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

[kamik86]

How old are the kids we are talking about here?

If they are elementary school I can see half of them not being able to tell time on an analog clock. I learned young because I hated being the only one in my house that had to go to the kitchen to see the time on the microwave if I was in the dining room because everyone else could read the analog clock (my parents taught my sisters to not to tell me) but besides that I wouldn't have started learning it until half way through 3rd grade, which would mean more then 1/2 the elementary school kids didn't get their yet.

If it is high school or even middle I can see not knowing teachers names. I had many teachers and my parents didn't keep track. In middle school we had a home room so my parents knew that one. In high school we didn't have home room just started with announcements in first period and took attendance there (and which class was first changed from day to day). Anything else we did by our shops since we spent half our time there. My parents knew which shop I was in, and learned the teachers there quickly since I had them for all 4 years but didn't know the others.

As for my address I always knew that... what was freaky was the time one of the shop teachers was bringing most of us home after a trip ran late so we all missed the bus, he just asked me if my parents still lived where they did when my sister was in school and dropped me off without ever asking or telling me how he knew!! (sister he asked about was 16 years older then me) I asked my sister and found out that he lived down the road when they were in high school so he knew the house.

 

[kamik86]

Can I ask why people expect parents to know all the teahcers in middle and high school? My mom only talked to these people at one parent teacher night a year. Most of the time only long enough to be told by every teacher that I'm smart and talk to much.

 

[mhsjax]

I agree with the pp that said something like technology is great but lets not forget our brains. Yes cell phones do a lot of the work, tell time, we program numbers, we have calenders, stuff like that. But some situations, yes you need your brain. I sent my son to soccer practice, he doesn't normally take the spare phone, ( he is only 9 and we have a spare for emergencies) anyway, it started storming where he was having practice, usually DH stays but this time was working, DS knew my cell number,I wasn't home, and the coach called and told me to come get him. . Some times you do have to know these things and so many kids just depend on technology too much.

 

[Polyluvr]

You know what bugs me about school secretaries (and I'm not saying YOU, but this has been my experience over the past 6 years at my childrens' school)

*please don't make me feel unwelcome in my childrens's school. I have a legitimate right to be there. I'm volunteering/meeting with a teacher/etc. I know some parents drop by all the time with frivolous requests, but that is not my purpose.

*if you don't like dealing with parents, then why bother working in a school. I mean really!!

vent over. Sorry OP, but you touched on a nerve.

karenos

ITA!!!

And to add~ my child is mildly autistic; has Asperger's~ he is a genius; but he doesn't know his phone #~ he's in the 4th grade; and he can only tell time on a digital clock also...Maybe all clocks should be just digital from now on~

 

[laurafergie]

Okay, I guess you have to put me in the bad parent group. Once the kids hit 3rd grade and had more than one teacher (not counting the extra teachers for PE, ART and Music) I had no idea what their names were. Or if I did, mixed them up with one belonging to one kid or the other. I was really lucky to remember the homeroom teacher name.

And then there was the time I was in a teacher "discussion" (I'm being nice) and the teacher's conversation was peppered with the school acronyms about their various rooms and activities. I had to ask her tell me again in English, because at the time, I had a college age, two high schoolers, an elementary and a preschool child. (oh... and I work in my free time) There was no way I could keep each schools acronyms straight.

ps - My DH loves his kids to death, but has never had any idea what their teacher's names were. I guess he's in the bad parent group too.

 

[TimeforMe]

I, too, am a school secretary although I no longer work in the front office. That doesn't "bother" me all that much and I always used to tell the kids that didn't know their phone number that it was part of their homework that night to memorize it and/or to write it down and keep it in their backpack.

What DOES bother me, however, is when parents call 2 minutes before dismissal to change their child's dismissal plans. Argh! We have over 600 kids in our school with 23 buses--dismissal is very chaotic with normal routines, never mind last minute changes.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We are military you know how many time we have moved. I am lucky if I always remember our home address. I am not lying either there was a time not to long ago that I had to call maint. and I gave them my address in Guamand we haven't lived there in 6 years
I am not saying knowing your phone number isn't important but like it had already been mentioned many reasons why they may not know
I hate my kids school secretary she thinks she is the shiznit and she isn't and she acts like she is better then everyone around her. The people who work for/with her her are much more plesant. I miss the one at our last base

 

[gonzo76]

You know what bugs me about school secretaries (and I'm not saying YOU, but this has been my experience over the past 6 years at my childrens' school)

*please don't make me feel unwelcome in my childrens's school. I have a legitimate right to be there. I'm volunteering/meeting with a teacher/etc. I know some parents drop by all the time with frivolous requests, but that is not my purpose.

*if you don't like dealing with parents, then why bother working in a school. I mean really!!

vent over. Sorry OP, but you touched on a nerve.

karenos

I could not agree more.

For the first 3 years my kids were in Elementary school I hated calling to tell them they were sick. They acted nasty about being absent and would scold you about making sure you bring your excuse note when they return.

When you came in to volunteer you would have report to the office to sign in. They were so mean and unfriendly. Never said hello or anything. I volunteered
3xs a week. Frankly,I not afraid to say it. They scared me a little.

A teacher told me a trick to win them over. Bring in little gifts at holidays and they will be nice to you. It worked like a charm.

I do find it sad that bribery was the only way though.

 

[jrmasm]

I, too, am a school secretary although I no longer work in the front office.* That doesn't "bother" me all that much and I always used to tell the kids that didn't know their phone number that it was part of their homework that night to memorize it and/or to write it down and keep it in their backpack.What DOES bother me, however, is when parents call 2 minutes before dismissal to change their child's dismissal plans. Argh! We have over 600 kids in our school with 23 buses--dismissal is very chaotic with normal routines, never mind last minute changes.

I did this recently and the secretary was clearly annoyed with me. I had just gotten off the phone with the damn Dr.'s office and they changed the appointment time on me.

Actually, it was like an hour before dismissal but she was really ticked at me. Sorry grouchy lady but it was out of my control.

 

[grumpeeduck]

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

What "drives me crazy" as you say, is when school officials gossip and gripe about the students and parents...................they pay your salary and this is the job you have chosen-you sound more immature than the students you speak of.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

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

DS is in 5th grade and knows my cell number but can't remember his Mom's. I hope he knows the home phone and address. But I think I will ask, to be sure.

Although, as the secretary, you should be able to get that information from your Student Information System or paper files, right? I mean, that's why I have to fill out 15 different forms with my contact info every year, right?

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

DS has three different teachers this year. The grade was part of the elementary school last year but part of the middle school this year, even though it still follows the elementary school schedule. I couldn't tell you who they were off the top of my head, but I looked up the 5th grade teachers in the Staff Directory, and now I remember. Most of the paperwork is generic from the 5th grade team, so I don't get to see their names in print very often.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I feel guilty when I can't remember what room number any of my kids' homeroom is

I don't think I've ever known these. I just ask where "Mr. or Mrs. so and so" is in the office.

 

[palavra]

What "drives me crazy" as you say, is when school officials gossip and gripe about the students and parents...................they pay your salary and this is the job you have chosen-you sound more immature than the students you speak of.

Teachers and secretaries pay taxes too. Or, as in my case, I work for a private school, so, no, your taxes don't pay my salary. And since when do people not complain about their jobs? School secretaries have just as much right as anyone else to air gripes and pet peeves.

 

[dairyou]

What "drives me crazy" as you say, is when school officials gossip and gripe about the students and parents...................they pay your salary and this is the job you have chosen-you sound more immature than the students you speak of.

I guess what I wonder is why children don't know their own phone numbers. Like I stated previously, wouldn't you want your children to know who to contact in case of an emergency?

Yes, I do get paid and I earn every penny of it.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

What "drives me crazy" as you say, is when school officials gossip and gripe about the students and parents...................they pay your salary and this is the job you have chosen-you sound more immature than the students you speak of.

I agree that gossiping about the students and parents is wrong -- but I don't see where the OP has done that. She's not talking about specific children or parents, or even making her specific school identifiable.

As far as the "they pay your salary", every body on the planet, unless you're independently wealthy has a job in which their salary is derived from money that used to belong to other people. My salary provides a portion of the support for my child's pediatrician, and the guy who maintains the apartments for my leasing company, and the cashier at the grocery store and . . . Should none of those people be able to vent about their jobs?

 

[Tinkermommy]

Teachers and secretaries pay taxes too. Or, as in my case, I work for a private school, so, no, your taxes don't pay my salary. And since when do people not complain about their jobs? School secretaries have just as much right as anyone else to air gripes and pet peeves.

Here's the problem. There is rarely a thread on here from other professions complaining about their job. It's mostly from people who work in schools or with children.

Why would you come to a message board full of parents to complain about parents! Then the OP wonders why get criticized.

I am in marketing. Yes, I have gripes about my job and sometimes the people I work with but I chose my profession and I deal with it. If I want to gripe I usually talk to my husband or friends. I wouldn't go on a message board full of product managers and complain about them.

 

[3Leafs]

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.

This brought a smile to my face... I have been so tired before and have done that. Glad to know i'm not the only person who is human.

OP You have a fun but tough job.. Spend an hour in an office and anyone would totally understand where you are coming from.... There are days.. Then a little one walks in and smiles at you and you forget all the bad things and remember why you love your job so. Thanks..

 

[luvsJack]

I am a parent of a student and I do not particularly care for our school's secretary. BUT, I agree with everything the OP has said.

Parents should make it their business to know their child's grade and teacher's name. They should make it a priority to teach their child their phone number or at the very least WHICH number should be called (cell or home or work #) And regardless of cell phones, kids should be taught how to tell time. It is a skill that is still necessary--your phone cannot go everywhere.

When I taught preschoolers, they left 4K knowing their mom and dad's names, at least one phone number (it was the parent's choice which number) and their addresss. These are important safety skills for a child.

I sometimes work in a different office. If I am not going to be reachable by my cell (which she has always known the number to), I write the number she can reach me at down for her and she puts it in her backpack. Does the office have the number? Yes, and the number of 1000 other kids. Why not make it a bit easier on everyone?

Knowing the teachers name? DD has 6 teachers that she sees everyday. I know their names. All I have to do is listen to her talk to me about school and I will learn their names. Also, the teachers' names are on the report card and the progress report--I cannot imagine not knowing the people who teach my child.

Oh, and the last minute changes in pick up are not even allowed at our school. If you haven't made the change befor 1:30, it ain't happening. There is just too much confusion and it would be too easy for a child to end up going to the wrong place with last minute changes. Some kids are not supposed to be picked up by certain members of their family--those kinds of things can happen if there is too chaos going on around school letting out. It is a safety rule.

 

[design_mom]

Here's the problem. There is rarely a thread on here from other professions complaining about their job. It's mostly from people who work in schools or with children.

Why would you come to a message board full of parents to complain about parents! Then the OP wonders why get criticized.

I am in marketing. Yes, I have gripes about my job and sometimes the people I work with but I chose my profession and I deal with it. If I want to gripe I usually talk to my husband or friends. I wouldn't go on a message board full of product managers and complain about them.

I agree. It's a "know your audience" thing. I am sure doctors, bus drivers, and gas station attendants have things that bug them, too. But I hope they wouldn't complain to their patients, riders or customers!

Since this is anonymous, the OP could be the school secretary at any school (including mine). Although I don't think we do any of the annoying things the OP mentions, and I think our secretary is pretty great. I'm sure the job has frustrations, as do all jobs, but for people who want to complain about kids/parents, this might not be the best place to vent (if you "support" only).

 

[Jeniferdwn]

I am a bookkeeper at the school district offices here for my county. We process all of the Free/Reduced lunch forms for all 16000 kids in our district. It is sad to see how many parents don't know what school their kid attends, what grade they're in and there are LOTS of names mispelled by the parents. I've also had paretns call when I've been filling in at the switchboard asking me to tell them what school thier kid goes to. Of course I can't give them that info not knowing the details on the kids records, but that is sad!!! No wonder kids misbehave so much. They aren't getting the love and attention they need at home.