ModernMom: The Sound of Silence
They say “no news is good news,” but as far as my new kindergartener is concerned I don’t buy it. He’s now in the middle of his 3rd full week of school and I have yet to hear a peep from his teacher. My daughter, on the other hand, is in the toddler room at the child care center – she’s been there since she was an infant, and I still get a daily sheet that tells me (in great detail) about all of her bodily functions. My toddler’s teachers are gracious when I call them to check in on her day and full of details at pick-up.
Since there’s no daily sheet to speak of in kindergarten and I pick my son up from an after-school program, I’ve had to rely on him to tell me about his day’s experience. Here’s what I’ve learned thus far: they have strawberry milk in kindergarten. This, apparently, is the most exciting – or at least memorable – part of his day. I’m not sure I can wait until parent-teacher conferences to find out how my son is doing in his new school. One of my friends suggests that I volunteer in the classroom to get a sense of what’s going on; another says I should e-mail the teacher weekly. HELP! How can I narrow this information gap?
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4 comments:
I would think email would be the best way to go. My mom is a teacher and she sends and receives emails from parents to keep them up to date on their children's progress. This would allow the teacher to say everything that needs to be said and to give thought to the repsonse. Or you coudl arrange a meeting time with the teacher if you are not satisfied with the response, or just want some personal interaction.
I truly understand your frustrations. I have three kids, ages 13, 10, and soon to be 2.
I receive detailed progress reports on the oldest and the youngest, however I yet to hear from my fourth grader's teachers. I do send weekly emails. I have informed them that I am working full time and it is not always easy for me to come in but I am concerned about my child's education.
I too agree with you when you say you do not want to wait until progress reports to learn what your child is doing in school.
I understand that teachers have a lot on their plates, but the point in A COMMUNITY RAISING A CHILD, is to interact with all parties involved to insure that your child is productive.
Try the weekly emails, send notes with him to school, and call and leave messages with the front office for your child's teacher to call you back at the end of the day!
I wish you luck as well, and if something comes up in the future that works for me I will definetly send you the word!!!!
There are to many kids to write everyday of details. My son has a simple check off sheet. You can request that and add on your own "details".
Or start something like a web cam securty code in the activity room only parents to log in from your work.
good luck Debi
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When my oldest son transitioned from the toddler room in daycare to the full day preschool class, I had the exact same issue. As working moms, it's more important than ever that we're "plugged in" to what's happening with our kids on a daily basis. The preschool does not provide daily sheets like the toddler room at the daycare, so I have asked the preschool teacher her preference on how to communicate with me. Turns out - she wanted the phone calls! So perhaps you could ask the teacher what the preferred method of communication would be and work something out. Good Luck!
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