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DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Back to School Night gripe
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Anonymous
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If you expected childcare, didn't you think there'd be something about it ahead of time?
Our school had information about childcare but I assumed there wouldn't be childcare offered. |
Anonymous
| My husband works so much that I may as well be a single mom, and I just don't go to Back to School night. My babysitter is a high school kid who can't babysit on school nights, and since kids aren't allowed, I have no option but to skip it. |
Anonymous
| Our DCPS didn't make it clear, but we just assumed we needed a sitter. So we go and it is in the GYM and 80% of the parents brought their kids. It was a nightmare. Completely loud, sound system was pathetic, nurse with and accent talks for 10 minutes about the importance of vaccines. AND we paid a sitter $60 for the whole affair. Ridiculous. At least now I know and I won't waste my time next year. |
Anonymous
| We were parents at 2 different prescools prior to dcps and back-to-school nights were always parent only. This is customary for all schools. (preschool, private, and dcps). I bet the confused parents are new to the whole school thing (????) |
Anonymous
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You're right - the confused parents are new to school. The veteran parents know that if they don't have a sitter or family close by that they are not welcome to these type of events.
The school should come up with some type of child care for these events, even if they are charging a fee for it or they should expect that there are many who will not be able to attend. |
Anonymous
| Our charter provided child care for Back to School Night and it was clearly noted on the letter that came home. Sadly, only one other (grand)parent beside myself, showed up for my ds's class. They also provide child care during parent/teacher conferences. |
Anonymous
What a senseless thing to say. This coming from a mom who is easily able to pay for childcare on Back to School Night. It is no secret that family involvement in school is touted as an imperative element in the school's and child's success. Everyone benefits from this. It stands to reason that in order to optimize the school's effectiveness the school would want to find any way they can to involve parents, especially those who may not have the means for childcare. I personally do think the money should come from DCPS...It would be a very cheap way to send a message to families that the school is on their side and wants them involved. |
Anonymous
| I have never heard of the idea of brining children to BTSN. When I was a kid it was just parents and our school system didn't allow kids, same for my husband. My brother-in-law is the child of teachers, no kids at BTSN there. I like the suggestion of providing child care, would be nice for my family, but I never heard of that either. |
Anonymous
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Our charter has a BTSN this week that incorporates the kids so we'll be going as a family. When they had a parent meeting the other week, there was no child care provided but they did not ban the children. They brought out paper, crayons, markers, crafts stuff, etc. The kids sat in the back and played. It was a little noisy (10-15 children probably) but, IMO, it worked out fine. The administration was open to the kids and didn't seem to mind having to sometimes shout over the babies, and because they didn't make a big deal out of it, the parents seemed to just roll with it. I was actually impressed. No griping, no complaining.
The DCPS we were enrolled in last year provided free childcare during the meetings. I could be wrong, but I think the PTA paid for it and it was much appreciated. The philosphy of the administration and the strength of the PTA make a big difference in matters like this. |
Anonymous
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I for one as a new parent had no idea what Back to School Night was. I thought it was a chance for our kids to show us around their classroom and meet the teacher.
If no kids, they should state that. Or maybe call it Parent's Night or something else. Seriously, arranging childcare for a couple of hours mid week is a hassle for me, and I'm a relatively well off professional. How the heck could a parent who is juggling work and kids on a stretched tight budget afford to attend? Everyone who is so sanctimonious about how everyone knows and how it's the parent's responsibility is, well, sanctimonious. |
Anonymous
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Our charter says BTSN is only for parents, no childcare, in a long-winded and annoying way. Something about it's arranged by the school, no childcare. Programs arranged by the PTA, will have childcare.
They had originally scheduled it on Rosh Hashanha and so had to reschedule. Yes, it's YY. New parent of a PKer and love the school so far but the community is starting to be really irritating. And no, won't be attending BTSN due to lack of childcare. |
Anonymous
oh grow up. |
Anonymous
| The no child rule for BTSN is not for high-school children? |
Anonymous
Agree - there is NO REASON not to make the child care situation clear, even if "everybody" knows.. Apparenty everybody doesn't and those who don't should be informed in advance, not afterwards -- why not? If DCPS truly valued parental engagement, they'd announce childcare upfront and pop for childcare by saving money somewhere else -- like on consultants |
Anonymous
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You'll find YY has a pretty crappy attitude about bringing your kids along. Whether it's to put IKEA furniture together, back to school night, or bringing younger siblings to student portfolio presentations, you get a fair amount of push back.
It's not the most kid-friendly environment. The admin regularly forgets that they are supposed to like children. I wish Yu Ying could take a lesson from 9:39 and roll with it. The Chinese always include the whole family, including grandparents. Too bad YY couldn't aim for that sort of cultural integrity to the program. |