Parental Participation Schools

[kahlanne]

Just curious, do you think when public/private schools ask for parental participation that they actually want it or just when/how the want it?

When I went to my dd's highschool orientation, each class that they took us to, 5 total, went over the importance of parental participation whether it be with fundraising, volunteering, helping your child with homework, keeping in touch with teachers, etc. They also covered the part about a student is a better student if a parent spends time with child, eats dinner with child, goes to child's activities/church. Over and over again this is repeated. However when a parent such as myself questions an assignment such as Angela's Ashes for 9th grade honor's english, they aren't exactly pleased. Back when my child entered 6th grade, the teacher sent home a note stating that dd would not get credit for work without her given name rather than her nickname. (Celena is her given name but she goes by CC) Said teacher calls her by CC in class and according to the role book she has CC listed which I found out when questioning her. Basically, she said she doesn't like nicknames and it is her class, her rules. Shortly after our discussion, the teacher was fired for a separate issue. Lastly, at orientation they went over the fact that no longer can children miss 14 unexcused days from school having only 5 unexcused days currently. According to staff, it is due to parents taking their children on vacations during the year. I guess I can understand that this could complicate things slightly but enough to eliminate that many days? Am I the only one that thinks that the parents that are willing to take a vacation with their children are also the same parent that is taking an interest in their children? Wouldn't these same parents more than likely make sure that their children make up all their work even asking for it in advance if possible? It isn't like the child is "skipping" school during this time and they did stress spending lots of time with child means a better student.

 

Just thought I would toss this out there to get other POVs. We have never taken a school time vacation since she went into public school but I don't see it as such a negative either. The fact that the school tells me I can't almost makes me want to plan a vacation. Yes, I am bad! :sneaky2:

[Lara in Colo]

IMO (which I got in trouble with the school for) This is my child. I can remove him/her whenever I want, no reason needed. As long as the assignments are done and the child is testing well, all should be OK.

[kahlanne]

I agree with you completely and it keeps me in trouble. LOL.

[Dobela]

As a former public school teacher I can tell you there are many "clueless and not very interested in schooling of their children" parents. I can also tell you about several who would take their children on vacations just because it was cheaper that week - not because they were more interested in their child's education. Or get doctor notes so the impromptu Caribbean vacation would be excused. So no, those same parents would not be asking for homework in advance. The ones I worked with actually tried to get the amount of make-up reduced due to the hassle of actually doing it. So the rule was made because some parents really don't give a flying flip.

 

I know this isn't always the case though. I have a friend in a very small rural community. They often will take her children out of school so they can travel with their dad on business trips. Because the school is small everyone knows everyone, they do make exceptions for her. But she is also a parent that asks for homework in advance and all that.