Strike #1 for the ps

[FairProspects]

Like many of you, DH is not particularly enthusiastic about hsling. In order to better convince him, I agreed to observe a class (or let him observe) at our neighborhood school. When I called today to speak with the school (I was humble and polite I might add, and emphasized I was a parent of a school-aged child within their boundaries) and ask to observe a class, I was turned down flat. I asked a second time, saying that I was merely wanting to observe to make the best educational choices for my child, and I was told I could not.

 

I'm pretty incensed that as a tax-payer in a school district with another levy currently on the ballot, they will not even let me in the school to check it out for my child. They are certainly making this decision easier for me!! (Although, I'm not sure DH will see it that way yet.)

[plain jane]

I wonder if there would be liability issues with allowing just anybody to observe a classroom. I know some schools allow parent helpers to join the class for a day, but those are parents with students already in that class. I don't have any of my dc in PS, but if I did, I know that *I* would be extremely uncomfortable with the idea of just anybody being allowed into the classroom that my child was in. It would probably lead to reason #392 that I homeschool. ;)

 

ETA: I'm sorry that your idea to convince dh isn't working out. It probably could have worked strongly in your favor for your dh to see what actually gets done on an average day in an average school.

[Mrs Mungo]

I think it would be a terrible idea to allow random adults into a classroom.

[Amy loves Bud]

Really? They do this at private schools all the time.

[Chris in VA]

I asked to observe, too--but first I asked to meet the teacher when the kids weren't there. I talked with several teachers at dd's elementary school--at their convenience and with the full knowledge of the principal.

Only after that meeting was I comfortable asking to observe, and they told me I could bring dd, too.

I decided not to do that, but it was offered.

[Murphy101]

Yes of course not bc only teachers can be trusted around our kids.

You could be a really scary dangerous lawsuit in the making.

:rolleyes:

 

I've always held the opinion that if the place is so dangerous that it needs metal detectors and security to be safe then it is too dangerous a place for children.

[missmoe]

Some districts have a specific week that the public is invited to come and observe/tour the school. Perhaps you should ask at the district level if something like that is available to you.

[Jill- OK]

I think it would be a terrible idea to allow random adults into a classroom.

 

...but someone who has a child that might be going there?

 

That seems weird to me.

 

As someone else said, if private schools can allow prospective parents to observe...why would it be such a big deal at a public school?

[Mrs Mungo]

...but someone who has a child that might be going there?

 

That seems weird to me.

 

As someone else said, if private schools can allow prospective parents to observe...why would it be such a big deal at a public school?

 

There are plenty of people with kids of their own who I wouldn't want anywhere near my kid. You can't be a janitor at a school without a background check. There are people with kids who have addictions, who have criminal records. You can't just let them in a classroom.

 

One assumes that most private schools are smaller and the environment is therefore easier to control.

[rwjx2khsmj]

Maybe rather than asking to observe, you could ask for some time with the principal or guidance counselor and a guided tour? We did that at several of the schools in our area before we moved here.

[FairProspects]

I get that it could be a problem to have random people in, but the school has various visitors check-in at the front desk all the time, and all the private schools in the area allow observation. I should also point out that as a certified teacher in the state, I have my fingerprints and background check on file on their ESD computers already (as does DH as a state Mental Health Provider).

 

They don't even have an observation week, but there is an evening parent meeting. I may go to that and see if I can talk to someone about observing after it. I also contacted some teachers I know to see if I can work something out. It seems like they should have some sort of way to allow parents to see what is going on?

[ELaurie]

The cited "student confidentiality" as the reason.

 

 

:confused:

[secular_mom]

Honestly, if you can't stand being told 'no' about observing a class then I truly doubt that you'd be a good fit for being a 'public school' mom. KWIM? *I* am not a good 'public school' mom, I can NOT stand all the hoops they have students and families jumping through. It's just not a good fit for us. Ask your hubby if he wants to hear your ranting about whatever latest ridiculous hoop the school has thrown at you weekly/daily. That may change his mind :D

[NorthwestMom]

It's not about being secretive, it's about safety. Schools have had to respond to a lot of modern safety problems such as noncustodial abductions, fighting, drug sales, and of course, school shootings. Many schools require volunteers in the classroom to be background-checked. In my opinion, it is not a bad thing to be protective of the safety and privacy of the students.

 

Just because you pay taxes doesn't give you instant access. You pay taxes for hospitals, too, yet you cannot demand to observe people receiving medical care in the ER.

[Jen500]

Public schools in our district require a background check for all volunteers/chaperones/observers. I think it's a good idea....I really wouldn't want a known child molester sitting in on my child's class. Child molesters can be parents, too.

[FairProspects]

It's not about being secretive, it's about safety. Schools have had to respond to a lot of modern safety problems such as noncustodial abductions, fighting, drug sales, and of course, school shootings. Many schools require volunteers in the classroom to be background-checked. In my opinion, it is not a bad thing to be protective of the safety and privacy of the students.

 

But I am background checked! By the same system that does their teachers! I have school-clearance as I was on several substitute lists! That's the kicker to me!

Edited January 6, 2010 by FairProspects

[secular_mom]

I'm pretty sure my local school would have a wanted poster with my picture on it if I had a student there.

 

:lol: My youngest 3 attended public school for a while this year. Let's just say, it was about to that point. You could hear the eyes of the office folks rolling around in their skulls when they saw me walk into the building.

[Excelsior! Academy]

When my dc were in ps I was listed as staff even though I had never worked there. :lol:

Edited January 6, 2010 by Excelsior! Academy
To make a complete sentence. :)

[WeeBeaks]

Ok, I personally think it is strange. Here is why - My middle child had speech therapy at age 3 through the PS. I brought him there, signed in at the office (no ID required), got a guest sticker and took him to his class. And waited for an hour, wandering halls or whatever. I had no escort, no restrictions. I could have been anyone! So it would be strange for me to then be told I couldn't observe a class, at least from the door or some unobtrusive spot. In fact, since his class was next to another one (older grade), I did "observe" simply by coincidence. So maybe our schools here are really lax, I don't know.

 

I do have a serious problem with parents and community, with appropriate supervision/escort/ID, not being allowed in a classroom. I would make a lousy PS mom for sure. I feel that the complete lack of community/parental oversight of schools is part of our problem. Of course, I was just reading a few weeks ago that in the LA County schools the teachers there are given tenure with no observation or only their superior in their classroom for 5-15 minutes ONCE to observe them. As a prior supervisor of many employees, that made my hair stand on end. And these are the people we put in charge of our children?! Sorry, mini rant there. I'm not using PS, but so many of my friends' kids are in PS and I really feel for their education or lack thereof.

[babysparkler]

Honestly, if you can't stand being told 'no' about observing a class then I truly doubt that you'd be a good fit for being a 'public school' mom. KWIM? *I* am not a good 'public school' mom, I can NOT stand all the hoops they have students and families jumping through. It's just not a good fit for us. Ask your hubby if he wants to hear your ranting about whatever latest ridiculous hoop the school has thrown at you weekly/daily. That may change his mind :D

 

LOL... I think that is what ultimately changed my dh's mind. I think he just got plain tired of hearing my ranting about ps when our dc were attending. :lol: I am not cut out to be a "public school mom"... despite the fact that I was a public school teacher, on the PTA, etc... it just didn't work for me.

[babysparkler]

But I am background checked! By the same system that does their teachers! I have school-clearance as I was on several substitute lists! That's the kicker to me!

 

Could you sub a day? That would give you a great picture of what goes on there ;)

[SonshineLearner]

This is exactly what I did before I sent my daughter to school. Of course, I had two older steps that went there. I think if you wanted to do that, meeting the principal before you ask might help. I actually wanted to choose what teachers my children... did not have. Who they ended up with, after the ones I crossed off... was fine:-)

 

Carrie

[grace'smom]

Like many of you, DH is not particularly enthusiastic about hsling. In order to better convince him, I agreed to observe a class (or let him observe) at our neighborhood school. When I called today to speak with the school (I was humble and polite I might add, and emphasized I was a parent of a school-aged child within their boundaries) and ask to observe a class, I was turned down flat. I asked a second time, saying that I was merely wanting to observe to make the best educational choices for my child, and I was told I could not.

 

I'm pretty incensed that as a tax-payer in a school district with another levy currently on the ballot, they will not even let me in the school to check it out for my child. They are certainly making this decision easier for me!! (Although, I'm not sure DH will see it that way yet.)

 

You must live in my neighborhood, b/c that's exactly what they said to me. And my neighbors- although they also told her that they had 24 kids per one teacher and no aides unless a parent volunteered, and they were cutting art and music next year :lol:

[Sarah CB]

Like many of you, DH is not particularly enthusiastic about hsling. In order to better convince him, I agreed to observe a class (or let him observe) at our neighborhood school. When I called today to speak with the school (I was humble and polite I might add, and emphasized I was a parent of a school-aged child within their boundaries) and ask to observe a class, I was turned down flat. I asked a second time, saying that I was merely wanting to observe to make the best educational choices for my child, and I was told I could not.

 

I'm pretty incensed that as a tax-payer in a school district with another levy currently on the ballot, they will not even let me in the school to check it out for my child. They are certainly making this decision easier for me!! (Although, I'm not sure DH will see it that way yet.)

 

I did this when we moved to England. Dd (5 at the time) and I were taken on a tour of the school by the Headmistress. We spent about 10 minutes in each grade of the school (I think it was Reception to Year 3 or somewhere around there) and also saw the outside playing area. It was very informative and they were really nice. Dd and I both decided against school attendance.

[Mynyel]

I'm pretty sure my local school would have a wanted poster with my picture on it if I had a student there.

 

I pulled my daughter out before that point...:D

 

The school she used to go to (and she never wants to look at a public school again) had a sign up says "You cannot pick up your child after 2:15". Granted school was out at 2:30 but excuse me I will pick up my child when I want to tyvm! :tongue_smilie:

[KristenS]

I'd be a bad PS mom too... I'd want to be involved all the time, but I would NOT want other strange people in my kids' classrooms. :) Then again, I hear too many horror stories about strangers.

 

They really do have confidentiality laws to follow. Even as a student teacher, I wasn't allowed to photo or video my teaching without written consent from *every* student's parents. Needless to say, with the return rate on signed papers, I never did finish that video requirement ... had to do it in another class. Sigh. Maybe this school just wants to make sure no one is randomly targeting students ... what with cell phone cameras and all, it can be tricky protecting privacy.

 

That said, I know our neighborhood school does (used to? not sure) a community day in the fall, where they basically have a mini carnival, and everyone is welcome to attend. It might be a way to meet some of the teachers, maybe volunteer for some events or something, and then they'd know you and you could observe.

 

Or volunteer to tutor. That's sure one way to see what's being taught in the classroom!

[mhaddon]

Subbing in the school your DC would go to is a great way to get an insiders view :) I have subbed at the school my DC would go to, I have also done field experiences for teaching. I know all the teachers, the principal, and how the school is ran. I've also had firsthand views of lesson planning, books used, etc. This has helped make my decision easier. Many of the teachers I would have allowed my DC to go to retired last year so that made the choice even easier. My main reason lies in the fact that at our school the principal is one of the worst I have ever meet and all the teachers I did like that retired hated her as well :(

 

If you are on the sub list, have a background check, and would be registering kids in that school that is odd... You would have more access to student information by going into the classroom as a sub :confused:

[tex-mex]

I think it would be a terrible idea to allow random adults into a classroom.

 

When I taught full time... (mid 80's to 2000) it was common to have a interested parent come in and observe. But since 9/11, schools are now leery of letting any "joe" come in to observe. It is hard to come in and observe your own kid's classroom! ;)

 

I agree on the subbing idea. Did that for years and trust me, it is a QUICK way to see the status of the educational system in your neighborhood. And in most school districts, being on a sub list and being background checked is not a "green" light for gaining access to the school. The ladies in the front office are the "watchguards" -- they work on a different priniciple and do not have access to the list of who is a sub or whatever. The reason they are so strict is because it is their job if they allow some stranger access to kids and trouble happens. Lawsuit. Don't be offended. Just try a different tack of getting in. Ask a teacher for an invite or get a tour with the Principal.

Edited January 6, 2010 by tex-mex

[Amy loves Bud]

Honestly, if you can't stand being told 'no' about observing a class then I truly doubt that you'd be a good fit for being a 'public school' mom. KWIM? *I* am not a good 'public school' mom, I can NOT stand all the hoops they have students and families jumping through. It's just not a good fit for us. Ask your hubby if he wants to hear your ranting about whatever latest ridiculous hoop the school has thrown at you weekly/daily. That may change his mind :D

 

This is an excellent point.

[Peek a Boo]

just go wait in the pick up/drop off line after/before school and listen to the comments. Or attend a PTA meeting or middle/high school sports game and WATCH.

 

My oldest was going door to door last summer and came upon a highschool party [he recognized all the school jackets]. He was not impressed.

[kalanamak]

 

I'm pretty incensed that as a tax-payer in a school district with another levy currently on the ballot, they will not even let me in the school to check it out for my child. They are certainly making this decision easier for me!! (Although, I'm not sure DH will see it that way yet.)

 

For all they know, you are a private eye working for the estranged spouse gearing up for custody battle or a kid-napping.

[Janet in WA]

 

LOL... I think that is what ultimately changed my dh's mind. I think he just got plain tired of hearing my ranting about ps when our dc were attending.

Even my ranting didn't change my dh's mind. You know what did? I finally told him that if he wanted our sons in ps, HE was going to deal with the problems. After his FIRST visit to the school to deal with a problem (met with the principal), he came home and told me to go ahead and proceed with plans to homeschool.

[Jill- OK]

There are plenty of people with kids of their own who I wouldn't want anywhere near my kid.

 

...aren't who we're talking about.

 

We're talking about parents of future students.

 

Plenty of people have access to your children, if they're in a public school...I'm just saying that I think it's silly to exclude parents with a vested interest.

 

Sure, you have to undergo a background check to work as a janitor, but surely I'm not telling anyone anything when I say that background checks only tell what you've been caught doing, lol. Just read any paper to see what folks who have been given the green light (checked out, authorized) to be in a school have done, once they're there.

 

If someone's willing to undergo the visitor checkpoint, and any other requirements for volunteers, then I don't see what the problem is. No one here says anything about parents volunteering, after children start attending school...does something magical happen once the kids are there? She'd be the same person before, that she would be after enrollment...she'd just know exactly what she was getting herself--and her child--into.

 

That's all I'm saying.

 

Personal opinon. :D

[Jill- OK]

...have you asked about observation practices for parents whose children are students?

 

I'd be curious to know what those are, too.

[Mrs Mungo]

...aren't who we're talking about.

 

We're talking about parents of future students.

 

Plenty of people have access to your children, if they're in a public school...I'm just saying that I think it's silly to exclude parents with a vested interest.

 

Sure, you have to undergo a background check to work as a janitor, but surely I'm not telling anyone anything when I say that background checks only tell what you've been caught doing, lol. Just read any paper to see what folks who have been given the green light (checked out, authorized) to be in a school have done, once they're there.

 

If someone's willing to undergo the visitor checkpoint, and any other requirements for volunteers, then I don't see what the problem is. No one here says anything about parents volunteering, after children start attending school...does something magical happen once the kids are there? She'd be the same person before, that she would be after enrollment...she'd just know exactly what she was getting herself--and her child--into.

 

That's all I'm saying.

 

Personal opinon. :D

 

Nothing was said in the OP about undergoing background check, etc as required for volunteers. If volunteers and observers were willing to pay for a background check and the school had the means to escort visitors, I would be fine with it. As far as volunteers in the classroom, I'm sure the teacher has a great deal of control there in who may or may not volunteer in his/her classroom.

[Jenny in GA]

I remember years ago when I was going to work as a substitute teacher, you had to observe a classroom in their district before your application would be complete.

 

In the district I worked at, you have to observe for one hour.

 

In another nearby district, you had to sit in a classroom all day before you were allowed to be a substitute.

 

I remember thinking that was really aggravating. Like I'd never been in a classroom before? (Not to mention I had done student teaching and had a teaching certificate!)

 

I have to spend another full day sitting through classes before they would let me be a substitute??

 

Anyway, I just assumed a parent would be able to observe ... but I guess the difference is we had to get background checks as part of the application process.