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Back to School Night gripe
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Anonymous
| Tonight we were all ready to go to my DC's back to school night, when she tells me that she can't go- kids aren't allowed. I thought that was strange, but could see where it might be a distraction in the classroom sessions, so I called the school thinking surely since the PTA was putting it on there would be some sort of child care option or exception for the upper grades. No. With my husband out of town, and no prior notice to find someone to babysit, I couldn't go. The school sent out several announcements, including a robocall, but no mention of the no kids, no child care thing. Have any of you found a similar situation in your child's elementary school? |
Anonymous
| Our school provided care and parents were asked to contribute $5, optional. |
Anonymous
| Our school banned kids, provided no care, and didn't make it clear until the last minute. My husband went and I watched my own kids and a friend's. I thought it was rather short-sighted and felt lucky that my husband happened to be available that night at the last minute. For PTA meetings the school has childcare so I would have expected the same and been happy to kick in some $. |
Anonymous
| Come on - BTSN is always no kids. |
Anonymous
|
Several of the PTA/activity booth parents brought their children with them.
A mom with a deployed husband also brought her child. DC metro has a huge transient population (military, immigrant, political). If you are new to this town there would have been no way of knowing that back to school night is "always no kids". That information should be given out when you register a child so you can plan accordingly. |
Anonymous
| Our school didn't mention whether kids were welcome. My kid is in preschool so I had no idea, and asked. I was told they are welcome. |
Anonymous
| Primary years should plan for childcare on back to school night. MS and HS shouldn't have to worry about it. |
Anonymous
| We had a similar issue. I really wanted my husband more involved in my kids education so getting care was crazy difficult. I have mixed feelings because our old school encouraged kids and it was crazy. |
Anonymous
| I assumed that kids were not allowed |
Anonymous
|
Our school used to allow children at back to school night and it sucked. Imagine a hot and muggy classroom designed for 25 students filled with restless students and crying babies. We get about 25 minutes in the classroom and it is completely unproductive. Plus, frank discussion is tricky when children are present.
Ever since our school made the evening adults only it has been a much more engaging and worthwhile evening. |
Anonymous
|
Our school used to allow children at back to school night and it sucked. Imagine a hot and muggy classroom designed for 25 students filled with restless students and crying babies. We get about 25 minutes in the classroom and it is completely unproductive. Plus, frank discussion is tricky when children are present.
Ever since our school made the evening adults only it has been a much more engaging and worthwhile evening. |
Anonymous
|
No question the schools should have made it clear.
Providing a child care option seems logical So much for DCPS trying to engage families. |
Anonymous
|
Don't families bear any responsibility for managing their affairs? Why is it DCPS's responsibility to provide child care?
At our school the PTA organizes child care for events when it needed. |
Anonymous
| Childcare should be provided for ES and MS. No way should parents of 6-8 graders be expected to leave kids alone at home or have a 'babysitter on call' for the event. People should have to pay for it, but the option should be provided. |
Anonymous
| Okay, so it should be provided. Then get your PTA, or whatever parent organization you have, to set it up. It hardly seems like DCPS should be responsible for child care. |