PE class for kindergarteners - turning into a disaster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is insane that this random mom is allowed to “teach.” I would go to the principal and explain that this is a train wreck and she is now relating info about your kid and ask whether she is subject to FERPA, and if not, why is she allowed to teach.

And let me add, PE is EXACTLY where young children should burn off their energy and run around. Assuming he isn’t eloping, pushing other kids, etc — just let the freaking kid run around the room.

He's not bothering anyone. He's just running around the tree with the other ADHD kid in the class, they chase each other, while the rest of the kids are standing in a circle doing arm circles or leg kicks or whatever. He gets in trouble for now following directions and listening. I think that this volunteer (I believe she gets a small stipend actually) gives him a grade because on his report card there is a grade for PE.

You are doing your child a HUGE disservice by not teaching them to follow directions and writing this off as oh it’s not bothering anyone.

[Anonymous]

He needs to listen or he needs to go home early. If he’s running around, he IS bothering the class. Other children will see him misbehaving and think they can, too. It’s not even after during break yet. This will only get worse.

The volunteer needs to be told nicely not to discuss your child with other parents. If she persists, please escalate to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is insane that this random mom is allowed to “teach.” I would go to the principal and explain that this is a train wreck and she is now relating info about your kid and ask whether she is subject to FERPA, and if not, why is she allowed to teach.

And let me add, PE is EXACTLY where young children should burn off their energy and run around. Assuming he isn’t eloping, pushing other kids, etc — just let the freaking kid run around the room.

He's not bothering anyone. He's just running around the tree with the other ADHD kid in the class, they chase each other, while the rest of the kids are standing in a circle doing arm circles or leg kicks or whatever. He gets in trouble for now following directions and listening. I think that this volunteer (I believe she gets a small stipend actually) gives him a grade because on his report card there is a grade for PE.

This is a troubling perspective on the situation that's not benefiting your child. He absolutely is bothering people. He is distracting the other children, who are wondering why he is behaving unpredictably and what will happen next. He is distracting the teacher, who now has to split her own attention away from instructing the group in order to figure out how to manage your son and make sure he's not putting himself in danger running around with no awareness or attention. He is distracting himself and missing out on instruction. You are NOT helping him with this attitude that it's OK that he does whatever he wants and ignores directions and it's the teacher's fault. ADHD is not an excuse to remove all behavioral expectations.

[Anonymous]

I have a child with ADHD and while I sympathize, especially with it being the end of the day, it’s important to be emphasize to your child he needs to listen to all adults, especially all teachers. It’s likely a little confusing this lady who is a mom is in a teacher role but for that hour she is a teacher. She needs to act like one though!

You need to alert the school of his diagnosis and look into a 504. One accommodation might be something related to gym or a movement break earlier in the day so he isn’t so wild by gym. But the goal needs to be to find ways your child succeeds at school without disrupting other students. Not just ignoring problems. The teacher should be bound by the 504 if she is in charge of the classroom. None of this hybrid role nonsense and no gossiping about students.



This must be a private school, so I’m sorry to say you likely have more struggles in your future. Children who don’t listen get kicked out of private school pretty fast regardless.

[Anonymous]

Send him to a real school. If he has ADHD, this school cannot handle it.

[Anonymous]

I’d also go to the principal. It is highly inappropriate for a teacher to gossip about your kid to other parents.

[Anonymous]

Confront her? No, you thank her for putting up for him and you either remove him or you go and be there to support him and work on his behavior. His behavior is the problem, not her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is insane that this random mom is allowed to “teach.” I would go to the principal and explain that this is a train wreck and she is now relating info about your kid and ask whether she is subject to FERPA, and if not, why is she allowed to teach.

And let me add, PE is EXACTLY where young children should burn off their energy and run around. Assuming he isn’t eloping, pushing other kids, etc — just let the freaking kid run around the room.

He's not bothering anyone. He's just running around the tree with the other ADHD kid in the class, they chase each other, while the rest of the kids are standing in a circle doing arm circles or leg kicks or whatever. He gets in trouble for now following directions and listening. I think that this volunteer (I believe she gets a small stipend actually) gives him a grade because on his report card there is a grade for PE.

Yes, he is bothering others and that behavior is NOT ok. He needs to stay with his class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d also go to the principal. It is highly inappropriate for a teacher to gossip about your kid to other parents.

This. So unprofessional. Maybe because she isn’t a professional and shouldn’t be trying to teach an organized class to a bunch of 5 yr olds. Why not just call it supervised indoor recess and let the kids free play? This seems more age appropriate and in line with the skills of the volunteer parent.

[Anonymous]

Is this a small private school? I can't think of anywhere else where a parenting in the community would be allowed to teach a class and you wouldn't be allowed to go to admin and get her kicked out for talking about a student to other parents.

[Anonymous]

It sounds a lot like you're not getting your child the help he needs. Work on that, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is insane that this random mom is allowed to “teach.” I would go to the principal and explain that this is a train wreck and she is now relating info about your kid and ask whether she is subject to FERPA, and if not, why is she allowed to teach.

And let me add, PE is EXACTLY where young children should burn off their energy and run around. Assuming he isn’t eloping, pushing other kids, etc — just let the freaking kid run around the room.

He's not bothering anyone. He's just running around the tree with the other ADHD kid in the class, they chase each other, while the rest of the kids are standing in a circle doing arm circles or leg kicks or whatever. He gets in trouble for now following directions and listening. I think that this volunteer (I believe she gets a small stipend actually) gives him a grade because on his report card there is a grade for PE.

He's definitely bothering everyone if he's not following directions and listening. Agree with PP - ADHD is not an excuse. Do better, OP. Don't put this on the teacher or volunteer. Most K's can handle PE just fine.

[Anonymous]

I’d just pick him up early TBH. Take him to the park.

I’d also start looking into other schools. As previous posters said, most privates don’t really deal with ADHD. He’ll most likely get kicked out eventually (one way or another), so might as well stay ahead of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds a lot like you're not getting your child the help he needs. Work on that, OP.

I am trying! I take him to speech, OT twice a week, see a therapist, saw a psychiatrist for meds, talk to the teacher, got a neuropsych eval. What else can I do if I"m not doing enough, pick him up early from school? I have talked to him over and over and over about PE. If the kids are doing leg lifts you do them too. I can't control him when he's there. I appreciate your kind comment that I am not getting the help that he needs but I am trying and spending all kinds of money i don't have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds a lot like you're not getting your child the help he needs. Work on that, OP.

I am trying! I take him to speech, OT twice a week, see a therapist, saw a psychiatrist for meds, talk to the teacher, got a neuropsych eval. What else can I do if I"m not doing enough, pick him up early from school? I have talked to him over and over and over about PE. If the kids are doing leg lifts you do them too. I can't control him when he's there. I appreciate your kind comment that I am not getting the help that he needs but I am trying and spending all kinds of money i don't have.

None of the things you listed will teach the child to follow directions. Get the kid a 1:1 to work on basic skills. This won’t get better on it’s own.