Notes to a Kindergarten Teacher
August 27, 2007
Dear Teacher,
I know, it’s the first week of school. You want to get the students ready for what is expected of them. I understand that. Really, I do. But was it really necessary to have Scamp move his clip off of the green smiley face to yellow? ON THE FIRST DAY? SERIOUSLY? Shouldn’t they get some sort of 24 hour grace period on behavior? I mean, I know what he’s probably doing, and not doing, as the case may be. I know my kid and what he’s capable of, and sometimes it isn’t very pretty. Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t realize or remember what he is doing wrong.
All he remembers is that “he makes you very angry” or “he had to move his clip today”. And without a note from you telling me what angers you so, I can’t help you reinforce the good behavior and help remove the bad behavior. I desperately want to help you, if only because it kills me to hear my son wake every morning and say he hates school, he has no friends, and that he makes his teacher angry. If you heard it, it would break your heart. It does mine.
Please, take a few minutes and drop me a note telling me what he’s doing wrong so I can help you and help him fix it. All he wants to do is make you happy, as well as his momma. Let’s help him achieve that, shall we?
If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Pinky swear.
Hugs and Kisses,
Shash
August 28th, 2007 at 1:05 am
It’s so hard watching them get beaten down instead of lifted up.
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August 28th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
How sad. My son’s teacher gives them a week to adjust and always writes notes. I have had the opposite as well and it is so frustrating.
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August 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Wow. How frustrating.
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August 28th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
this would make me SO. ANGRY. I hope you have called her to press the point.
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August 29th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Ugh, and I thought neighbors were tough…teachers, oy.
Good luck.
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August 29th, 2007 at 2:47 am
My daughter told me her whole class had a time-out on about day 3. She, herself, has had 2 time-outs since then. I talked with her teacher during a field trip today and I’m convinced that the woman knows what she’s doing.
My daughter started Kindergarten 1 month ago now and it’s hard to let go of that control of my child…
But I see that sometimes it’s best to establish the rules right up front.
I bet within the month your son will know the rules and will be all smiley all the time.
But if you really have concerns that his teacher is too harsh with the kids I’d definitely send her an email or make a call to talk to her woman to woman.
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September 5th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I stopped by yesterday, wanting to experience someone else’s first day of school excitement and read your post. I was angry but in a hurry. When I came back today, I was hoping to read that Scamp had better days this week. I’m still angry but have some time. How can people who are so powerful in shaping someone’s life simply by teaching kindergarten be so callous in their actions? I don’t know what to tell you but I have to admire your clarity in knowing what you need from the teacher to help your child. Good luck in getting that help.
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