Good Bye School Year!

2011-2012 School year is finally over. I am happy the school year is behind us. My daughter was in the 5th Grade and my son was in the 2nd Grade. Both have passed and will be moving on to the next grade. I am grateful to the teachers that had my children and to the wonderful staff at their school. Their job is not easy and I have seen how it can take a toll on them.

Like I said, we had some good teachers but we also had some teachers that I was not overly impressed with. As a parent it is my DUTY to be supportive of my children's education and to do what I can to assist them in their learning adventure. I wish more parents would think the same way. I honestly believe that the teachers today are overwhelmed, overworked and stressed. With public schools constantly being hit with budget cuts, I couldn't even begin to fathom what it would be like to go to work everyday wondering if you were going to be laid off.

Each school year my children and I visit each class a few days before classes start to meet with the teacher and to introduce ourselves. At this time, I like to give the teacher's my phone number and email info and I always ask for them to contact me if my child is acting up or if there is anything and I mean anything going on that I need to be aware of. These are my children and I want to be supportive of my children and their teachers. Not to mention that I know my children are no angels, they are kids. I want the teachers to know that I am a very, very, very involved parent. I usually get a "thank you", a "I wish I had more parents like you" comment and the "Of course I will keep you informed of what is going on".

So what happens.....? It has been very rare that a teacher would contact me. Does that mean that everything is perfect? Heck no. I generally am contacting the teacher to find out what is going on. By the time that I sense there is an issue, it can be hard to get a handle on it. I wish I had an answer to why the teachers don't get more in touch with the parents. Both of my children had some issues academically and once I really began to stand my ground did I feel that my voice was being heard.

This past school year has taken a toll on our family emotionally. Both of my kids were harassed and bullied at school. I am thankful that I have a great relationship with my kids and they feel comfortable talking to us about any issues that they have. If it wasn't for my kids telling me what was going on, my husband I would have never known. I spent more time in the Principal's office this year than I think I ever did as a child. For the most part I was happy with the resolutions but there were a few that left a bad taste in my mouth. It is hard to have faith and believe in a system when you are often left wondering WTH!

Until next year.

This is the first in a series of posting to come regarding Children and Education. I am not an expert, just a parent trying to do my part.