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: 09-04-1997
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 10:40am
Yes. Because it would signal a dumbing down of the curriculum that would bother me.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 10:41am

In post 1973, you wrote:

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2006
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 10:51am
Special needs is just that, but they are not academic special needs, all are above average. My two sons are hispanic and adopted, some automatically think that qualifies as special needs. My son's first grade teacher has a plan that included making a family tree; it was not sensitive to the issues of adoption. I was able to speak with the teacher beforehand to adjust the assignment to make it more adoption friendly. The lesson went on, the teacher thanked me for my input, and we all lived happily ever after.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 10:55am

<>

Do you really think a teacher will say "No" to a parent who wants a meeting? How does that look when the parent goes to the Principal and complains? So I'm not surprised your children's teachers will meet with you before Bact to School Night. But I agree with PNJ, you may find that if you wait until Back to School Night that all of your questions will be answered then ~ what a waste of your time having an earlier meeting, I would think.

And what about my other questions to you ~ do your administrators focus on curriculum mapping at your school and within the district? Don't you have council meetings about the curriculum design and timetabling which are open to the parents the year before your child enters her current grade? And can't you access a teacher's webpage giving you detailed information about the teacher's present and future plans?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 10:56am
No, no need.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:00am

<>

Oh my goodness. Typing slowly now: Because 1.) you don't talk to the other parents and 2.) you didn't go "straight to the source" i.e., actually speak with teachers, until your oldest homeschooled child entered public school. Shall we go around again?

<> Because you've asked me the question twice.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:06am
Since when isn't workplace abuse unethical?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:15am

Yes, criticism of an approach, not any individual per se. There are several parents here who use an approach to information-gathering that I completely disagree with.

<> ??? OK, so why ask me about Jlkunke doing it?

<>

Same as most parents. When needed, we approach the Principal. Teachers - see them at volunteering, pick-up/drop-off, BTSN, several scheduled conferences throughout the year, e-mailing. But unless it is "needed," parents should not be as Currieri said, "proactive" and meet needlessly with people whose job involves working hard for others' children too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:19am
Who are you to determine what is "needless" for others?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:21am
Do you define taking "leaps" as my quoting you? My identifying your specific post ##s?

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