So yesterday we got our first snow of the season. I used to really like snow, but I think last winter killed it for me a bit. We got so much dumped on us. But yesterday was not a bad day. Our friend A from college (he was my year, but now D knows him as well as I do) came into the city for lunch with us. I told him about a recent "pizza day" at E's school. A friend of mine volunteered to help and had a bad experience. The parents were kept out of the classrooms, not allowed to eat the pizza, and given a "death glare" if they did poke their heads in their child's class. D thought this was the lamest thing ever. Then A said, "Well, speaking from the other side of the divide, I can see where the teachers are coming from." He's been teaching since 1997. He explained that schools like to keep parents out of the class because if they are allowed inside, they inevitably judge the other children. This was news to me. As D pointed out, I think parents are more likely to judge the teachers. Still, it was interesting to hear the other side. I had thought the teachers were keeping the parents out because they found them disruptive.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Wow, that's really helpful to hear.
Anonymous said…
I think then maybe the problem is how it was advertised. "Pizza Friday with parents" sounds so different than "I need someone to help me carry pizzas to the waiting room from the street".
Bearette said…
I agree. My teacher friend said the same thing. He said they should have explained from the beginning that they didn't want the parents in the classroom.
judy in ky said…
I spent three decades living in the Great Lakes area and got enough of "lake effect" winter storms. I think that's why I don't like winter and want to move to Hawaii.

My nieces have pizza day at their school, and all the students and parents sit together in the activity room. Were the students at your school eating in the classroom? That seems strange. Why would they invite the parents if they had to stay out? I used to teach and we never were allowed to give parents a "death stare".
Bearette said…
Exactly. I kinda hate winter now because last winter was just too much.

Interesting. Maybe it is a New York thing. A has taught a long time, but only in this state.
Bearette said…
Yes, i didn't go but they were eating in the classroom.
Anonymous said…
It was a very odd setup! Kids eating quietly in classrooms. Parents forbidden to enter. Ugh, thinking about it still makes me uneasy!

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