To kindergarten teachers- how can we parents partner with you?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have a rising kindergartener in public school. How can we best partner with you to make this new experience successful for both our daughter and you? We are both working parents with long commutes and a younger child, but will do our best to attend school events/PTA meetings. What would be most helpful for you?

[Anonymous]

Not a kindergartedn teacher but a mom whose third child is starting K in the fall.

Relax. Don't worry about the other students, not only who is more advanced but the ones who might be behind. Don't freak out about stupid stuff. Don't worry that your reader is going to be so above everyone else, bored, and not being taught on a second grade level.

Remember that there is plenty of time to push and challenge your child. Kindergarten is not one of these times. Kindergarten is the one year where the entire focus is to make your child LOVE school and learning. It is your baby's last year to be a cuddly, inquisitive, filled with wonder little one, before the grind of mandatory reading time and homework really kicks in.

If you are a good involved parent, the rewards of kindergarten should be so much more than academics.

Just relax and enjoy the year.

[Anonymous]

1. Get your child as well-rested as possible.
2. Feed your child a low-sugar breakfast.
3. Send him to school dressed appropriately for the weather. If he refuses to take off a sweatshirt, layer a t-shirt underneath. If he refuses to wear a sweater, just pack it in his bag.
4. Make sure he knows to speak up if he needs to use the bathroom.
5. If you come to volunteer in the classroom, don't bring a younger child.

[Anonymous]

K Teacher here: read what is sent home and emailed (depending on how your child's teacher communicates). It sounds really little and obvious, but you would be amazed at how many parents do not do this. Also, the more you read what is sent home the more you will know about what is going on in the classroom and therefore what your child is doing all day long. You will be able to ask more specific questions of your child and their teacher and you will get better answers from both of them, I promise!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

How is the adoption relevant to the classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

Unless you really, really have to do so, don't tell. While well meaning, most adults say the most ridiculous things to kids about adoption and you are better off not having to deal with it. BTDT with a K teacher who told me "well I have family and friends who have adopted so I know all about adoption" after talking to my child about parents "paying" for kids. I countered with "I have friends who are black, so I know all about being black." We ended up glaring at each other but she got it and never mentioned adoption again.

[Anonymous]

OP, lots of kids come to kindergarten not knowing how to read.

And I wouldn't bring up the adoption unless there's a particular reason to do so -- like if they do a family tree, and the instructions for how to do the family tree confuse your DD. Otherwise I don't think it's relevant. Every kindergarten teacher (really, every adult human being) ought to know that there are a lot of different ways to be a family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

How is the adoption relevant to the classroom?

OP here. I don't know if it is relevant or not, so that's why I'm asking. In the adoption community, many parents think that it's necessary for teachers/schools to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

How is the adoption relevant to the classroom?

OP here. I don't know if it is relevant or not, so that's why I'm asking. In the adoption community, many parents think that it's necessary for teachers/schools to know.

I would think it would be relevant if your daughter is working through issues related to the adoption, or if she was a particularly special needs adoption where the adoption might have an impact on her behavior (drug baby, abused child, health issues, etc). But if your child is your typical adopted child, there is probably no need to bring it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

I disagree about not being open about the adoption. You might be surprised at how often it comes up. I can think of a number of assignments that my kids got starting in kindergarten which were particularly insensitive to adopted kids and foster kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions! I have to admit, I feel nervous already b/c DD's school is doing assessments this week and DD has no idea how to read.

One more thing- she was adopted as an infant. My husband is Caucasian and DD and I are not (our younger child is bio and is mixed), so it's not a particularly conspicuous adoption. I don't mind sharing this with her teachers, but only if there's a need to do so. Thoughts?

I disagree about not being open about the adoption. You might be surprised at how often it comes up. I can think of a number of assignments that my kids got starting in kindergarten which were particularly insensitive to adopted kids and foster kids.

I can also imagine many kids (who don't have filters) making comments when the dad helps in the room. As a school counselor I think it's entirely appropriate for the parents to mention it to the teacher- especially if it's something the daughter is working through. If it's something that DD has questions about- early in the year make an appointment with the school counselor (or copy them both on an email). There have been so many things I wished I knew BEFORE it came up at school.

My daughter is biracial and looks very little like me. The questions weren't a problem (children are just curious) and I was glad to be able to answer their questions about why my daughter looked so different. But I think that's quite different than adoption and the school would appreciate being made aware if it's something you're comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

The best thing you can do is to NOT think of the K teacher as a partner. She is employed to teach for the county. She works for the county not you. She is rate on how well the overall class meets the bare objectives. She gains nothing from what actually happens to your child as long as your child is above the bar. You, as a parent, are an annoyance so stay out of school.

[Anonymous]

19:47 Sarcasm, bitterness? OP is asking an honest question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best thing you can do is to NOT think of the K teacher as a partner. She is employed to teach for the county. She works for the county not you. She is rate on how well the overall class meets the bare objectives. She gains nothing from what actually happens to your child as long as your child is above the bar. You, as a parent, are an annoyance so stay out of school.

You must be one of those anti-teacher posters. Hi, welcome back. How have you been? I've really missed you putting down my vocation and colleagues. It's been so lonely without you. If you had had the sense to work with the professionals at your local school rather than making enemies out of them, I doubt that you would be so bitter now.

I have more loyalty to my students and parents than any district. You are nuts. Most of us are in teaching because we love helping children. To help children achieve, we need their families to reinforce what is taught at school and let us know when their child is struggling in ways that may not be apparent to us.

OP, I think your question is great and you've gotten some good feedback. Respect the teacher's time with email/calls/requests by checking what's already been sent out and asking your child first. Donate to the classroom if you are able and the teacher has certain requests.