Observing elementary classrooms unannounced

[handinpocket]

My children attend a private school and if I wanted to barge in unannounced, I'm sure I could. However, I have more respect for the school and teacher than to do that.

 

[Dancemom03]

I knew I had it, and just found the newsletter about american education week from last year when the principal at one of the four elem schools in our area discountinued the traditional scheduled visitation days during american education week..

It says - and I quote - "Adult family members are welcome to visit and observe classes anytime throughout the year. Because we open our doors each and everyday all year long, we do not designate specific visitation days.
Instead, please join us when it’s convenient for you to observe your child learning. It is less disruptive to learning when only a few visitors are in a classroom at a time than when large groups visit on one day."

As I said, I'm not thrilled with the new policy. I don't even know that I agree it is less disruptive to have even one parent in the room if it happens on more than a few specific days when the students are expecting parents there anyway.
However, I also look at dropping in to observe during the school day to be a statement that the parent is interested and supportive of their child's experiences in learning - not that the parent is suspicious or has an issue with anything in the classroom. IMO, that's a somewhat negative, defensive sort of attitude on the teacher's part b/c if there's nothing worthy of concern happening, there wouldn't be anything to see anyway - and if there is, the parent is likely to discover it eventually anyway in one way or another...

 

[NMAmy]

I'm not sure I understand why anyone thinks they should be allowed to enter a classroom. It's disruptive. Students need the class time to learn, not to be distracted by unexpected visitors who mean well, but end up being a nuisance.

I'm sure I'll get my butt kicked from here to eternity on this one but I really have to ask...WHY? What do you think is going on in a classroom?
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I'm with you on this one. I can't imagine why someone would feel the need to observe a classroom. Having a stranger in the room is going to change the dynamics and the normal interaction anyway so I'm not sure what could be accomplished by doing this.

Okay, now I'm really curious. I'm off to find the original thread.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

To all of you who are so against an open door policy, I would just like to point out that it isn't like you think it is.

Just because we CAN visit at any time for any reason doesn't mean we do. There aren't crowds of parents coming and going from the school all day. We parents actually do have some common sense. Plus we have a life, and most of us work. I have never gone to the school to observe. I have volunteered. The point is that you could if you needed to.

They don't just let anyone in. You have to sign in at the office. The office doesn't feel the need to warn the teacher you are coming. I don't think some parent is going to go in with a gun and shoot a bunch of kids. If I was worried about that, I would be just as worried about the other students bringing hidden weapons to school. They don't search the students for weapons in the morning. Maybe a metal detector is in order.

Believe me, an open door policy can work. I went to this same school starting in 1977. My kids go there now. The policy has always been the same. Our kids actually do learn in spite of the dissruptions. They graduate and go on to college or work. Maybe our kids don't see it as a dissruption because it just isn't treated as a big deal.

 

[nmmom95]

My kids are in private school in NJ. We have to be buzzed in the front door to the school. After you tell the secretaries why you are there, you must sign in at the window and be buzzed through a second door. I volunteer there a few days a week, and I am not allowed near the classrooms. (We had an intruder in the school last year, so know all doors are locked.) I have never herd of a parent observing. Teachers are available before and after school hours if there is a concern.

 

[declansdad]

To simply come in announced, without contacting the teacher before is vrey rude in my opinion. Why should you be allowed to disrupt someone in that manner?

If you really feel the need, set it up before hand.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm with you on this one. I can't imagine why someone would feel the need to observe a classroom. Having a stranger in the room is going to change the dynamics and the normal interaction anyway so I'm not sure what could be accomplished by doing this.

Okay, now I'm really curious. I'm off to find the original thread.

I've never seen it be a diversion to the kids. I think they are so used to volunteers/visitors/administrators coming in and quietly sitting in the back of the room that it doesn't even faze them.

In all the years I observed as an education student, I only ever had one time where it was a disruption. One kid (middle school) kept turning around and talking to me. Well, that kid was a disruption on a good day, so it wasn't just me. I also observed a class my daughter was in. I was actually doing a research paper on her reading habits.

When I did a long-term sub assignment, I had different people come in and observe (this was middle school level). Principals, psychologists observing their patients, guidance counselor, education students. It's really not as big a deal as some of you are making it out to be. They slip in the back of the room, sit quietly, take a few notes, then leave. The kids don't care and I've never seen a teacher that it bothered.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I've never seen it be a diversion to the kids. I think they are so used to volunteers/visitors/administrators coming in and quietly sitting in the back of the room that it doesn't even faze them.

In all the years I observed as an education student, I only ever had one time where it was a disruption. One kid (middle school) kept turning around and talking to me. Well, that kid was a disruption on a good day, so it wasn't just me. I also observed a class my daughter was in. I was actually doing a research paper on her reading habits.

When I did a long-term sub assignment, I had different people come in and observe (this was middle school level). Principals, psychologists observing their patients, guidance counselor, education students. It's really not as big a deal as some of you are making it out to be. They slip in the back of the room, sit quietly, take a few notes, then leave. The kids don't care and I've never seen a teacher that it bothered.

ITA!

Really kids need to learn to deal with distractions. When they get into the real working world I think most jobs have distractions.

 

[suzannen]

I've never seen it be a diversion to the kids. I think they are so used to volunteers/visitors/administrators coming in and quietly sitting in the back of the room that it doesn't even faze them.

In all the years I observed as an education student, I only ever had one time where it was a disruption. One kid (middle school) kept turning around and talking to me. Well, that kid was a disruption on a good day, so it wasn't just me. I also observed a class my daughter was in. I was actually doing a research paper on her reading habits.

When I did a long-term sub assignment, I had different people come in and observe (this was middle school level). Principals, psychologists observing their patients, guidance counselor, education students. It's really not as big a deal as some of you are making it out to be. They slip in the back of the room, sit quietly, take a few notes, then leave. The kids don't care and I've never seen a teacher that it bothered.

This is exactly how it is in our school. Usually the visitors only stay a short time and slip in and out. Neither the teachers nor the students seem to even notice - they just carry on as usual.

 

[marcyinPA]

In our district, we need to buzz in to get into the building, head to the office, sign in, and then we may go to the classroom. They always ask WHY we are there. I think it is more for the safety of the students and teachers than any other reason. Can you imagine if a non-custodial parent just walked right in and started raising he**? They need to keep the kids safe. I have no problem with that!

 

[marcyinPA]

I have no idea if its allowed.. it never dawned on me to go watch them...EVER. I went to the same district growing up and there were NEVER any other parents there watching us.. I do drop stuff off at the school all the time in the office....

Our schools have a policy against drop offs. I understand why! You drop off your kids stuff in the office, the office has to call the teacher, the teacher sends the kid down to get their stuff...disruption of class.

I just had this conversation with a friend of mine who has dropped off her 5th graders clarinet two weeks in a row. She was miffed that she did not get a good reception from the secretary. I agree with the secretary...my friend is now miffed at me. Oh well. Fifth grade is not "too young" to remember to bring your stuff to school. And if you forget it? Oh well...natural consequences. The kids will live!!

 

[SaraJayne]

WE have to sign in also to get a badge, and if you don't have a bad, then any teacher or school employee you see will stop you and ask you who you are and where is your badge.

My kids go to a very small school. Everyone in the building knows who I am.

 

[SaraJayne]

And I also want to clarify that just b/c our school has an open door policy doesn't mean I camp out in the classroom. LOL

I've never once sat in either of my kids classroom just for the purpose of "observing". When I was there, it was for a specific purpose (volunteering or dropping something off, or picking up early, etc).

 

[mjkacmom]

I just had this conversation with a friend of mine who has dropped off her 5th graders clarinet two weeks in a row. She was miffed that she did not get a good reception from the secretary. I agree with the secretary...my friend is now miffed at me. Oh well. Fifth grade is not "too young" to remember to bring your stuff to school. And if you forget it? Oh well...natural consequences. The kids will live!!

I agree with most stuff, and if I see homework sitting on my kitchen table, that's where it remains. The office won't even let the kids call home for that. However, when it comes to instruments, the office does allow the kids to call home, out of respect for the band director, who's job is harder if the kids miss practice. Their grades are lowered if they need a parent bring it in, as they should.

 

[shirleyb]

To get into our kids' classrooms, you must have submitted your child abuse clearances. And that's just the start. They won't let a random parent off the street hang out in the classrooom, and I'm glad of that.

 

[MushyMushy]

Our schools have a policy against drop offs. I understand why! You drop off your kids stuff in the office, the office has to call the teacher, the teacher sends the kid down to get their stuff...disruption of class.

I just had this conversation with a friend of mine who has dropped off her 5th graders clarinet two weeks in a row. She was miffed that she did not get a good reception from the secretary. I agree with the secretary...my friend is now miffed at me. Oh well. Fifth grade is not "too young" to remember to bring your stuff to school. And if you forget it? Oh well...natural consequences. The kids will live!!

A lot of school offices have office helpers who do that sort of thing, plus kids have lunch breaks to pick up whatever they need.

Kids forget things, big deal. So do adults. I've taken quite a few things to my husband's office when he's forgotten them at home. Why wouldn't I do the same for my kids?

 

[Hannathy]

A lot of school offices have office helpers who do that sort of thing, plus kids have lunch breaks to pick up whatever they need.

Kids forget things, big deal. So do adults. I've taken quite a few things to my husband's office when he's forgotten them at home. Why wouldn't I do the same for my kids?

I agree I never understood the don't take things to them stand. As adults if we forget something we can usually turn around and go back and get it or make arrangements to get it to us why shouldn't kids be allowed to do the same.

And guess what that sec. should be happy to help because that is part of her job, she may not like it but I'm sure greeting the public is in her job description and helping parents and students. She may not like it but there are parts of every job we don't like. too bad.

 

[palavra]

I agree I never understood the don't take things to them stand. As adults if we forget something we can usually turn around and go back and get it or make arrangements to get it to us why shouldn't kids be allowed to do the same.

And guess what that sec. should be happy to help because that is part of her job, she may not like it but I'm sure greeting the public is in her job description and helping parents and students. She may not like it but there are parts of every job we don't like. too bad.

Once again, the big picture is being missed here. When parents drop things off, the student has to be summoned to the office to pick it up. Someone has to walk to the clasroom or use the intercom to get the student both of which are interruptions during class.

I've only known a few school secretaries, but I've never seen it be a part of thei job description to distribute items to students. Most secretaries are kept very busy in the office. And, while you might only occasionally bring an item left at home, it honestly becomes a habit for some students and parents. It is so easy to wonder what the big deal is when you can't see all the other parents who drop things off, or the parents who come everyday because little Johnny left his lunch at home for the third day in a row.

 

[NHdisneylover]

A lot of school offices have office helpers who do that sort of thing, plus kids have lunch breaks to pick up whatever they need.

Kids forget things, big deal. So do adults. I've taken quite a few things to my husband's office when he's forgotten them at home. Why wouldn't I do the same for my kids?

Maybe if his mom had not bailed him out as a kid in this way you would not have to do so now that he is an adult (not that I really have any idea what his mom did when he was a kid).

 

[marcyinPA]

A lot of school offices have office helpers who do that sort of thing, plus kids have lunch breaks to pick up whatever they need.

Kids forget things, big deal. So do adults. I've taken quite a few things to my husband's office when he's forgotten them at home. Why wouldn't I do the same for my kids?

This is the kind of attitude that drives me crazy. Sorry, but it does. At what point do you stop bailing your kids out? When they are 10? 11? 15? Never? We live in a "it's not my fault" society, and this kind of thing with our kids is NOT helping.

The point is, that at some point, they need to take responsibility. If you forget your band instrument once, maybe you were having a bad day and if I can, I'll bring it to you. If you forget it repeatedly, every lesson day, then NO. You are on your own, and will have to suffer the natural consequences. Maybe you need to get your things organized and by the front door before you go to bed at night. Maybe, like my DS11's 6th grade teacher does, everyone's stuff needs to go right into the car at night so that it is there in the morning.

Do I forget things? Sure I do. Do I always have time to turn around and go home and get what I forgot? No. My employer is depending on me to be on time. So....if I forget something, and can't go home to get it, then I need to learn how to DEAL with it. Same goes for my kids.

I will say that I did feel bad when my DS15 left his essay on the table this week...but had he put it right into his folder in his backpack, he wouldn't have forgotten it. He had to deal with the consequences, and I haven't seen any more homework on the dining room table since. Hopefully, lesson learned.