APS do people skip parent teacher conferences when you are writing off the school year ......

[Anonymous]

The question is do you waste time going to spring conferences When you feel that your child’s teacher is less interested in academics performance and more interested in social emotional things, and has demonstrated poor communication unless it is to call you about some minor thing your child did to get under their skin. However, they don't call to say your child is performing below grade level on their standardized tests or offer a plan of remediation? This is for a 2nd grader, and the last conference the teacher only focused on who my child is friends with or has a bad influence on my child. I felt every effort to talk academics was diverted to talk about social emotional topics. I usually make an effort to attend conferences, but feel like what is the point. If summer school is recommended we should get a letter from the school at some point right, and not learn at PTC?

Just curious what others have done in similar situations or would do if they were in my shoes? Just so exhausted with this year, and can't wait for June.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should listen to the teacher’s advice. Poor academic performance in second grade likely indicates a larger problem.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the teacher is the one at fault here.

[Anonymous]

My kindergartener’s teacher is a babysitter as far as I am concerned. I asked about some academic things and how she would support him and she said “we won’t be covering that because that’s not developmentally appropriate in kindergarten”. Whether she think it’s appropriate or not, he’s doing 3rd grade math. We’re teaching him at home and he goes to school to play.

Besides my child stagnating for a year in math and reading skills, he’s also gone from being super curious and having the growth mindset attitude that he can do anything if he tries and practices to suddenly giving up with the slightest frustration and saying things like “I’m not good at X” or “I’m terrible, it’s awful”. I would not have pinned that wording on the teacher except that a mom at sports practice mentioned her son in the same class, but a different table, suddenly saying the same thing and also that he’a a “bad kid”.

I’m sending my husband to talk to her instead this time. I don’t want to even look at her. My older child also had a first year teacher for kindergarten, but she was much better.

[Anonymous]

OP here.....I should have noted DC has LD so we are already aware of the bigger problem, and because of the lack of academic focus and supports at school we are getting remedial support privately. So to those that say it is not the teachers fault, this additional info may or may not change your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Just go.

[Anonymous]

Go and smile but get out of there as quick as you can.

You don't want to be pegged as an uncooperative parent if you want the admin's help in something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.....I should have noted DC has LD so we are already aware of the bigger problem, and because of the lack of academic focus and supports at school we are getting remedial support privately. So to those that say it is not the teachers fault, this additional info may or may not change your thoughts.

Can you request your conference with the SPED teacher?

[Anonymous]

Go, but understand that things can be so much better if you move to another school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go, but understand that things can be so much better if you move to another school system.

Which one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener’s teacher is a babysitter as far as I am concerned. I asked about some academic things and how she would support him and she said “we won’t be covering that because that’s not developmentally appropriate in kindergarten”. Whether she think it’s appropriate or not, he’s doing 3rd grade math. We’re teaching him at home and he goes to school to play.

Besides my child stagnating for a year in math and reading skills, he’s also gone from being super curious and having the growth mindset attitude that he can do anything if he tries and practices to suddenly giving up with the slightest frustration and saying things like “I’m not good at X” or “I’m terrible, it’s awful”. I would not have pinned that wording on the teacher except that a mom at sports practice mentioned her son in the same class, but a different table, suddenly saying the same thing and also that he’a a “bad kid”.

I’m sending my husband to talk to her instead this time. I don’t want to even look at her. My older child also had a first year teacher for kindergarten, but she was much better.

APS doesn’t even support 2nd graders who can do 3rd grade math. It’s unrealistic to expect a K teach to do so.

[Anonymous]

While you may have wanted to hear about academics or standardized test, it’s pretty clear the teacher thought you hearing about the social aspects related to your child were more important. I would look deeper into that, instead of being annoyed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener’s teacher is a babysitter as far as I am concerned. I asked about some academic things and how she would support him and she said “we won’t be covering that because that’s not developmentally appropriate in kindergarten”. Whether she think it’s appropriate or not, he’s doing 3rd grade math. We’re teaching him at home and he goes to school to play.

Besides my child stagnating for a year in math and reading skills, he’s also gone from being super curious and having the growth mindset attitude that he can do anything if he tries and practices to suddenly giving up with the slightest frustration and saying things like “I’m not good at X” or “I’m terrible, it’s awful”. I would not have pinned that wording on the teacher except that a mom at sports practice mentioned her son in the same class, but a different table, suddenly saying the same thing and also that he’a a “bad kid”.

I’m sending my husband to talk to her instead this time. I don’t want to even look at her. My older child also had a first year teacher for kindergarten, but she was much better.

Why would you expect a kindergarten teacher to be supporting your child's 3rd grade level math? That's not a reasonable expectation at ALL.

[Anonymous]

OP, your child clearly needs more support and help. I have no idea why you'd alienate the one person in the school who has the best opportunity of helping your kid do well. There are 4 months left of the school year, we are just over 1/2 way. Why would you "write it off"? That is doing your kid a HUGE disservice, just because the teacher didn't follow your script for the last P-T conference.

Go in with some questions, and most of all LISTEN to what the teacher is saying. It seems you may be hearing it all, but not really listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The question is do you waste time going to spring conferences When you feel that your child’s teacher is less interested in academics performance and more interested in social emotional things, and has demonstrated poor communication unless it is to call you about some minor thing your child did to get under their skin. However, they don't call to say your child is performing below grade level on their standardized tests or offer a plan of remediation? This is for a 2nd grader, and the last conference the teacher only focused on who my child is friends with or has a bad influence on my child. I felt every effort to talk academics was diverted to talk about social emotional topics. I usually make an effort to attend conferences, but feel like what is the point. If summer school is recommended we should get a letter from the school at some point right, and not learn at PTC?

Just curious what others have done in similar situations or would do if they were in my shoes? Just so exhausted with this year, and can't wait for June.

My thought and theory on this was that if you don't go to these or respond to a teacher, that tells them that you are "that kind of parent" who doesn't care or is distracted or not too engaged.... and this would in turn affect their interactions/view toward your child. So, I'm there, front and center and respond quickly to any email/communication from the teacher. My situation is different than yours but I think I would still go there and advocate for your child and hear what they have to say.