More on James' school

[cadetevon]

OMG.

Seriously.

I can’t wait for James to be DONE with St. Michael Academy (SMA), they make me a little bit crazy.

Here is the emailed response from SMA’s principal, it came in last night at 10:13pm, so she must use her home computer as well as SMA’s machines…which means that her argument about the computers being “down” is moot.

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Comments

[natlski]

I teach 7th grade in a private school. I so hear your frustration, and feel a little bad for James's teachers because, frankly, I think you're justified in your frustration and are handling this correctly. If the school is smart, they'll not do more to make you angry. It doesn't sound like they have done everything they could have to let you know things weren't going well. There should have been communication from them between progress reports and term end reports- especially if there was no improvement in James's performance on the homework. A word of advice/encouragement: as frustrated as you are, try to put away the mother bear claws. Go to them with the attitude that you want to work with them to understand what is going on and how to best help James. If you are angry, defensive, attacking, they'll be the same way and you guys won't get anywhere. It's pretty common for teachers to be on the defensive in regard to parents because we (teachers) often get attacked. I hope everything works out and that this frustration doesn't cast a shadow over your (or James!) Christmas. I also hope the school gets a little humble pie for Christmas and is willing to admit where they've screwed up (not an easy thing to do)! James is a 7th grade boy, for crying out loud. They're supposed to be helping him learn to take responsibility for his work- not expecting him to have it mastered!!
Good luck!

[cadetevon]

What fantastic advice! Thanks for taking the time to post.

I'll keep my mamma bear claws in my purse. LOL.

One of the most frustrating things is that there are several families who feel the same way I do and are equally angry, but refuse to "rock the boat", so it always looks like it's just me.

Again, thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.