surprised by kindergarten orientation time

[Anonymous]

If you work in an office environment do schedule meetings at 9PM? Then why would you expect the schools to conduct the orientation at night?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you pay for a service, they cater to you. When you are dealing with public school (where they don't really need your child to attend to keep them in business), they may or may not schedule things at convenient times. Daytime is convenient for them b/c the teachers, admin people, principals, etc. are paid to be there during the day. They don't really want to come in at night --- although some do set it up at night... most do not.

Actually, our parochial had a day-time K orientation too, which bugged the crap out of me at the time (and still does, when I think about it). It's not just the publics who do this. I blamed it on the preponderance of SAHMs at our school. I had my mom take my DD and we all survived. You will too, OP. You only do what you can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is your clue that you need to line up backup babysitters for snow days, expect to use personal days for the kindergarten play, etc. Public school gives little to no thought to WOHM parents.

Pssst, neither do privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, only one parent needs to attend.

+1

[Anonymous]

The true inconvenience comes to the parents of the kids actually in K. In our Montgomery County school orientation will be for three days. So for three days my child will be out of school. So getting off of work for a few hours such a big deal. Not working for three days is kind of a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kindergarten orientation, which child and parent are supposed to attend, is from 2:30-4:30 on a Thursday. My husband and I would both like to go, so we're going to have to both take a half day at work to go. I guess I just need to get used to the different hours and expectations, but as dual working parents we really have been spoiled by daycare hours!

Is it a little odd to have an afternoon orientation? I thought it would be a little later in the evening.

OP, if you're really bothered with this, you got a long tough road ahead.


- full day work parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why should they PP? It is public school and like a PP mentioned, this isn't a private enterprise. School is over or nearly over by 2:30 so the teachers are still on duty and they probably don't have to hire subs to cover their classes like they would in the morning. I can guarantee you OP that the admin isn't even considering the parents' work schedules when they schedule things. School is not free daycare.

Did anyone else take a shot when the inevitable "School is not daycare!" scold appeared on the scene?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is your clue that you need to line up backup babysitters for snow days, expect to use personal days for the kindergarten play, etc. Public school gives little to no thought to WOHM parents.

The members of the school staff are working parents too.

[Anonymous]

OP here

It's Rolling Valley ES and they let out at 3:45 typically. Maybe it's an early release day, I didn't check.

Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to sound like I was complaining, though rereading my post I see that I did sound that way. I guess I'm just commenting on how different it is going to be for us to accommodate a school schedule into life. I'm sure it is an adjustment for everyone, whether SAH or WOH. Also, I do have parents who live in the same neighborhood, so we have a very willing back up system. I know I'm lucky in that!

And good to know that only one parent needs to attend. I wasn't sure what sort of information would be passed.

[Anonymous]

I work part time somewhat flexible schedule and this first year of kindergarten had been really difficult for schedules. You want to be involved in school and there are so many daytime activities. We have had a field trip, multiple parties and volunteers requested for fun friday. These breaks, tracher workdays and 2 hour delays/snow days are totally killing all my paid time off.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why people are always shocked and put off that public school events occur during regular public school hours.

Don't you want to see the school running as per the usual? Trust me, you do.

Do you expect teachers to come in during non-contract hours? That's a slippery slope.

Just one parent is fine as PP said.

[Anonymous]

Also, if they held it at night, it just might not be the best time for a rising kindergartener.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kindergarten orientation, which child and parent are supposed to attend, is from 2:30-4:30 on a Thursday. My husband and I would both like to go, so we're going to have to both take a half day at work to go. I guess I just need to get used to the different hours and expectations, but as dual working parents we really have been spoiled by daycare hours!

Is it a little odd to have an afternoon orientation? I thought it would be a little later in the evening.

Yeah, you better get used to it. The entire school experience is going to be this way, except for PTA meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is your clue that you need to line up backup babysitters for snow days, expect to use personal days for the kindergarten play, etc. Public school gives little to no thought to WOHM parents.

The members of the school staff are working parents too.

How many parents versus how many teachers?

I don't expect to make every event. But when the school holds an informational meeting about, e.g., math standards at 10 a.m., I'm pissed. No reason those can't be scheduled either first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is your clue that you need to line up backup babysitters for snow days, expect to use personal days for the kindergarten play, etc. Public school gives little to no thought to WOHM parents.

The members of the school staff are working parents too.

How many parents versus how many teachers?