Doest the school get $$$ if they fulfill the parent involvement thing?
Ie wont they lose out a bit of funding if lots of parents stopped helping?
It would be in your chhild and schools best intersts if the teachers knew you were willing to do more, just have a freindly chat, i didnt mean to sound 'activiist' that will backfire on you every time if you take an us vs them approach. I meant more like, let the teachers or admin know you want to do more, and if they are unwlling to let you do purposeful work, then at least they will know why you stopped coming (and they will be forewarned they will lose $$), and you will have given them a chance to fulfill their stars. Good luck!
It takes an enormous leap of faith to expect the people who caused our problems to solve our problems. - unknown author
"Sounds like the teacher is giving parents busy work in order to fill the score card for parent involvement. This rings a chord in other areas of public education, but lots can be done if parents come together and try to effect change without having to change policy that has a good intent. "
That sums it up. In each of my child's 4 years of public school this has happened, through 2 schools. The recent incident is my sign to get out of the classroom. It would be very stressful on me to take an activist approach to this. I tread lightly, help as best I can, then get out of the way. FYI, my son is in a very compact portable and I always leave the classrom to go to a small art workroom.
Our teacher requested room volunteers and a room mom (me, again) in August. By October, the guidance office was asking for parents to tutor children. At that point I was over committed (PTO chair, as well). The teacher keeps volunteers separated, never 2 on same day. By accident a mom who alternates volunteer day with me arrived on my day - our perceptions were in agreement.
Mitigating circumstances: FCAT week next month, school enrollment is over 1000, lots of parents really want to help and must be given something.
If we're helping in the classroom we cannot do the work for the child. We can help them but not do it for them.
We help them glue, tape, etc but we have never done it for them. I would check with the principal on this one. Is the same for all classes or just this one over compulsive teacher. LOL
Cindy
Cindy<br />
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<br>____________________________________________<br />
<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
We only do things like testing,tutor in reading, writing,etc. and on occassion busy work like copy machine stuff for lesson prep. I think I would decline volunteering if my time were reduced to doing crafts FOR the kids.
Sounds like the teacher is giving parents busy work in order to fill the score card for parent involvement. This rings a chord in other areas of public education, but lots can be done if parents come together and try to effect change without having to change policy that has a good intent.
Make your wishes known to the teacher and if they cant give you more meaningful work, then they probably dont need you in the classroom at all. Also, surely that busy work must be a distraction to the kids trying to learn. And if the teahcers dont have a good ear, there is always theprincipal, superint. , or go to BOE meetings and voice your concern.
Good luck.
Be the change you wish to see in the world." Ghandi
At my son's k-8 school, parents were heavily involved in PTO work but limited our presence in the classrooms to what each individual teacher requested of their parents. Some liked lots of parents helping while others prefered to limit it to the occasional room party. If parents are in the room, we do similar projects to LUV's school, assisting the teachers and enhancing the learning environment.
I agree with you that kids should still be doing the fun things that make the classroom/school their own environment. It's where they spend a large portion of their time and they should see their work on the walls. My favorite thing to do at my school is walk down the k-3 hallway and see all of the bright, fun, colorful work of those kids - on the walls, stuck to the windows and lockers, hanging from the ceilings! It lifts any doom, gloom and stress I might be feeling that day!
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
First of all - That is a wonderful quote. Thank you, unregistered.
Secondly - to LUVMYKIDS: I'll take that challenge and start my research right here.
Who among us is cutting snowflakes? Are you performing classroom tasks that were a student reward back in the day?
