Good Morning, Class!

On the subject of parent support –

I once had a student that was chronically late.  It might be by five or ten minutes, or by forty-five minutes, but almost always late.  Needless to say, this is not a habit that is beneficial in any way to the late student (who arrives so late they miss the start of the day, discussion of homework, and beginning lesson of the day), or to the other students, whose learning is interrupted by the walking in, unpacking, and teacher getting the student caught up to where everyone is at.  In addition to this, I should note that the student was almost two grade levels behind in reading, and struggled in all other subjects as well.

So, after it became evident to me that this would be a recurring event, I spoke to the parent one morning as they dropped off the child.  I explained to this parent the reasons why it was important to have the child to school on time, and preferably earlier, especially in this student’s case.   The annoyed parent’s response was:  “I use my cell phone clock, and the school’s clock is obviously off, so you need to fix it!”

What do you say to that?! <sigh>

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Working the Car Pick-Up Line After School

On the subject of respect —

One day, as parents were picking up their children in the car line after school, a parent drove up in an SUV.  As their child opened the back passenger door and climbed into the car, he intentionally left his backpack on the ground.  The mother glanced at me, almost as if she didn’t really see me, and commanded:  “Just put the backpack in the back of the car!”  This was said in a manner as if she were speaking to  a bellman at a local hotel!  She then popped open the tail gate door.   I was appalled!  I guess being a teacher, with a degree in business, and a master’s degree in education, didn’t mean much to her!