I have been thinking about this post for a while and I decided to write some things that people who are not teachers, may find handy. Some things I have just learned recently. This year is Adam's first year going to Kindergarten and I have to remember some things because I will be wearing the parent hat. Things that I find annoying as a teacher, I need to remember that as a parent. So here are some little tid-bits I have thought of:
1. If you are going to send in a birthday cake for your child (usually parents send in cupcakes but some do send in cakes) please provide forks, plates, something to cut the cake with, and no candles. The cafeteria staff often does NOT want the teachers involved in cafeteria related items. They can be somewhat soup-nazi-ish.
2. Teachers do not know about the following items and honestly, these type of things are not on their radar list of important details- when the chocolate lollipop order is coming, how to contact the class picture people, anything to do with cafeteria related issues, anything that happens in a special (art, music, etc.) and class yearbooks.
3. (I learned this one this year) When writing an absent note for your child, write their last name. So don't write, "Dear Mrs. Furman, Bobby was absent yesterday because he didn't feel well. Sincerely, Mrs. Smith" Write, "Bobby Smith". This makes sense since a lot of the students don't have the same last name as their parents. I just noticed when I got the notes back from the office, the secretary always wrote in Smith.
4. Speaking of attendance, perfect attendance isn't something that is really really REALLY important. If your child is sick, or if you want to bring them to a Broadway show or something, by all means, keep them home. Some parents make a HUGE deal out of perfect attendance and honestly, we say their name at the end of the year and they get a pencil. Don't drive yourself crazy over that one.
5. If the teacher contacts you about something negative that happened that day, it's a pretty big deal. I don't know any teacher that contacts a parent over a minor infraction, or if they weren't warned multiple times. So if you get a note or a phone call, PLEASE address it with your child. We are really hoping for that.
6. I know what your husband wears to bed, and how much he spent on your Valentine's gift and where he got it. I know the name of your parents' dog and what you had for dinner last night. I know if you took the door key from the Disney Resort as a souvenir and your phone number at work. Just saying.
7. Don't' try to pull, "Oh, I have no idea what you're talking about, Johnny, never had a problem like this in years past." We have every report card and comment and parent contact and referral from Kindergarten in the folders and will often contact past teachers.
8. Last year I had a parent tell me her child was the smartest child I would ever have. I don't recommend that. We'll figure it out pretty quickly if your child is smart.
9. Teachers spend A LOT of their own money. I don't know a teacher that doesn't spend out of her own pocket for prizes, school supplies, coats for kids, snacks, holiday gifts, books, books and more books, and just general supplies.
10. Your kids are constantly on our minds. What would work best for this child? How can I get her to do this? How can I get her to stop this? Would this be better? etc. Honestly, we become a little family. We are with these kids ALL day long, all year long. We have dreams about them. And we REALLY REALLY want them to succeed.
