Teacher Phone Calls

[palpluto]

Looking for opinions from parents and teachers......
My son who is very medically fragile is in a reg K class. I have spoken to the reg teacher 2 times by phone and sped teacher 1 time this yr by phone. I expressed some concerns to the AP which were things that should be known to the teacher. AP tells me to talk to the teacher whenever there are any questions. A couple times I call the teacher and we don't reach eachother. She states she is available from 8:15-8:40 and between 1-2 and makes no calls after school hours. In the morning I am getting my son ready which includes all the things for a normal child plus dealing with medications, oxygen, tube, feedings, breathing treatments, etc. It is hectic and he needs my attention. Since my son can only attend part time due to his medical issues I need to work as much as I can when he is in school. I don't work at a desk and am in and out of homes all day so I may be available between 1-2. On the days my son is home we are in the car at that time and he is with me so I don't want to discuss his deficits and needs. My other children went to private school until 3 yrs ago, when the youngest was diagnosed with a horrible disease and my income was drastically cut. I have never with any of my children had a teacher who said they were not available after school if a parent had a concern and they could not reach them during the day due to their work or child. In the private schools, this would NEVER happen. They would never want a parent to go days without resolving a concern about their child. And, what happended in the past was when I finally talked to her, she "did not remember" the incident.
Thoughts? Is this typical?
How many parents have had teachers call them after school hours? How many teachers have called parents after school hours?

 

[Hannathy]

Over the years I have had many teachers refuse to stay after school. So it isn't unusual to me. most want you to talk before school because they have to be in there anyway but don't have to stay after. Sorry. I think you are just going to have to re-arrange your schedule on a day you need to talk to the teacher. After all you are asking her to do the same thing.

(I personally think they should have to be available everyday for at least 30 minutes after school)

 

[Fantasmic23]

My DS (7) is a type 1 diabetic and has ADHD. Since he's been in Kindergarten, his teachers have called me after school (usually anywhere between 3:30 - 4:00) with any concerns that they have had. At the beginning of each school year, the teacher will send home a note (or will email) asking what my telephone availability is.

When I worked full-time when DS was in Kindergarten, his teacher would call me after 5:00 p.m. (usually from her home). When I went to part-time, the teacher would call me at the end of the school day (the hours stated above).

I will admit that a lot of my contact with DS's teacher this year has been through email. If there's a serious concern, we will arrange a conference call afterschool. Once this year, I had to go to school for an in-person conference (after school hours) to discuss DS.

You should speak to the school principal. If that doesn't work, try the superintendent of schools.

 

[kellyw8863]

I'm a teacher, and I wouldn't hesitate to call a parent after hours if there were extenuating circumstances. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

 

[Hannathy]

Have you tried e-mails? I would say 99% of any communication I have had with teachers in the last couple of years is e-mail.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Email may be the way to go. The teacher may be just as busy outside of those hours with family or personal things, just like you. Unfortunately, some teachers do not have the time to accommodate your needs after contracted(paid time) school hours. She may have another job too, or she may just not want to, and that too is up to her, especially if her contract only requires her to work between certain hours.

 

[geenerbell]

I am a teacher. I think the PP email idea is excellent although I will in some circumstances stay late to conference I prefer to do it during my planning time(during the school day). Being a single mother makes staying after school difficult due to my child being in sports and the like.

 

[palpluto]

Have you tried e-mails? I would say 99% of any communication I have had with teachers in the last couple of years is e-mail.

OP here-Yes. Lots of email- its just the times that we need to have a conversation.

In the many years my other children have been in school, the teachers have often called at whatever point in the evening was convenient, not necessarily stayed after.

To other PP-
Unfortunately, I can't rearrange the schedule of having an ill child who wakes up and needs to be taken care of in the a.m. And, if I knew she was going to call I could arrange my work schedule to be by a phone. The problem with that is I have done that for another school person and never got the call- lost work hours and no conversation. And, if he is with me ther eis really nothing I can do about that- he is not a child that can be left unattended while I go in the other room for 10-15 mins to talk on the phone.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Seems you two are at an impasse, you can not rearrange to meet the times she needs, and for whatever reason she can not rearrange to meet your needs. Perhaps a school administrator can act as an intermediary, meet with your and then relay things to the teacher.

 

[okeydokey]

Since she gave you two blocks of time during the day when you can reach her, I think you'll just have to find a few minutes to call her during that time. I know it's not easy, but it is what it is.\

I would think she would make an exception once in a while for an important call, but that's me.

 

[bwilcox]

As a former teacher, during the work day, I gave 100% to my job and my students. When my paid hours were over, I left immediately to get my kids out of daycare and give 100% to them. The teacher may have kids or other circumstances in her life that need her attention just as much as your child needs yours. Now if a parent was in your situation and talked to me about it, I would have no problem taking time occasionally to talk with her after hours, so you may just need to discuss your situation with the teacher. If that doesn't work, call the principal to discuss what your options are.

 

[MM27]

Is email an option? I check my email several times throughout the day because my school does all communication within the building through email (no paper memos) so we are required to check.

Also, can you find out when the teacher gets a prep period? Maybe she can contact you, or you contact her during that time.

Personally, I don't make phone calls in the morning. Too much going on trying to get ready for the day. I make calls on my preps and then after school once all the kiddies are gone (if I'm working with a student after school I will not take time away from them) I usually call parents from my cell phone because I'm on the 3rd floor and the phones on the first so sometimes parents will call me back on my cell. I don't mind and will take calls at night as long as it's a decent hour, but I know some teachers won't.

If you think she's avoiding you, call the principal and explain the situation.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Looking for opinions from parents and teachers......
My son who is very medically fragile is in a reg K class. I have spoken to the reg teacher 2 times by phone and sped teacher 1 time this yr by phone. I expressed some concerns to the AP which were things that should be known to the teacher. AP tells me to talk to the teacher whenever there are any questions. A couple times I call the teacher and we don't reach eachother. She states she is available from 8:15-8:40 and between 1-2 and makes no calls after school hours. In the morning I am getting my son ready which includes all the things for a normal child plus dealing with medications, oxygen, tube, feedings, breathing treatments, etc. It is hectic and he needs my attention. Since my son can only attend part time due to his medical issues I need to work as much as I can when he is in school. I don't work at a desk and am in and out of homes all day so I may be available between 1-2. On the days my son is home we are in the car at that time and he is with me so I don't want to discuss his deficits and needs. My other children went to private school until 3 yrs ago, when the youngest was diagnosed with a horrible disease and my income was drastically cut. I have never with any of my children had a teacher who said they were not available after school if a parent had a concern and they could not reach them during the day due to their work or child. In the private schools, this would NEVER happen. They would never want a parent to go days without resolving a concern about their child. And, what happended in the past was when I finally talked to her, she "did not remember" the incident.
Thoughts? Is this typical?
How many parents have had teachers call them after school hours? How many teachers have called parents after school hours?

Unfortunately, you are now at the mercy of a public school system and things just can't work the same. How often would you like to have phone conversations with this teacher? Once a week may be to hard to work out for both of you, once or twice a month might be easier. Handle everything in-between with email. Plus with email you both have written documentation, things are easier to remember that way .

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Personally, my children have not had a teacher who was not available after school hours...in fact I can't remember one who did not give me her cell number and say to please use it if you need to.....which I rarely,if ever, have. My 4th graders AIG teacher has a special cell phone number that the kids are only allowed to call...it's the homework hotline.

However, I would never think badly of a teacher who didn't do that. They are people...who knew ..... and deserve to have their private time be their time.

I utilize email whenever possible. We have had teachers who never check email and that has become an issue. In that case, we have exchanged notes in the children's daily agenda.

 

[princessmom29]

I am a teacher and while I have called parents at night on occasion, I try to limt it when at all possible as I have a family who deserves my time as well. I can see why a teacher would say no calls outside of school. I have had parents call me at all hours of the night, I mean all hours, and expect me to drop whatver I am doing for a phone conference so that they do not have to bother to actually come to the school for a conference because it is inconvinent for them. Most teachers now have their numbers unlisted to prevent it. Our school rules state that we are not to discuss a student over the phone as anyone can call and say they are that child's parent. We have face to face conferences only. We have had noncustodial parents call in the past trying to get info on the children that they are not entitled to. You may need to schedule a time to go into the school for a face to face conference. I realize that you feel like the teacher is not doing due diligence, but you have to remember your son is not her only student, and she is used to dealing with public school parents. Some are like you and care about their child, will respect her time and privacy, can be reasonable, and have a civil conversation. Many can not. We have had to have parents arrested at our school because they were simply out of control. If she makes exceptions for you she would have to do so for everyone, and that would mean being "on call" whenever a parent decides they want to talk. It can become a problem very quickly. She may have dealt with this in the past, hence the rule about after hours calls.

 

[Ceila]

I'm sorry, but she gave you two times, every day, that she is available to talk with you. Perhaps she has obligations that prevent her from talking to you outside of her work hours; perhaps she has someone with a disability that needs her. If it is that important that you speak, you will need to find time during those hours. Otherwise, e-mail is a wonderful way to keep in contact with teachers. See if she is open to that option.

 

[hedge333]

As a teacher, I agree with the email suggestion 100%. It is difficult to find time after school with meetings, required duties (working ball games, club meetings, etc) graduate work, and my own family. Email is the easiest way to communicate. Also, teachers worry about interrupting family schedules, too. The teacher is aware that your son needs special attention at times and may worry about calling at an inopportune time for your family. I know that has been the case for me at times. I suggest email. If you don't know her address, try the school website or just call the office and request it.

 

[MACfamily4]

In the private schools, this would NEVER happen.

I'm sorry this is happening to you; it's understandable that you're frustrated. You are frustrated with this situation in this school with this teacher, however. It would be faulty logic to make this a public vs. private school issue. Having said that, if you have made every effort to contact the teacher, it is not unreasonable that your next step would be to speak to the principal about the difficulty you're having communicating with her.

All the best.

 

[eduk8r26]

I can't understand a teacher not talking to a parent after school. Our contract states that we are to be at school a certain amount of time per day, for most of us that means at least half an hour after the kids leave. If I couln't get hold of the teacher or she didn't return calls, I'd be calling the principal.

 

[beaniebeepooh]

Those two times may be the only periods that she has outside of the classroom. It may not be in her power to arrange other times during the school day and may not be within her power to speak up. Sometimes teachers have to become inflexible in terms of what they do beyond their contract because administrators insist on being inflexible. In my school, I knew there was changes that needed to be made for the benefit of the students, but no matter what I said, I was not listened to. It took other teachers and parents being affected by my inflexibility (a decision I made after I realized that I wasn't Wonder Woman and couldn't do jobs that used to be performed by 3 different full time people) to get those changes to occur. If it is a pressing issue, you could talk to the principle about your schedule and maybe suggest/ask if he or she could find someone to cover her class so that she can call you and discuss the issues.