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GB
Guest
Have you ever had to change a classroom-wide policy or procedure that you've always implemented, because of a parent/student complaint?
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Tounces
Senior Member
change
No, not yet. Probably won't happen. The procedures I use are well-thought out. I can defend my reasons, if needed, for my policies. So far I've had to do that a few times and then it's dropped. (from parents) If it was a student, then no way. I have said to them-if they want to run a classroom, then they can go to college, take a test, get a teaching license, and get their own classroom to run it their way.
No, not yet. Probably won't happen. The procedures I use are well-thought out. I can defend my reasons, if needed, for my policies. So far I've had to do that a few times and then it's dropped. (from parents) If it was a student, then no way. I have said to them-if they want to run a classroom, then they can go to college, take a test, get a teaching license, and get their own classroom to run it their way.
Mrs. O
Senior Member
Yes I have
Yes, last year I had a boy and a Mom that lead to me making some changes that I didn't really want to do, but in the end it was worth the compromise not to have to deal with the problem. I still had problems, but then Mom couldn't say I didn't try to do my best. This year, same problem, new teacher, still not the child's problem.... What can you do? Hang in there, follow your heart and your head.
Yes, last year I had a boy and a Mom that lead to me making some changes that I didn't really want to do, but in the end it was worth the compromise not to have to deal with the problem. I still had problems, but then Mom couldn't say I didn't try to do my best. This year, same problem, new teacher, still not the child's problem.... What can you do? Hang in there, follow your heart and your head.
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GB
Guest
Elaboration
This is sort of a poll. What plans have you had to change?
I worked at a very good school and we had a plan about students with 5-10 minutes of recess taken away for misbehavior. There was a dirt track right around the playground. Instead of sitting on the side of the playground for their 10 minutes, which everyone could see them doing (relevant later), they walked the track for their time.
1. They could not talk and socialize while walking their time off.
2. They released pent up energy, which probably was the problem in the first place, as opposed to sitting on the side of the playground for that time.
3. They could not choose the activity they wanted to do until they gave up that part of the recess time. They were to walk until their time was up.
So I start teaching at a different school, and mentioned what we did before to another teacher. Well, she thought it was a perfect solution, and implemented this plan. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS!! The comments were that they were too conspicuous by having to walk and it singled them out. Well, these students drew attention to themselves earlier in the day, didn't they?? I think that some parent rallied everyone to call about their little sweeties having to walk the playground for misbehavior. They just thought that this idea was some kind of boot camp. So the kids went back to sitting on the side of the playground.
I didn't implement it at my new school because I discerned the culture to not really be receiving of it in the first place. But this other teacher wanted to try it, and oh, the backlash. The principal laid everything on a platter when it came to parents!! He tiptoed around and did whatever they wanted. But nonetheless, as far as the parents were concerned, their misbehaving students were no longer being ridiculed and singled out. WOW!
This is sort of a poll. What plans have you had to change?
I worked at a very good school and we had a plan about students with 5-10 minutes of recess taken away for misbehavior. There was a dirt track right around the playground. Instead of sitting on the side of the playground for their 10 minutes, which everyone could see them doing (relevant later), they walked the track for their time.
1. They could not talk and socialize while walking their time off.
2. They released pent up energy, which probably was the problem in the first place, as opposed to sitting on the side of the playground for that time.
3. They could not choose the activity they wanted to do until they gave up that part of the recess time. They were to walk until their time was up.
So I start teaching at a different school, and mentioned what we did before to another teacher. Well, she thought it was a perfect solution, and implemented this plan. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS!! The comments were that they were too conspicuous by having to walk and it singled them out. Well, these students drew attention to themselves earlier in the day, didn't they?? I think that some parent rallied everyone to call about their little sweeties having to walk the playground for misbehavior. They just thought that this idea was some kind of boot camp. So the kids went back to sitting on the side of the playground.
I didn't implement it at my new school because I discerned the culture to not really be receiving of it in the first place. But this other teacher wanted to try it, and oh, the backlash. The principal laid everything on a platter when it came to parents!! He tiptoed around and did whatever they wanted. But nonetheless, as far as the parents were concerned, their misbehaving students were no longer being ridiculed and singled out. WOW!
Mrs. O
Senior Member
Our kids walk their time too
We started this policy a few years ago because it just makes sense to have them walk out their energy rather than keep it pent up. Some parents had issues at the beginning, but most came around or just stopped complaining to the teachers. If they can understand it is for their child's best interest, I would hope they would be more accepting. If their child is going to misbehave they are going to be singled out whether on the wall or walking. At our school, if they owe more than 15 minutes time-out, they can sit the last of it on the bench, but that is their choice.--most would rather keep walking. Also, we call it walking laps, but most of the kids choose to run them at least part of the time.
We started this policy a few years ago because it just makes sense to have them walk out their energy rather than keep it pent up. Some parents had issues at the beginning, but most came around or just stopped complaining to the teachers. If they can understand it is for their child's best interest, I would hope they would be more accepting. If their child is going to misbehave they are going to be singled out whether on the wall or walking. At our school, if they owe more than 15 minutes time-out, they can sit the last of it on the bench, but that is their choice.--most would rather keep walking. Also, we call it walking laps, but most of the kids choose to run them at least part of the time.
parents running the school
Why are the parents running the schools? I realize that every parent has the best interests of their child in mine (me too), but aren't we the professionals? I know there is the feeling that in a public school parents feel that they pay our salaries (probably even more so in private) but why were we hired? Maybe we should just ask parents to set the rules in our classrooms from now on. Why can't we just say these are our rules they aren't harming the child physically and if they obeyed the rules in the first place they wouldn't have to do the punishment.
Why are the parents running the schools? I realize that every parent has the best interests of their child in mine (me too), but aren't we the professionals? I know there is the feeling that in a public school parents feel that they pay our salaries (probably even more so in private) but why were we hired? Maybe we should just ask parents to set the rules in our classrooms from now on. Why can't we just say these are our rules they aren't harming the child physically and if they obeyed the rules in the first place they wouldn't have to do the punishment.
Heart4Him
Junior Member
I think it is a great idea
I think this is a great idea, the walking, especially for the older elementary. For preK and K, I think it defeats the purpose of making them stand STILL for the time out, since usually they are in trouble for not being still in class. (but our time outs in PreK and K are only 2-3 min)
I think I am going to suggest this for our school.. I understand the 'singling them out' attitude, but then I would say "your are right!!! they are being singled out because the other students obeyed!"
I think this is a great idea, the walking, especially for the older elementary. For preK and K, I think it defeats the purpose of making them stand STILL for the time out, since usually they are in trouble for not being still in class. (but our time outs in PreK and K are only 2-3 min)
I think I am going to suggest this for our school.. I understand the 'singling them out' attitude, but then I would say "your are right!!! they are being singled out because the other students obeyed!"
R
ray
Guest
we can't take recess unless they get in
trouble during recess.
sigh
trouble during recess.
sigh
wig
Senior Member
In my experience, the complaints usually come when there is a change in the "old way" of doing it. AND the majority of the complaints come from parents whose students would not be effected anyway.
Example:
We had an increasingly large number of students not doing their homework. We initiated noon detention. The ONLY complaints we got were from parents whose kids always turned their work in on time. But heaven forbid if their child will be held accountable for not following through on an expectation.
But, like Trounces, I can easily explain why my procedures are in place. I don't recall ever changing a procedure due to parental complaints. What I normally do is listen carefully to the complaint of the parent and thank them for sharing their concerns. I tell them that I will think about their concern and if I feel a change in my policy will benefit the mnajority of the students, I will do so.
Example:
We had an increasingly large number of students not doing their homework. We initiated noon detention. The ONLY complaints we got were from parents whose kids always turned their work in on time. But heaven forbid if their child will be held accountable for not following through on an expectation.
But, like Trounces, I can easily explain why my procedures are in place. I don't recall ever changing a procedure due to parental complaints. What I normally do is listen carefully to the complaint of the parent and thank them for sharing their concerns. I tell them that I will think about their concern and if I feel a change in my policy will benefit the mnajority of the students, I will do so.