School System Questions

[Teacher1958]

The policy in my school district is to give all parents 24 hours notice before a celebration of any kind.... I am able to do what I do because of that policy Not trying to start a fight here just offering suggestions.

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At our school, we tread really lightly around our parents. They've failed numerous levies and can get upset about the most minor things. One time someone wrote a letter to the paper saying that she had seen lots of new cars in our parking lot, so obviously the teachers didn't need a raise. A favorite gripe is that our superintendent doesn't live in our district (I have NO idea where the superintendent of my son's school district lives and I don't care), so they're not going to vote for the levy. They've driven past and seen computer monitors on, so we must have plenty of money to pay for all of that electricity. The list is endless. Telling them they have to actually make a decision ahead of time (God forbid) about their child's treat would really make some of them very upset.

[Guest j_mommy]

Wow I guess I'm shocked that you guys have such problems! As a parent I want EVERYONE to enjoy the day....if that means I have to give the teacher notice, so kids with allergies can have treats brought for them, then I will! I wish more parents were like that....my mom did the same thing when I was younger. I went to a private christen school and it was a requirement then that the parents give notice and that was 10-15 years ago. Ofcourse there are arents who won't and i guess we just have to deal with it!

[Kibbie]

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At our school, we tread really lightly around our parents. They've failed numerous levies and can get upset about the most minor things. One time someone wrote a letter to the paper saying that she had seen lots of new cars in our parking lot, so obviously the teachers didn't need a raise. A favorite gripe is that our superintendent doesn't live in our district (I have NO idea where the superintendent of my son's school district lives and I don't care), so they're not going to vote for the levy. They've driven past and seen computer monitors on, so we must have plenty of money to pay for all of that electricity. The list is endless. Telling them they have to actually make a decision ahead of time (God forbid) about their child's treat would really make some of them very upset.

Yes I remember working for a district like that! Right now I am in a "country" school district so things are a little different.... some of it is GREAT... and some of it is horrible.

Our district is great at protecting and helping the teacher out... but I know someday I will have issues with the same district as a parent of a kid who is going to need some "special attention" and I am dreading it! LOL Hopefully because they know me they will just do what I say and not ask questions! (I can keep my fingers crossed can't I?"

[Kibbie]

I get so nervous when a parent tells me that something is free of a particular allergen. With my girl who had the peanut allergy, that was pretty obvious, and most parents knew her from the year before. I also had a kid who reacted badly to caffeine and couldn't have chocolate. Again, this was pretty much a no brainer and lots of parents sent in a treat for her. However, if my son had a problem with gluten, I don't think I could trust another parent's judgement unless that parent also had someone close to them with celiac disease/gluten allergy. I've been on this diet a little over a month, and I just feel like I have to be on my toes every time I put anything in my mouth. You could always talk to the parents you know and trust to get them to understand, but sometimes- I hate to say it this way- some of the parents are not all that bright, and the finer points of this diet would be over their heads. Just as an aside, I have seen more than one parent in our office who did not know their child's teacher or grade level, believe it or not.

Wow I guess not matter what district or grade level you teach in there are always "those" parents! Because you mention the parents who didn't know their child's grade level in the office, I thought I'd share my run in with one of "those parents" (for you non-teachers out there... we know not all parents are like this but we run into several that keep us on our toes).

During a parent conference (for a 7th grade boy) a father receives a phone call from his Urologist. In stead of calling back, or excusing himself and walking out of the room for a moment, he proceeds to discuss the issues (related to urination and ED)... gets off the phone relays what ED medicine he is going to be taking to his wife and then looks at us and says, "So the reason we have called you all in for a conference is because we have been noticing at home that "Jack" doesn't seem to know what is appropriate public conversation and what is not. I'm sure he is getting this from his friends at school but we need you to be more vigilant and stop any inappropriate conversations that you happen to hear!" -- I was speechless!

[Teacher1958]

Wow I guess not matter what district or grade level you teach in there are always "those" parents! Because you mention the parents who didn't know their child's grade level in the office, I thought I'd share my run in with one of "those parents" (for you non-teachers out there... we know not all parents are like this but we run into several that keep us on our toes).

During a parent conference (for a 7th grade boy) a father receives a phone call from his Urologist. In stead of calling back, or excusing himself and walking out of the room for a moment, he proceeds to discuss the issues (related to urination and ED)... gets off the phone relays what ED medicine he is going to be taking to his wife and then looks at us and says, "So the reason we have called you all in for a conference is because we have been noticing at home that "Jack" doesn't seem to know what is appropriate public conversation and what is not. I'm sure he is getting this from his friends at school but we need you to be more vigilant and stop any inappropriate conversations that you happen to hear!" -- I was speechless!

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OMG!!! That is completely hysterical!!! I can totally picture that happening at a parent/teacher conference. The majority of parents are completely normal, but the crazy ones are REEAAAALLLLYYYY crazy!

[lmvrbaby]

My children are older and the one that has celiac, diagnosed last year, has graduated from school, about 3 years ago now. The younger ones are in high school and even now we get letters from the teachers saying if we are sending in a snack for the whole class that it has to be individually wrapped cause there have been too many incidents with "home made" food in the past. I deal with this at work as I do make "home made" foods to bring in and I do have celiac. If it is something I can eat I will let my co-workers know. If not, I usually bring in something for me. But schools now a days are trying, at least here to make it possible for all kids to enjoy a treat. If parents that have kids with such an allergy or any allergy for that matter, then I would myself send in a stash for my child to have, just so I know they are not going to get sick from anything else brought in. I kind of feel this is like asthma, or any medication your child needs at school, you have to supply.

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents as well.

[Jodele]

I have 3 girls that are in school that has celiac disease. I am lucking that I am a stay at home mom. I was a working mom before all this. I am scared to go back to work because of this factor. Lucky I live in a small town and talking and getting to know the teachers get a lot done around here. Talking to the teacher and have a long conversation on the situation of what celiac is or other disorders goes a long way. Also your other resource is your child. My oldest is 9 now and she can read. I taught her to read labels and if she does not know what is in the food she does not eat it. I am teaching my others kids to do the same thing. Your kids are smart. They know what they can have and what they can not. My oldest daughter