First let me say that I am normally not one to make waves at the school or at the girls' various activities. I do not want to be one of 'those' moms and furthermore, my general philosphy is that rules are rules and while some things may seem unfair or silly that's life and they need to suck it up. However, I will (and have) gone to bat for the girls at times when teachers or coaches cross the line and I think I'm about at that point now. Here is the situation:
DD told me today that they are no longer allowed to bring their jackets outside of the classroom (to recess or to their various specials classes which are held in trailers that are COLD!). Apparently, the teacher is tired of the children leaving their jackets on the playground or elsewhere and thinks this is the solution to the problem.
She told the kids that they need to wear sweatshirts to school everyday, thus (supposedly) eliminating the need for jackets. OK, in the first place, at this time of year it is often chilly in the mornings but then warms up to the 70s or 80s in the afternoons. The children need to layer their clothing in order to be comfortable throughout the day. Furthermore, DD owns maybe ONE sweatshirt and until that teacher starts paying DDs clothing bills, she is not going to dictate what DD wears to school. And what does she expect to happen come winter when a sweatshirt isn't enough to keep them warm - are they expected to go outside and freeze? 
I am one that cannot stand to be cold; when I worked in an office I always wore a sweater of lightweight jacket even in the summer because the offices are so darn cold year round and I would have been miserable otherwise. Even my oldest DD who is always hot needs a jacket to stay comfortable in some of her classrooms. The children cannot be expected to concentrate fully on their work if they are cold. I think the teacher really dropped the ball on this one.
Of course there's always the possiblity that DD has totally misunderstood what was said and I'm going to approach the teacher with that assumption - that surely DD is mistaken and could she please clairify. But if not, oh wow....this it totally unacceptable to me!
DD told me today that they are no longer allowed to bring their jackets outside of the classroom (to recess or to their various specials classes which are held in trailers that are COLD!). Apparently, the teacher is tired of the children leaving their jackets on the playground or elsewhere and thinks this is the solution to the problem.
She told the kids that they need to wear sweatshirts to school everyday, thus (supposedly) eliminating the need for jackets. OK, in the first place, at this time of year it is often chilly in the mornings but then warms up to the 70s or 80s in the afternoons. The children need to layer their clothing in order to be comfortable throughout the day. Furthermore, DD owns maybe ONE sweatshirt and until that teacher starts paying DDs clothing bills, she is not going to dictate what DD wears to school. And what does she expect to happen come winter when a sweatshirt isn't enough to keep them warm - are they expected to go outside and freeze? I am one that cannot stand to be cold; when I worked in an office I always wore a sweater of lightweight jacket even in the summer because the offices are so darn cold year round and I would have been miserable otherwise. Even my oldest DD who is always hot needs a jacket to stay comfortable in some of her classrooms. The children cannot be expected to concentrate fully on their work if they are cold. I think the teacher really dropped the ball on this one.
Of course there's always the possiblity that DD has totally misunderstood what was said and I'm going to approach the teacher with that assumption - that surely DD is mistaken and could she please clairify. But if not, oh wow....this it totally unacceptable to me!
I told him that next time Mrs. Espinoza said something like that he should tell her to mind her own business. Sometimes things happen that make me question what gets into these people's heads.
