Not sure I should have started this.

[KiminChicago]

DS is 13 and in 7th grade. About a month ago, DS was scheduled to go on a band related field trip to see Blue Man Group. A couple days before the trip, DS came down with a nasty stomach bug so I kept him home from school. DS then gets a call from one of his buddies letting DS know that they had signed up for groups that day, but the band teacher wouldn't let anyone else sign up for DS. Well, DS was very worried that he wouldn't be in the group with his buddies, so he kept nagging me to call the band teacher and get him signed up for the right group. I was really busy and didn't see why he couldn't wait until he got back to school and sign up then. Finally, after DS asked for the 10th time, I finally told him that the teacher's school email address was on the school's website and if it was that important to him, he could email the teacher, explain the situation and ask to be signed up for a specific group. And he did!

Now this week, we're getting ready for the middle school musical in two weeks. DS's grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins have already bought tickets to see DS. DS is again not feeling good and doesn't want to go to one of the rehearsals. This close to the musical, all the students are expected to be there and not miss rehearsals, so I try and get DS to stick it out. No dice. I tell him that I hope he doesn't get dropped because he's missing rehearsal and that a lot of people would be disappointed if he wasn't in it. Well, DS comes home and proceeds to email the directors of the musical and the chorus teacher to explain that he wasn't feeling well and that he hoped he wouldn't be dropped because he came home and didn't go to rehearsal.

I didn't even realize he had done this until DH came home and asked how DS was feeling. DS's email account is linked to DH's, so anything that is emailed to DS is automatically forwarded to DH too.

So now I'm wondering, would the middle school teachers be upset to be receiving emails from a student? Would they expect me to be doing the emailing on his behalf? He's been very polite and respectful in his emails so I'm guessing it's ok -- I have to admit that I'm proud of him for handling all of this on his own.

 

[elbigvato]

Being a band director for 10+ years, I can tell you that I prefer receiving a note or email from the parent. However, since your son is being very responsible, allow him to keep sending the emails, and just send a note yourself as confirmation. That way, the directors/teachers have a note from both the student and the parent.

 

[dreams4disney]

Our middle school and high school teachers encourage our kids to write to them if they have a question or concerns about school/class related issues. From what I understand when DS#1 started high school this year teachers expect them to take control and communicate with them. my children have e-mail accounts through their school and we are able to keep track of them as well as school officials. They are used only for school and nothing personal. DS#2 is 12 and in 7th grade and he communicates with his teachers when he has a question about work or a grade.

I would say that as long as the teachers don't mind and it is focused on school and school activities it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Daisy&Max]

Speaking as a middle school teacher, I don't mind my students email me. I've had a few that feel more comfortable emailing me about a problem or an issue they are having. The only thing I tell them is that they are not allowed to use text speak with me in the email. They have to use proper English and punctuation. But otherwise I don't mind emails from my students.

Daisy

 

[SDFgirl]

It seems fine to me!

 

[Wall-E1]

My kid emails his teachers whenever he has a question or needs to tell them something. I've never had a teacher seem upset by it.

 

[CF'er]

As long as he was emailing as himself I don't see a problem with it. If he were posing as you, his parent, then I would. Like forging your signature on a note back in the "old" days. lol

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Whenever DD11 (6th Grade) is sick, I have her email her teachers to find out what she's missed and if there's any work she can do to catch up at home. Her teachers have never had a problem with that (although I do email admin to confirm that she's out sick).

Personally, I think it's never too early for kids to accept responsibility for their own work and actions. I think it's a good thing that your DS took it upon himself to contact his directors/choir teacher to let them know what is up, and to confirm that they are okay with him missing rehearsal. At least if he's dealing directly with them without you as the middle man, he can't blame YOU if he does get cut!!!