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'

[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.

[tarzanic]

Wow, so not a good response from the principal. I'm still boggling over here.

I am surprised that there's not an online system or at least an email template for teachers so they can send progress reports, but there doesn't seem to be. Perhaps you could set something up to email the teachers every $time_period? Depending on your mail set up, you could probably have it automatically do that for you. If you think it would be helpful, you can even involve James in this endeavor; maybe make it a plan to check progress every other Saturday or something.

[cadetevon]

It's unfortunate that what you're suggesting is, while a really stellar idea, not very probable since the school isn't at all responsive.

In all likelihood I'll email back and forth, have a sit-down with them and *still* not get the kind of communication one would expect.

And they do have an online service www.optionc.com they just don't USE the darn thing. :\

[tarzanic]

Wow. Well, you can always try. If they really can't be bothered to respond to an email (or phone call) every two weeks or so from you, that is some mighty fail right there. Sorry and I hope you have good luck when you meet with them.

Also, as sucky as this is, it may still be a good teaching moment for James. He'll learn communication (and responsibility) are key.

*hugs*

[cadetevon]

That's true... about getting James involved more. It probably will be a great learning experience.

[spaltor]

I'm distraught by how poorly the principal of a private school writes. I mean, I don't know the full specifics and what's gone on over the years, but just reading communications you've had with her makes me have very very little confidence in that school...

[cadetevon]

In her defense she's a really smart lady, it's just that English is not her first language. Tagalog is.

[trekchic]

"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."

Can I relate to that! Not just in school meetings but in my church as well. Why complain privately but refuse to take a public stand?

That was a really lame/bs response from the principal and I've heard some really lame responses in my time.

[cadetevon]

Yah, there are a thousand better responses she could have sent.

Private complainers make me a little nuts. If one is not going to stand up for themselves, I'd rather them not cry to me about it.