Parents: what do YOU want at the end of the year at school?

[Anonymous]

I am a parent AND a teacher, although this was my first year as both since I t have stayed home for 8 years since my oldest was born.
What a shift. I find myself wanting to please parents but as a parent myself I don’t want to do anything.

Thinking k-3…

What do YOU want?
Awards? (Personally hate this, parents shouldn’t know what awards other children get)
A program with songs and poems?
A small classroom gathering?
Muffins with Mom?
Classroom picnic?
During school?
Evening?

Or…nothing, and do everything by April?

[Anonymous]

None of those, no. The kids should have an end of year celebration of some kind, or field day, but I don't need to be there as a parent. When I was growing up, the fun thing we did was wash our desks on the last day, lol. We had a blast.

If the school has an arts program, the end of year concert / show is nice for parents, but I don't need the classroom teacher to create a separate performance.

[Anonymous]

I liked whatever the teacher planned. Really wasn't picky. I have an only after a long struggle. I know each end of the year is my last and the years are going by too quickly.

[Anonymous]

PP again - also of you're going to do something, it needs to be on the calendar now. Don't add something, especially daytime, with just a couple weeks of notice.

[Anonymous]

If you do awards, please make sure everyone is recognized. It's hard for the kids with learning disabilities to be left out year after year, despite probably working harder than anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of those, no. The kids should have an end of year celebration of some kind, or field day, but I don't need to be there as a parent. When I was growing up, the fun thing we did was wash our desks on the last day, lol. We had a blast.

If the school has an arts program, the end of year concert / show is nice for parents, but I don't need the classroom teacher to create a separate performance.

I also remember washing our desks with shaving cream! Best part of the year.

[Anonymous]

Field day and an in-class celebration. I would prefer the family engagement earlier in the year so I have better context for what the heck my kid is talking about all year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do awards, please make sure everyone is recognized. It's hard for the kids with learning disabilities to be left out year after year, despite probably working harder than anyone.

+a million
—mom of kids who are literally never the ones recognized. It’s always the mature teachers pet types plus the ones the teacher feels bad for (bullying victims, etc.). It’s never the ADHD kid or the one who talks a lot and is slightly annoying. I can find a lot to love about my children, but it’s hurtful to hear year after year how amazing Allie, Ruby and Chris are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Field day and an in-class celebration. I would prefer the family engagement earlier in the year so I have better context for what the heck my kid is talking about all year.

+1 THIS!

By Spring, I'm done with the school year. Don't pile on.

[Anonymous]

I would like more academic feedback. What reading level are they right now? What are the areas to work on? What are the strengths? There’s no feedback, no conferences, all is lost and then back to school with a new crew in August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like more academic feedback. What reading level are they right now? What are the areas to work on? What are the strengths? There’s no feedback, no conferences, all is lost and then back to school with a new crew in August.

Oh absolutely this. I would love the option to received the detailed assessment reports (from whatever testing system is used), and hear strengths and weaknesses we can work on over the summer. My kid may be on grade level and doing great, but if she's a bit weak in one particular concept, I'd like to know that so she doesn't go into the next school year with the same issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again - also of you're going to do something, it needs to be on the calendar now. Don't add something, especially daytime, with just a couple weeks of notice.

+1.

[Anonymous]

For school to be over, and for the emails and robocalls to stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do awards, please make sure everyone is recognized. It's hard for the kids with learning disabilities to be left out year after year, despite probably working harder than anyone.

No no no. Not everyone gets a trophy in life!

Kids need to learn early life isn't inclusive of everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do awards, please make sure everyone is recognized. It's hard for the kids with learning disabilities to be left out year after year, despite probably working harder than anyone.

No no no. Not everyone gets a trophy in life!

Kids need to learn early life isn't inclusive of everyone.

Why do they need to learn that at the end of the year in 2nd grade? A teacher should be able to recognize each student for their contribution to the class. It doesn't take anything away from your kid to also recognize other students' strengths.