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: 08-14-2007
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:32pm

At the University I work for, ONE of the following is required for admission:

High School GPA...................................................... 3.0 &
Class Rank........................................................... top 33.3%

or
High School GPA.................................................3.0 & ACT 21
in the 15-Unit Core............................................... or SAT 980

or
ACT/SAT................................................................24 / 1090

Note that one could apply, and be accepted, on the basis of an ACT/SAT score alone. Essentially, the grades for an applicant with a 24 ACT wouldn't be considered in the process. That student would be accepted. (Note: there are curricular requirements as well, 4 English, 3 math, etc; also a GED or diploma, etc)

Of course, the programs one might be eligible for, scholarships one might be eligible for, etc would be much improved by high grades in addition to a high ACT/SAT. Also, we are a state-funded institution and do not do selective admissions. Everyone that meets the requirements is accepted.




Edited 9/7/2007 3:36 pm ET by i.love.the.80s
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:36pm

I don't recall anyone posting a situation where they are willing to kill themselves to get the best possible education for their children.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:39pm

Interesting, thanks and you make a good point.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:43pm
She used the phrase "if the logistics were a hardship". That was what I was agreeing to. I stated that I might be willing to kill myself (i.e., drive a long distance and fight traffic) if I only had one child to consider.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:52pm

I guess I wouldn't consider that a hardship in my life or even trying to kill myself, but more trying to insure that my child had a good education, thus it would never really be classified (ime) as a hardship or killing oneself.

PumpkinAngel

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:54pm

You know, I think part of the difference in opinion here can be chalked up to the fact that many (most?) districts don't have open enrollment like jennie is talking about. I expect that most people with kids choose their neighborhood based in part on the schools their kids will attend, so changing schools often means moving, which is pretty drastic. In a district with open enrollment, like ours, it doesn't matter where you live, so the more educated parents don't automatically send their kids to the neighborhood school. Usually, you research the schools in your part of town (or the magnet programs that seem to best suit your child) before you decide.

OTOH, I don't know anybody here who really re-evaluates their child's school every year. We moved our dd1 once, after K, and I'm glad we did, but I would think long and hard about moving her again. In general, I don't think it's good for kids to be moving around from school to school, so it would take something pretty major to get us to move again. Middle school is coming up next year for dd1, and it's very unlikely she'll go to the neighborhood school. I'm researching half a dozen schools for her. Most of the more educated parents in dd1's class are considering at least 2 or 3 different middle schools. That's just the way it is in a district like ours. A lot of the middle schools aren't very good (I count our neighborhood middle school as one), and it isn't just the schools in bad neighborhoods.

But we would pay for private school if we needed to do that to give our kids the right education. I just don't see any reason we need to.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 3:59pm

LOL, I try not to go more than a mile from my house for anything, so my opinion on this might be a bit skewed!

We have a very good public school two blocks from our house. I see value in all of my children going to the same school if that is possible. I would not add stress to our family's life just to ensure that each child gets the "best possible education" when they can get a great education without adding that stress.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 4:02pm
Transportation is an issue for us, too, which is why we only looked at elementary schools within a reasonable distance from our house. However, the magnet programs all bus the kids, so when dd1 goes to middle school next year, she'll ride the bus.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 4:09pm

1. The schools here are fabulous.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 4:11pm

How many students are there in the school you're speaking of?


Do you think one parent should SAH or WAH or WOH PT so they can spend a lot of time at their childrens' schools?


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