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
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:57pm
My definition is knowing that the district has employed good enough teachers and has a good curriculum that is being taught to help my child excel in school. I am very familiar with the district for over 30 years as I went their myself. Things have changed over the years, some teachers STILL there when I was there!, but overall the district has not changed in the way they are there for the kids.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 4:59pm

"Anyway I do agree with you that attending PTA meetings would usually not give you that much information besides how the PTA wants to raise money & what kind of extra things the parents or teachers want to provide it's students. That's interesting but certainly couldn't give a parent a full picture."

Not all PTA meetings are just about social things and how to raise money. We are always having guests speak to us, the superintendent. The principal is there every meeting and if there is a problem, it will get mentioned.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 5:03pm
That's great that they have speakers & that the principal comes--the principal should be there. But there are many issues & problems that your principal is dealing with and making decisions on that you will never know about. I think school board meetings would be more valuable than pta meetings for what is really going on in your school.

VickiSiggy.jpg picture by mamalahk

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 5:14pm

I don't know....I will have to defer this to Lois as she is up more no changes in education over the years but overall

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 5:17pm

I would agree, it's amazing what one learns at a school board meeting.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 5:54pm
honestly i think both are going to be valuable. a school board meeting is going to show you what the big picture is but the pta meeting is going to show you the day to day things going on at the school. i dont think at a school board meeting you are going to find out what field trips the kids are going on or what find arts programs are going to be presented this month at the elementary school. at least that has been my expereince.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 6:09pm
kids are different, they thrive in different situations. and sometimes even if the child is thriving the system may not be one the parent is happy with. that doesnt necessarily mean the school is bad just that those parents want a different kind of education for their kids.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 6:13pm
it isnt sad at all. we have a great district and wonderful teachers, most of whom i am friends with, but there is no way i am going to just trust them to educated my kids. i want to know what they are being taught and how they are being taught, i want to know how they are being tested and why they are being tested. you are simply more hands off when it comes to your childrens education than some people are comfortable with. buti bet there are just as many people who are even more hands off than you are.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 6:15pm
I agree that the 2 kinds of meetings would have different info and cover different areas. I just think the info at pta meetings is a more sugarcoated for parents. Board meetings the info is definiately broader, maybe just not as sugarcoated.

VickiSiggy.jpg picture by mamalahk

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 6:22pm
of course it is going to be broader, at pta meetings we dont discuss or care what is going on at the other elementary school or the high school. but then board meetings dont care how many books the pta is buying for the library, or how much money the pta is giving each classroom for enrichment. i will say that at our pta meetings the pricipal normally gives a brief talk about changes going on at the district level that parents need to be aware of - which is great because then if parents care about those changes they are free to attend upcoming board meetings or call their board members for more info. the reality is even fewer parents than attend pta meetings are going to sit thru twice a month board meetings that normally last a couple of hours.

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