Teachers- How are classroom assignments conducted? PTA involved?

[Anonymous]

Principals, school staff, and teachers are notorious for having "little emperor" mentality dynamics. School environments just breed gossipy, judgmental, cliquey attitudes. Principals, at least in MCPS, really try to keep the PTA out of anything meaningful to the school and parents are seen as something to be dealt with not included in any meaningful way. Unless the PTA members are personal buddies with the principal or staff then I doubt that they have any influence. In fact, if a PTA is anyway not 100% supportive and ass kissing of the principal then they would suffer the reverse problem.

[Anonymous]

The PTA should not have any influence over classroom assignments, curriculum development or anything other than supporting the school by raising money. That is their only function.

[Anonymous]

Naive Parent alert: Parents volunteer at schools to check up on their kids, their teachers and to buddy up to the administration. Parents gossip and trade info about favorite teachers etc. Parents campaign for their kids to get coveted teachers. Teachers are parents too and are often friends with other parents. Teachers trade information with friends outside of school. Teachers separate friends, cliques and problem children.

[Anonymous]

This forum topic is a lot of hype I think. Our PTA is mainly very involved stay at home moms and a few very involved working moms too and they are always friendly, open to new members, and mostly busy with their own programs. They have good relations with the staff, but only in a supportive role to the school. They don't tend to step over lines. Sometimes the parents do question school policies, but in a friendly and understanding way. The school administration attends all PTA meetings and offers support to them as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"they often seperate best friends so they aren't too dependant on one another or too clique-y. "

dearl lord. that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. it's wonderful for children to make best friends at an early age. I find it terrible schools would deliberatesly aim to discourage that.

Parent Here: My child is getting separated from his friend this year and I support it. They are in class to learn, not goof off. They also need to develop friendships throughout the grade, not just with a couple of kids. If one group of kids get's too tight, then that can exclude other kids and make it harder for new kids coming into school. Cliques can lead bullying.

Bottom line: School is not a social club.

Of course school is a social club. It's the most important social club a person will ever belong to. It's where kids develop most of their social skills that they will carry with them throughout the rest of their lives. As far as separating friends, it's usually done because the kids are goofing off or talking to the point of annoying the teacher and not learning. On the other hand, friends that are a positive influence may be deliberately kept together. While cliques can lead to bullying, isolating a child who has trouble making friends may also lead to bullying (of that child).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Naive Parent alert: Parents volunteer at schools to check up on their kids, their teachers and to buddy up to the administration. Parents gossip and trade info about favorite teachers etc. Parents campaign for their kids to get coveted teachers. Teachers are parents too and are often friends with other parents. Teachers trade information with friends outside of school. Teachers separate friends, cliques and problem children.

I can't believe how naive so many parents are. This explains how schools get away with so much. (Former teacher here).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So there is no science to it? Just enie, meanie, minee, mo? or by personality? Do each teacher from a pervious year make a recommendation for a child from a previous year?

They are most often dividing up kids by sex, race and SN to fairly distribute. Cant imagine they take personality mix in as a factor, would be a near impossible task.

Of course they take it into consideration. It's not as difficult as you might think. The hard part is keeping the groupings intact when everything changes at the beginning of the school year, with kids moving in and out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:separating best friends is ridiculous unless they are disruptive. thank goodness they didn't do this 30 years ago. i've had the same best friend since 1st grade. i guess the we must make our kids learn, learn, learn at all costs. no time for friends or fun.

Well, they did it 40 years ago. I still remember being separated from my best and only friend. We were both so shy. The next school year was horrible - I was bullied mercilessly and I think she suffered as well. I never made any friends in that school at all after her, and I'm still bitter about it all these years later.

[Anonymous]

Ok I am reading a lot of petty, gossipy, ignorant things being written here. It's disgusting. The assigning of students to individual classes is actually a tedious, complicated process which takes place in the spring before everyone goes home for the summer. Teachers make CAREFUL recommendations based on a number of factors: keeping a balanced boy/girl balance, keeping a balance of what we refer to as High, Medium and Low for both academic skills and behavior. And believe it or not we have to keep in mind the parents of these kids. If too many helicopter or PITA ( pain in the ass ) parents assigned to one teacher they switch them out and shuffle to keep a good balance of that also. Most schools have a policy that allow a parent to meet with the principal or write a letter to identify the "characteristics" of what they would like to see in a teacher. If your principal is wishy washy or not a good administrator than, yes, sometimes parents who bitch the most get to make changes. Sometimes principals take the path of least resistance - but it really ticks off all of the teachers because they spend a lot of time trying to make a good match. Also, teachers try to send on kids with at least one friend from their previous class. HOWEVER, if the little darlings are truly obnoxious together than yes, they are most definitely separated. Then, there are other reasons students are put into various classes. Maybe the speech teacher clumps a few kids together so they can service them at the same time. If there are a group of ELL ( english language learners ) they might be put into a class together. Then parents will write a letter requesting that certain children NOT be with other children and the principal definitely tries to accommodate those parents. IT'S VERY COMPLICATED and not some petty, random "unscientific" system that you all seem to think it is.

[Anonymous]

[code]Ok I am reading a lot of petty, gossipy, ignorant things being written here. It's disgusting. The assigning of students to individual classes is actually a tedious, complicated process which takes place in the spring before everyone goes home for the summer. Teachers make CAREFUL recommendations based on a number of factors: keeping a balanced boy/girl balance, keeping a balance of what we refer to as High, Medium and Low for both academic skills and behavior. And believe it or not we have to keep in mind the parents of these kids. If too many helicopter or PITA ( pain in the ass ) parents assigned to one teacher they switch them out and shuffle to keep a good balance of that also. Most schools have a policy that allow a parent to meet with the principal or write a letter to identify the "characteristics" of what they would like to see in a teacher. If your principal is wishy washy or not a good administrator than, yes, sometimes parents who bitch the most get to make changes. Sometimes principals take the path of least resistance - but it really ticks off all of the teachers because they spend a lot of time trying to make a good match. Also, teachers try to send on kids with at least one friend from their previous class. HOWEVER, if the little darlings are truly obnoxious together than yes, they are most definitely separated. Then, there are other reasons students are put into various classes. Maybe the speech teacher clumps a few kids together so they can service them at the same time. If there are a group of ELL ( english language learners ) they might be put into a class together. Then parents will write a letter requesting that certain children NOT be with other children and the principal definitely tries to accommodate those parents. IT'S VERY COMPLICATED and not some petty, random "unscientific" system that you all seem to think it is.

+100.

I understand that the heavy duty PTA parents want to inflate their importance, but, honestly, 90% of the time, in DC, even when you think you have influence over placement, you don't. Seriously, parents, you are a not a serious consideration by yourselves, and your wishes are only honored when we agree that there is an educationally sound reason to hear you out.

[Anonymous]

I just wish my school had more than a one year memory. Two years ago year my son had a HUGE PROBLEM with a student and even though I requested that student not be in his class, and that student wasn't last year, they are this year. The principal's response, "there were no problems last year so we didn't honor the request." There were no problems last year because they weren't in the same class. It is like they have no institutional memory. And, then they are going to call me when things happen and want me to solve the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wish my school had more than a one year memory. Two years ago year my son had a HUGE PROBLEM with a student and even though I requested that student not be in his class, and that student wasn't last year, they are this year. The principal's response, "there were no problems last year so we didn't honor the request." There were no problems last year because they weren't in the same class. It is like they have no institutional memory. And, then they are going to call me when things happen and want me to solve the problem.

Now THIS is a request I think the schools do need to take seriously. You are correct that "there weren't problems last year" is not an acceptable answer because they weren't in the same class. This is the type of concrete, clear-cut request that I think is reasonable and should be responded to. They should either make the change, or demonstrate that they are taking your concern seriously. Maybe a meeting with the teacher, the guidance counselor and the principal all at the same time. You get them to state clearly how they will handle any situations that come up.

I know some teachers have been following this thread. I'd like to know your thoughts in this type of scenario, when parents not just making vague requests for "good teachers" or "being in class with friends" but an actual bullying-type issue.

[Anonymous]

If you, as a parent , continue, over several years to have an issue with a certain child because of bad chemistry or bad bullying then YOU as the parent should remind the principal every year. Schools do not keep lists and "carry over" requests. But...absolutely those are the type of requests that the school staff makes EVERY effort to honor. Kids who bully a particular student we DEFINITELY want to separate. That just leads to additional problems for the teacher and if a school can avoid that they will. And of course, any teacher I know doesn't want to see it at all. We all know how serous it is or can be. And...most of the teachers have children themselves and do understand the problem.

Furthermore, if a student is truly being bullied - make sure you have discussions with the teacher and principal. Sometimes the teacher's hand are tied and the ultimate responsibility resides with the Vice Principal and Principal. Bullying is unacceptable, teachers hate it - but sometimes it is the Principal's responsibility to take punitive measures with the bully and bully's parents. Again, if you have a wishy washy principal - you are going to have to be very persistent. Some principals like to avoid as much conflict as they can. I do think the greater percentage of school staff will most certainly want to take action - at least anyone I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just wish my school had more than a one year memory. Two years ago year my son had a HUGE PROBLEM with a student and even though I requested that student not be in his class, and that student wasn't last year, they are this year. The principal's response, "there were no problems last year so we didn't honor the request." There were no problems last year because they weren't in the same class. It is like they have no institutional memory. And, then they are going to call me when things happen and want me to solve the problem.

Now THIS is a request I think the schools do need to take seriously. You are correct that "there weren't problems last year" is not an acceptable answer because they weren't in the same class. This is the type of concrete, clear-cut request that I think is reasonable and should be responded to. They should either make the change, or demonstrate that they are taking your concern seriously. Maybe a meeting with the teacher, the guidance counselor and the principal all at the same time. You get them to state clearly how they will handle any situations that come up.

I know some teachers have been following this thread. I'd like to know your thoughts in this type of scenario, when parents not just making vague requests for "good teachers" or "being in class with friends" but an actual bullying-type issue.

This happened in my classroom one year, about 2 weeks into school. Two boys were warning me about one another at open house, before the schoolyear began. One was a huge crybaby and the other a super emotional live wire. When the latter got into a screaming match, pretty much w/himself but directed toward the former, I sent him to the office for disruptive behavior. The principal contacted both sets of parents, who expressed similar weariness over issues had between the two boys, so the live wire was moved out of my class and I got to keep the crybaby. It was a decision I was relieved by and we had a great schoolyear, despite a few tantrums on the part of the one who stayed.

[Anonymous]

A request is a request, is a request ... No principle has to honor your wishes.
No PTA parent plays a role in student placement.
Any parent can make a request.
Any principle can honor or deny it.
If my child were being bullied you bet I would request for my son or daughter not to be in class with the twit. I also would expect to get a good teacher.