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: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:41pm
I will not settle for mediocrity when my children are capable of more.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:42pm

<> 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"

And why do you think I do not know what my child is doing because I don't make a point to get in contact with the teacher or principal more than once or twice for conferences and correspondence with letters through the year?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:43pm
well said.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:44pm
And neither do I or have I ever said I will "settle for mediocrity". I know what my child is capable of and what I can push her (or him) to achieve (with my child) but there is a limit.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:45pm
Me too. I think that sends the wrong message in so many ways that parents don't think about. The kid learns that it doesn't matter how their actions effect others. Not a message I want my kids to go through life with.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:48pm
That is the way you made it sound. You said that you trusted the school to do their job, you see teachers at PTA meetings, and so on. You said nothing to having daily knowledge as to your child's progress.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:49pm
No one here has said they will push their children too hard either, yet you still brought up the point.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:51pm
I guess if you are satisfied that your school is pushing your children to the proper limit and no further, then you are fine. I have never been persuaded that the schools were doing that for my kids, so we have customized their education accordingly.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:52pm

I don't see that she is talking about that extreme though, I see her talking about pushing a child the right amount.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 1:54pm

I totally agree.


PumpkinAngel

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