My DD school vent am I wrong?

[Jasminesmommy]

Snarfer1 you are so funny. I am just just rolling on the floor now. All sounds good. Maybe next time.(hopefully there is no next time)
I know for next years vacation to ask for the meeting the day I ask to excuse threm and get that over with.

Also my daughter completed the day she returned all missed work since they don't do that much.

And no Castleton is not proverty stricken. Its one of the better areas to raise kids and good school systems.

 

[Serena]

Jasmine's mommy, I'm glad you didn't ignore it. They can get nasty if they wanted to. I figured all they wanted to do was to give you a warning, that's what they did to me. But they feel compelled to give it, maybe it's a legality, I don't know, but once you let them, they will leave you alone.
Just be careful with any other absenses. And if Jasmine is sick, you will probably need a doctors note, even if it's just a cold, if you keep her out.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I say there's nothing wrong with taking a vacation during the school year as long as your kid isn't already falling behind.

I absolutely agree with that. But whomever it was up there that said the place to complain to is the Lawmakers is absolutely correct. The schools have to follow the State and Federal guidelines they are given. If you want something changed, you have to go to the person who has the power to change it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

leighe: I don't think you sound hateful. I think you make some very excellent points. Quite a few of which are reasons why I quit teaching in the classroom. I think its just really sad that education has reached the point its at right now.

snarfer1: That is too funny. I can easily picture the whole scene in head. Its hysterical.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by snoopy
Another one in that corner. I have nothing against people who do take the kiddos out of school for vacations, as long as it isn't excessive, but we decided a couple of years ago that education comes first.

(and as far as internet/phone/TV in their rooms, I say when they go to work and earn the money to pay for internet/phone/TV in their rooms, they can have it. Until then, they are welcome to use all of this stuff under my watchful eye in the family room. )

Same here. Right now we don't have cable TV, haven't since moving here in March. So there isn't much DS can watch on the 13" in his room any way. But he just lost it...permanently! It was a hand me down any way, but it's out in Friday's garbage collection. He needs to catch on that homework comes first and when I ask him what's for homework, he needs to include studying for tests, projects, etc. He had a computer project and has known about it since probably the first or second week of school. He chose to START it last night when it was due today. Ack! Back to treating him like a little kid and checking EVERYTHING! You know...my parents never had to stand right over me when I was in 6th grade! Silly me thought he would have the idea by now also. Also gone are the Gameboy as well as any TV and video game privileges. I told him that he better hope I remember where the Gameboy is after the month is up...IF I see a dramatic improvement in school work. And I mean a MONTH! He doesn't get it back until October 28, 6:00 p.m. (Am I going to be torturing myself in this process?)

Sorry for the OT! LOL! I don't know why, but this school year seems really tough, and it's not just us I see!

Edit: Oh! You people just gave me the push to get the school nurse info she needs. What a pain in the neck to get this stuff. I can't believe they need a doctor's note for him to use a blood sugar monitor at school. Would they rather he pass out because he didn't check his blood sugar? Any way, I'm still waiting on that since no pediatrician here wants to see him unless they have records from Florida. Ack! Florida's dragging their feet as usual. Maybe that's pediatricians are dragging because they're ALWAYS swamped!

 

[decker96]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
I absolutely agree with that. But whomever it was up there that said the place to complain to is the Lawmakers is absolutely correct. The schools have to follow the State and Federal guidelines they are given. If you want something changed, you have to go to the person who has the power to change it.

ITA. My mom is a principal and my sister is an elementary teacher. Some of the stuff they have to do because it is state and federally mandated is ridiculous. But, they have to do it or they lose their jobs. If parents don't like these policies, they should complain to their congressmen and women. Let the school know you don't agree, but don't take it out on the school administrators who are just doing their jobs.

Jasmine's mommy -- I agree that you didn't need to come in for a face-to-face meeting since you had gotten the vacation approved in advance. I'm glad it worked out and you could do it over the phone.

 

[Golter]

You said that it was not necessary to come in because "you" didnt have a problem, but "they" did have concerns. If anyone at any of my three children's school's requests a meeting, you bet I'll be there and I'll be respectful and considerate. You've seem to make this a battle that could have been resolved very easily. They were just doing their jobs. I doubt they woke up that morning and said lets jack with Jasmines mom.


And I bet the next time you have an issue at the school they will remember this incident and be less likely to work with you. There are times I need the schools help with getting my child in a certain teacher's class or something similiar.

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by leighe
I am honestly shocked by the attitudes some people have toward schools and teachers. Trust me, it is NOT FUN to have to deal with things like attendance issues, (and yes, I do think the OP's situation is over-the-top and a phone call should handle the problem.) make-up work, etc. Very few people (none that I know) go into education to satisfy some lust for power and control over children and their parents.

Schools have been put in the position of social workers, counselors, etc. by irresponsible parents (and no, I am not referring to anyone on this thread) and over-zealous law-makers. I can't tell you how many times I've had to deal with "little Johnny's" mom screaming at me that her child cannot have possibly done what he is in trouble for, that it wasn't his fault, blah, blah, blah. Then, half the time when I call "Johnny's" mom for a conference what I hear is "when he's at school, he's your problem. You're paid to deal with him there." That's one reason schools need people like social workers.
Everbody has rights but no one has any responsibilities.

I'm sorry if I sound hateful and have gotten off topic. It's just that I deal with stuff like this everyday and I do honestly care about every child that walks through my door. I don't understand why I'm percieved as the enemy by so many parents. No wonder their children come to school with rotten attitudes.

Leighe, you do sound upset and a little angry to me, and honestly I was trying to be funny. And while you believe irresponsible parents are the root, my beliefs are a little different than yours. I believe social reformers and the biggest power-seeking union the NEA, used the actions of some lazy parents to usurp power from the home and transfer it to the schools.

Having said that, I have been blessed with wonderful teachers and professors through out my life, and I respect and honor them all. But to be honest, my parents instilled the work ethic in me and made sure I went to school and did the best quality work I could. (Honors throughout my life).

As a professor (part-time) let me tell you that the politics of tenure and positioning make the Bush-Kerry campaing antics look like highschool cheerleading squabbles. WITH ALL APOLOGIZES TO THE CHEERLEADERS OUT THERE!

SO I agree with you, that there are lazy parents out there, and parents who are in denial, but they, to me, are the excuse, not the root of the school's invasion into the home.

(Some examples, schools sued for leftest agenda in promoting clubs, or sending home fliers while ignoring rightest (sp?) agenda. Intrusive, bordering on abusive, questionaire's sent home....do your parents use drugs, have guns, punish you?. Do you have sex? Do you have sex with boys, girls, both?, etc.)

So some blame must be placed on the POWERS THAT BE! as well as lazy parents.

Respectfully, and not trying to be funny (this time)

-Tony

 

[disney4us2002]

Originally posted by Jasminesmommy
She is actually talking to the principal now saying we won't come. I understand they get money based on attendence but this is a different situation.I am not a parent who is too lazy to get up. She's always up ontime and at school. They told me to go have fun they didn't say by the way be prepared for a meeting we could of had it that day. They can give the attendence is inportant speech on the phone I will not be nice if I have to go. My daugter is a staright A student granted its only first grade. Thay wanted her in a gifted school and silly me put her in normal public.

Jasminesmommy, this is the reason I thought your daughter was the one speaking to the principal. You started with "she" and because the paragraph is about your dd (later you say she's ontime...)I inferred the "she" to mean your dd. Apparently, you meant the social worker was talking to the principal. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Are you a daycare provider? I ask because you mention all the little ones you have. If so, given that you're home and that you don't seem to think much of the school system (you've said they aren't doing much in class), have you considered homeschooling?

I am a daycare provider and view myself as running a 'pre' educational system. I have great respect for educators and I'm in agreement with leighe that some of the attitudes here are pretty negative.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I am a home daycare provider and i care deeply about the school and the policys but I think there is no problem when they know why she was out and how long it would be. Its different If i was calling everyday saying she was sick or not calling but they knew in advance where she was going and had no problem till I got back then they had problems. They should have waited to see if I let her miss again but I understand they want me to know from now on we need doctors notes since she used up her other days off.
Homeschooling I am now thinking of so the school can't get my money but I think its important to be around other kids

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Snarfer1 you are so funny. I am just just rolling on the floor now. All sounds good. Maybe next time.(hopefully there is no next time)
I know for next years vacation to ask for the meeting the day I ask to excuse threm and get that over with.

Also my daughter completed the day she returned all missed work since they don't do that much.

And no Castleton is not proverty stricken. Its one of the better areas to raise kids and good school systems.

 

[leighe]

Snarfer1 - I thought your post was funny. I wasn't directing my comments at you. I am no fan of the NEA either. I think lawsuits have done a lot to hamper schools ability to teach and maintain an appropriate climate for learning. Schools are held accountable for things that it is almost impossible for a school to control. However, I also see a lot or parent issues almost every day. I also work with a lot of great parents - it's just those few bad apples who really stick out.

 

[CheshireVal]

Another teacher here. I've been saying for several years now that there's been a TOTAL and COMPLETE paradigm shift in education when it comes to parent/teacher relations.

When I was growing up, the teacher and the principal were right. Paddling was allowed, punishment was allowed, and most parents supported the teacher 100%. (Not saying I'm for corporal punishment in schools, but my point is that teachers and principals were trusted to provide discipline and the parents were usually in agreement.)

These days, though, everything is the school's or the teacher's fault. Everyone's child is a complete angel and every teacher and school system is just "out to get them."

What happened to personal accountability and responsibility?

Not necessarily directing the entirety of this vent to the OP, but it seems like every day there are 4-5 posts on the CB about "problem with DD's teacher," or "was the school right to do this," or "can't believe what school sent home today."

I'm just tired of it, really.