DDA Chapter 15

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Marci,

What a great card & picture! Hope Andrew pain is releived. Katie took about a week to get back to normal.

What a cute card!
Hugs to Andrew. Keep pushing the ibuprofen!

I'm sorry to hear about your friend moving

Jen, I hope you can come up with a way to still see your friend!

Deb - Just out of curiosity.....what kind of things would you or other parents need to get in touch with a child about during the school day? I still don't understand this and am just looking for some enlightenment.

Also, for you all with older students and heavy backpacks, have you considered, or are the even permissible in your schools, the rolling backpacks?

I have never needed to get in touch with DS in the middle of a school day. He does usually carry his phone but the kids are not allowed to turn them on during school hours. The phone is really only useful for HIM to call us.

The rolling backpacks don't fit in the lockers, so they strongly discourage them. They are also kind of hazardous from the standpoint of other people tripping over them. And then there is the issue of the stairs. DS has to go up and down stairs frequently, so he would still have to lift the backpack. It is better this year though. The math teacher sends home worksheets, so it is VERY rare for him to be carrying books. Usually just binders.

 

[babytrees]

Jen - I am sorry your best friend and his daughter are moving. I know you will miss them.

Marci - poor Andrew. I remember that braces "ache" vivdly.

Deb - You have gotten some good advice. I would say only one other thing. You might want to try approaching the teacher one-on-one again. This time you really have one issue to deal with, and that is the lack of communication, I think. If she is still unresponsive, or you are not happy with her reaction then I would take it higher. That protects Hunter from any repercussions; the administraiton would be aware, at that point, of your problems.

Thanks for the dittoable post Elin!!

Deb-I agree that the biggest issue is the communication. Try one more time with the teachers and then move on up the system. I would probably drop the issue of them not answering the phone...even if we don't think the phone is ringing to often...I can just imagine how distracting that noise is when it comes in the middle of a lesson or test. On the weight of the backpack...it's a big pain but the girls often take two bags (and Abi has her euphonium most days too!) to distribute the weight.

 

[babytrees]

Deb - Just out of curiosity.....what kind of things would you or other parents need to get in touch with a child about during the school day? I still don't understand this and am just looking for some enlightenment.

Also, for you all with older students and heavy backpacks, have you considered, or are the even permissible in your schools, the rolling backpacks?

rolling backpacks are so not cool and not really feasible in the crowded halls.

 

[Tammi67]

rolling backpacks are so not cool and not really feasible in the crowded halls.

I can understand this in middle and high school, but in elem. where there aren't lockers and they aren't moving from class to class I thought it might be easier, just to go from the bus to the classroom and vicey versy.

 

[my3princes]

Deb....I agree with you on the backpacks.....yesterday Kirsten told us "my spine will be bent soon" she is so tiny for her age...I have no clue how she does it

That is exactly Hunter's issue. I pick it up to move it and I have no idea how he is even picking it up at all



As I've read all the comments I've started to realize that we all come from very different school districts and our views are most definitely scewed by our own school districts. Our entire school district is ONE school. Parental involvement is highly encouraged to the point where parents are welcomed to visit the classroom anytime with no appointment needed. All classrooms have phones and the office uses those phones. Here is an example: One of the kids is going to be out sick and I need to arrange for homework to be picked up when I pick up Colby at 11:15 am. If the teacher answers the phone (before school officially starts at 8 AM, so say 7:50 when the kids are allowed into the classroom) I can explain the illness and arrange for the homework to be ready. Now if I have to go through the office they will take a message, wait until they have a free minute then use the speaker phone in the room to ask the teacher to pick up the phone and then give the message. I would think the speakerphone would be much more distracting. All messages that are left with the office are relayed in this manner, no one is shuffling paper notes around. So if a child is going to another location or a different person is picking them up, the speakerphone will again be used to get the teacher to pick up the phone. Now if I were to leave a message on voicemail or email the teacher they would indeed get the message eventually, but more often than not it will be too late. As I've read your responses I see that your school systems operate differently, which explains why our views differ. I have no plans of bringing up the phone issue as it is such a small issue in the realm of things, but it is a little pet peeve of mine since they are the only 2 teachers that do this. Again it is what we have learned to expect that makes the unexpected stand out. It is interesting to hear how other people and school handle issues. Our older kids, from 3rd grade on are released from the classroom and head out to busses or pick up on their own. The teachers and office really have no idea where the kids go at that point. That is why my kids need to know where to go or who to meet. The younger kids are walked out and the teachers make sure they are with the appropriate parent or pick up person, although they do not walk the kids to the busses. Sometimes I show up after school to pick the boys up and the school never knows. My parents will sometimes surprise the kids too by picking them up. Putting it in writing makes it sound very dangerous, but since we are a small town I guess we don't even think about it

I hadn't even considered dealing with stairs as a problem for rolling backpacks as we don't have any, just as those with no snow or mud season wouldn't think of that. :lol:

 

[babytrees]

A couple of the people who have responded to my request for information on the exchanges have said that they have been sent out but haven't seen Thank You's. If you have received a package but haven't acknowledged it on the thread please do!!

 

[babytrees]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

 

[KMH1]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

 

[KMH1]

We have some good news on the home front. There is a young couple who love our house. They came last weekend. Well their parents are buying them a home (lucky them! ) & want to see it too. If they like it then it looks like we may get our house sold soon.

 

[Tammi67]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

Lots and lots of

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

Theresa, tons of good thoughts for a successful interview!!

 

[KMH1]

Good luck with Hunter's teacher, Deb.

Jen, I'm sorry your friend is moving.

My brain is fuzzy this morning due to Noah sleeping poorly (he's got a cold ) and baking until 2 a.m. I actually had fun cutting out cookies, because my mom bought me the best gift ever: a silicone rolling pin with these cool rubber bands that make sure your dough is level. It was an amazing experience!

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=7936

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=8647

And, the turkey was delicious! It literally fell off the bones! Yum!

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[Tammi67]

That is exactly Hunter's issue. I pick it up to move it and I have no idea how he is even picking it up at all



As I've read all the comments I've started to realize that we all come from very different school districts and our views are most definitely scewed by our own school districts. Our entire school district is ONE school. Parental involvement is highly encouraged to the point where parents are welcomed to visit the classroom anytime with no appointment needed. All classrooms have phones and the office uses those phones. Here is an example: One of the kids is going to be out sick and I need to arrange for homework to be picked up when I pick up Colby at 11:15 am. If the teacher answers the phone (before school officially starts at 8 AM, so say 7:50 when the kids are allowed into the classroom) I can explain the illness and arrange for the homework to be ready. Now if I have to go through the office they will take a message, wait until they have a free minute then use the speaker phone in the room to ask the teacher to pick up the phone and then give the message. I would think the speakerphone would be much more distracting. All messages that are left with the office are relayed in this manner, no one is shuffling paper notes around. So if a child is going to another location or a different person is picking them up, the speakerphone will again be used to get the teacher to pick up the phone. Now if I were to leave a message on voicemail or email the teacher they would indeed get the message eventually, but more often than not it will be too late. As I've read your responses I see that your school systems operate differently, which explains why our views differ. I have no plans of bringing up the phone issue as it is such a small issue in the realm of things, but it is a little pet peeve of mine since they are the only 2 teachers that do this. Again it is what we have learned to expect that makes the unexpected stand out. It is interesting to hear how other people and school handle issues. Our older kids, from 3rd grade on are released from the classroom and head out to busses or pick up on their own. The teachers and office really have no idea where the kids go at that point. That is why my kids need to know where to go or who to meet. The younger kids are walked out and the teachers make sure they are with the appropriate parent or pick up person, although they do not walk the kids to the busses. Sometimes I show up after school to pick the boys up and the school never knows. My parents will sometimes surprise the kids too by picking them up. Putting it in writing makes it sound very dangerous, but since we are a small town I guess we don't even think about it

I hadn't even considered dealing with stairs as a problem for rolling backpacks as we don't have any, just as those with no snow or mud season wouldn't think of that. :lol:

You hit the nail on the head Deb. Different areas do things different ways. Being from a small town, your ways probably aren't as rigid as those in very urban or populated areas. For instance, at our school we have a carpool lane for car riders. At dismissal all car riders go to the gym. Then they have about 10 cars fill into the line, and those kids are called to their cars by walkie talkie. After all the kids are in the cars, the cars are released by teachers to drive away and the next group of cars fills in. This repeats until all students are cleared. It sounds hectic but it works smoothly and quickly. Kindergarteners are walked to their buses the first few weeks of school then they are left on their own after they get the routine down. Now, the county that I work for has the largest school bus fleet in the nation. Everyday the kinders are escorted to their buses by Safety Patrol Officers, 5th and 6th graders. The patrols respond to each K class and walk the students out to the buses. Dismissal is crazy. There are schools that have anywhere from 5 to 9 K classes.

So.....not one way is right or wrong. It's just different, based on the area you live in.

 

[tink2020]

Good luck with Hunter's teacher, Deb.

Jen, I'm sorry your friend is moving.

My brain is fuzzy this morning due to Noah sleeping poorly (he's got a cold ) and baking until 2 a.m. I actually had fun cutting out cookies, because my mom bought me the best gift ever: a silicone rolling pin with these cool rubber bands that make sure your dough is level. It was an amazing experience!

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=7936

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=8647

And, the turkey was delicious! It literally fell off the bones! Yum!

Hope everyone has a good day!

HOW COOL!




Theresa, good luck today!

 

[mommykds]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

Good luck!!!

 

[Tammi67]

Amy - those are perfect gifts for you!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

And then there's us, where chaos and mayhem reign supreme! In elementary the bus kids go out the front door and the carpool kids go out the back door and it is complete insanity.

I have no idea where the middle school buses load and unload. Actually never thought about it until right this second. Carpool is a free for all.

Then we have other unique and wonderful features like the metal detectors and the drug sniffing dogs and that sort of thing. Joy, joy.

DS asked me the other day if he has street smarts or book smarts. Bless his heart, he really doesn't have either one. Hopefully by the time he graduates he will have a bit of both.

We just had a long chat about the Tango Blast prison gang because kids are imitating the gang by drawing on their arms with pens. I needed to make sure DS knew what Tango was and understood how dangerous it is to draw their symbols on your arm or your folder or whatever. The gang requires prison for initiation, and they get very disgruntled if anyone who has not been to prison tries to pass themselves off as members.

 

[Glynis]

I am getting a bit nervous about my interview this afternoon....any and all good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent this way would be much appreciated!!

You got it! You're always in my prayers, but I'll concentrate really hard this afternoon!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Hope the parents like the house too.

We have some good news on the home front. There is a young couple who love our house. They came last weekend. Well their parents are buying them a home (lucky them! ) & want to see it too. If they like it then it looks like we may get our house sold soon.

 

[Glynis]

And then there's us, where chaos and mayhem reign supreme! In elementary the bus kids go out the front door and the carpool kids go out the back door and it is complete insanity.

I have no idea where the middle school buses load and unload. Actually never thought about it until right this second. Carpool is a free for all.

Then we have other unique and wonderful features like the metal detectors and the drug sniffing dogs and that sort of thing. Joy, joy.

DS asked me the other day if he has street smarts or book smarts. Bless his heart, he really doesn't have either one. Hopefully by the time he graduates he will have a bit of both.

We just had a long chat about the Tango Blast prison gang because kids are imitating the gang by drawing on their arms with pens. I needed to make sure DS knew what Tango was and understood how dangerous it is to draw their symbols on your arm or your folder or whatever. The gang requires prison for initiation, and they get very disgruntled if anyone who has not been to prison tries to pass themselves off as members.

Your comments about the gang, really took me back to my teaching days. In my 4th year of teaching, gang initiation for the cowboy gang and the Mexican gang was to shoot and either kill or injure a teacher. We were told not to walk to our cars alone, and to not be alone in the halls of the school. One day, as I was getting ready to call the security officer to walk me to my car, I looked up and at my door was a known member of the cowboy gang, and one from the Mexican gang. They were very respectful and asked if they could come in my room and talk to me. They showed me that they didn't have any weapons, so I let them in. They explained that I had always been a fair teacher, and neither gang had a problem with me. They wanted me to know that one member from each gang would be at my parking space in the morning to escort me to my classroom, and the same when I left. They wanted me to know that I was under the protection of both gangs. I have to say, I was relieved to know that I had such a good "rep" with the gangs.

All of the crap that goes on nowadays just reinforces my opinion that I'll never go back to teaching again!