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: 06-27-1998
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 3:57pm

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No that is not what I said.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:00pm
Don't you think an establishment that caters to children's education would know what is good for them? I know each child is different and some need help in subjects that others don't but overall, I think the teachers and school are familiar with this as this is their livlihood.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:02pm
In other words you just trust that the school is doing their job.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:05pm
Teachers and schools are as subject to fads, error, and complacency as anyone else. In addition, there are many different opinions and philosophies among different educators and educational institutions as to the "right" way to educate a child. I don't trust that any group of people will come up with the same answers I do when choosing among various alternatives, and although theirs might be right and mine wrong, I do need some persuading of that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:06pm
Why would you not trust the school?
Maybe because we have a good district and great teachers, I trust my school. I am also involved and know what is going on with my daughter and the keep myself involved in the aspects of the school by attending PTA meetings and corresponding with the teacher when needed.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:09pm
Schools aren't perfect. I think it is very important for parents to be involved in the education of their children.Btw, we have a good district and mostly good teachers. Unfortunately I would say that most schools are likely to have a few bad teachers.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:10pm

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In general, yes. Always? No. In specific to my child? Very possibly not.

I've seen enough good teachers to have a general sense of faith in them. But I've also seen enough bad teachers, enough bad administrators, and enough poorly run or bad systems to know that I can't always have blind faith.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:12pm

A school might choose a curriculum and approach for a variety of reasons. It might choose one because the material and the approach most closely represents that which will appear on the latest standardized tests. The school might not even think the curriculum is the best one out there, only that it is "suitable" and will help produce higher test scores.

I am not in favor of educating a child simply so that he can produce great test scores.

A school might choose a curriculum because it has a good success rate among a high percentage of learners.

I may be raising a child who would learn better with another curriculum.

A school might have to compromise on a curriculum because the best one available is beyond the district's budget.

I want to be aware of the better curricula.

A school might choose a curriculum that educates children to minimum state standards.

Nothing about my children's education has been geared to meeting minimum anything.

Just off the top of my head.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:12pm
You do realize that probably 90% of US parents with children in the public school system do that? People have different comfort zones for different issues.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:14pm

<<Don't you think an establishment that caters to children's education would know what is good for them? >>


In a general very broad overview...yes.

PumpkinAngel

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