Is it bad that I left orientation today feeling underwhelmed?

[Anonymous]

Don't know what it is. I just didn't get that "feel good" feeling at orientation today. I'm not happy with our neighborhood school. I'm kinda over it and my DD is only going into 3rd. I need to remain positive for this year--hoping it will be better than the past couple of years.

[Anonymous]

Is is MCPS? I am over it too.

[Anonymous]

Same here. We were in there for 5 minutes. The teacher showed no interest at all in speaking with us beyond "hi, nice to meet you, see you Monday." The classroom was pretty empty at that point, too. She was just standing there.

DS is in 2nd grade and I'd love to be able to afford private. We are in a supposedly great district, but I am definitely underwhelmed.

[Anonymous]

Just curious.. what were you expecting? The teacher is not going to give you undivided individual attention or go over the lesson plans. There will be an Open House in Sept. where the teacher will go over some of the specific of the curriculum and class management. The recent orientation was for the kids and parents to get to know the classroom, who's in their class, where the kid might sit, and just say hello to the teacher.

Also, some teachers are more personable than others.

[Anonymous]

DS is going into 5th. No teacher beyond 1st grade has been all smiles and nurture and what-have-you. That's OK, it's probably normal. Younger students aren't welcomed in the same way as older children. It doesn't mean the K teacher is a better teacher than the 5th grade teacher.

As for information, teachers prepare a speech and present info at back-to-School Night. There is no particular plan for Open House, so most of them don't do much. The start of the year is overwhelming for them too. One year, a fourth grade teacher engaged the kids in a game during Open House and then gave them homework for the following Monday! I prefer the low-key approach, to be honest

[Anonymous]

OP here. The teacher was nice enough. She was engaging to all the kids and the parents. It's more that I'm not really happy with the tone of the entire school. I don't feel connected at all. The last two years the teachers only let their "favorite" parents in the classroom. I asked to volunteer and was denied (and I'm not an in your face or a pain the tush type of person). I would like to do more with the school, but don't feel like they want it (including the PTA). So, I guess that is why I'm over it.

[Anonymous]

OP, my DD had one teacher a few years back that only allowed 2 parents in to volunteer one day a week. The rest of the class was denied. When another parent confronted the principal about it, they said the teacher picks a few to help but you can help out in the media center once a week.

So it isn't just your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious.. what were you expecting? The teacher is not going to give you undivided individual attention or go over the lesson plans. There will be an Open House in Sept. where the teacher will go over some of the specific of the curriculum and class management. The recent orientation was for the kids and parents to get to know the classroom, who's in their class, where the kid might sit, and just say hello to the teacher.

Also, some teachers are more personable than others.

17:01 here. This was not our first time at the rodeo. I'm not looking for lesson plans. I am looking for a teacher who seems engaged and interested in the kids she's going to be working with. Heck, eye contact would have been nice.

Whatever, maybe she was having an off day. It was just disappointing, as much of my experience with this school has been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The teacher was nice enough. She was engaging to all the kids and the parents. It's more that I'm not really happy with the tone of the entire school. I don't feel connected at all. The last two years the teachers only let their "favorite" parents in the classroom. I asked to volunteer and was denied (and I'm not an in your face or a pain the tush type of person). I would like to do more with the school, but don't feel like they want it (including the PTA). So, I guess that is why I'm over it.

What school is this? Our school (not title 1) would love to have more parent volunteers for things like book fairs, recess/lunch monitors, international nights and what not. We have a handful of parents that do most of the work. Most schools definitely need more lunch/recess volunteers. I have volunteered at my Ker's lunch. They really need the help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my DD had one teacher a few years back that only allowed 2 parents in to volunteer one day a week. The rest of the class was denied. When another parent confronted the principal about it, they said the teacher picks a few to help but you can help out in the media center once a week.

So it isn't just your school.

And by 2 parents, I meant the SAME 2 parents all year long. It was total BS.

[Anonymous]

I hate this feeling. I have had it too. I have had good experiences at other schools so I know it's not that I'm expecting too much.

[Anonymous]

I also left the open house today feeling underwhelmed with our MCPS elementary school. The class lists were posted this morning on the outside doors but had no information on the room number or where the classroom was in the school. When we got into the school there were no maps or signs to help us find the hallway where we needed to be. How can the communication to parents be so horrible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The teacher was nice enough. She was engaging to all the kids and the parents. It's more that I'm not really happy with the tone of the entire school. I don't feel connected at all. The last two years the teachers only let their "favorite" parents in the classroom. I asked to volunteer and was denied (and I'm not an in your face or a pain the tush type of person). I would like to do more with the school, but don't feel like they want it (including the PTA). So, I guess that is why I'm over it.

I feel you. We have that at our school too. The same group of moms run the PTA and essentially the school. They run all the activities and don't include new folks--yet they constantly bitch about how nobody new ever volunteers to help. Their lack of self awareness is befuddling.

And to top things off, the PTA click from elementary took over the MS as well.

My two cents: put your energy elsewhere. Help out with sports, ballet, etc. Or create your own thing.

[Anonymous]

My son is going into 2nd in MCPS and I was so excited by the tone in the building! Not only was the new teacher friendly and welcoming, but the tone in the whole school was really upbeat. Specialists were in the hallways greeting families, welcoming them and asking about summer vacations. The PTA had recent "graduates" in the cafeteria handing out popsicles. If my child could show up tomorrow, I think he would!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my DD had one teacher a few years back that only allowed 2 parents in to volunteer one day a week. The rest of the class was denied. When another parent confronted the principal about it, they said the teacher picks a few to help but you can help out in the media center once a week.

So it isn't just your school.

And by 2 parents, I meant the SAME 2 parents all year long. It was total BS.

I am so happy when other people do all the volunteering, so I don't have to. Win/win.