What Drives Me Crazy as an Elementary School Secretary...

[dairyou]

Every day I love going to work and seeing all the kids...but...this is what I don't like:

* parent that don't know what grade their kids are in...

* students who are over 3rd grade that don't know their phone numbers or parents cell number. Even at times their own address...

* parents that don't know their student's teacher's name...

* students that don't know how to tell time unless it's on a digital clock...

Okay... that's it. Rant over.

Deb

 

[dakcp2001]

Kids dont wear watches anymore, they use their cell phones as clocks. I am now "old" or so I have been told by my nephews, since I wear a watch.

 

[diznygirl]

I know my kids grade - I just can't believe it! And give us a learning curve on the teacher's name - we spent a whole year learning the last one! I don't know cell phone numbers - we just press the buttons and the phone does the rest. That's why it's all written down on the scads of forms the school sends home and we send back.

Sorry you are having a rough day.

 

[agnes!]

Kids dont wear watches anymore, they use their cell phones as clocks. I am now "old" or so I have been told by my nephews, since I wear a watch.

Yeah I know, but it will be such a shock to them when they take timed tests and cannot take their cellphones in with them.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

Every day I love going to work and seeing all the kids...but...this is what I don't like:

* parent that don't know what grade their kids are in...

* students who are over 3rd grade that don't know their phone numbers or parents cell number. Even at times their own address...

* parents that don't know their student's teacher's name...

* students that don't know how to tell time unless it's on a digital clock...

Okay... that's it. Rant over.

Deb

I overheard a conversation today where a parent called in, was trying to get an official transcript done up but didn't know the year their son had graduated from high school.

agnes!

 

[okeydokey]

Every day I love going to work and seeing all the kids...but...this is what I don't like:

* parent that don't know what grade their kids are in...

* students who are over 3rd grade that don't know their phone numbers or parents cell number. Even at times their own address...

* parents that don't know their student's teacher's name...

* students that don't know how to tell time unless it's on a digital clock...

Okay... that's it. Rant over.

Deb

How in the world can you not know what grade your kid is in or their teacher's name?

 

[Sleestack]

I know this may not be the case of course, but maybe, just maybe you've caught these parents at a particulary stressful time. I get stressed. And in those times I cant tell you which kid is allergic to which meds, and I do not know what year my oldest graduated without a second or two to remember I was also breastfeeding my youngest at that time, and my brother was on his death bed, and my house was near foreclosure and my mind was often blank. You just never know the other things that are going on. I act stupid sometimes, and really, mostly, Im not stupid.

For the record, I think most school secretaries run the whole show! The school I have in mind would fall apart without her. Thumbs up!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Every day I love going to work and seeing all the kids...but...this is what I don't like:

* parent that don't know what grade their kids are in...

* students who are over 3rd grade that don't know their phone numbers or parents cell number. Even at times their own address...

* parents that don't know their student's teacher's name...



Deb

The first few weeks of school I forgot DD's teacher/grade a few times-- had to stop and think. I was still in last year. Of course I also generally write the last year on checks and forms until about Feb.

Not sure that DH would know DD10s teacher except that DD14 had the same one so he has had longer to remember the name. He doesn't deal with any school stuff usually so it just isn't something he ever thinks about.

I was doing something for PTSA at the High School a few weeks ago and many of the kids couldn't tell me correctly what grade they were in either. Most were still in last year also.

DH and I have changed cell phones several times the last few years-- even I don't know my cell phone number! I am sure that neither of my kids know them, but they do know the home number.

I overheard a conversation today where a parent called in, was trying to get an official transcript done up but didn't know the year their son had graduated from high school.

agnes!

I don't remember what year I graduated from high school! Or college, or was married. Just not something I ever think about. I would, however make sure I knew it before I called.

 

[mamacatnv]

I agree with OP
Kids IMO should know their parents phone number, they absolutely should be able to tell time and their parents by November should know what grade they are in and who their main teacher is.

Technology is a great tool but it should not replace an even greater tool, our own brain. Stuff happens, emergencies occur and the school may not be able to access the scads of forms, or the child may not be able to just push a button on a cell phone because perhaps they are using an actual land line or the cell phone of someone else.

I've had kids, baby brain, nursing psychosis and have been sleep deprived just like most other parents on the planet but I doubt I was ever so scattered that I truly could not remember my childs age/grade.

ETA:
Now, don't get me started on the guy from "maintenance" where DH works calling me about the work order DH had submitted........
Maint: "Hi, this is maint calling to schedule your work request"
Me: "who is this? I didn't submit a workorder, I don't even work there"
Maint: "Yes you did, your cell number is right here......."
My DH is a total dork, I don't ever let him call the school if I can at all avoid it. BTW I talk to the guy in maintenance more than DH does.

 

[cbmstephanie]

and the school may not be able to access the scads of forms,

If the school is unable to access the scads of forms that are filled out, then why fill them out?

 

[mamacatnv]

If the school is unable to access the scads of forms that are filled out, then why fill them out?

I said "may not"
Suppose there is a fire in the office and your kid needs to tell you to come get them or there is a lock down and they are instructed to contact their parents from the classroom or the school is evacuated and the forms are left behind......etc.....etc.....etc...

I'm just saying, empower your kid with a bit of information. A phone number IMO is an essential bit of information that all kids should know. They should know how to reach a parent and an alternate, all by themselves without a form from the office.

 

[cbmstephanie]

LOL...suppose there is a fire, suppose there is an earthquake, Oh My what about an electrical outage...or a famine!

I wasn't speaking about abnormal experiences, but normal day to day experiences, which I think the OP was also speaking to...things that annoy her daily. Your examples are extremes, she is speaking to normal things every day...those are times when the school should be able to pull up my phone number on their computer, if they actually took those scads of papers I filled out and did something with them, like put them in their database.

 

[mamacatnv]

LOL...suppose there is a fire, suppose there is an earthquake, Oh My what about an electrical outage...or a famine!

I wasn't speaking about abnormal experiences, but normal day to day experiences, which I think the OP was also speaking to...things that annoy her daily. Your examples are extremes, she is speaking to normal things every day...those are times when the school should be able to pull up my phone number on their computer, if they actually took those scads of papers I filled out and did something with them, like put them in their database.

I've been dealing with schools now for about 15 years.
Every single one of the scenarios I cited HAS occurred and a few more than once. My kid knew how to get ahold of me, can't say the same for all of his classmates.
Each to their own, I chose to not have to rely on others for basic information and I view knowing what to do in an emergency or a rare event as being a life skill.
I think the OP was also commenting towards things parents and kids should know and a phone number is one.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Well, my DH took one of my children to school one day and went to the wrong school. He forgot for a minute that she had moved on up.

We all get things wrong from time to time, and with three kids I am doing good to know any of their teachers names. I am actually proud of myself this year.

I do agree that all children should know their home phone number, mom & dad's cell numbers and address.

 

[cbmstephanie]

My child isn't even isn't even in school yet, preschool and can tell you her name, her address and my phone number. My point is, that is that if there is a gunman at the school, my guess is that she is going to be a little upset and not able to tell someone the phone number when she is scared, and I would hope that the school would be able to pull up my phone number that I gave them on registration forms etc. so I would know what's going on.

 

[daisyduck123]

You wouldn't believe how many 1st graders don't know their parents names...they just know "mommy" and "daddy".

One time, I received a note from a parent, & it was just signed with a first name. I asked the class, "Who's mom is named Kathy?" Many of the kids said, "Not mine", but several kids did not know their own mom's name. I had to pull out the emergency forms & go thru all of them to find out.

 

[dairyou]

Dad's are a whole different story. Us women up front don't expect them to know If they do, we tell them and praise them for it. I know it would make their wives proud.

As far as kids knowing their information... Maybe I am old but I would teach my kids at a young age their address and phone number. My thoughts came from paranoia. What if they got lost and someone needed their phone number. What if a parent was with them and they didn't take my number?

In the school we have all the children's information on the computer... but we all know computers at times are vvvveeerrryyy slow, electricity goes off in a rain storm ect. Kids come in and don't feel well while your trying to accomplish 10 different things. It would just be easier if the kids knew. On occasion they can use the school phone and call mom or dad on their own.

In case of earthquake, fire drills ect when we leave the office we take our emergency binders outside with us. All our little darlings information goes with us everywhere

I love my job and the kids. I feel like all their moms

 

[tink_lover]

Well......you better thank your lucky stars you don't have children who are dyslexic.

Enough said. It has changed my ENTIRE thoughts and feelings about the matter of memorizing numbers.

I'm glad that the people in ds's school office have some compassion and understanding of children with LD.

 

[kimblebee]

Dad's are a whole different story. Us women up front don't expect them to know If they do, we tell them and praise them for it. I know it would make their wives proud.
As far as kids knowing their information... Maybe I am old but I would teach my kids at a young age their address and phone number. My thoughts came from paranoia. What if they got lost and someone needed their phone number. What if a parent was with them and they didn't take my number?

In the school we have all the children's information on the computer... but we all know computers at times are vvvveeerrryyy slow, electricity goes off in a rain storm ect. Kids come in and don't feel well while your trying to accomplish 10 different things. It would just be easier if the kids knew. On occasion they can use the school phone and call mom or dad on their own.

In case of earthquake, fire drills ect when we leave the office we take our emergency binders outside with us. All our little darlings information goes with us everywhere

I love my job and the kids. I feel like all their moms

I expect my ex to know my daughters grade and teacher. I would be pissed if he didn't. I don't get this whole mentality of giving men a free pass. They have brains, they know how to use them. You would actually praise a man for knowing something about his kid? I'd be like yeah, so you know what grade your kid is in. Do you need a medal?

 

[dairyou]

I expect my ex to know my daughters grade and teacher. I would be pissed if he didn't. I don't get this whole mentality of giving men a free pass. They have brains, they know how to use them. You would actually praise a man for knowing something about his kid? I'd be like yeah, so you know what grade your kid is in. Do you need a medal?

Yes, we expect it of course...unfortunately most men leave the school stuff for moms. Gotta praise the ones who actually get it right