How to DELICATELY address some potential issues with teacher in the upcoming school year?

[Anonymous]

Don't blame one teacher's inexperience and personal issues on the fact that the school is Title I. My kids both attended a title I school and they had mostly wonderful teachers, some OK teachers and zero teachers who handed out candy and showed them movies for no reason. Why would you assume that this is just how all of the teachers will be and insult the 1st grade teacher like that?

[Anonymous]

Ugh, you only want to volunteer to make sure your kid is getting what you think he deserves? Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with you, OP.

However I would ask for a meeting with the principal, and ask there. It's better to start at the top, to ensure that ALL teachers go by the same rule.

Many non-title 1 elementary schools have teachers which give out candy and show non-educational movies. I don't think a lot of Americans really understand how incredible this is. I've lived in western Europe and Japan, and this does not happen in schools - teachers values themselves and their job more, and the curriculum is more ambitious anyway, so they really wouldn't have time.

At our Bethesda elementary, we have gone from K through 5th and haven't seen an unconscionable amount of candy distribution or movie-watching. So I think it must depend on the principal and his or her authority on the teachers.
This goes for academic standards, as well, OP. The principal hires the teachers.

OP here.
The principal is young and seems very open and accessible. I thought I was lucky as his kid was in my son's class last year, but somehow the issue was not addressed then. It was about 2-3 months until the end of school year when I started realizing what was going on, so I thought I would let it slide.
He seems to have inherited many of the staff that were there under an old principal who was just winding her time until retirement. The school is deemed underperforming and they don't have enough kids and are forced to downsize, so I think he won't hire new staff even as at least three teachers are leaving (maybe more, I am just not aware). Maybe he is not as good a boss as he is a principal from the parents' point of view.

I am thinking either to raise the issue with the principal as last year's teacher is leaving and I won't compromise her in any way, or test the waters with the new teacher by asking her what her views on this are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again - you can also be part of the PTA board, and wield influence there.

Yes I am on the PTA board for next year and that's exactly the reason why I volunteered. They were literally begging people to take up some of the positions, it's that bad. A large inert mass of parents working several menial jobs and a small bunch of caring middle class parents- yes it's that bad.
I often think whether it's worth it to stay there. But it is like a 3 min walk from our house and my son is not even at the top of his class yet- so it's not like "poor larlo is not challenged enough".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't bring it up with the K teacher, why in the world would you say anything to the 1st grade teacher who hasn't done anything yet? That is weird.

This. I would be offended if I was the first grade teacher and you talked to me about the failings of a previous teacher. It assumes I will do the same thing.

Oh no no no! This is OP. What I meant was asking something like- so, what do you think of this modern enfatuation with technology? Kids seem to have so much screen time in class and at home. Also, I need a similar line for testing the waters for the candy issue. I am not going to mention the previous teacher at all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think if you start with the teacher, then you will be getting off on a bad foot.

You should either wait and see or talk to the principal about your concerns and what the policies are.

If you don't like the answers you get from the leadership, then you should find a school you like better.

I woukd like to leave the previous teacher out of it entirely. Officially I am on a great footing with her, I volunteered a lot and always brought gifts for all occasions (yes she widely publicized her birthday) and it did pay off in certain ways.

I am thinking whether and when it is appropriate to raise the issue with the principal. As I said I am on the PTA board for next year, but I can also just talk to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't blame one teacher's inexperience and personal issues on the fact that the school is Title I. My kids both attended a title I school and they had mostly wonderful teachers, some OK teachers and zero teachers who handed out candy and showed them movies for no reason. Why would you assume that this is just how all of the teachers will be and insult the 1st grade teacher like that?

As I said I mentioned the school's title status only to show that not many parents care about what happens in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, you only want to volunteer to make sure your kid is getting what you think he deserves? Ugh

Nooo, I meant to say that I wasn't going to be a PITA all the time but also do something useful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't bring it up with the K teacher, why in the world would you say anything to the 1st grade teacher who hasn't done anything yet? That is weird.

Yes. Seems obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok so my kid is in a mediocre rated school (4-5) which is also title 1. I mention this to say that u fortunately many parents don't care/are not involved in their kids education, but there is a smallish group of parents who do and potentially could be drivers of change.
So far I saw no big issues (granted,it was only K). However, his teacher was young and she started going through some personal issues mid year and started slacking a lot- kids were shown tons of Disney movies (as opposed to educational videos on the as needed basis), allowed non educational games on classroom tablets for their "free choice time" and such. She also brought tons of sweets in class for no apparent reason (no occasion).
Now that I am aware that this may even be an issue in public school, how do I delicately broach the subject with my son's 1st grade teacher? I do not want to offend her and do not want to look like "that mom", but would like to let her know that I am strongly in favor of capping screen time and sweets in classroom. So far I was thinking of asking about her stance on these issues and then go from there.
I am also willing to volunteer in class - this is to say that I don't intend to be a PITA but am willing to work with the teacher to ensure my kid gets the best education possible.
So, how do I convey the message that I will be watching closely without appearing a PITA?
Thanks.

That sounds exactly like my ES school in W cluster in MoCo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't bring it up with the K teacher, why in the world would you say anything to the 1st grade teacher who hasn't done anything yet? That is weird.

This. I would be offended if I was the first grade teacher and you talked to me about the failings of a previous teacher. It assumes I will do the same thing.

Oh no no no! This is OP. What I meant was asking something like- so, what do you think of this modern enfatuation with technology? Kids seem to have so much screen time in class and at home. Also, I need a similar line for testing the waters for the candy issue. I am not going to mention the previous teacher at all!

Ugh no, especially if you phrase it like that. Why can't you just wait and see if there's an issue? Teachers are different. You shouldn't assume that your child's new teacher will handle things the same as last year's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok so my kid is in a mediocre rated school (4-5) which is also title 1. I mention this to say that u fortunately many parents don't care/are not involved in their kids education, but there is a smallish group of parents who do and potentially could be drivers of change.
So far I saw no big issues (granted,it was only K). However, his teacher was young and she started going through some personal issues mid year and started slacking a lot- kids were shown tons of Disney movies (as opposed to educational videos on the as needed basis), allowed non educational games on classroom tablets for their "free choice time" and such. She also brought tons of sweets in class for no apparent reason (no occasion).
Now that I am aware that this may even be an issue in public school, how do I delicately broach the subject with my son's 1st grade teacher? I do not want to offend her and do not want to look like "that mom", but would like to let her know that I am strongly in favor of capping screen time and sweets in classroom. So far I was thinking of asking about her stance on these issues and then go from there.
I am also willing to volunteer in class - this is to say that I don't intend to be a PITA but am willing to work with the teacher to ensure my kid gets the best education possible.
So, how do I convey the message that I will be watching closely without appearing a PITA?
Thanks.

Do you also keep attendance records on the teacher?

OP you absolutely are "that mom." You do not convey anything to the teacher. She will see you coming a mile away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok so my kid is in a mediocre rated school (4-5) which is also title 1. I mention this to say that u fortunately many parents don't care/are not involved in their kids education, but there is a smallish group of parents who do and potentially could be drivers of change.
So far I saw no big issues (granted,it was only K). However, his teacher was young and she started going through some personal issues mid year and started slacking a lot- kids were shown tons of Disney movies (as opposed to educational videos on the as needed basis), allowed non educational games on classroom tablets for their "free choice time" and such. She also brought tons of sweets in class for no apparent reason (no occasion).
Now that I am aware that this may even be an issue in public school, how do I delicately broach the subject with my son's 1st grade teacher? I do not want to offend her and do not want to look like "that mom", but would like to let her know that I am strongly in favor of capping screen time and sweets in classroom. So far I was thinking of asking about her stance on these issues and then go from there.
I am also willing to volunteer in class - this is to say that I don't intend to be a PITA but am willing to work with the teacher to ensure my kid gets the best education possible.
So, how do I convey the message that I will be watching closely without appearing a PITA?
Thanks.

Do you also keep attendance records on the teacher?

OP you absolutely are "that mom." You do not convey anything to the teacher. She will see you coming a mile away.

I am not the OP of that thread if that is what you are asking but in fact I kind of do! If a teacher is absent more than once a month I am absolutely annoyed Doesn't mean I will show it but still.

the thing is, teachers in our school are tempted to slack since so many parents do not really care. I just want to get the caring vibe across - as I said - without appearing "that mom".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok so my kid is in a mediocre rated school (4-5) which is also title 1. I mention this to say that u fortunately many parents don't care/are not involved in their kids education, but there is a smallish group of parents who do and potentially could be drivers of change.
So far I saw no big issues (granted,it was only K). However, his teacher was young and she started going through some personal issues mid year and started slacking a lot- kids were shown tons of Disney movies (as opposed to educational videos on the as needed basis), allowed non educational games on classroom tablets for their "free choice time" and such. She also brought tons of sweets in class for no apparent reason (no occasion).
Now that I am aware that this may even be an issue in public school, how do I delicately broach the subject with my son's 1st grade teacher? I do not want to offend her and do not want to look like "that mom", but would like to let her know that I am strongly in favor of capping screen time and sweets in classroom. So far I was thinking of asking about her stance on these issues and then go from there.
I am also willing to volunteer in class - this is to say that I don't intend to be a PITA but am willing to work with the teacher to ensure my kid gets the best education possible.
So, how do I convey the message that I will be watching closely without appearing a PITA?
Thanks.

Do you also keep attendance records on the teacher?

OP you absolutely are "that mom." You do not convey anything to the teacher. She will see you coming a mile away.

I am not the OP of that thread if that is what you are asking but in fact I kind of do! If a teacher is absent more than once a month I am absolutely annoyed Doesn't mean I will show it but still.

the thing is, teachers in our school are tempted to slack since so many parents do not really care. I just want to get the caring vibe across - as I said - without appearing "that mom".

I thought your kid has only had one teacher so far. How do you know that teachers at the school are slackers??

[Anonymous]

Wow. Teachers don't care because they don't think the parents care?