OT--need to vent about school

[rt2dz]

I know what you mean, our school's "director of first impressions" (since when is being a receptionist a bad thing!?!) is the most awful, rude, horrible person. If she worked for me, with how she treats people--parents, delivery people, students--I'd fire her. And I'm not the only one who thinks that way! Some people have no proffesionalism, maybe that is what a receptionist does have so that isn't the job title.

Our principal meets with parents when the request it--1100 students (this year, expected 1500 next year), grades k-4. You might not get your first choice of days and time, but it does happen in a fairly quick manner. And they, too give tours. Actually, the tour is given by one of the assistant principals or one of the counselors. They usually have a specific day that they do it so it isn't 100s of prospective students/families over time, but once or twice a month in larger groups. They will make individual appointments for those that can't make it then too.

Then at the beginning of the year there is a meet-n-greet night--two actually, they split the alphabet--for all K parents/families. Every school in our district does that. All 35 elementary schools have the K night, all intermidate schools do for grades 4, all middle schools for grades 6 and all high schools for grades 9. This way students get to see the school and parents can know who the key people are and everyone know individual policies. It's pretty much that way for all districts around here; nothing special about ours.

If you aren't married to the neighborhood, I'd look at other areas where the schools might be better. I'd hate to leave my child in the hands of people too caught up with the administration that they don't see the students. The school may be very understaffed if that is the way it has to be--red flag. I look at the schools before I look at the neighborhood just to make sure since I couldn't stomach bad schools for my kids.

 

[susykt4]

Wow. My kids go to a public school and I can't imagine the principal not taking a few minutes to answer questions. There are probably only 300 kids in their K-4 primary school, though. The last time I picked DD up early for a dentist appt the principal went and got her from her classroom. If he has time for grunt work like that he probably has time for answering a few questions! I doubt most schools have that many requests from "potential" parents shopping for schools.

 

[Whosemom]

I remember reading research that says elementary schools are most effective when they have around 300 kids. So these schools that are so stinking big that the principal can't meet you might not be the best choice anyway.

 

[lastminutemom]

I am on the committee that gives tours for our elementary school. We absolutely don't give tours during CRCT testing. No one is even allowed to walk in the halls, unless it is absolutely necessary. Each day of testing, the kids get to do something fun after it is complete, so it really is a different kind of time. But you said you understood that part of it.

Many years ago, probably 8, when PTA decided to take over the tours, we did so because we were concerned that prospective parents were taking to much time from the principal when MANY of them simply wanted to see the classrooms and understand how lunch works. It iwas not the principal who initiated the change, but concerned parents.

At the end of each tour, the tour guide hands the visitors the prinicpal's business card and says if you have any questions -- please don't hesitate to call and set up an appointment with her secretary. (we also say they can ask for the Asst' principal or school counselor.) BUT we are a small school of about 500 students. (Also, we try and make sure that prospective parents meet the principal, ***'t principal and/or the counselor on the tour, just to say hello.)

One of the challenges in selecting a school in fast growing areas in Atlanta, is well, they are fast growing. Some elementary schools easily exceed 1,000 students with kindergarten classes appproaching 250 or more. Many secretaries have to act as gate keepers, just to try and let the principal get some work done. There is no excuse for rude behavior, though.

Go on the tour, you may get a really experienced tour guide who can answer lots of your questions. I know we do a bunch of training for our tour guides, give out a lot of printed information for prospective parents, and answer questions at the end.

 

[DawnM]

I dont' think there are ANY schools that small near me. Most are around 1,000.

Dawn

I remember reading research that says elementary schools are most effective when they have around 300 kids. So these schools that are so stinking big that the principal can't meet you might not be the best choice anyway.