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: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 9:53pm
Lots of people do it.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 9:54pm
Transportation is a big issue for me personally.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 9:56pm
Because your children could be learning in general, rather than learning to take one test?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:14pm
but leaving a less than ideal education system for one that works better for your child is not about a child not dealing with less than ideal circumstances. in my case my dd loved her school, but as her parent, the person responsible for making the decisions i feel are best for her even if she doesnt agree, i didnt feel she was getting the best education she could, and that is what i wanted for her then and for all of my children now.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:18pm
i dont know anyone who has moved thier child because of a bad teacher for a year - where did that come from. we rarely have redistricting but we do have open enrollment, which allows parents if they choose to move thier child to a school that better fits their needs. would you move your child if you determined that your neighborhood school was no longer meeting your expectations and no longer providing the best possible education for your child? I would in a heart beat.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:20pm
if transportation were the issue for me my kids would be going to the school closer to our house which is the school in the next county over.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 10:41pm
what you are missing is it was never about what my child thought or wanted. she loved her school, she excelled there, and they did have some things i liked but as a parent i was NEVER going to be happy with my kids spending as much time as they spent on test prep as part of my kids education. i was never going to be happy with the amount of pressure they put on the kids to get a certain score on the test. all my dd knew was we were moving and she was going to a new school. in the 13 years my dd has been in school i cant think of anything she has disliked about school for more than 5 minutes other than gym and having to read don quioxte in spanish.
my kids are in school to get the best education she can get not be a role model for other kids.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 12:03am

Why only the weaknesses?


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 12:14am

Well as you know, I have two odd ducks when it comes to traditional education, lol.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 12:27am

See I love the fact that my kids are only about 5 minutes away from my office, versus the 20 or so if they went to the local public school.


So I agree.


PumpkinAngel

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