How would you feel about this? - Page 2

[Meli65]

With regard to how to approach her, I think simple is best:

"How did you decide on your policy about parent volunteers?"

Don't tell her you're disappointed, or intimate that you think she is a control freak or whatever (not that you would). It makes me wonder, too, for sure, but I think the best way to find out what's going on is to play dumb and ask her with a very open mind. If she thinks you're judging her, she'll get defensive.

[nascarbebe]

That's weird. I had no idea schools had mandatory vonluteerism. Sounds like an oxymoron.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by nascarbebe

That's weird. I had no idea schools had mandatory vonluteerism. Sounds like an oxymoron.

My son's school is a co-op - so you volunteer your time by enrolling them at the school. Each family is required to donate 54 hours per year (although it's not closely tracked and mostly on the honor system, and families that do more can "donate" time to families with special circumstances).

I did most of my hours last year on field trips and playground supervision - as well as shopping for class supplies (my husband is an assistant manager at a craft store, so we get a nice discount), filling and brining in their class's 5 ga water bottles, helping with class parties, facilitating small group learning in the classroom, reading stories during circle time, readting art projects, etc. One mother was a yoga instructor, so she came once or twice a week to teach yoga. One worked at a nursery, so she handled gardening. One dad would come in a couple of times a week to play with the kids during their free play, one was the field trip co-ordinator, one family built sandboxes for the school, one took over cleaning bathrooms and wiping down tables (no custodial staff at the school).

[Zach'smom]

She could have had a bad experience with volunteers-
Kids getting distracted by volunteers
Parents trying to "take-over the class" or discipline their child ( or other children) during class.
Parents being disruptive.
Teacher finds it easier to spend the time doing things herself then taking
the time to explain it to parents.
She had a hard time recruiting parents in previous years and doesn't want
anyone to feel guilty for not volunteering.

I really would have been put off by the wording of her letter though. It does seem snarky.

She surely will need help at school parties and field trips though???

Ds's school is always looking for volunteers. On top of the PTA and the classroom they sent home an entire list of various volunteer opportunities in the school.

Is she a "good" teacher otherwise?

[Mizelenius]

Try to be one of the first to volunteer. I think that's the only way to get an honest picture.

[mojomom]

I like volunteering. I want to be visible in my kids school. I found volunteering gives me an upper hand in knowing what is going on in my kids classrooms and in the school.
That being said I already know that my ds first grade teacher will not need classroom volunteers that much. She was my dd's 1st grade teacher. I was only needed 2x's a month and worked in the teachers lounge making copies and cutting things.
But I also volunteered in the media center and in the office. Working the media center was great because I got a chance to see what my kids future teachers would be like and when my dd went into 3rd grade last year I had already had a familiarity with her teacher from working the library.The same will be this year with my dd's 4th grade teacher, I know her better right now then my dd does.

So if your dc's teacher does need help see if the librarian does, I scheduled to work the day my dd had library and was there to help out with the projects. Or you could volunteer in the office, running morning errands and checking in late students.There is always some where the school needs help besides PTA.

[amydawnsmommy]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

I got a note home from ds's teacher. She said in it that she begins having parents volunteers 6 wks after the school year starts and after that, she only has one volunteer every 2-3 wks. She then said, "I'm very good at multi-tasking and need very little parent help. If you're still interested in volunteering, you should join the PTA. They never have enough help."

My ds is in the 1st grade.

I'll respond after I hear your responses

: I'm not really sure how you're supposed to take this note.
It seems to me that it's saying 'Yes, you can volunteer but not for long because I don't need your help.' :

Perhaps you can talk to the teacher in person and get a sense of whether she wants volunteers or not.

[wombatclay]

The note bugs me...the tone is just a bit off-putting.

Our local schools don't let parents volunteer in their child's classroom however. If you want to volunteer they'd love to have you but you'll be in a different class or even a different grade. I think there were a few cases of "custodial interference" or visitation infringement or something like that and it was just easier for the school to do things this way (though they do keep lists of who can pick up or supervise a child of course).

Anyway, if there was a policy like that you'd think the teacher would have explained...since she didn't, well, her note just seems odd!

I agree with pp..maybe just ask how she decided on the policy and ask to be the first in line.

[gargirl]

Wow, that would really bother me. My gut reaction is that the woman is a control freak and can't stand having other adults around very much. I come from a family filled with control freaks, so I may be sensitive as in able to spot them, or over-sensitive and seeing them in places they aren't, so take it as you will.

For me, volunteering in the classroom was not entirely about helping the teacher, I was there to be involved in my kid's education. Being there and actually hearing her policies from her lips as she gave them to the class... that was invaluable with my 2 older kids; High-functioning autistic and ADHD. They constantly came home with a list of what to do for homework but no idea how to go about it. I had to work with their teachers whenever I could just to help my kids. It was a lot of work, I can understand how a lot of moms would feel let off the hook by not having to do it. It is actually less work homeschooling all three of them. LOL Well, no, not less work, but less stressful for our family.

I would be really put off by the note, I hope you get the whole thing taken care of in a way that makes you and your child happy.