Anonymous
12/11/2012 22:14
Subject: Re:sending email to teachers
Wwh99oooooooim twisted 
Anonymous wrote:I do it.
This year, I sent an introductory email to my son's teacher, told her a little bit about us (we have a very civil joint custody agreement, but it's important that the teacher knows there are two households involved in case anything weird happens. cc'd his dad), asked when back to school night was, and let her know to please contact us if she needed anything.
Sure enough, got an email back indicating it was appreciated. And recently got another one concerning a classroom issue, which we addressed.
Fear not the email!
Anonymous
01/08/2012 15:00
Subject: SCHOOL
TO MISS ABBOTT,
I PRACTIST MY TIMES TABLE I WILL SEE YOU TOMARROW I DIDNET READ BEACUSE I FOGOT
FROM ELLA XX
I PRACTIST MY TIMES TABLE I WILL SEE YOU TOMARROW I DIDNET READ BEACUSE I FOGOT
FROM ELLA XX
Anonymous
11/23/2011 20:40
Subject: sending email to teachers
I e-mail teachers once in a while on an as-needed basis. Many of them at our school state that they prefer e-mail anyway.
Just this week I sent two very long e-mails to a teacher because I thought there was some sort of crisis brewing at school that couldn't be ignored, but obviously that's the exception.
Two years ago one of my kids had an amazing teacher who e-mailed parents at least a couple of times a week with news or updates or clarifications about stuff going on in class (and her class was just out of this world awesome) and I think by and large the parents loved it. It was the best thing next to being a fly on the wall in the classroom.
Just this week I sent two very long e-mails to a teacher because I thought there was some sort of crisis brewing at school that couldn't be ignored, but obviously that's the exception.
Two years ago one of my kids had an amazing teacher who e-mailed parents at least a couple of times a week with news or updates or clarifications about stuff going on in class (and her class was just out of this world awesome) and I think by and large the parents loved it. It was the best thing next to being a fly on the wall in the classroom.
Anonymous
11/23/2011 20:28
Subject: Re:sending email to teachers
I think email is a great way to communicate with teachers. I agree that it should used responsibly. The teachers I've emailed have typically been very responsive. I don't use it very often, though. And I've never actually called a teacher.
Anonymous
11/23/2011 15:57
Subject: sending email to teachers
Since the beginning of this school year, I have been emailing back and forth a couple of times a week with one of my children's teachers and we seemed to have a great rapport going.
Suddenly, about a week ago, she stopped responding. I feel now it was probably too much, but she never gave any hint (e.g. was always quick to respond, made in-depth comments and sometimes jokes, etc.).
I wish teachers would state their policies or feelings about e-mail clearly so this wasn't such a gray area for parents.
Suddenly, about a week ago, she stopped responding. I feel now it was probably too much, but she never gave any hint (e.g. was always quick to respond, made in-depth comments and sometimes jokes, etc.).
I wish teachers would state their policies or feelings about e-mail clearly so this wasn't such a gray area for parents.
Anonymous
11/23/2011 15:30
Subject: sending email to teachers
I'm a teacher married to a lawyer. I have to say, I hate email-- I feel like I have to very carefully word every tiny little detail lest a parent arrive with a lawyer to scrutinize our communication. Maybe I'm paranoid. 
That said, I find that if the phone were the only option, parents wouldn't contact me about things that are a waste of time, but with the beauty and facility of email, I get messages about how Suzy was up so late last night babysitting and just couldn't possibly do her homework and then this morning when she woke up to do it before school, the internet was down and the dog ate it and then the school bus had a flat tire...
If it's important, contact me by phone or by email. If it's so trivial that you wouldn't call me about it, then don't email it to me either. (or if it's a lame excuse that your child should be making to me herself, then please, allow her to have that experience.)
That said, I find that if the phone were the only option, parents wouldn't contact me about things that are a waste of time, but with the beauty and facility of email, I get messages about how Suzy was up so late last night babysitting and just couldn't possibly do her homework and then this morning when she woke up to do it before school, the internet was down and the dog ate it and then the school bus had a flat tire...
If it's important, contact me by phone or by email. If it's so trivial that you wouldn't call me about it, then don't email it to me either. (or if it's a lame excuse that your child should be making to me herself, then please, allow her to have that experience.)
Anonymous
11/07/2011 17:49
Subject: sending email to teachers
If it is about not understanding an assignment, and your kid is old enough to type, why can't you and your child send the email together? From your account if the child doesn't have one, but your child's email? Works for us.
Anonymous
11/07/2011 17:41
Subject: sending email to teachers
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:while your child will be the one who got frustrated without parental help, and who dropped out of high school to score weed in your basement with his buddies....Anonymous wrote:And you'll be the parent calling in college to find out why your little darling hasn't passed any classes. Kids have to learn to take responsibility, and a parent's constant intervention only prevents this.
No, mine developed a work ethic, got their work done without needing my assistance, took their lumps for not doing the work and managed to pass all their classes. Have served and are serving our country, raising wonderful children and completely independent. Great friends at this point and we all respect each other.
Most of the time I had no idea what their projects were unless they asked me for assistance. I never went to a back to school night, think I hit 3 teacher conferences after elementary school---MAJOR waste of everyone's time---and IIRC, the one time I actually signed a school paper the office called to see if it was forged. OTOH, my kids didn't hide anything from me, did not fear punishment, and did well in school of their own free will and volition, not because they were nagged.
Truthfully, most if not all of the things they teach kids in school are misguided or wrong. Certainly not needful for everyday life....and in VA, all they care about are test scores.
What posts like yours fail to realize is that not every kid is like yours. Some need -truly need- parental involvement. They develop differently.
But, I guess it's easier to paint every kids with the same brush and feel superior.
Anonymous
11/07/2011 08:30
Subject: sending email to teachers
Anonymous wrote:while your child will be the one who got frustrated without parental help, and who dropped out of high school to score weed in your basement with his buddies....Anonymous wrote:And you'll be the parent calling in college to find out why your little darling hasn't passed any classes. Kids have to learn to take responsibility, and a parent's constant intervention only prevents this.
No, mine developed a work ethic, got their work done without needing my assistance, took their lumps for not doing the work and managed to pass all their classes. Have served and are serving our country, raising wonderful children and completely independent. Great friends at this point and we all respect each other.
Most of the time I had no idea what their projects were unless they asked me for assistance. I never went to a back to school night, think I hit 3 teacher conferences after elementary school---MAJOR waste of everyone's time---and IIRC, the one time I actually signed a school paper the office called to see if it was forged. OTOH, my kids didn't hide anything from me, did not fear punishment, and did well in school of their own free will and volition, not because they were nagged.
Truthfully, most if not all of the things they teach kids in school are misguided or wrong. Certainly not needful for everyday life....and in VA, all they care about are test scores.