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 - 4:15pm

Very well said.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:16pm
ITA with you. There are bad teachers everywhere and alot of burnt out ones. This does not mean that I would not have trust in my school.
I am also very involved. I go to every PTA meeting so I know what is going on during the year and don't feel left out of the loop.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:16pm

The fact that 90%(although I question that statistic) of US parents do that isn't compelling reasoning to do so imo

Hazel's painting PKA as negligent is what caused me to react strongly, although, I'd hardly say I painted Hazel as negligent.




Edited 9/6/2007 4:18 pm ET by mom2fourgrls
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:17pm
That is sad then and I am glad I live where I live as we have an excellent district and have had as I went through it too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:19pm
Thank you. I personally don't think it is wrong to trust your school system. If the district is good enough, you DO put your trust in them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:19pm
How does attending PTA meetings help you to determine what happens in the classroom?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:21pm

"I believe that the schools and the families work together to educate the child, it's not just turn them over to the teachers and the school and they do the job. I believe that I (and dh of course) are equal partners with the teachers in our child's education."

I never disagreed with this and said that I am involved with my daughter's school so I DO know what is going on all the time.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:21pm
Just because a district is good doesn't mean your(general) child will thrive there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:21pm

I haven't found that the pta is the best way to know what is going on in the school, in my experience anyway.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:24pm
It is another way to be involved and they do talk about classroom things as the teachers are always there to answer questions if you need them to.

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