Anonymous
02/21/2012 06:45
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
I don't even know which group my child is in and I have had extensive conversations with the teachers about her reading. I can only assume it's not the highest. I do know she's in the highest in math, but found out from another parent (you know the ones that volunteer in class and know way too much about other people's kids).
<Snort> Classroom volunteer speaking here. I didn't realize it was a problem that I attempt to help your child in class.
Do you really think volunteers do unpaid work so they can gossip about other people's kids?
YES!! Many do in my kid's school. I know for a fact they get more information from the teacher and they gossip about everyone's kids. At least the SAHMs who are at the school a lot.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 23:15
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
I volunteer in my kids' school - it NEVER occured to me that I would gain access to other kids' reading or math levels. Truly, who cares? I go because I enjoy working with kids. I like seeing my child and her friends. And I like helping out. I have never heard any parent volunteers discussing other kids' behavior or abilities. If that happens, it's news to me.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 21:02
Subject: Re:Smart kids in Kindergarten
my son is in a private elementary school and not many of the kids were reading in kindergarten. private does not necessarily mean the kids are more advanced....
Anonymous
02/20/2012 20:49
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Not it is not unusual for k as in fcps thru have the assistant in class and now a full day, at least in our school. Our k classroom only needs volunteers for parties and art. 1st grade definitely needs volunteers since they lose the assistant and the classes are huge.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 18:58
Subject: Re:Smart kids in Kindergarten
My son's k teacher does not have volunteers in the class, only art class or computer lab, is this unusual?
Anonymous
02/20/2012 17:06
Subject: Re:Smart kids in Kindergarten
I don't think there are as many volunteers at the second grade level. If people are going to gossip they will do this whether they have volunteered or not.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 16:12
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
PP, I truly believe that you probably don't volunteer to snoop, but trust me, there are parents that do. Just wait until second grade when the AAP admission process starts. You'll hear all of the parent volunteer gossip about who gets in and whether in the gossip mothers' opinions those children are deserving or not. If you don't believe me, check out some of the AAP threads were parents refer to others' children as "dim bulbs" and the like. Some parents are nasty. I'm glad you are not one of them.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 14:35
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Anonymous wrote:PP, some of us can't volunteer in the classroom. We do not have flexible jobs. We volunteer in the evenings and on the weekends, though.
14:12, that's why I mentioned the cookie baking, fun runs, etc. All of those are weekend or evening activities. I made the remark I did because, although I volunteer in the classroom, I also get called on for every other job under the sun, and it would be nice to share the load. I'm glad you fit in volunteer time when you can. It is not easy for ANY of us. My house is a wreck, I have no personal time, and we could probably use another FT salary. However, I choose to make this a priority as long as my kids are in elementary school.
If anyone really does volunteer so she can snoop in the gradebook, please admit it. This is an anonymous forum, after all.
If there are no replies, I hope we can put this idea to rest.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 14:12
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
PP, some of us can't volunteer in the classroom. We do not have flexible jobs. We volunteer in the evenings and on the weekends, though.
I have to say that this comment by 10:04 is incredibly bitch and ignorant:
If you REALLY don't want any parent to work with your child, your best course of action is to make sure your child is far above the benchmarks and then we volunteers probably won't ever see your child. If you do the work at home, the teacher won't need us volunteer to make up for it at school.
There are some kids (not necessarily mine) who just cannot make the benchmarks. That does not mean their parents are not working with them at home. 10:04 thinks she's all that and a bag of chips because she happens to have a high performing child and she is apparently fortunate enough to either stay home or work in a flexible job. Hopefully, my child can teach hers empathy because she will clearly not be able to do so.
I have to say that this comment by 10:04 is incredibly bitch and ignorant:
If you REALLY don't want any parent to work with your child, your best course of action is to make sure your child is far above the benchmarks and then we volunteers probably won't ever see your child. If you do the work at home, the teacher won't need us volunteer to make up for it at school.
There are some kids (not necessarily mine) who just cannot make the benchmarks. That does not mean their parents are not working with them at home. 10:04 thinks she's all that and a bag of chips because she happens to have a high performing child and she is apparently fortunate enough to either stay home or work in a flexible job. Hopefully, my child can teach hers empathy because she will clearly not be able to do so.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 10:40
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I appreciate all the volunteer parents in my dc's class but of course some of them are doing it at least in part to be able to measure how their own child stacks up.
I really doubt this. Yes, if you volunteer you can see how most of the kids are doing.... but only in the subject you are helping with. Trust me, it's not worth my time volunteering each week just to know where your kid measures compares to mine. People who volunteer generally do it b/c they (a) want to be involved in the school community, (b) want to reduce the teacher's burden so that she can do her job better, and/or (c) want to make sure their own child gets a better classroom experience.
(c) -- does not mean that I'm trying to teach my own child in school, it means that I'm helping the lower performers so that they aren't disrupting the class or so that the teacher has time to meet with my child once in awhile rather than spending a disproportionate amount of time with kids who aren't meeting the benchmark. My kid gets only indirect benefit from me volunteering, but s/he takes pride in showing off his/her parent. And, BTW, the other kids seem to be begging for me (or volunteer) to give them one-on-one attention.
If you REALLY don't want any parent to work with your child, your best course of action is to make sure your child is far above the benchmarks and then we volunteers probably won't ever see your child. If you do the work at home, the teacher won't need us volunteer to make up for it at school.
I could not have said it better. I literally don't even see one of my children when I help out with his class; I'm in another room with the ESL readers.
Also, you will notice that classroom volunteers are the same schlubs who bake the cupcakes, set up the school dances, stand in the rain during fun runs, etc.--all activities that have nothing to do with your child's report card. Clearly they are there because they care about the school.
Actually, instead of my trying to convince you, why don't you volunteer an hour or so a week and see for yourself how it works? I work from home when I'm not in the classroom, and I'd love it if the school stopped calling ME every time they need an extra set of hands.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 10:04
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Anonymous wrote:I appreciate all the volunteer parents in my dc's class but of course some of them are doing it at least in part to be able to measure how their own child stacks up.
I really doubt this. Yes, if you volunteer you can see how most of the kids are doing.... but only in the subject you are helping with. Trust me, it's not worth my time volunteering each week just to know where your kid measures compares to mine. People who volunteer generally do it b/c they (a) want to be involved in the school community, (b) want to reduce the teacher's burden so that she can do her job better, and/or (c) want to make sure their own child gets a better classroom experience.
(c) -- does not mean that I'm trying to teach my own child in school, it means that I'm helping the lower performers so that they aren't disrupting the class or so that the teacher has time to meet with my child once in awhile rather than spending a disproportionate amount of time with kids who aren't meeting the benchmark. My kid gets only indirect benefit from me volunteering, but s/he takes pride in showing off his/her parent. And, BTW, the other kids seem to be begging for me (or volunteer) to give them one-on-one attention.
If you REALLY don't want any parent to work with your child, your best course of action is to make sure your child is far above the benchmarks and then we volunteers probably won't ever see your child. If you do the work at home, the teacher won't need us volunteer to make up for it at school.
Anonymous
02/20/2012 09:00
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
I appreciate all the volunteer parents in my dc's class but of course some of them are doing it at least in part to be able to measure how their own child stacks up.
Anonymous
02/19/2012 23:48
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Anonymous wrote:Yes, PP. I do. I think parents should only be allowed to volunteer in a classroom on a different grade level than their own children, except for field trips and parties -- I'm talking about the regular academic type of volunteering. Other parents should not be giving my child spelling tests, going over sight words with my child or reading with my child. You should not know my child's academic status. Sorry. I'd be willing to pay more taxes to actually hire professionals. I truly believe parents have no business in the classrooms on a regular basis.
Um...like I care about your kid's grades? What is the basis for your insecurity, anyway?
In the meantime, please notify your child's teacher of your desires so I can focus on the other 29 kids who have their hands up.
Anonymous
02/19/2012 22:29
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
Don't know if you saw the other thread, but apparently there are throngs of kids in K who have completed the Harry Potter series.
Anonymous
02/19/2012 21:44
Subject: Smart kids in Kindergarten
OP here. So getting back to the question that I first asked. It sounds like my son will be fine in K. Thanks for the positive comments. If there are any other positive or negative Kindergarten experiences at the public school please share. thank you