Parents: what do YOU want at the end of the year at school?
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Anonymous
| OP I’m also asking because I see SO many memes and gifs and tweets about the craziness of May…if parents don’t like it and we as teachers sure don’t like it, why do it? |
Anonymous
What a hodgepodge of gibberish. That's precisely where I thought you were coming from, PP. |
Anonymous
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I would like a way for the kids to pause and reflect on the end of the year as a transition into summer and next year.
I’ve been a room parent for years across different schools, and I am not a fan of adding more complicated things to the end of the year. My favorites have been memory book type projects that we’ve done over the course of the year that are then presented at the end. Memory books with a page about big things the class has done. These can be the big field trip or the class party where we made slime etc. The teacher would work to get a group photo and then action shots of each kid in a group. Then there is a single page with individual photos of the child with a few words about them. These are probably the hardest to write. But they usually say something about how much they’ve grown, what they enjoyed or were interested in and how they will do great in the next grade. Depending on the school I’ve done inexpensive stapled versions with a construction paper cover, thin binders or ordered Shutterfly books for each child. It’s basically like a class yearbook. It helps kids who are leaving the school and it avoids the awkward awards topics. Then a simple movie party with fun snacks is great. As a parent I like it when the room parent collects donations for a shared gift card and has all of the kids sign the card. The kids like being in on the “secret gift”. I have also helped wash desks and that is still popular with kids especially the last day. |
Anonymous
+100. Such a burden on working parents who have to calendar out, use leave, put in requests, get coverage, shuffle! |
Anonymous
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Perhaps you can have a countdown with the kids as the school year comes to an end, with visual aids on a calendar, and talk to them about transitioning to the summer. Talk about typical summer activities, emphasize that whatever they do during summer is great - some will probably just stay home and do next to nothing, so you don't want to make them feel as if they're missing out. For the parents? Nothing, except an end of year email reminding them of the class progress through the year, and all of what they've achieved as a group. And then note the literacy activities at their local library - anything that's local and free during the summer will be appreciated, but particularly reading, as in 3rd grade, the kids will read to learn, instead of learn to read. Even standardized math tests have a heavy emphasis on word problems, so reading skills are critical. There is no need to invite parents to anything, it just emphasizes the difference between parents who can come and parents who cannot. No need to single kids out for individual awards, although you can certainly send a quick note to the parent to praise a particular trait their child has! I know detailed reports take time, so I don't ask that. But please, if you see ADHD traits, or ASD traits, or anything that you feel might need to be evaluated, PLEASE say so as directly as you can. I've known too many parents who don't get the linguo. I got it because my son's ADHD was really hard to miss. But my best friend suspects her 17 year old daughter has dyslexia and ADHD, and told me recently that her primary school teachers had hinted at certain things, but that since they weren't direct, her husband didn't think it important enough to follow up. The kid has been homeschooled since middle school because "school doesn't work for her". Sigh. |
Anonymous
| Please not anything where I need to be at the school from like 11.00-11.45. If you would like to invite parents into school, do it at the beginning or the end of the work day. When my kid was in kindergarten, it was an hour round trip from work to school and back. |
Anonymous
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Here are some ideas.
At the beginning of the year - convey to students and parents what achievements will be celebrated and awarded and what the kid can do to win these awards. Don't spring prizes on other kids without telling parent and students that there are categories that will be rewarded. Yes, not every kid can get the top prize in academics so school must create categories that other kids can also in. Categories can be - - Perfect attendance. - Punctuality - Top 5% for excellent class room conduct. (give examples) - Most helpful. (give examples) - Kindest in the class (give examples) - Most Civic- minded. (give examples) - Best idea for school improvement (give examples) - Making a difference in the community. (give examples) - Lunch team - Patrol - Cleaning and recycling team Finally, do a day of in-school full day cultural art assembly with eternal vendors producing the shows. Or shoe the kids a fun and inspirational movie. Or ask the kids to clean their desks and chairs. My teacher used shaving foam to cover the tops of the desks and students had to scrub it clean. so much fun. = Or have a field day with fun games for all kids and early release. Or call the parents one evening to give them an understanding of resources during summer, report card, and ho their kids did in the school - and have an exhibition of their kids paintings in their class rooms. Parents can then buy the paintings for small amount, so they can fundraise for end of school treats or prizes for the kids. |
Anonymous
| More stuff in Jan and feb. Nothing ever happens then. It is the quietist time of the year. Why everything has to happen at the beginning and end is beyond me. Spread it out a bit. |
Anonymous
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No no no. Just do your job and give feedback through the year. And stop bothering parents with parties.
Finally, awards suck for all kids, especially the ones who win them all. You think that endears a kid to their peers? |
Anonymous
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It looks like generally, just wrap up the year quietly. Throw on a movie, have kids bring a snack from home. Easy and shouldn't bother anyone.
Whatever it is, don't bother parents with it. 
The information parents are looking for as far as strengths and things to work on should be included with the final report card, shouldn't they? Have a good summer, OP. |
Anonymous
These. Although I wouldn't mind if you had them help you tidy up on the last day. That can be made into a fun activity (shrieks of 'oh, I remember when we did this'. Some portions of it might be gross -- like that banana shoved deep into their desk or cubbie -- but maybe they'll think twice in the future if they have to clean it up. Just please don't send them home with a bunch of 'stuff'. Plenty of that already made it our way. Awards at the K-3 level are generally meaningless (in the grander scheme) and feedback would be appreciated throughout the year. Otherwise, keep teaching til the end -- and life-skills like caring for your space work just as well as academics. Mindless, but necessary work, on the Last Day. I sincerely hope you and your students and your own kids have a great end of school and start of Summer! |
Anonymous
| Field day and a class celebration. I don't need to be apart of any of it. |
Anonymous
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What I want at the end of the school year:
1. NO MORE EMAILS. Seriously, I have received this week 16 emails from teachers and school and I only have one kid. 2. NO dress up, spirit, crazy hair, crazy hat or any of that crap. I'm sick of running out to target because Tuesday night at 7pm the school decides everyone must wear blue and red stripped clothes with bananas on them. 3. Stop hitting me up for money. No chocolate. No wrapping paper. No teacher gifts. No school gifts. Can I just write you at the beginning of the year a big check and then leave me the F alone. 4. Stop spamming me with summer programs or mental health programs or music programs or art programs of sport programs or other crap. If I want to do it, I know how to google. Signed - Gen X parent who is done with this year |
Anonymous
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Why do we celebrate perfect attendance? 1/2 the kids in my child's class room come in sick because parents want the perfect attendance award. I'd rather celebrate parents who prioritize their kids mental and physical heath by keeping them home when needed.
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Anonymous
Dear lord - please not this. None of this. Either this parent has a 1st grader or is a very bored stay at home parent. |