I Am Just So TICKED OFF--School Related

[Christine]

Why can't people do anything anymore?

At the end of my DD's 9th grade year, she decided that she really didn't care for public high school and would like to attend one of the private high schools in our area. While I hadn't made a final decision on it, I knew we had to get the paperwork rolling.

So, while school was still in session, I tried to phone her guidance counselor to let her know what we were doing and that I needed her to fill out a recommendation form as well as process two transcript forms for the two schools we were applying for. She was there but I could not get her to return my call. So, I sent her an e-mail telling her exactly what the situation was and that my DD would be in her office the following morning with the required forms and I thanked her in advance for helping out.

So, DD goes to the guidance office and personally hands the form to the guidance counselor. Explains to her that she is applying for Bishop A and Bishop B school and that she would need these forms completed. Guidance counselor takes them from her and says "okay, I will give these to the transcript lady."

In the meantime, I tried to contact two of my DD's teachers by phone because I need a letter of recommendation from one of them. Neither would return my phone calls. So, I then sent them both e-mails and also asked that if they could not/would not prepare recommendations letters to please just let me know so I could find another person. Not a word did I hear.

So, it is now 2 weeks later. I have contacted the private high schools to see if all the paperwork was in order.

It seems that they have both received all the paperwork that *I* was supposed to complete but had received NOTHING from the school system.

On Wednesday, I call the public high school back and explain the story. I'm told that the person who does the transcripts is "out today" but will return on Thursday. But, she did a huge mass mailing of transcripts on Monday and my DD's transcript was probably in there.

I get in touch with "transcript lady" yesterday. She doesn't remember my DD's name or doing anything on her behalf. She pulls her file and says that there are no requests or anything. Of course, the guidance counselor is out for the summer but the woman went in and searched her office. Nothing.

The transcript person was very apologetic and she is going to get this stuff out for me today (by the way, today is their absolute last day of work until August). However, she won't be able to fill out the recommendation form because there is no principal or guidance person there until August.

But I am just livid. There were very few sophmore slots left in either of the schools but they told me that if I could get things handled quickly and completely that she had a good chance of getting in. I just can't believe how irresponsible my DD's current school is. This is the attitude I've had from them all year and just gives me more reason to want to leave.

But I can't help feel that they've screwed my DD's chances up now. And the teachers. I'm just shocked that I got no response or help from them. And one of the schools is insistant that my DD's application won't even go to admissions committee until all the pieces are there.

I just feel so helpless and I want to cry. I never thought that we might get "stuck" in the public schools.

Okay, I guess my vent is over.

 

[auntpolly]

I can only tell you that basically the same thing happened for my DD and she still got in -- it just made me happier to be getting her out of that school.

We had to laugh -- after all the trouble that we heard that they were still calling her name at classes at the public school when she'd started at the private one.

And they wonder why people are losing faith in the public schools!

Good luck! Don't let them off the hook -- make it your mission to get it done!

 

[powellrj]

no advise, but I thought you could use a hug!

 

[Marseeya]

They must not want to lose such a great student!

When I pulled my son out of public school, they were there holding the door for me.

Anyway, I feel your frustration! Why not call the superintendant's office to see if they can get the ball rolling for you. Surely the administrators are in during the summer.

 

[Christine]

Good luck! Don't let them off the hook -- make it your mission to get it done!

Oh, it is my mission. Problem is--today is the last day until August. No more staff in the school so I won't really be able to do anything. I'm just so ticked because if they had just done their job, I would have known by now if DD was accepted or not. The other two schools are just waiting to make their decision. School starts in late August for the private schools so if I have to wait until then, it's really going to stress me. I don't want to buy uniforms or anything until I know for sure. I also need to get carpool arrangements going for my DD as it is a long way to the schools. The longer I wait, the less my chances are for anything.

 

[auntpolly]

When I pulled my son out of public school, they were there holding the door for me.

.

When he's famous one day, and rich and successful, they'll be begging him to come back and give a graduation speech -- mark my word!!!

 

[auntpolly]

Oh, it is my mission. Problem is--today is the last day until August. .

Can you go in there and camp out until someone, anyone helps you?

I'd do it. Make them uncomfortable and maybe they'll try a little harder for the next kid!

 

[noodleknitter]

That kind of thing makes me nuts! Good luck! I agree with Aunt Polly, though, go wait it out. (If it is possible with your schedule!)

 

[tnkbl]

Personally, I think I would call the principal at home and talk to them. What school does not have any support staff there during the summer? I teach school and our principals, secretaries, registar, couselors and bookkeeepters are there in the mornings. Our teachers are made available at almost anytime for special needs. I would call this special needs especially since you started this process two weeks ago. Do what you gotta do for that baby girl! BTW I do teach at a private school.

 

[Mouselander]

I just thought it was our school district that was so messed up. It is is the entire public school system under the Department of Education. School was run without their interference in my day.

Anyway, I had a similar experience with our high school. Solved it finally with one call to the Superintendant. I was prepared to go to the School Board, and the TX Dept. of Ed. if necessary.

I find guidance counselors are only there for the high achievers. The average student receives little or no benifit from the school counserlors, in my experience.

Want to hear something funny? Parents can never get a direct call through to a teacher or counselor. They each have a phone with message machine. Well on three separate occassions, involving three different teachers I got through. The funny part is that each was dumb enough to tell me "Oh, I thought it was the office calling or I wouldn't have answered." A parent is during good if a teacher or counselor calls back within three or four days.

 

[Marseeya]

I find guidance counselors are only there for the high achievers. The average student receives little or no benifit from the school counserlors, in my experience.

I am so happy to say that my experience with my kids' guidance counselors have been far different from yours. My son has had many problems in school (he has behavioral disorders) and his guidance counselor in middle school and high school has been incredible! I love her.

 

[meshmar]

Go to the Superintendant and name names. Tell him how unsatisfactory they are in such a position of authority. If he can't get action, go to a monthly school board meeting and name names (include the Superintendant). If you can take a group of unhappy parents with you, it will make an impression. After all, they have to run for office and unhappy voters is a good way to lose an election.

 

[soccerchick]

Sorry - but you waited until the second busiest time of the year to ask for this? With finals, grades ,report cards, and all the end of the year paperwork, I'm not surprised some things were overlooked. There is only so much time and so much to do.

What about students who change their minds about their schools over the summer? Can a coach, outside activity person get you the rec? I'm sure your child will still get in just fine.

 

[auntpolly]

Sorry - but you waited until the second busiest time of the year to ask for this? .

See, this is why I, the liberal, the defender of the public school, am beginning to like vouchers -- and letting schools compete with each other.

Would we accept this excuse from any other business? From our bank? ("Sorry, I know you need that stuff for your loan application, but it's our busy time of year") from your employer? ("Sorry, I know you expected your paycheck...")

Why can't they just do their jobs -- they do work for us, after all. Our private school was so much more efficient.

In my case, I started asking for stuff at spring break, when we could start the application process, and when it wasn't all done a few days before it was all due, I was just so ticked.

 

[Wishing on a star]

.... Parents can never get a direct call through to a teacher or counselor. They each have a phone with message machine. Well on three separate occassions, involving three different teachers I got through. The funny part is that each was dumb enough to tell me "Oh, I thought it was the office calling or I wouldn't have answered."

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry - but you waited until the second busiest time of the year to ask for this? With finals, grades ,report cards, and all the end of the year paperwork, I'm not surprised some things were overlooked. There is only so much time and so much to do.

and to continue... "We are under contract you know. And, only work 9-10 months a year...."

 

[Christine]

Sorry - but you waited until the second busiest time of the year to ask for this? With finals, grades ,report cards, and all the end of the year paperwork, I'm not surprised some things were overlooked. There is only so much time and so much to do.

What about students who change their minds about their schools over the summer? Can a coach, outside activity person get you the rec? I'm sure your child will still get in just fine.

Well, I didn't intentionally *wait*. About 2 weeks before school ended my DD came home and told me that she just wasn't doing well in this school, it wasn't going well, she got depressed, and she said that she wanted to go back into the private schools. This was all on an academic basis because "socially" she does VERY well. The first thing I did was to make contact with the private schools to see if this was even an option. Once I heard back from them I contacted the public school.

I agree with the other poster that it shouldn't matter when I asked. Did I expect them to do it withing one day? No. Did I expect it to be sent out within 2 weeks? Yes. I wasn't even upset when I found out that it may have taken them 2 weeks to do it. What I was upset about was that the guidance counselor basically threw it in the trash.

 

[mouseclick1]

Do not wait until August! The school has really left you with no other choice than to go to the superindentendent. I would call his/her office today. Good luck.

 

[Christine]

Well, this is crazy!! I honest-to-God believe someone at that school is reading the DIS!!

About 30 minutes after I wrote this post, I got an e-mail from her theater teacher saying "OMG, Christine, I'm sorry I didn't answer this sooner. I haven't been good about checking my e-mails and was surprised to find I had 200!!" Now I did ask her this *before* school got out.

Anyway, she was shocked that my DD wanted to go to private school, had no problems preparing the letter, etc. In the meantime, the guidance secretary e-mailed me to confirm that she sent the transcripts out today!!

So, all's well that ends well I suppose.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Christine,

While the teachers are out, there is still usually someone around at the schools much of the time. At least here that is the case. The schools and the Superintindents offices are not locked and boarded up.

I might suggest that you get yourself physically up to the school or the offices and don't budge until it is taken care of.

Good Luck with getting your DD in the new school!