Tracey Said:

My child is in kindergarten, am I over reacting? and what should be my next steps?

We Answered:

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!

Leo Said:

My child is in kindergarten & I have some concerns?

We Answered:

First, there's probably nothing wrong with him. He is only 5 and in Kindergarten. He sounds like he really likes to socialize and the teacher most likely told him that if his work wasn't finished in class he would have to take it home and do it. It may sound harsh but that teacher is setting his/her expectations right from the beginning so that your son and other students in the class know what is expected of them. This is actually good for your son because this is an expectation that all teachers will have for him throughout his schooling experience. I'm assuming that he has only been in school for a few weeks and it will take some kids until February or even longer to follow the expectations set out in class. Be consistent with him- if he is expected to finish the work at home, then he has to finish it before he can be rewarded with TV or video game time. Give him a few more weeks and he may settle down a little bit- he's probably very excited!

Wesley Said:

What would you do.....?

We Answered:

There is not much you can do, because a teacher job only goes so far. it is also up to the parent to help with the child school work and dicipline at home. And the child knows wat she can get away wit because her mommy is nt going to dicipline her. you need to really sit down wit the mother and have a talk with her and let her know that it is not a joking matter you just can't laugh it off. also let her know that it will effect her childs skills and work efforts in the future.

Jeff Said:

~HELP~ Homeschooling a kindergartener!?

We Answered:

In K the kids should learn their letters and start working on writing them; know how to write their numbers to 10 and learn to count to 50-100 out loud (number songs and games help with this a lot); differentiate between more and less (which box has more cars in it?) and bigger and smaller (which pillow is bigger? Which is biggest?). They should learn colors, painting is a fun way to do this...you can mix and have fun with so many colors! Read library books with him, talk about why things happen on a simple level and point as you read so he can start to figure out that letters come together to make words. A lot of K is just discovery, singing, painting, and playing; these skills should prep him pretty well for first grade. (As far as time telling skills - these are generally too abstract below first or second grade. Many boards of ed are requiring them now in an attempt to "get ahead", but honestly, most kids below 7 or 8 just plain don't have the abstract thinking to grasp them yet.)