Does your child's school allow parents to help in the classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew of another class where the teacher had a parent putting grades in the gradebook. Turned out she was a nutty parent and was changing the grades............same woman who wanted to start a rebellion against the LD kids.

At our school, parents are not allowed to access class tests or quizzes as part of their volunteering (the teacher is responsible). This task should in no way been delegated to anyone, especially a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew of another class where the teacher had a parent putting grades in the gradebook. Turned out she was a nutty parent and was changing the grades............same woman who wanted to start a rebellion against the LD kids.

WHAT?!

It is totally unacceptable and unprofessional for a teacher to allow a parent access to their gradebook. It's one thing if a parent wants to know about their own child's grades. However, other student's grades are suppose to be private. I'm all for parents volunteering with classroom parties, on field trips, with classroom projects, or doing paperwork. Dealing with grades is the teacher's duty. I hope that teacher is no longer teaching!

[Anonymous]

My sister volunteers in her kids' classroom so she can moon over her special snowflake and gab with the teacher, mostly to hear how great her kids are.

[Anonymous]

It is interesting to see how many people assume bad intent on the part of volunteers. Our society usually celebrates those who are willing to give their time to help others.

I was a frequent volunteer when my kids were in elementary school. I also co-led a scout troop, taught religious ed. at my church, read with kids who were in a special program for at-risk students, and did a lot of behind the scenes "grunt" work for the various extracurriculars my kids were involved in. Were other parents secretly thinking badly of me all those years? Assuming I was doing all these things for some sort of nefarious reasons? Would people feel differently if all of these positions were paid work, rather than volunteer?

What would our lives be like if people suddenly stopped volunteering to be coaches, leaders, teachers, helpers? How would all that "extra" work get done?

[Anonymous]

no such thing as a "self-less" volunteer.

[Anonymous]

I teach 4th grade and I'm not sure what I would have a parent volunteer do in the classroom. We do utilize parent volunteers in the library and art room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no such thing as a "self-less" volunteer.

Do you volunteer for anything? Do people in your family volunteer? Is it possible that you are making assumptions about other people's motivations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting to see how many people assume bad intent on the part of volunteers. Our society usually celebrates those who are willing to give their time to help others.

I was a frequent volunteer when my kids were in elementary school. I also co-led a scout troop, taught religious ed. at my church, read with kids who were in a special program for at-risk students, and did a lot of behind the scenes "grunt" work for the various extracurriculars my kids were involved in. Were other parents secretly thinking badly of me all those years? Assuming I was doing all these things for some sort of nefarious reasons? Would people feel differently if all of these positions were paid work, rather than volunteer?

What would our lives be like if people suddenly stopped volunteering to be coaches, leaders, teachers, helpers? How would all that "extra" work get done?

I don't think people are faulting volunteers. I think they are saying there is a proper time and place. It's great that people volunteer, but the schools should use the volunteers in an appropriate, non-teaching capacity. Helping out with special projects, parties, copying, etc. are all fine. Testing and evaluating -- not fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting to see how many people assume bad intent on the part of volunteers. Our society usually celebrates those who are willing to give their time to help others.

I was a frequent volunteer when my kids were in elementary school. I also co-led a scout troop, taught religious ed. at my church, read with kids who were in a special program for at-risk students, and did a lot of behind the scenes "grunt" work for the various extracurriculars my kids were involved in. Were other parents secretly thinking badly of me all those years? Assuming I was doing all these things for some sort of nefarious reasons? Would people feel differently if all of these positions were paid work, rather than volunteer?

What would our lives be like if people suddenly stopped volunteering to be coaches, leaders, teachers, helpers? How would all that "extra" work get done?

I don't think people are faulting volunteers. I think they are saying there is a proper time and place. It's great that people volunteer, but the schools should use the volunteers in an appropriate, non-teaching capacity. Helping out with special projects, parties, copying, etc. are all fine. Testing and evaluating -- not fine.

When people say things like this:

no such thing as a "self-less" volunteer.

it does come across that they are faulting volunteers, that they think people volunteer only because they perceive some benefit for themselves. Maybe it's hard for people to understand that some people are willing to help others without being paid.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it totally against FERPA to have parents inputting grades and grading things? It should be!

[Anonymous]

Geez, seriously no good deed goes unpunished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it totally against FERPA to have parents inputting grades and grading things? It should be!

I actually researched it last year. I forget exactly, but think there is a case that says parent volunteers are ok.

[Anonymous]

No teacher really wants parents in the classroom. They will whine and moan about not having parents there but the minute you offer they suck wind.

They don't want you to see what really goes on in the class. It's easier for them to say your kid is bad, you are a bad parent when in reality the teacher is unfit.

[Anonymous]

FCPS mom here. For years, my kids' respective teachers had a no parents allowed policy in the classroom. I was a SAHM and was disappointed to not be needed, when friends at other schools were at the school helping once a week or more.

This went on for years. I got to be known that Ms. X., for instance, didn't NEED/WANT outside help, except for a class party or a one off field trip.

Later, one teacer had another mom in the classroom so often that this volunteer was considered an instructional assistant. The teacher said so at the end of the year. Many of the teachers say it is too much work to have a parent helper...they tend to hover!

[Anonymous]

If I were still a teacher, I certainly wouldn't want you in my class.