Dear Matzav Shmooze,
To all parents of children in Yeshivos and girls schools,
Like many of you, I am the father of children who attend
Yeshivos and Bais Yaakov schools in New York, and I have been shocked at the response
, or rather – the lack of response – from parents.
Yeshivos and Bais Yaakov schools in New York, and I have been shocked at the response
, or rather – the lack of response – from parents.
I’m not here to argue about the use of Zoom for teaching or not – everyone has heard
enough of that. But how it could it be that principals could tell me that they haven’t heard much from parents on the issue?!
enough of that. But how it could it be that principals could tell me that they haven’t heard much from parents on the issue?!
In the past week, I’ve spoken to quite a few principals, some of whom allow the use of Zoom to teach, and some who are strongly against using it. After telling me their slew of reasons why they don’t allow it (the kids fool around on Zoom, they are learning well on the phone, school is starting on May 15th anyways (!!), most parents don’t have internet in the house, we don’t want the kids getting used to holding a tablet, etc.), I asked them what other parents have had to say about the matter. And most of them told me that parents, for the most part, have notspoken up one way or another.
Really? Is this how we deal with our children’s chinuch – by being silent?
During this period of time, when we are getting an unprecedented look into our children’s chinuch – we should be speaking to principals regularly. Most of them give out their email –
and you can always leave an old fashioned voicemail for those few who don’t.
and you can always leave an old fashioned voicemail for those few who don’t.
Let the principals know what you feel – its your job to speak up. And yes – it does make a difference.
Don’t give them a blank check in how to be mechanech your children – which is your own job after all.
Yes, I want my children to be taught with Zoom. I see with the ones that are using the phone how little they are learning – if at all – while the ones on Zoom are doing well.
I know that if done right – Zoom can be used to create a permanent virtual school –
as this interview with the principal of the Online Shluchim School shows.
as this interview with the principal of the Online Shluchim School shows.
(Full disclosure: I am the host of the show).
But whatever your opinion is – whether for Zoom or against Zoom, or whatever else is on your mind. Let your principals know. They might not always follow your suggestions, but they are most definitely listening.
Sincerely,
Aaron Parnes
“Most of them give out their email..”If they do not, its time to switch schools.
Because everyone is scared they will be thrown out.
They tip toe around them because they made it so difficult to get in.
Parents are scared to call with any complaint.
If you trust your kids in that Yehiva/BY, then you trust the decisions made by the administration. You are most welcome to call and suggest or even argue your side but why should social distanced learning be any different than regular school? Do you call the principal about why you kids are learning this parsha or that masechta?? You trust that the school collaborated with the administrators and even spoke to other Principals and made the decision that they thought was best for your child.
Maybe you should be calling the principals and teachers to thank them for still giving it their all even under these challenging circumstances. It’s hard enough to be a Rebbi /teacher in a regular classroom nowadays and with phone or Zoom classes, it’s s so much harder. Send you children’s Rebbeim and Teachers a nice gift for Shabbos.. How about a nice phone call just to thank them?
No need to call Principals to complain. Trust them that they are doing the best for your child or switch schools.
Yes couldn’t agree more with everything you mentioned. All school/yeshiva staff deserve only thanks. Everyone is trying their hardest to do the best they can do under very hard circumstances.
It’s very simple, no one wants their kids to have problems in school or be told to find a new school which could be explicitly said or by the way of the office telling you full tuition or nothing else. The schools do not care about what the parents think or want, they run on the philosophy of my way or the highway. Yes, it is sad, but I am not jepordising my sons’ in the attempt to voice an opinion which they don’t care about anyways if it doesn’t fall into their group think.
Better be quite or your kids will get kicked out of school
100%
I really hope our kids do go back and proper precautions allow for this. Phone conferencing is definitely not ideal for my visual learners.
I am a parent whose children are using phone school. My children get off the phone with stress and headaches. My next door neighbor’s children are having Zoom school. They’re thriving! Their children are eager and exciterd to see their classmates and rebbees and the parents report that although it’s not the same as when the kids are in school but it’s a very good alternative. To me it seems it’s a no-brainet. We must do anything we can for the children to learn. Phone school is not a reasonable learning alternative.
Of course age is a factor too but not that significant a factor. Children and adults learn when they see their rabbi or teacher. Those rejecting zoom school are withholding the best for their children.
Everyone should follow their mosads daas torah.
I am a rabbi who is using zoom. Thank you commenter #3, shvigger, for your expression of gratitude. It means a lot to me to be recognized for my efforts on behalf of the children. It is very hard and tiring to teach via zoom. I do it because it is necessary for the children, not because my school demands it.
My kids are using Zoom now and are definitely not learning as well as they were on the phone. The first week it was exciting but now, it is just so much more stressful for everyone. The novelty wore off and now we are back to the good old תינוק הבורח מבית הספר.
Principals are working 20 hours a day making these things work. You are an ingrate. Every yeshiva has their hashkafos which you need to live with or leave. If they were being lazy, then complain. Otherwise, this is just machlokes, plain and simple.
As a work-at-home parent I’m often in the same room as my child during both lemudei kodesh and lemudei chol lessons. I can’t say enough good about the extraordinary efforts by the dedicated, hard-working and innovative rabeim, teachers and other staff members. Thank you so much for continuing to be mechanech our children in these most difficult times.
Obviously learning with phones can be difficult but there are so many issues with Zoom it is like the emperors new clothes.
Exactly what issues do you with Zoom except that the children learn much better. In my opinion, those that “BAN” zoom are throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I tutor a number of children in chasidishe yeshivos I learn with two now through Zoom Its, not the same as doing it in person but its a close second. Another child who really needs help in all limudim is not getting any help not from me and not in the morning because the mother doesn’t know, she’s not sure etc. The bottom line is if you need medicine you take it this is no different.
I am not saying I think you are crazy if you think zoom is better but it is clear to me why schools are not for it. Besides for any hypocrisy of message since they tell students not to use internet and all of a sudden it’s encouraged, there’s much more. My kids and many others in the community are not learning better with zoom. The connection is not great, the kids are busy changing backgrounds, trying to chat and make signs to distract others, are constantly being zoom bombed which is often inappropriate and causes the school to keep changing passwords. It’s a big mess and they’re not learning better than the siblings that are on the phone.
I meant to say better then the telephone conferences. Of course, learning in yeshiva is better.
It all depends where you are located and how “strong” the parents are. In Far Rockaway, initially the schools refused to use Zoom because of the internet issue. The parents revolted, letting the schools know that they are not going to be paying tuition for a few half hour phone conferences. TAG (the girls’ school) found a creative solution later adopted by other schools, apparently there is a tablet available that works like a cell phone and can be programmed to only have zoom or whatever app the school allows. They gave them to the students whose parents didn’t have/want internet in the house, in addition to those who simply did not have enough devices.
I am a high school math teacher and it is nearly impossible to teach math over the phone. We are doing relatively well over zoom. Ideal, certainly not, and I am wiped out and the end of the day. In addition I have to redo many of my handouts and I have been making review videos to aid the students. But those schools that are refusing to allow the students to see their teacher and classmates are doing a disservice.
Mr Parnes,
If you don’t agree with the values of the yeshiva, remove your children from there. You’re hurting them and the yeshiva.
If your yeshiva teaches one thing and you teach something else, your children will learn not to listen to either of you.
MANY Gedoilim said not to use zoom. They are following those Gedoilim. My children are B”H learning very well over the phone. Their rabbeim are engaging and call out names constantly to keep them involved – and on the phone.
More than any of that; it would be better for them to not learn a single word for the rest of the year, than to get them used to something that will harm them for life later on.
You are entitled to your opinion, whatever it may be. You can even call your menahel and tell it to him – and no, you won’t get thrown out of the yeshiva for it – that’s shtusim vehavalim. However, you don’t belong in the yeshiva if you disagree with their values.
You should have nachas.
Moronic go ahead and make your own school,. till then leave ppl to do ther jobs.
Also, consider that it may be that more parents arent speaking up, because their perfectly happy with the way it is.