Parents and school involvement
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| 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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I've been to back to school night and I find it ineffective for the type of relationship I establish with my children's teachers. Shrug.
So you're the only one who gets to selectly answer questions? Maybe I'm slow, but I've found that each teacher brings something different to the table with style as well as substance. I want to hear how the teacher intends to implement a particular plan. I want to work with them to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of my children in school. I do participate in council and pta meetings and funnily enough, the parents there seem to be the same ones who remain actively engaged like myself.
If you and pnj are satisfied to let the teachers do their job, go for it. I plan to partner with my children's teachers and be actively engaged in educating my children. I have no idea why that would be controversial. Its just a different style of parenting.
You are right, I did not answer. I have a reason for not answering. Frankly, the two of you don't deserve an answer to that question. I doubt that Hazel would appreciate what I've learned about education and the purpose of education. I doubt she would be interested in Rousseau, Heidegger, and Dewey, cognitive revolution and how educational philosophies differ. I've spent years looking into the topic and don't really feel that the two of you have the necessary background to handle a conversation about what constitutes an appropriate education, or at least the kind of education I hope for for my kids, and how to determine if that education is being successfully executed. You've already stated your love of grades and standardized tests and all things SAT. You dismiss the notion that very bright students have special needs. Knowing your penchant for those means any conversation I'd have about education with you would be fraught with me trying to explain to you that the acquisition of knowledge and the regurgitation of it and the whole framework of keeping score is not what everyone is looking for in education.
Having said that, I will say my short answer is I can tell my children are getting educated by the questions they ask and their curiosity of the world around them, how excited they are to learn and think creatively, how well they are getting to know themselves and their emotions and the ease with which they can apply higher order thinking skills (think critically.) But the truth is, I can't really know if they've learned that at school or somewhere else.
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But Hazeleyes deserves an attempt by you at an insult?
And when she asked you to explain, you refused until I got involved today?
Got it.
Did you actually use the term "don't deserve an answer?" Yikes. I always wonder how some adults function in society.
As for the rest of your post, yes, I don't care to hear about your view of education since DH and I kind of came out of it all okay. We'll probably just stick with our current methods which do not involve living in inferior school districts and then constantly complaining about how the system is failing children. I'm sorry if that's not alright with you.
<< living in inferior school districts and then constantly complaining about how the system is failing children>>
Who has done this? Certainly no one on this thread.
Edited 9/10/2007 11:49 am ET by i.love.the.80s
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