My son's teacher

I don't know what to do...
My son, Jacob, is in kindergarten. On the first day of school, I was not impressed with the teacher, but waited to make any judgements to be fair. She informed us that the kids would have a folder that would be taken back and forth to school daily. It was supposed to contain homework, updates, and behavior communication. After two weeks, I finally got the folder for the first time with important papers to fill out and a calendar that was almost illegible. I was expecting some sort of behavior chart or something. I ask my kids every day after school how their day was. Jacob tells me every day that he had a "bad" day. They have a system, with red, yellow, and green cards that they have to change depending on their behavior. He tells me he changes it to yellow often, but when I ask him what happened, he says he forgot. (typical five year old) The folder only showed up in the bag a few times, and my important papers were never removed from the folder. They stayed in there for weeks. Also, the kids come out of school with their hands full of things. Nothing is in their bags, their coats are in their hands instead of their bodies, or just missing entirely. Their papers are being dropped all over the ground because they aren't securely in the backpacks. I thought it was time to confront the teacher, so I asked her, tactfully, some questions. Who's responsibility is it to take things out of the folders? She says it's her responsibility, so I explained that my paperwork remained in the folder for weeks, she seemed aggravated with me. I asked her why the kids are coming outside overwhelmed with stuff in their hands, she says it's their responsibility to get their things. I respond, "Is there some kind of routine that might help them get organized at the end of the day...they are five, and have never been in school before...maybe a little more help from the teacher might get them into the habit so they will be better at it by the end of the year?" She didn't respond. Then, I brought up the lack of communication regarding behavior. I told her that I need to be aware of any behavior problems immediately, otherwise I cannot modify the behavior. She told me Jacob's behavior is tolerable, and that he sometimes has to be redirected. Fine, but I still need to know what's going on. I thought maybe this was all in my head, but a few other parents expressed the same issues. One lady's daughter has severe behavior issues, but the teacher failed to tell her about them until 2 weeks after the fact! Since I'm not really good at confrontation, I figured I'd go to the school liason to present my problem. She promptly attempted to mediate the situation and for a few days afterward, things seemed to go a little smoother. I continue to have the problems now. I watch the other kindergarten class come out in a single file line, their things neatly in their bags, and coats on. Why is it that my son's class is so different? Most teachers appreciate the rare occasion that a parent shows interest in their children's education. What is wrong with this lady?!

Quoting alleybow:“ I don't know what to do... My son, Jacob, is in kindergarten. On the first day of school, I was not ... [snip!] ... appreciate the rare occasion that a parent shows interest in their children's education. What is wrong with this lady?!”

Since you have already gone to the liason and things didn't really improve.....I would request to have his teacher changed. It sounds like that is just her style and that she doesn't really care. Nope, I wouldn't put up with that.

Thank god my sons teacher is awesome and very receptive to me because I call her once a week lol!

Yeah that is deffinitley ridiculous! They are five years old. You have to know going into that kind of job working with children that age that they need that guidence and help with certain things! I would for sure be taking it up with maybe the principal or whoever else you need to. She isnt doing what she needs to. My son just started this year also and his folder comes home everyday with whatever i need and when i send papers back they are out that day. His jacket is always on him or in his backpack. Maybe you should look into putting him in a different teachers class. But then thats also sad for the children still with her. I would talk to someone and see what can be done so that things change. Sorry your having to deal with that mama!

The way you describe the kids coming out of the classroom with papers in hand and jackets not on - isn't uncommon for kindergardeners. They have yet to get into the swing of things. They get easily distracted.
I work in the school district out here.


Sometimes it is overwhelming for the teacher when it comes to getting organized, because sometimes they honestly teach up until the last minute, and then its time to go - and the kids are scrambling. It can be quite the madhouse in a K room when class is over.. By the middle of the year, alot of the issues regarding unorganization will disappear. The kids will get into a routine with their teacher.

I would just tell her that if your son is having a yellow day or red day that you'd like to be notified when you pick him up from school, so you can deal with the issue before he forgets.

I think if you have specific requests, ask her or tell her your request... AND then if she doesn't comply, then go to the principle and discuss your issues with her.

Good luck mamas! I understand how it can be frustrating.

or if you just don't want to deal with her stuff and don't want to wait it out.

You could always switch teachers.

I'd complain to. My daughters kindergarten class spends the last 5-10 mins. in the cubby room, getting there binders( they have all of there papers from the day, teacher notes, money pouch, behavior reports- all kinds of stuff)the binders are put in there bad then they put coats on. The teacher walks them out and the release them once the kids identify who is there to get them.It goes really smoothly. Parents also have to sign the behavior report daily.

Quoting Madi&J'sMom:“ I'd complain to. My daughters kindergarten class spends the last 5-10 mins. in the cubby room, getting ... [snip!] ... once the kids identify who is there to get them.It goes really smoothly. Parents also have to sign the behavior report daily.”

This is the best way for behavior reports. I think thats the most important way for them to be done.

Quoting alleybow:“ I don't know what to do... My son, Jacob, is in kindergarten. On the first day of school, I was not ... [snip!] ... appreciate the rare occasion that a parent shows interest in their children's education. What is wrong with this lady?!”

by any chance... is this this ladies first year teaching?!?!?!

Is there a teachers aide in the room?

Quoting 333 (the devil):“ Since you have already gone to the liason and things didn't really improve.....I would request to ... [snip!] ... wouldn't put up with that. Thank god my sons teacher is awesome and very receptive to me because I call her once a week lol!”

I am going to attempt to change his teacher, that's a good idea. I've even considered it. There is only one other kindergarten teacher, they split up the two classes evenly with 22 kids per class. Hopefully they will oblige me, otherwise I am considering montasory school.

Quoting Lost in Sin City:“ by any chance... is this this ladies first year teaching?!?!?!”

No, as a matter of fact, she was demoted from first grade.

This is all just so foreign to me. I never had any problems with my oldest sons teachers, they were always organized. It's awfully frustrating.

Since the school liaison did not work, I would set up a meeting with the principal and explain to her your problems, and that you have been much more impressed with how the other class is handled and you would appreciate it if your child could be moved to the other class. I've had similar problems where bad behavior was not reported to me till weeks later and that much time passing, I can not get to the root of the problem, or try to fix it! It can be very frustrating.