Parents and school involvement

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2003
Parents and school involvement
2586
Thu, 08-23-2007 - 8:49am

My question stems from a personal experience. My middle child is starting kindergarten next week. I've become fairly close with one of my dd's friend's moms- this is her first child entering the school system. She WOH, I do not, plus I have experience with the school, so she's been calling me with questions and comments.

It started to go bad when she called to complain that the kindy orientation is during the day- when she is working. Then it led to complaints about the parents' read aloud program (when the kids are in library) and other opportunities for volunteerism in the school. I get that these things aren't convenient for her, but I'm getting annoyed with the complaining. How can the kids have an orientation at night when they go to school during the day? None of these events are mandatory for parents or kids. And plenty of activities are scheduled for evenings: Back to school night, the PTA picnic, etc.

She thinks because she can't participate, no one should be able to, apparently. Plenty of WOHP do show up for these things. I think she's being unrealistic if she thought she could put a couple of kids through school without ever taking a vacation day. Am I wrong? Am I missing something here?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:03am
Then THEY can continue it. I am not.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:05am

True. I went to kindie to get ready for school. I think preschool now, is comparable to kindie back then.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:08am

>Kids are more advanced in kindergarten than we were and are expected to know more going in than we did.<

I agree with the 2nd half of your statement but not the first. I believe that kids are more "advanced" today because we (parents as a whole/group) expect them to know more entering Kindergarten. Hence, the emphasis on pre-school today. Once upon a time, Kindergarten was "pre-school".

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:09am
I agree. I have seen with my dd that she is doing things one year ahead of when I did them in school. My son who is not yet 4, can get himself on the computer and navigate himself to where he wants to go. There are adults who still have to take classes to learn how to use the internet!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:10am

Yeah, but cheap is relative.

Yeah well, that's just, ya know, like, your opinion, man-The Big Lebowski 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:10am
ITA with you. Things are getting pushed up at least a year for kids. They are now all familiar with computers by the age of 2 and 3.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:10am

Your church doesn't have anything for young children?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:11am
How much was your after-care? Ours is only $10/day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:11am

I just said the same thing.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 08-31-2007 - 11:12am

Why not?


PumpkinAngel

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