Why are the schools trying to reinvent the wheel?

Recently, well in the past year my husband and I moved back to New England after a short stint in the south. He was craving the feeling of "home" and what we thought was normality. It didnt take long for the novelty of the idea of being back to wear off. The saying, "the grass isn't always greener" couldn't have been more true in this situation, but alas 2000 dollars and 1700 miles down the road, it was a little too late to say lets go back. So troopers we are and so are our kids, we stuck it out living with family while trying to secure work and a place to live.

During this whole rollercoaster ride, the kids had to start school. Faced with the fact we hadnt found a place to live yet, we were forced to put them into the school near where we were living with family. Everyone talked about this school as if it were the greatest thing ever, (obviouly these people need to get out of the state a little more often) because the school is far from it. The building is old, which is understandable, MA is an old state one of the original 13 colonies, but the desks had to have been there since 1980 and the chairs were falling apart, the rooms were way to small for the 25+ students and 2-3 teachers squeezed in to them. Then the fun started.

About a few weeks into the year I was called while at work and informed my son who was 5 at the time, was in the principle's office. This is a kid who is loved by everyone, says please and thank you, sweet as can be. So naturally I was a little shocked by this. I get there and they say he is having a problem listening to the teachers and that he spit his milk all over the table. I do the mom thing and explain that he is going through alot, the move the staying with family, etc...we get that all over with and then we get in the car and I ask him what was wrong and why was he not listening. He tells me that the teacher said he did something that he didn't and she made him clean up someone elses mess. He gets very opinionated and voicey when he feels that he is not being treated fairly. Long story short, we haven't had any more problems but I noticed that this particular teacher would correct him and not even remember why or what happened when I questioned her about it the next day. I understand there are over 20 students per class and there is more than one teacher, but honestly they are five and unless they are swearing at you and blatently telling you to go screw, then a little hissy fit on their part is expected, get over it.

The schools in the south were so much more laid back. The kids did something they weren't suppose to, they got punished, end of story. If it was bad enough they sent a note home. I never had been called into the office unless it was because the kids were very sick. I guess the point I am trying to make is why are we constanly making more problems than needed. Why are we making things into more that what they are. A five year old is not an adult so why are we holding them to that expectation and why are we forcing them to grow up.

There is nothing for them at the school's up here anymore. No real art, or music, their recess consists of a blacktop and a slide. Swings are now so dangerous as well as jump ropes, two of my favorite things when I was 7. Then they sit and wonder why these kids act out and are disobedient and why they become troubled teens. They spend the majority of their time at school, so why are the run like a penetentary? I feel like a criminal when I pick them up? This world has changed and will continue to, but are we going to continue to safeguard our kids to the point that they no longer leave the house? I want my kids as safe as the next person, but why do my kids have to suffer because of what could happen? We can't predict or plan everything that is going to happen, and even when you do plan, there is always a wrench thrown in, so why not just live life and make school like it use to be. A fun place to learn where kids can be kids and not mini adults.