Have you heard of “The Essential 55″ a book by Ron Clark???
Question by itsjustme: Have you heard of “The Essential 55″ a book by Ron Clark???
The elem. school my SD is attending sent home the new handbook for this year, there is a section stating that the students will follow “The Essential 55″ rules at school.
I read and read and read them and found them to be insulting to me as a parent and I feel like this school is trying to over step it’s boundries into areas that are my responsiblity as a parent!
Examples:
Rule #3- If someone in class wins…we will congradulate them. Claps should be of at least 3 seconds and w/full part of both hands in a manner of appropriate clap volume.
Rule #6-If you are asked a question you should respond and ask a question in return. Ex. “how are you” answer: “I’m fine, how are you.”
Rule #9- Always say thank you when I give you something. If you do not say it within three seconds I will take it back. There is noe excuse for not showing appreciation.
Rule #15- I will give rewards for good behavior, academic performance and other acts. If you ever ask me for a rewad, It will not be given.
Rule #19- when homework is given, no moaning or complaining or it will be doubled.
It goes on to explain the proper way to wahs hands, eating manners, how to leave a tip at a hotel, not to take to much food from a buffet, holding the door for other people, to say excuse me when someone bumps into you, how to answer the phone at home, how to behave at the movies.
I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ALL THE THINGS THAT PARENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO TEACH..NOT THE SCHOOL!!!
****WHAT DO YOU THINK???****
I feel like this book would be a good guide for parents to use for their children, I just don’t think that it is a good guide for the school to use!!!
(*as a parent I should be able to teach my child manners the way that I feel they need to be learned…and it may not be the same as everyone else…and that’s ok!*)
Best answer:
Answer by mommyLynn
yes i have…….and personally I think it’s a great idea. children don’t respect teachers and their rules anymore. I think this will get them to be more focused on learning…….
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Reader Comments
never heard of it
Yes you are right…most of these rules are things parents should teach at home. The problem is that some kids don’t get that at home. It is an attempt to enable the kids to succeed in the book stuff by being sure they have the other tools necessary to succeed in life (courtest, appreciation, empathy, etc).
Ron Clark wrote this book after he took these rules and applied them to his inter-city harlem New York class. They had been written off as problem kids and “losers” and with his guidance they began to excel and then tested ABOVE grade level on state exams.
This story has gotten nationwide attention and that is probably why your child’s school adopted it. There was just a TV movie on about 2 weeks ago (you may be able to see it still) starring Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing on Friends) as Ron Clark.
ADDITION: I also think you are right, depending how forceful your school is going to be with these rules. It’s a learning process and if they are going to be like tyrants about these rules then I certainly understand your being upset.
I have heard of them and if parents are applying these rules already at home, then having the child follow them at school should not be a problem. The rules are about teaching kids to respect themself and others and in the process they learn to value theirself as a person. I would wager most kids don’t get lessons on respect and manners in their house or the school wouldn’t think it would be useful in the classroom.
I think the book is excellent. It is not insulting to parents. I wish more schools would use it. Parents should be teaching their children these things, but the sad fact is that most do not. Their children will suffer. What harm will it do to your child?
I understand what you are saying . . and true a lot of the things that you stated SHOULD be taught by the parents . . . but unfortunately, we live in a time and age where all parents are not doing their jobs as parents . . they are allowing the TV or older siblings to raise their kids . . so many kids don’t know what we think they should . . . so the school has taken the responsibility to instill these things to some, and reinforce to those who already know, things that will help them to become well-mannered citizens . .
I wouldn’t really worry about it too much . . . just realize that not all kids have concerned parents like you . . and someone needs to teach them right from wrong . . if not the parent, then who?? . . the school!!