Okay to ask about classroom assignment?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Our daughter got her PK4 class assignment and she is the only one from her old class in her new class (for context, one other room has six of her former classmates, another has four). She is one of the youngest in her class and on the shy/nervous side - dropoff still upsets her every day at camp, for example - and she was very attached to one of her old classmates in particular. I’ve also been told the school does try to keep the ECE kids in small cohorts, so I was surprised she’s all by herself in this new class. Does the DCUM hive think it would be seen as inappropriate or annoying to email the principal and ask if there’s a reason she’s riding solo this year, so to speak? I don’t want to come across as second guessing what I am sure is a difficult process but am also worried about her transition and general anxiety level with no familiar faces. |
Anonymous
|
I don’t think it’s inappropriate, I do think it’s annoying. And I say that as someone who works in schools.
However, I have found that at my own child’s school all of the parents who asked for certain teachers were given what they wanted. I thought they were overstepping but here we are and I am not happy with my child’s placement because I trusted the school would be fair and impartial. Lesson learned and I will be that annoying parent next year. |
Anonymous
| I think framing it in terms of her being all alone from her own class is the best way to proceed, but make sure there's no change that could be made that you'd regret (e.g., you like your current teacher or don't like one of the others; there's some kid(s) from last year that you'd prefer to avoid). A 6-4-1 split is rough. Do be prepared for another parent to be annoyed at you if any other kids are swapped around as a result of your request. |
Anonymous
|
I do think it's perceived as annoying, and what you are asking is for another kid (who is already settled into the idea of their new teacher and cohort) to be switched around. The schools put a lot of thought into who is in what class (to balance them).
I've found that while parent anxiety is normal, the year tends to work best when you trust the process. Your daughter will make new friends and be totally fine. Whenever I have interfered, I always have regrets. Signed, parent of older kids |
Anonymous
| Based on your above description of circumstances, I think it is possible that your child may have gotten a very careful placement by their prior year teacher - the best preK4 teacher for a child who is still upset by dropoff, the teacher parents with older children at the school specifically requested, or the teacher thinks your child is developmentally better off branching out from same classmate/friend. Upper grades are different. |
Anonymous
| Elementary School age is where they tend to still listen to parent/teacher input. I would say try so you know you did everythign you could. It might all work out for the best - but if it doesn't you will have already raised the issue. So many parents pull strings at that age that you will just be part of that pack. |
Anonymous
At least at Murch, the principal makes it very clear that they will not even entertain questions about switching classes after the assignments are made, and will only move kids around down the line for very specific reasons. The helicopter parents used to swoop in with their demands within hours of receiving their kids' class assignments. He (rightly) had to put a stop to it. |
Anonymous
I wish other DCPS schools would have this policy. |
Anonymous
| Shepherd has said the same. |