember “recommended reading”, but not a whole lesson plan for the parents lolll.

    • Eileen Carter-Campos says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:47 am

      Kitty,

      Yes! As a teacher—if WE are complaining there is a problem!!! LOL
      It’s great for kids to learn but everyone needs down time!
      Thanks for reading & responding!!!!

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    […] setting the tone at a very young age. Of course things happen, but when a child has to attend summer school due to excessive absences or lateness, it is pure humiliation! Start from the very beginning […]

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Hi, I'm Eileen, an educator, mom of two, and proud Boricua!  Here on "MommyTeaches," you'll receive real insight from a teacher of more than 15 years and a mother of two boys who love to explore the world around them.  But "Mommy Teaches" isn't just the name of the blog, it's my life!  I'm teaching every single day, whether in the classroom or at home with my own kids.  As mothers, we know just how important our role is, as we become our child's first teacher. [ Keep reading → ]

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