My Child Is In Kindergarten, Am I Over Reacting? And What Should Be My Next Steps?
I am a pre-k teacher. I placed my daughter in a new school with a new program, new technology in every classroom, new everything. Including the adminstration,which I did not know was a new principal with <3 years experience. My issues are the following:
1. She was coming home with 8-12 worksheets per day that she had already done in school,
2. she told me a teacher read a story that discussed beer and showed it
3. I watched one of her teachers repeatedly play a CD that drilled the alphabet while the children sat there and pointed to each letter ad went through the alphabet about 7 times
4. I was asked for money to join the PTA and when I called said it was NOT the national PTA, rather a fund raiser- but it was not stated in the letter.
5. One of the teachers (who was drilling the alphabet) was kind of rude to me when I had a question about the amount of worksheets.
6. The principal does not seem to know what’s going on.
Her English teacher was very understadning of my concerns and explained their schedule, daily routine, etc. The Spanish Teacher gave me an attitude and talked about her students like they were dumb- She said “These kids are way behind, its like teaching pre-k”. (of course I took offense b/c I teach pre-k) I got an impression like sheknows what she’s doing and why I question her which was later confirmed by another teacher I know who knows her.
I e-mailed the principal about the “beer” and she said she’d look into it and never got back to me. I also asked about the PTA because my daughter goes to the school, they have to let me know about workshops, fundraisers, etc., even if I don’t pay. The letter stated it was a fee, the principal stated it was a fundraiser.
Everytime I call the school, the secrtary seems to know more of what’s going on thanthe principal. My daughter knows how to read and I do not feel she should be sitting in a class where they drill the alphabet endlessly. She has known her letters, numbers, etc, and how to write her name since age 3. But on the other hand, I like the fact that she’s learning both languages and her English teacher has a real handle on things. The Spanish teacher is very experienced. She also shared confidential informaiton with me about a student in her class who I said I knew. Even if I know him, she is not supposed to tell me any of his confidential record info. So I kind of wanted to take my daughter out of the school and/or talk to the principal, but at the same time, since I am a teacher in the same district I don’t want it toseem like I’m telling her how to run her school or supervise her teachers.
Am I over reacting? or do I wait it out this year and see what happens nxt?
You’re in a bind…especially if you’re both in the same School Division. However, stand-up and take the bull by the horns.
Write everything out that you feel is a concern, and give it to the Principal, and inform her that if you do not see improvement in each of these items, you will be taking your concerns to the School Board. Highlight the records issue on the list, and inform the Principal that you WILL be bringing this up with the School Board. Unless you have a signed waiver from the child’s parents, you should NOT have access to record that you have no legitimate need for.
Where I live, that can be classified as a CRIMINAL offence, and that Teacher, in addition to being fired, could be sued (by the parent of the other child)/fined/or, theoretically, jailed!
As for the fee/fund raiser, talk to the people that sent the letter, and if they tell you it is a “Membership Fee” sit them down with the relevant bylaw/law indicating that PTA is Voluntary, and can not charge a fee to a parent.
Good Luck!