MCPS Parent Visitation Day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wait, I am supposed to feel sorry for a teacher who can't go to a 2hr open house, sarcastically remarks that she has to put on a "show" for the parents that do, and doesn't ever have to take a day off all year, pay for daycare, or find summer camps and miss their kids all that time? I am sorry.

No, you're supposed to tie your shoes, drink your coffee, and get on with your tasks, unimpeded by the random remarks of anonymous posters on an Internet message board. I hope your day improves, PP.

If you are supposed to get on with your day unimpeded by random remarks on an anonymous forum,why are you on here replying to me? Actually why is the teacher on here at 8am on a Monday morning making remarks about a pony show for us parents, instead of getting on with her tasks? LOL I showed no anger, just called a spade a spade. If some teacher who has time to comment sarcastically to someone else's post, I can surely remind her that many aren't able to get to Columbus Day open house, or any other holiday, break or Summer with their kids.

Sorry if that bothers you. Maybe you should just get on with your other tasks for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is Columbus Day, when a lot of feds are out of work anyway. Our school does a short period in the morning when you can drop in.

I am sure you are aware that not everyone works for the federal government.

Then take off of work you crappy parent. Maybe a half day? Stay a tiny bit involved in your kids lives.

I took 3 days off already, is that enough for you, theyve only been in school 3 weeks. First day of school, Dads day, and the 21st because school was closed.

It's ok, PP. I get the day off, and I've never been. We can be lousy parents together.

Uh, yeah, that's crappy.
- working mom

[Anonymous]

I've been once or twice. Its really not that special, you go in to hear the principal talk, the PTA chat and then you go help in the classroom. Sometimes there isn't enough for you to do because the kids spend half the day in specials and the teachers are in meetings during those times. In reality, there's only about 1.5 hours in the morning and about an hour at the end of the day. So, I've stopped going myself and instead take myself to the spa. Its ok pp, if you stay home. You're not a crappy parent. You're taking a mental health day.

[Anonymous]

I love my child's Open House day. It is much more eye opening than going to the 5-10min rushed conference.

For our school, there is no principal or PTA talk. We go directly to the classrooms to observe. Some teachers have the parents sit around the perimeter in chairs and watch quietly. Getting a feel for how the teachers teach and manage, child expectations, and it also gives you an idea of the classroom dynamic - the kids and any issues.

We are also welcome to have lunch/recess although most working parents come to the morning session and leave.

In the afternoon session, it is the same thing but with math or a different curriculum. Some teachers involve the parents to help their child or walk around during busy work time. It was sad for the kids that didn't have anyone. To the PP that just doesn't bother, I find that really sad. My child's face lights up when I come in each year. Same with the other kids. To think you are at a spa instead. I don't know - just not cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my child's Open House day. It is much more eye opening than going to the 5-10min rushed conference.

For our school, there is no principal or PTA talk. We go directly to the classrooms to observe. Some teachers have the parents sit around the perimeter in chairs and watch quietly. Getting a feel for how the teachers teach and manage, child expectations, and it also gives you an idea of the classroom dynamic - the kids and any issues.

We are also welcome to have lunch/recess although most working parents come to the morning session and leave.

In the afternoon session, it is the same thing but with math or a different curriculum. Some teachers involve the parents to help their child or walk around during busy work time. It was sad for the kids that didn't have anyone. To the PP that just doesn't bother, I find that really sad. My child's face lights up when I come in each year. Same with the other kids. To think you are at a spa instead. I don't know - just not cool.

Excuse me but I don't need to be an over-bearing parent at every single event. It's okay to actually make time for yourself so that you can be an effective parent. Who can I serve in my family if I am constantly stretched thin and over worked---no one. You do you, and I'll do me. But self-care is just as important as family care. My daughter and I are doing just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to my kids' schools on Columbus Day. I'm busy putting on a dog and pony show for you all.

-teacher

Pity. I've never been able to stay home every holiday, Winter, Spring break and Summer.

Wow - someone really, really woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning - Are you this full of meanness to people in person, or only behind the anonymity of the internet? Jeez, get counseling or something.

Wait, I am supposed to feel sorry for a teacher who can't go to a 2hr open house, sarcastically remarks that she has to put on a "show" for the parents that do, and doesn't ever have to take a day off all year, pay for daycare, or find summer camps and miss their kids all that time? I am sorry.

Whoa, hold your horses. I'm the teacher PP. What I meant by putting on a dog and pony show is that my principal acts like a shitty leader for all other days except for when visitors are in the building (associate superintendents, parents etc.). Then everything that she doesn't care about on all other days is all of a sudden no longer acceptable. Last year before parent visitation day we were required to have every extraneous staple removed from our hallway bulletin boards and she came around for an inspection. Like parents will even notice that or appreciate that we spent time on that instead of lesson planning or creating materials.

Why would you think I never have to take a day off all year, pay for daycare or find summer camps? My kid has been in full-time daycare since he was 12 weeks old. Now that he has started K I pay for before and after care because I'm at school way before his bus comes and at school way after his bus returns. I work in the summers so my kid goes to camp.

Oh, and I'm taking a day off today (for the person who questioned why I commented at 8am on a Monday) because my kid woke up sick in the middle of the night and my husband is out of town. I wrote sub plans at 5am, had my friend come over at 6:30 so that I could run into school to make copies and put out all the materials, then was home by 7:45 and my kid was still asleep.

I never asked for anyone to feel sorry for me. We all make different choices in life. I knew when I decided to be a teacher (I was a career changer) that it would mean I wouldn't be able to attend events like sneak peek, holiday parties and open house. There are tradeoffs just like anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't mention it until right before.

It's not on the MCPS calendar.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
RELAX, PEOPLE.

It looks like all the grumpy ones are posting on this thread.

No one is acting superior, no one is a lousy parent, and thank you to the teacher.

Oh, come on! I just sat down with my popcorn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my child's Open House day. It is much more eye opening than going to the 5-10min rushed conference.

For our school, there is no principal or PTA talk. We go directly to the classrooms to observe. Some teachers have the parents sit around the perimeter in chairs and watch quietly. Getting a feel for how the teachers teach and manage, child expectations, and it also gives you an idea of the classroom dynamic - the kids and any issues.

We are also welcome to have lunch/recess although most working parents come to the morning session and leave.

In the afternoon session, it is the same thing but with math or a different curriculum. Some teachers involve the parents to help their child or walk around during busy work time. It was sad for the kids that didn't have anyone. To the PP that just doesn't bother, I find that really sad. My child's face lights up when I come in each year. Same with the other kids. To think you are at a spa instead. I don't know - just not cool.

Excuse me but I don't need to be an over-bearing parent at every single event. It's okay to actually make time for yourself so that you can be an effective parent. Who can I serve in my family if I am constantly stretched thin and over worked---no one. You do you, and I'll do me. But self-care is just as important as family care. My daughter and I are doing just fine.

PP my kid's school Open House is 1.5hrs long in the morning and is the only time all year I can observe the classroom unless I volunteer which I usually can't because I work. You are off for the entire day but stopping in for an hour is being an over-bearing parent? I think you are confused as to what is over-bearing and what is selfish. And no, your daughter is not fine. Inside she knows how you feel when other parents come in that day and she knows you are off for the day, but sitting in an overpriced spa spending hundreds on yourself. Stop rationalizing with the self-care comment as you know it is just as easy to send the kids off the school, have a nice workout/Starbucks, go in for an hour to observe, and then go off for a mani/pedi or facial, even catch up with a friend for lunch. But it isn't about self-care. It is about not really giving a crap what your kid does in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Excuse me but I don't need to be an over-bearing parent at every single event. It's okay to actually make time for yourself so that you can be an effective parent. Who can I serve in my family if I am constantly stretched thin and over worked---no one. You do you, and I'll do me. But self-care is just as important as family care. My daughter and I are doing just fine.

PP my kid's school Open House is 1.5hrs long in the morning and is the only time all year I can observe the classroom unless I volunteer which I usually can't because I work. You are off for the entire day but stopping in for an hour is being an over-bearing parent? I think you are confused as to what is over-bearing and what is selfish. And no, your daughter is not fine. Inside she knows how you feel when other parents come in that day and she knows you are off for the day, but sitting in an overpriced spa spending hundreds on yourself. Stop rationalizing with the self-care comment as you know it is just as easy to send the kids off the school, have a nice workout/Starbucks, go in for an hour to observe, and then go off for a mani/pedi or facial, even catch up with a friend for lunch. But it isn't about self-care. It is about not really giving a crap what your kid does in school.

Alternatively, the top PP is doing what's right for the top PP and the top PP's child, and you are doing what's right for you and your child. The top PP is not neglectful, and you are not overbearing. It's fine if you go. It's fine if you don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is Columbus Day, when a lot of feds are out of work anyway. Our school does a short period in the morning when you can drop in.

I am sure you are aware that not everyone works for the federal government.

Then take off of work you crappy parent. Maybe a half day? Stay a tiny bit involved in your kids lives.

I took 3 days off already, is that enough for you, theyve only been in school 3 weeks. First day of school, Dads day, and the 21st because school was closed.

It's ok, PP. I get the day off, and I've never been. We can be lousy parents together.

You are off and you don't even go in???? Yeah, you are seriously a lousy parent. I bet your kid says "Mommy's off but she doesn't want to come in." That is sad. Kids quickly pick up the parents that are interested in them and the ones that aren't.

We're doing just fine, but thanks for your concern.

We? You mean you, which it sounds like all you really care about. You have no idea how your child feels. Many wouldn't tell their parents they feel sad when they don't show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
RELAX, PEOPLE.

It looks like all the grumpy ones are posting on this thread.

No one is acting superior, no one is a lousy parent, and thank you to the teacher.

Oh, come on! I just sat down with my popcorn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't mention it until right before.

It's not on the MCPS calendar.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/

Guess they don't really promote it. But it is real. I've had kids in 6 different MCPS schools and they all had it, though some schools were much stricter than others about when parents were welcome.

[Anonymous]

Every school I've been associated with has it. You certainly don't go in all day (I don't know anyone who does anyway) but you are free to drop in to whatever class they're having at the moment. I've been to regular home rooms and also music and art and PE. I think it's great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to my kids' schools on Columbus Day. I'm busy putting on a dog and pony show for you all.

-teacher

Pity. I've never been able to stay home every holiday, Winter, Spring break and Summer.

Wow - someone really, really woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning - Are you this full of meanness to people in person, or only behind the anonymity of the internet? Jeez, get counseling or something.

Wait, I am supposed to feel sorry for a teacher who can't go to a 2hr open house, sarcastically remarks that she has to put on a "show" for the parents that do, and doesn't ever have to take a day off all year, pay for daycare, or find summer camps and miss their kids all that time? I am sorry.

Whoa, hold your horses. I'm the teacher PP. What I meant by putting on a dog and pony show is that my principal acts like a shitty leader for all other days except for when visitors are in the building (associate superintendents, parents etc.). Then everything that she doesn't care about on all other days is all of a sudden no longer acceptable. Last year before parent visitation day we were required to have every extraneous staple removed from our hallway bulletin boards and she came around for an inspection. Like parents will even notice that or appreciate that we spent time on that instead of lesson planning or creating materials.

Why would you think I never have to take a day off all year, pay for daycare or find summer camps? My kid has been in full-time daycare since he was 12 weeks old. Now that he has started K I pay for before and after care because I'm at school way before his bus comes and at school way after his bus returns. I work in the summers so my kid goes to camp.

Oh, and I'm taking a day off today (for the person who questioned why I commented at 8am on a Monday) because my kid woke up sick in the middle of the night and my husband is out of town. I wrote sub plans at 5am, had my friend come over at 6:30 so that I could run into school to make copies and put out all the materials, then was home by 7:45 and my kid was still asleep.

I never asked for anyone to feel sorry for me. We all make different choices in life. I knew when I decided to be a teacher (I was a career changer) that it would mean I wouldn't be able to attend events like sneak peek, holiday parties and open house. There are tradeoffs just like anything else.

You did not need to defend yourself from the PPs petty comments but I am glad you did. We all make different life choices and every career path has its own ups and downs