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, 09-07-2007 - 1:17pm
Who said I am not involved in the day to day happenings of my daughter in school? What parent speaks to the teacher or principal everyday?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:18pm
There is a point when you start pushing a child that is too much. I will not do that to my children.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:22pm
I won't do that to my children either? What would be the point? And why do you bring it up here?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:23pm
i agree you can push a child too hard and i would never do that. but as their parent i have a pretty good idea of what they are capable of and just as i will not push too hard i will not let them just float thru school doing the bare minimum without me pushing them to do waht they are capable of.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:23pm
Memorization is excellent not just for tests. How do you think we remember everything that we use now?
If my child is happy with school, then she will have more motivation to go to school and good. One of the things my dd strives for is to have perfect attendance. She has acheived this every year but one (not by the fault of her own-my dad passed away). I think that is excellent and shows a great deal how she will function in the future.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2007
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:24pm
I hope she doesn't place such importance on perfect attendance that she goes to school sick ... that's a HUGE issue with me.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:26pm
A good teacher will be able to tell which child needs help and gives them the opportunity to get it. My dd needed help in math and there were a few others that needed help also. Last year, once a month, the teacher had them come in early to have a review. I think that is excellent. She just didn't brush it off as "the largest percentage of the class" could do the work but gave the children who had a problem help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:29pm
Don't you think that is one of the biggest things colleges look for in a student?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:31pm
Knock on wood, she has never been a child to get sick. I wouldn't send her to school if she was though as much as she insisted-lol!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:39pm
<> Which is precisely my point. You made it seem that was the extent of your knowledge wrt your child's education. Since no one speaks to the teacher or principal daily, a parent has to have other ways to know how their child is doing.

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