Our first days of public school after private, what I've noticed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The negativity is a real issue. We are at a really good public school with smiling teachers, administrators, etc. and a high quality of teaching but the written communication that comes from the school is terrible. BUT it was really shocking to me how much of the text in our back to school packet dealt with do not do this and do not do that. I thought the first rule of discipline and good teaching was to always be positive? Is it just that the teachers/administrators don't know how to write?

Anonymous wrote:

I am afraid that the kids will develop this style of communicating. I agree about the packets. Almost worth the $$ to put in place a system that is more positive, even if it means hiring someone to spin this in the positive or politely answer the same questions over and over. Just think that kids will be more successful in life if they are more positive.

You want a cash-strapped public school to hire a PR person to spin the welcome packets so kids don't feel "negative" about not getting to bring Cheetoes to class? God, PLEASE go away.

Because it requires big money and a salaried position to make the newsletters chipper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The negativity is a real issue. We are at a really good public school with smiling teachers, administrators, etc. and a high quality of teaching but the written communication that comes from the school is terrible. BUT it was really shocking to me how much of the text in our back to school packet dealt with do not do this and do not do that. I thought the first rule of discipline and good teaching was to always be positive? Is it just that the teachers/administrators don't know how to write?

Anonymous wrote:

I am afraid that the kids will develop this style of communicating. I agree about the packets. Almost worth the $$ to put in place a system that is more positive, even if it means hiring someone to spin this in the positive or politely answer the same questions over and over. Just think that kids will be more successful in life if they are more positive.

You want a cash-strapped public school to hire a PR person to spin the welcome packets so kids don't feel "negative" about not getting to bring Cheetoes to class? God, PLEASE go away.

Because it requires big money and a salaried position to make the newsletters chipper?

She suggested hiring because it was "worth the money."

[Anonymous]

Yep, OP, customer service isn't a priority -- or even on the radar. Which doesn't necessarily imply a worse education, but it does mean a less pleasant experience.

[Anonymous]

I guess what you are saying is the product (education) is the same with or without the smile.
I am saying that the reception of the product is different depending on its presentation.
If you want kids to be enthusiastic about school, their teachers should also be enthusiastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess what you are saying is the product (education) is the same with or without the smile.
I am saying that the reception of the product is different depending on its presentation.
If you want kids to be enthusiastic about school, their teachers should also be enthusiastic.

Has somebody said anything about the teachers, here? I thought we were just talking about flyers with "NO FOOD OR DRINK!" and office staff that don't smile (at parents, on the first day).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like other people to chime in and share their thoughts.

I noticed that no one seems to really know anyone. The parents don't seem to know each other. The teachers and other staff don't know the parents (or students).

I noticed very little smiling on the part of the office staff (not necessarily a bad thing). Which makes them seem like they really don't want you to be in their office, unwelcoming.

There is a lot of negativity in the flyers and handouts. Like on the first line of a sheet for a class, "ABSOLUTELY no food or drink allowed...". Then they say what the class will be about. Rather than something like, "welcome to X class, I am happy that you chose this class...please respect our environment and refrain from bringing any food or drink in the classroom".

This is true at one of our public schools but not the others my kids have been to. Some can be very nice. Those front office staff women who obviously don't want to deal with parents and are unwelcoming should be FIRED!! Why are they still there in a fresh new school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed that I didn't have to pay tuition.

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The negativity is a real issue. We are at a really good public school with smiling teachers, administrators, etc. and a high quality of teaching but the written communication that comes from the school is terrible. BUT it was really shocking to me how much of the text in our back to school packet dealt with do not do this and do not do that. I thought the first rule of discipline and good teaching was to always be positive? Is it just that the teachers/administrators don't know how to write?

I would guess it's more that they have lots and lots of experience of parents ignoring the rules. So they want to make them clear and get it up front so there is no confusion, excuses like " I didn't see it".

Ha ha, because I was going to say, OP, just toss them aside. Do you really have to read three pages of reasoning for why cell phones are not allowed at school AT ALL TIMES or what will happen if they are found and confiscated, what the appeal process is, etc? Just say no cell phones. We get it. I don't have time to read all that nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone is a native English speaker. Those who aren't appreciate main points emphasized,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The negativity is a real issue. We are at a really good public school with smiling teachers, administrators, etc. and a high quality of teaching but the written communication that comes from the school is terrible. BUT it was really shocking to me how much of the text in our back to school packet dealt with do not do this and do not do that. I thought the first rule of discipline and good teaching was to always be positive? Is it just that the teachers/administrators don't know how to write?

I would guess it's more that they have lots and lots of experience of parents ignoring the rules. So they want to make them clear and get it up front so there is no confusion, excuses like " I didn't see it".

Ha ha, because I was going to say, OP, just toss them aside. Do you really have to read three pages of reasoning for why cell phones are not allowed at school AT ALL TIMES or what will happen if they are found and confiscated, what the appeal process is, etc? Just say no cell phones. We get it. I don't have time to read all that nonsense.

They allow cell phones now. The safety outweighs the risk. Insurance companies actually want schools to allow them.

[Anonymous]

"Sounds like you're judging the public school on the first day when everything is a bit nuts."

LOL - more than a bit nuts, given that she also expects the back-to-school packets written for the parents to be prepared with a focus on positive discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The negativity is a real issue. We are at a really good public school with smiling teachers, administrators, etc. and a high quality of teaching but the written communication that comes from the school is terrible. BUT it was really shocking to me how much of the text in our back to school packet dealt with do not do this and do not do that. I thought the first rule of discipline and good teaching was to always be positive? Is it just that the teachers/administrators don't know how to write?

I would guess it's more that they have lots and lots of experience of parents ignoring the rules. So they want to make them clear and get it up front so there is no confusion, excuses like " I didn't see it".

Ha ha, because I was going to say, OP, just toss them aside. Do you really have to read three pages of reasoning for why cell phones are not allowed at school AT ALL TIMES or what will happen if they are found and confiscated, what the appeal process is, etc? Just say no cell phones. We get it. I don't have time to read all that nonsense.

They allow cell phones now. The safety outweighs the risk. Insurance companies actually want schools to allow them.

MCPS? Ours doesn't.

[Anonymous]

OP again. DS had more complaints about mean teachers. That said, I do like the fact that I no longer have to drive to and from the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. DS had more complaints about mean teachers. That said, I do like the fact that I no longer have to drive to and from the school.

I'm wondering whether DS picked up a negative attitude from you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. DS had more complaints about mean teachers. That said, I do like the fact that I no longer have to drive to and from the school.

On day 1?