Questions to ask of a possible new school???

[Magic Mom]

If I was a parent of her other students I would be ticked that she neglected them to catch up one child.

Especially since he was behind because of a vacation.

 

[nuke]

Especially since he was behind because of a vacation.

We took my son (6th grade) out for a week and he came home to 4 tests. The lowest grade he received was a 96%. That's the only reason I don't feel bad taking him out. He doesn't fall behind when he misses school.

I also don't suck up to his teachers. In fact the only time I've talked to them this year was for parent/teacher conferences. I sent in a note about vacation and they all told him to have a good time.

 

[golfgal]

I have been very careful to cultivate good relationships with all my kids' teachers. Last week I took my children out of school for a week to go to WDW. Because we had snow ahead of the trip my DS12 never got any extra work or instructions to follow for while we were away. Over the weekend he & I went over his best guess for what he missed. On Monday, when he went back, I sent his pre-Algebra teacher a note asking her what her impressions were of his ability to keep up. Since it is an advanced class they move very quickly and a week could be damaging and I told her I understood she was busy but that I would follow her directions to the letter if she had any suggestions. Anyhow she said they were scheduled to have a test Wed but she'd let him wait. After school I discovered she sat with him 1 hour Tuesday in school. Then Wed. I sent her a message thanking her up and down for taking her personal time to work with my son and what a great job I think she is doing. Thursday she spoke with his other team teachers about helping him catch up with Math and arranged to have him pulled from Science and Social Studies where he already has A averages. Then she sat with him one on one for 3 hours AND she let him take the test in 2 parts. He did 1/2 on Thursday after she was done with him and had him this entire weekend to work on the 2nd half for Monday.

No-way she would go this far out of her way for a kid &/or parent who is apathetic. Respect and appreciation go a really long way.

I seriously doubt that she wouldn't do it for apathetic families.

First of all, I seriously question the judgement of any teacher who would take 3+ hours away from her class to spend with one child.

Secondly, her attention to your child doesn't prove that she wouldn't do the same for a child whose parents are apathetic. In fact, kids who get little support at home are often give extra attention at school to keep them current and supplement what they don't get at home in terms of homework help.

Same here

Especially since he was behind because of a vacation.

EXACTLY

It's great you have a supportive teacher but hopefully she was able to devote enough time to the rest of the class so your son could enjoy his vacation. Sorry, I would NEVER expect a teacher to do this.

 

[declansdad]

If I was a parent of her other students I would be ticked that she neglected them to catch up one child.

I want to know where the school is so I can tell my wife. She is a teacher and I'm sure she would love to have such a low student-teacher ratio so she could offer help like this. It almost seems the teacher has a one to one ratio.

 

[Cornhusk]

Especially since he was behind because of a vacation.

Exactly, I can understand giving attention during lunch and maybe some times after class, but during school hours? What were the other kids doing?

 

[Magic Mom]

Exactly, I can understand giving attention during lunch and maybe some times after class, but during school hours? What were the other kids doing?

Their parents aren't as "involved" so they can just sit there and wait.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been very careful to cultivate good relationships with all my kids' teachers. Last week I took my children out of school for a week to go to WDW. Because we had snow ahead of the trip my DS12 never got any extra work or instructions to follow for while we were away. Over the weekend he & I went over his best guess for what he missed. On Monday, when he went back, I sent his pre-Algebra teacher a note asking her what her impressions were of his ability to keep up. Since it is an advanced class they move very quickly and a week could be damaging and I told her I understood she was busy but that I would follow her directions to the letter if she had any suggestions. Anyhow she said they were scheduled to have a test Wed but she'd let him wait. After school I discovered she sat with him 1 hour Tuesday in school. Then Wed. I sent her a message thanking her up and down for taking her personal time to work with my son and what a great job I think she is doing. Thursday she spoke with his other team teachers about helping him catch up with Math and arranged to have him pulled from Science and Social Studies where he already has A averages. Then she sat with him one on one for 3 hours AND she let him take the test in 2 parts. He did 1/2 on Thursday after she was done with him and had him this entire weekend to work on the 2nd half for Monday.

No-way she would go this far out of her way for a kid &/or parent who is apathetic. Respect and appreciation go a really long way.

When a family chooses to take a child out of school, for vacation, our teachers don't do anything as far as catching them up. No work is given before that child leaves. The child can always bring the school books along and then call a classmate each day to get the work, but the teachers do not give it out before time. Not their job. Same goes for when the child returns. They can get the work then, but they have a certain amount of time to do it and get in back to the teacher. And that is usually 48 hrs..on top of the rest of their work from those two days.

There is no way a teacher should be devoting that much time to one student. That is what tutoring is for. If this was done during classtime, who was teaching the other children? You know...the ones that were there that whole time, doing their work?? Any and all makeup 'reteaching' should be done after school. And if it takes more than the usual amount of the teachers time (our teachers are off the clock an hour after the bell rings), then the teacher should be being reimbursed for his/her own time being spent with a child. Or...get a tutor.


I'm sorry. I hate to sound negative. But...all children deserve the same treatment. Anyone who thinks that their child is deserving of better treatment or special treatment, based on how their parent interacts with the teacher, is setting that child up for some really bad experiences down the road. There are going to be teachers that don't so much care about your emails telling them how wonderful they are, or how terrifically they are doing their job. Some are going to think that parent is trying to 'grease the skids' for their child by being so nice to the teacher. The time is going to come when the child is going to have to take care of business themselves...not depend on mommy and daddy coming to their rescue.

If my child isn't doing good work, she doesn't get taken out of school...period. I would have loved to take her to WDW with me in Dec...she would have missed three days. But, her grades are just not good enough at the moment. And I told her that if her grades weren't good when time to book airfare came, she was staying home with dad. Same thing with summer school. We are booked for a family vacation this summer. If she doesn't make the grade she need to get in order to take the next math class, she will be staying home and going to summer school. She can stay with her older sister, while dad and I go to WDW. If she needed as much extra help as the OP's ds did when she got home, I would have realized that she probably shouldn't have missed any school to begin with.
But, each family has to make it's own choices. But to say that the way a parent treats a teacher impacts that childs education??? That's just wrong. By the same token, I guess...if a mom has an 'issue', and treats the teacher in a bad way, but the child is a decent student, with good habits and likes the teacher, should the child now be negatively impacted by the parents' 'issue' (which could quite possibly be a medical one)? Sorry but it works both ways. All students should be treated the same way....and that treatment should be based on how the student treats the teacher, not the parents constant hovering and emailing the teacher.

 

[Cornhusk]

When a family chooses to take a child out of school, for vacation, our teachers don't do anything as far as catching them up. No work is given before that child leaves. The child can always bring the school books along and then call a classmate each day to get the work, but the teachers do not give it out before time. Not their job. Same goes for when the child returns. They can get the work then, but they have a certain amount of time to do it and get in back to the teacher. And that is usually 48 hrs..on top of the rest of their work from those two days.

There is no way a teacher should be devoting that much time to one student. That is what tutoring is for. If this was done during classtime, who was teaching the other children? You know...the ones that were there that whole time, doing their work?? Any and all makeup 'reteaching' should be done after school. And if it takes more than the usual amount of the teachers time (our teachers are off the clock an hour after the bell rings), then the teacher should be being reimbursed for his/her own time being spent with a child. Or...get a tutor.


I'm sorry. I hate to sound negative. But...all children deserve the same treatment. Anyone who thinks that their child is deserving of better treatment or special treatment, based on how their parent interacts with the teacher, is setting that child up for some really bad experiences down the road. There are going to be teachers that don't so much care about your emails telling them how wonderful they are, or how terrifically they are doing their job. Some are going to think that parent is trying to 'grease the skids' for their child by being so nice to the teacher. The time is going to come when the child is going to have to take care of business themselves...not depend on mommy and daddy coming to their rescue.

If my child isn't doing good work, she doesn't get taken out of school...period. I would have loved to take her to WDW with me in Dec...she would have missed three days. But, her grades are just not good enough at the moment. And I told her that if her grades weren't good when time to book airfare came, she was staying home with dad. Same thing with summer school. We are booked for a family vacation this summer. If she doesn't make the grade she need to get in order to take the next math class, she will be staying home and going to summer school. She can stay with her older sister, while dad and I go to WDW. If she needed as much extra help as the OP's ds did when she got home, I would have realized that she probably shouldn't have missed any school to begin with.
But, each family has to make it's own choices. But to say that the way a parent treats a teacher impacts that childs education??? That's just wrong. By the same token, I guess...if a mom has an 'issue', and treats the teacher in a bad way, but the child is a decent student, with good habits and likes the teacher, should the child now be negatively impacted by the parents' 'issue' (which could quite possibly be a medical one)? Sorry but it works both ways. All students should be treated the same way....and that treatment should be based on how the student treats the teacher, not the parents constant hovering and emailing the teacher.

 

[Caropooh]

I have been very careful to cultivate good relationships with all my kids' teachers. Last week I took my children out of school for a week to go to WDW. Because we had snow ahead of the trip my DS12 never got any extra work or instructions to follow for while we were away. Over the weekend he & I went over his best guess for what he missed. On Monday, when he went back, I sent his pre-Algebra teacher a note asking her what her impressions were of his ability to keep up. Since it is an advanced class they move very quickly and a week could be damaging and I told her I understood she was busy but that I would follow her directions to the letter if she had any suggestions. Anyhow she said they were scheduled to have a test Wed but she'd let him wait. After school I discovered she sat with him 1 hour Tuesday in school. Then Wed. I sent her a message thanking her up and down for taking her personal time to work with my son and what a great job I think she is doing. Thursday she spoke with his other team teachers about helping him catch up with Math and arranged to have him pulled from Science and Social Studies where he already has A averages. Then she sat with him one on one for 3 hours AND she let him take the test in 2 parts. He did 1/2 on Thursday after she was done with him and had him this entire weekend to work on the 2nd half for Monday.

No-way she would go this far out of her way for a kid &/or parent who is apathetic. Respect and appreciation go a really long way.

WOW, amazing! I only wish my DD15's teachers had that kind of time to spend one on one with her. Maybe if they did, she wouldn't be doing as poorly as she is. Even with her 504 Form, they can't seem to give her any extra help.
So, after being able to take the test in 2 parts AND being able to take it right after she spent the 3 hours with him, I certainly hope he aced it. What did other students and parents have to say about this extra help? Did any of them get this also or did they just have to learn everything in the normal classroom time?

 

[Mickey Fliers]

WOW, amazing! I only wish my DD15's teachers had that kind of time to spend one on one with her. Maybe if they did, she wouldn't be doing as poorly as she is. Even with her 504 Form, they can't seem to give her any extra help.
So, after being able to take the test in 2 parts AND being able to take it right after she spent the 3 hours with him, I certainly hope he aced it. What did other students and parents have to say about this extra help? Did any of them get this also or did they just have to learn everything in the normal classroom time?

Geez, Caro...you clearly just need to be a more involved parent, don't ya know. Show the teacher that you care and the teacher will give you DD extra teaching time....she'll even take time away from teaching the other kids.

 

[Caropooh]

Geez, Caro...you clearly just need to be a more involved parent, don't ya know. Show the teacher that you care and the teacher will give you DD extra teaching time....she'll even take time away from teaching the other kids.

You're right Amie, what was I thinking? I guess my emails to teachers and the counselor just aren't enough! Funny thing about that is the school counselor did say at our meeting with her teachers at the beginning of the school year, 'she is a very involved parent. The lines of communication are always open.' I guess I should of been adding more praise into those emails!

 

[Cornhusk]

You're right Amie, what was I thinking? I guess my emails to teachers and the counselor just aren't enough! Funny thing about that is the school counselor did say at our meeting with her teachers at the beginning of the school year, 'she is a very involved parent. The lines of communication are always open.' I guess I should of been adding more praise into those emails!

Cash helps (jk)

 

[Mickey Fliers]

You're right Amie, what was I thinking? I guess my emails to teachers and the counselor just aren't enough! Funny thing about that is the school counselor did say at our meeting with her teachers at the beginning of the school year, 'she is a very involved parent. The lines of communication are always open.' I guess I should of been adding more praise into those emails!

You bet. A little butt kissing can go a long way, I guess. If we had just remembered to pick up our copy of the perfect parenting handbook our kids would be super stars.

Cash helps (jk)

Good point!

 

[Magic Mom]

You bet. A little butt kissing can go a long way, I guess. If we had just remembered to pick up our copy of the perfect parenting handbook our kids would be super stars.

Help me out here. How much time do I need to spend ingratiating myself to DD's teachers to ensure a 4.0? She starts middle school next year and I want to start calling/emailing those teachers now. Would it be too much to send them all "Thanks in Advance" fruit baskets?

 

[allison443]

When a family chooses to take a child out of school, for vacation, our teachers don't do anything as far as catching them up. No work is given before that child leaves. The child can always bring the school books along and then call a classmate each day to get the work, but the teachers do not give it out before time. Not their job. Same goes for when the child returns. They can get the work then, but they have a certain amount of time to do it and get in back to the teacher. And that is usually 48 hrs..on top of the rest of their work from those two days.

There is no way a teacher should be devoting that much time to one student. That is what tutoring is for. If this was done during classtime, who was teaching the other children? You know...the ones that were there that whole time, doing their work?? Any and all makeup 'reteaching' should be done after school. And if it takes more than the usual amount of the teachers time (our teachers are off the clock an hour after the bell rings), then the teacher should be being reimbursed for his/her own time being spent with a child. Or...get a tutor.


I'm sorry. I hate to sound negative. But...all children deserve the same treatment. Anyone who thinks that their child is deserving of better treatment or special treatment, based on how their parent interacts with the teacher, is setting that child up for some really bad experiences down the road. There are going to be teachers that don't so much care about your emails telling them how wonderful they are, or how terrifically they are doing their job. Some are going to think that parent is trying to 'grease the skids' for their child by being so nice to the teacher. The time is going to come when the child is going to have to take care of business themselves...not depend on mommy and daddy coming to their rescue.

If my child isn't doing good work, she doesn't get taken out of school...period. I would have loved to take her to WDW with me in Dec...she would have missed three days. But, her grades are just not good enough at the moment. And I told her that if her grades weren't good when time to book airfare came, she was staying home with dad. Same thing with summer school. We are booked for a family vacation this summer. If she doesn't make the grade she need to get in order to take the next math class, she will be staying home and going to summer school. She can stay with her older sister, while dad and I go to WDW. If she needed as much extra help as the OP's ds did when she got home, I would have realized that she probably shouldn't have missed any school to begin with.
But, each family has to make it's own choices. But to say that the way a parent treats a teacher impacts that childs education??? That's just wrong. By the same token, I guess...if a mom has an 'issue', and treats the teacher in a bad way, but the child is a decent student, with good habits and likes the teacher, should the child now be negatively impacted by the parents' 'issue' (which could quite possibly be a medical one)? Sorry but it works both ways. All students should be treated the same way....and that treatment should be based on how the student treats the teacher, not the parents constant hovering and emailing the teacher.

Great post!
I'm sure there were other students who could have benefitted from the one on one tutoring from the teacher, and from having their test delayed and then split into two parts.

 

[golfgal]

Help me out here. How much time do I need to spend ingratiating myself to DD's teachers to ensure a 4.0? She starts middle school next year and I want to start calling/emailing those teachers now. Would it be too much to send them all "Thanks in Advance" fruit baskets?

I think my neighbor calculated it out and it is 23.7/hours/week

Food is always a bonus but cash is better.

 

[Cornhusk]

I think my neighbor calculated it out and it is 23.7/hours/week

Food is always a bonus but cash is better.

Or those little bottles of Jack Daniels.

 

[golfgal]

Or those little bottles of Jack Daniels.

Just don't have the kid bring it into the teacher...

 

[Cornhusk]

Just don't have the kid bring it into the teacher...

Hmm...true.

Yankee candles then? (jk)

 

[golfgal]

Hmm...true.

Yankee candles then? (jk)