Would you be mad if....

[JetMom]

When I taught in the Middle School, I always required "insurance" whenever someone borrowed a pen or pencil. One reason is because I was always running out of them. another reason is that by the time you are in 6th grade, you should know that it is your responsibility to always have a pencil/pen in school.

I never took shoes for "insurance" because of the obvious safety issues. I did take plenty of watches, books, backpacks, etc.

As for the name on the board, I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes an on-going issue.

 

[disykat]

I agree with the teacher on both counts too. Small stuff IMO. If you have a huge problem with the shoe thing just tell your daughter to offer her backpack etc. as insurance instead or - she needs to make sure she always has a pencil!

 

[CRB#33]

I really think it's a matter of following the instructions within the classes or suffer the consequenses.

If a teacher says, "Close your book at the bell or there will be 5 minutes of standing at recess," and that child does not follow that instruction, is it okay to say, "Oh okay, I'll make an exception for 30 seconds?"

Believe me, as a teacher, the next time it will be 45 seconds and then a minute, because his authority has been put into question.

It may be a silly rule, but once he makes it, he has to stick with it.

It's the same with parenting. If you do not back up your rules, the child will push the envelope further and further.

 

[lisajl]

You know, the shoe thing is weird. JMHO.

I have my own problems with our sons fourth grade teacher.
We had an open house last night also, and several parents are not happy with the homework she is sending home.

She gave the kids two math papers, and a study guide for the proficiency test. The problem is...she assigned them pages 1-20.
There is no way any child could get that done last night.
Most parents are not home when their kids get home, and we had open house last night!
One of the parents let her know there was no way that assignment was going to be finished in time for today.
She backed her way out of it and said just spend 15 minutes.

While I make sure my child does his homework as soon as he gets home, she did not even think about how they would get it done in one night.

Here's an idea for you...why don't all the parents send in a package of pencils? That way the teacher would not have to pay for them out of his pocket and the kids would not have to give up their shoes? Just an idea.

 

[BrerMom]

Originally posted by CRB#33
I really think it's a matter of following the instructions within the classes or suffer the consequenses.

If a teacher says, "Close your book at the bell or there will be 5 minutes of standing at recess," and that child does not follow that instruction, is it okay to say, "Oh okay, I'll make an exception for 30 seconds?"

Believe me, as a teacher, the next time it will be 45 seconds and then a minute, because his authority has been put into question.

It may be a silly rule, but once he makes it, he has to stick with it.

It's the same with parenting. If you do not back up your rules, the child will push the envelope further and further.

Ditto!!!!

For the other issue, ninth graders just can't understand why I don't loan pencils. Why should I deal with the hassle of collecting something of value so they can walk out of the class without it? So somebody can complain about my taking whatever they decided to give me? And then I have to keep track of it until they decide to give my pencil back? It wasn't worth my effort or time. In middle school, I'll loan pencils because they're younger. A kid today asked if he could borrow a pencil and actually said as I handed it to him, "Do you want this back?" We discussed the definition of the word "borrow." I prefer to be busy teaching 30+ kids, not keeping track of who has my pencils.

I spent over $500 on classroom supplies last year and pencils were not on my list.

 

[Mskanga]

The teacher spoke to dd yesterday and admited that he was partially wrong, students on dd's group did not know about "all " his rules because they are not in his homeroom, they only have him for science. Then DD told him that he didn't give her a chance to explain that she closed one book because she was done reading but that she was going to continue reading the other one ( which I guess he had no clue ). After school was done he called me at home and told me he had spoken to her and worked things out. No my dd was not present when I spoke to him, she had no clue that I was going to ask him that, but because I know a lot of the teachers in the school , including this one ( I work there ) , I like to know when there's a problem and work it out.

But I am sorry, I still disagree with the pencil for a shoe thing. What happens to those kids who wear orthotics and they need them to walk? I would say ask all the parents to buy a pack of pencils for the classroom at the beginning of the year.

 

[Megan's Mom]

I would like to think that if a child wore special shoes for a purpose like orthoticsthe teacher would make other accomidations for that child. Most of us are not heartless.

 

[BrerMom]

Originally posted by Mskanga
But I am sorry, I still disagree with the pencil for a shoe thing. What happens to those kids who wear orthotics and they need them to walk?

 

[disykat]

Honestly, kids aren't stupid. If they don't want to take their shoes off, they'll bring their own pencil or borrow one from a friend.

 

[kylara]

If the teacher didn't explain the rules, then he shouldn't have put her name on the board. All teachers should explain their rules and expectations to ALL their classes. If the rules are explained and they aren't followed, then no, no problem putting the name up and shortening the recess...after all students would have known the consequences.

I do have a problem with the shoe rules though...for the reasons others pointed out, safety issue. I would prefer it to be their backpack or a book for another class. I can understand the teacher thinking that there is no way a student could forget if they have a shoe, but if a fire alarm rang, I hate to think of the student needing to get their shoe and then put it on during that confusion. I wouldn't have a problem with an alternative reminder. Of course, the teacher could just not loan out pencils at all and then the student would have to take a "f" on any work that was done in class that day if it needed to be in pencil. Either way, I am sure the teacher would get complaints.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by tmq2766
That is so WRONG........ I would definatetly have a problem with it....
As far as the shoe for a pencil that is just plain STUPID..... First of all the are not borrowing something of high value, come on...... What would happen if there was a fire drill and your child only has one shoe on??????
Maybe he has some sort of sick foot fetish

STUPID! You won't think so after a 36 pack of pencils goes out in a few days and you have to pay the cost for them because the school doesn't pay for them. Would you rather the student recieve an F because there are no pencils to loan and his work is not done. It is not the teachers responsibility to provide supplies your child forgets, loses or you just didn't bother to supply. Are teachers supposed to supply their students as well as their own cildren. I don't think so. Pencils cost money and that money adds up to a lot over the year. On average teachers spend 1-2 thousand dollars per year on classroom supplies out of their own pocket.

TAKE THE SHOE!

 

[Mskanga]

Lisa, while I agree that teachers spend a good chunk of money in classroom items, I have to say that in our school district policy book it's clearly stated that shoes or sneakers must be on at all times. I think the schools should also adopt a policy where each student should bring a box of pencils to contribute in the beginning of the year, they are not that much and they would help the teachers tremendously.
I'm sorry , but I think if your child got hurt for stepping on a push pin that was on the floor and she couldn't see, I don't think you would be too happy, and these are things that are in the classrooms.

 

[CinderellaCastle]

Make sure that your kid has pencils and move on with your life.

 

[gepetto]

Honestly, kids aren't stupid. If they don't want to take their shoes off, they'll bring their own pencil or borrow one from a friend.

Ditto. If the teacher in question teaches science, then he probably has at least 150 students pass through his classroom throughout the day. Follow the rules and bring a pencil to class.

You need to pick your battles when you have children in school. If not, you will not be taken seriously later on when something important comes up.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I second what gepetto said - save your "parental capital" for the bigger battles, and believe me, there are some that are bigger than a name being written on a blackboard.

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't take shoes from blind students or other soecial needs kids but they are not the problem normally. It is the regular ed kids who are the problem. SPED kids lose bookbags at most and that is rare in my experience. Their teachers normaly make sure they have all needed supplies before sending to the mainstream classroom.

 

[bobcat]

I take a shoe for a pencil in my classroom. It is more a procedure than for my convenience. One of the class rules is to have a pencil and if you forget one I will provide one for you, but I need collateral so I get my pencil back. Kids won't walk out of the room without their shoe and rarely will they even get out of their seat without their shoe because it is uncomfortable to walk in only one shoe. I don't charge kids money for supplies because I have students that wouldn't even have a dime and how embarassing would that be. If a student honestly doesn't have a pencil I will give them out but if they loose it then to borrow one I need a shoe.

As far as safety goes like I said kids don't want to walk around in one shoe so they aren't wandering around the room. I have had fire drills when kids are missing shoes and I have never had one not get their shoe on very quickly and make it out of the building in the same time frame as everyone else.

I personally feel this is one battle that doesn't need to be fought. I appreciate that you are an involved parent, and we need more, but this is a small issue in the scheme of things.

 

[CajunDixie]

Oh yeah, and this is the teacher whose policy IF you borrow a pencil is to give him one of your shoes until you return the pencil, but in the meantime the school policy book says, shoes must be worn at all times.

WOW!!!!! This teacher must be perfect and never forgets anything and never makes a mistake. So if he makes a mistake do the students get to humilate him? Does the principal reprimand him in front of the class?

As for parents sending in packs of pencils at the beginning of the school year thats ridiculous. We already have to send in tissues and buy our own child's supplies. Then there are the fees for planners, workbooks, insurance and textbook rentals. There's no way I'm paying for someone else's kid's supplies. Families in our district that have a low income get their fees paid by the gov't and receive free supplies from local donations.

Teachers that spend thousands a year on supplies out of pocket should first get a mental check then go to their PTO and help organize a fundraiser to pay for teacher expenses. Our PTO gives the teachers $50 every year plus color and black & white ink cartridges. If the teachers have a special request such as butterfly garden, birdfeeders, sample cards to go with the computer programs, or software we vote and usually 9 times out of 10 we pay for it.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think both issues are extremely minor and I cannot imagine making a stink over either. If it is such a huge deal to have your child be out of their shoes in the classroom, be sure they always have a pencil. It really is THAT simple.

IMO, the miniscule possibility of a child being injured due to lack of proper footwear in the classroom PALES in comparison to parents sidestepping the real issue here...personal responsibility of the students. That lesson is one that is much more important, IMHO. It seems parents are so sure that they need to be 'superhero' for their children that they don't see the forest through the trees. Yes, be their protector, but make sure there really is a battle that needs fought before rushing in with guns loaded. (this is meant in a general sense, not at the OP)

 

[poohandwendy]

WOW!!!!! This teacher must be perfect and never forgets anything and never makes a mistake. So if he makes a mistake do the students get to humilate him? Does the principal reprimand him in front of the class?

The teacher being 'perfect' or not is irrelevant to the issue. It's not a game of who is better or worse. Surely you don't see students and teachers on the same level of authority or position in the classroom? Should teachers approach every broken classroom rule with "they are just human, they make mistakes, nobody is perfect'? Why even have classroom rules then?