Do you think this is a reasonable request from a parent?

[Jeafl]

There is a student (2rd grade) who only attends school in the morning because she goes to gymnastics in the afternoon. Her parents feel that although she is only in her second year of gymnastics, she has potential to be good someday. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on pulling her out, but this question is about something different.

All class parties are held at the end of the day (Halloween Christmas, Valentine's and also class reward parties for good behavior). Because this student is never there in the afternoon, she will miss all the parties. Her parents want the parties to be scheduled in the morning so she can be included.

Here is the problem. First of all, the whole school has them at the same time; the last hour of the day. This is a district policy. Second of all, the reason for this is because the kids get so crazy and wound up that getting them to do any kind of work afterwards would be futile. Especially when they consume so many treats!

My compromise was to say that some class reward parties can be all day things like wearing your pajamas to school, or crazy hair day (these have been popular in the past, although I am not sure why!) The parents don't feel this is good enough. What do you think is a good solution?

 

[happygirl]

There is a student (2rd grade) who only attends school in the morning because she goes to gymnastics in the afternoon. Her parents feel that although she is only in her second year of gymnastics, she has potential to be good someday. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on pulling her out, but this question is about something different.

All class parties are held at the end of the day (Halloween Christmas, Valentine's and also class reward parties for good behavior). Because this student is never there in the afternoon, she will miss all the parties. Her parents want the parties to be scheduled in the morning so she can be included.

Here is the problem. First of all, the whole school has them at the same time; the last hour of the day. This is a district policy. Second of all, the reason for this is because the kids get so crazy and wound up that getting them to do any kind of work afterwards would be futile. Especially when they consume so many treats!

My compromise was to say that some class reward parties can be all day things like wearing your pajamas to school, or crazy hair day (these have been popular in the past, although I am not sure why!) The parents don't feel this is good enough. What do you think is a good solution?

How are this parents not getting in trouble for their daughter missing so much school. No the rules shouldn't change just to suit them.

 

[mjkacmom]

Homeschooling.

 

[Pigeon]

I think they need to bite the bullet and homeschool the child. I can't imagine how missing half of every day would fit in with any school's attendance policy. Does your administration really allow this?

As for scheduling the entire class's activities around the time when Little Half-time Tumbling Snowflake can make it, forgetaboutit.

 

[momof1princess]

um, if the parents CHOOSE to take their child out of school in the afternoons for gymnastics, then THEY are choosing for their child to miss certain things that happen at school, including parties. you cannot change a district-wide policy for one child; that would be complete madness. IMHO, too bad, so sad for them.

 

[rgf207]

A good solution would be to not reschedule. It's the parent's decision to pull the girl out of class. There should not be an expectation to reschedule based on one student.

 

[SaraJayne]

There is a student (2rd grade) who only attends school in the morning because she goes to gymnastics in the afternoon. Her parents feel that although she is only in her second year of gymnastics, she has potential to be good someday. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on pulling her out, but this question is about something different.

All class parties are held at the end of the day (Halloween Christmas, Valentine's and also class reward parties for good behavior). Because this student is never there in the afternoon, she will miss all the parties. Her parents want the parties to be scheduled in the morning so she can be included.

Here is the problem. First of all, the whole school has them at the same time; the last hour of the day. This is a district policy. Second of all, the reason for this is because the kids get so crazy and wound up that getting them to do any kind of work afterwards would be futile. Especially when they consume so many treats!

My compromise was to say that some class reward parties can be all day things like wearing your pajamas to school, or crazy hair day (these have been popular in the past, although I am not sure why!) The parents don't feel this is good enough. What do you think is a good solution?

Too bad, so sad for them. They chose to pull her out every single day for half a day!! and that means she'll have to miss the parties.

 

[kellyg403]

Really?

The parents need to bring the dd back to the school if they want her to be part of the parties. They have made a decision regarding the school/gymnastic thing. Its not the Districts problem to move things around to accomodate one child. If it was an issue such as the child had to go to the hospital every afternoon to have a procedure, then I might feel differently. But to do gymnastics because they 'think' she has the potential to do well in the sport.

Its give in take when a parent decides to make a sport a priority. Sacrificing things like parties are part of the deal.

So, no, I wouldn't. And I would refer them to someone in charge such as the Principal or School Superintendent. I would not personally make accomodations other than handing the child a goody bag she would have gotten at the end of the day as she is leaving for gymnastics. That way she isn't left out of the 'goodie' part.

Kelly

 

[fiestamomma]

I can see this being only the beginning of a long line of "missing out" for this child if she and her parents chose to make gymnastics a major role in her life.

They cannot expect that things like this will be changed for their one student.

If they are dedicated to the sport that is a wonderful thing for them, however it will be a lifetime of choosing gymnastics over lots of things, bday parties, sleep overs, hanging out with friends, vacations, etc...

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[skater]

I would never expect the whole school to adjust just to accommodate my child's schedule. Some people have gone crazy .

 

[Jeafl]

How are this parents not getting in trouble for their daughter missing so much school. No the rules shouldn't change just to suit them.

I think they need to bite the bullet and homeschool the child. I can't imagine how missing half of every day would fit in with any school's attendance policy. Does your administration really allow this?

As for scheduling the entire class's activities around the time when Little Half-time Tumbling Snowflake can make it, forgetaboutit.

She has a tutor in the afternoons for her math, science and social studies, which falls under the homeschooling umbrella. She does her language arts, gym and music at school in the morning.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I think you came up with the perfect solution. If the other parents are not happy with that, they can plan their own parties when it's convenient to them or have their daughter in school for the full days when there is a party scheduled. No way should the class, school and district bend the rules to accomodate one family.

 

[luvmy3]

I can't even believe what I'm reading here. They are willing to sacrifice education for gymnastics, but they aren't willing to sacrifice birthday parties. I think I may faint....

ETA I'm not saying her tutoring is lacking, but the fact is they sacrificed her being included in school activities when they decided to have her not be in school.

 

[mickeysgal]

There is a student (2rd grade) who only attends school in the morning because she goes to gymnastics in the afternoon. Her parents feel that although she is only in her second year of gymnastics, she has potential to be good someday. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on pulling her out, but this question is about something different.

All class parties are held at the end of the day (Halloween Christmas, Valentine's and also class reward parties for good behavior). Because this student is never there in the afternoon, she will miss all the parties. Her parents want the parties to be scheduled in the morning so she can be included.

Here is the problem. First of all, the whole school has them at the same time; the last hour of the day. This is a district policy. Second of all, the reason for this is because the kids get so crazy and wound up that getting them to do any kind of work afterwards would be futile. Especially when they consume so many treats!

My compromise was to say that some class reward parties can be all day things like wearing your pajamas to school, or crazy hair day (these have been popular in the past, although I am not sure why!) The parents don't feel this is good enough. What do you think is a good solution?

The solution is to follow the school district's policies. They are choosing to miss the afternoons of school when the parties are held. Too bad for them that they don't feel this is good enough. You can't have everything neat and pretty when you're the one throwing the wrench into the works.

Why are they being allowed to miss each and every afternoon of school? Aren't there state attendance requirements that have to be met? Do they have to get a tutor to meet the requirements? My son did gynastics too at that age - won a state and a national title in the second grade (held at the Wide World of Sports by the way). He attended school each day.

 

[MamaLema]

Yes, the parent request is unreasonable. I can't believe she expects the school to work around her daughter's schedule.

I agree with pp who say homeschooling would be a better option for this family.

 

[marmalade]

This is beyond unreasonable, I can't believe people sometimes.

 

[Hillbeans]

A good solution would be to not reschedule. It's the parent's decision to pull the girl out of class. There should not be an expectation to reschedule based on one student.

yes, this. Wow, some people are just unreal.

 

[rgf207]

I can't even believe what I'm reading here. They are willing to sacrifice education for gymnastics, but they aren't willing to sacrifice birthday parties. I think I may faint....

ETA I'm not saying her tutoring is lacking, but the fact is they sacrificed her being included in school activities when they decided to have her not be in school.

welcome to 2012

 

[RitaE]

There is a student (2rd grade) who only attends school in the morning because she goes to gymnastics in the afternoon. Her parents feel that although she is only in her second year of gymnastics, she has potential to be good someday. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on pulling her out, but this question is about something different.

All class parties are held at the end of the day (Halloween Christmas, Valentine's and also class reward parties for good behavior). Because this student is never there in the afternoon, she will miss all the parties. Her parents want the parties to be scheduled in the morning so she can be included.

Here is the problem. First of all, the whole school has them at the same time; the last hour of the day. This is a district policy. Second of all, the reason for this is because the kids get so crazy and wound up that getting them to do any kind of work afterwards would be futile. Especially when they consume so many treats!

My compromise was to say that some class reward parties can be all day things like wearing your pajamas to school, or crazy hair day (these have been popular in the past, although I am not sure why!) The parents don't feel this is good enough. What do you think is a good solution?

No, I don't think that is a reasonable request. Maybe they need to bug the gymnastics Coach to reschedule her gymnastic practices on the days she is attending a school party.

 

[luvmy3]

Are her tutors covered by the school district, or are the parents paying them?