So should I just start requesting teachers and peers I want/don't want in their class?

[Anonymous]

Do you request particular teachers and/or particular kids you want or don't want for your kids each year?

I'm starting to get the feeling that everyone else does it and we keep getting screwed each year - feels like we always get the "weak" teacher and none of my kids' friends.

I don't want to be a squeaky wheel, but maybe everyone else does it?

[Anonymous]

Knock yourself out you can't get arrested for it.
May possibly be judged for it by people who either think you're being too overdramatic or too overprotective but its your life and your kid so do your thing.

[Anonymous]

Feel free to request whatever you want. You won't get it, and you might get put on "that" list by the school administration. But if it would make you happy, go for it.

[Anonymous]

This is the way it's done at our school:

Figure out which teacher you want. Ask around and find out what teaching style that teacher has. Write a letter to the principal and guidance person requesting the teaching style of the teacher you want. Say you're child needs it for whatever reason. Never request the teacher by name. If you're involved and they know you, you'll be more likely to get the teacher who "has the teaching style your child needs."

If you don't want a kid to be in class with yours, just tell them. This is more likely to be honored.

If your kid has a best friend they'll get separated.

[Anonymous]

That's nuts. I won't be there to fiddle with my kids loves forever so I see nothing wrong with teaching them to be adaptable at a young age.

[Anonymous]

I assume OP is in FCPS where it is standard practice for the schools to offer you to send such a letter. I would never send such a letter if it wasn't offered, but given that it is offered, I totally overthink this every year!! We will see if this thread changes my mind at all.

In general, I usually do not send the letter (with one caveat, which I will explain). One reason is that I think it is good for my kids (and me) to be adaptable and meet new people and adjust and learn about different teaching styles. Maybe I had some preconceived notion of someone who would be a great teacher and really someone else would have been the better teacher for my kid. Most of the time I want to leave it to chance instead of worrying that my letter messed up what would have been a better placement, ha.

I would rather not send a letter every year and have it like - oh she sends something every year. Not that I have any reason to believe that this is how it works, but I would rather "save" it for a time when I have something I really, really feel strongly about and hope that they'll really try to accommodate me that time. With 3 kids, I'm going to be at the ES a long time!

All this being said, one of my kids was recently diagnosed ADHD and our dr suggests requesting a teacher with experience working with kids with attention issues. I thought that was good advice, and I did that this year and I think we did get a teacher with such experience. That's the only request I plan to make for now (no friend requests and no requests for my other children at this point).

[Anonymous]

Other mother was requesting that her son and my son be placed in class together. For four years. I didn't know. I would not have agreed.

[Anonymous]

I have requested not to have certain teachers for one of my kids but not for the reason you might think.

One of my kids is scatterbrained and wild.

I have an older kid so I have some idea of the styles of teachers in upper grades.

I have, some years, specifically said "My kid can be a bit wild and scattered and I think Larla would drive Ms. XYZ nuts (the "BEST" teacher in the grade). I think putting Larla in her class would make for a very difficult year for both of them. Please find Larla a teacher who can handle Larla. Ask the specials teachers and previous teacher for guidance."

We usually LOVE Ms. XYZ based off previous interactions and so we know even though they are wonderful younger DC is the wrong student for their class.

We always get a great teacher who is a great fit for Larla, just not Ms. XYZ who everyone else tries to get for their kid.

[Anonymous]

I've had a lot of luck just being honest with the school. I've never asked for a certain teacher or peer group, but accurately describing my child's strengths and weaknesses, and our experience with various *types* of teachers has landed us teachers that worked well.

[Anonymous]

In our ES you can request your child is NOT in class with one or two other kids. It has to be serious, not just not liking them. IT has to be due to distraction from work etc. They do honor these request.

You absolutely cannot request teachers however.

My kids are hard workers and well behaved and the teachers like them and I've noticed are less inclined to put them in a classroom with a ball buster, as a result. Which is great.

[Anonymous]

No, everyone does not make requests. Although, if you read DCUM, you'd think otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our ES you can request your child is NOT in class with one or two other kids. It has to be serious, not just not liking them. IT has to be due to distraction from work etc. They do honor these request.

You absolutely cannot request teachers however.

My kids are hard workers and well behaved and the teachers like them and I've noticed are less inclined to put them in a classroom with a ball buster, as a result. Which is great.

Same with our school. Can not request teachers and classmates but can ask that a certain child not put in your child's class. Happened to us last year, when DC had an issue on the bus with another child, so I requested that they be separated for next year. This year our request was honored.

[Anonymous]

I think it is reasonable to request that certain kids not be placed with your child. In my case, they are actually his good friends, but would not be good "co-learners." This has been honored. I don't just list annoying kids.

[Anonymous]

My FCPS elementary sends out a questionnaire at the end of the year that asks parents about their child's strengths and weaknesses, learning style, hobbies, etc. It asks what qualities in a teacher would suit the child best. Specific teacher requests aren't honored, but I think they really try to have a good mix of students in each class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our ES you can request your child is NOT in class with one or two other kids. It has to be serious, not just not liking them. IT has to be due to distraction from work etc. They do honor these request.

You absolutely cannot request teachers however.

My kids are hard workers and well behaved and the teachers like them and I've noticed are less inclined to put them in a classroom with a ball buster, as a result. Which is great.

Same with our school. Can not request teachers and classmates but can ask that a certain child not put in your child's class. Happened to us last year, when DC had an issue on the bus with another child, so I requested that they be separated for next year. This year our request was honored.

Our school has this policy. I made a request this year for one of my kids, citing reasons similar to those listed by the PP. The school did not honor the request and the kids ended up in the same class. I don't want to second guess a seasoned administration and we've been very happy at the school otherwise, but this bothers me.