Wow, kindergarten is not like I remember it. My fondest memories of kindergarten are the new red shoes I got; the giant playhouse in the corner with all the kid-size appliances and accoutrements you could ask for; my own little mat to "rest" on; and my beautiful, blonde, sweet teacher, Mrs. Albright. I'm sure there was more to it than that, but in my hazy memory, school didn't really feel like school until first grade.
School started last Tuesday, and on the second day, a note came home in Justin's folder saying that he hadn't been following directions, and had been telling his teacher "No" when she asked him to do things. It was really quite a shock to be on the receiving end of a note like that on only the second day in kindergarten. We had a long conversation that evening before, during and after dinner about the right and wrong way to behave at school. The rest of the week passed uneventfully, thank goodness. This past Monday went fine too, so it was easy to imagine we'd turned the corner.
Well, ha ha, not so much. Yesterday, another note came home in the folder that our little firecracker was talking in class while the teacher was giving instructions, he didn't finish his work during class time to had to use free play to finish it, and wouldn't stop talking and be quiet in the hallway even when reminded. As a parent, it's just so disappointing to be on the receiving end of such information. The poor kid is wiped out after he comes home every day, and it just seems mean to chastise him about what happened earlier in the day when he's so exhausted. Still, he needs to understand that certain choices that he makes have consequences, and to also know that what happens at school doesn't stay at school. But honestly, not finishing his work and having to use free play to finish it? This isn't the kindergarten I was expecting!
I like this era for all of the communication vehicles available to teachers and parents. We are able to email and text messages back and forth, and receive grades online via the web. There is a newsletter that comes home every Thursday via email. I've been corresponding back and forth via email with the kindergarten teacher to discuss these issues as they arise and it's nice to receive that immediate feedback. I just hope the immediate feedback to our son results in more orderly behavior in kindergarten. Onward and upward!
Wow. I have to say, while I do think those things need to be addressed, I'm a little surprised their sending notes home so early. I mean, there has to be an adjustment period right? And this early in the game it's not like it could even be considered "chronic" bad behavior or something. I mean, one offense and she's sending notes home? During the first few weeks of school?
ReplyDeleteI have a funny feeling she's probably spending a lot of time writing notes home to all the parents about how their kindergartener doesn't understand how to behave in school :/