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
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 4:59pm
The exposure to different types of children is a no-brainer. Examples, playgroups, church, activities,etc. The school setting isn't necessary. As I would think you are aware that not all preschools are academic in nature anyway. Besides a school setting isn't necessary for learning.


Edited 8/30/2007 5:00 pm ET by mom2fourgrls
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:02pm
It might not be necessary but is good for the child to get used to being in a setting like that, especially if they are going to be there for 6 hours a day. My gf's dd was in a preschool that was not all academic and our pre-k at daycare is not academic the entire day so I understand that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:02pm
the opint is there are things that are done in a preschool that simply cant be accomplished at home - BY ANYONE. can you really expose your kids to the same group of 10-15 kids, 2-3 times a week, without you present - if so im impressed. now you may see no value to that but that is different than saying you can do everything a preschool can do at home.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:03pm

In the local public school in my area, it's $120/week per child for before and after care, or at least it was five years ago when I had a child in public school.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:04pm
ITA with you. Kids need to get used to being in a classroom situation where they will have to be 6 hours a day/5 days a week.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:07pm
Wow that is alot!!I know our before-care is cheaper than before because there are less hours. The 2nd child also gets a discount so that will be good next year when my son starts kindergarten.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:07pm

You forget, she homeschools.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:08pm
Oh, well that explains it. I didn't remember and the op probably doesn't know this.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:09pm

Why?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:09pm
Sure I could if I thought it was important. It's easy to do really if you have your child in an activity that meets a couple times a week. I thought we were talking about what might be considered important aspects of preschool, like academics and social development.

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