Mom on the school beat - Entry #1

How did I get here so soon?  

I now have a child in each of our fine school levels – elementary, middle school, & high school.  And like most families, each child is wonderfully unique – personally, socially and academically. Keeping up is almost a full time job.  Thank goodness for a common school calendar!

The transition from CV elementary to SUHSD middle was a shocker. Our elementary was family. Teachers kept me in the loop. Families and kids knew each other. Kumbaya!

Middle School

In middle school, students - all in that awkward age of discovery and change - are housed in the thousands. And even more maddening, the middle school teachers all have various methods of communication.

That first year with my oldest, I needed a spreadsheet for each teachers preferred mode of contact: e-mail, school notes, website, phone, hours. He had up to seven teachers and sometimes the teachers would switch out mid-year. In eighth grade, he had three different math teachers.

As a point of reference – I was the kind of student that had an organized pencil case, various colors of highlighters, underlined with a ruler and never ever missed homework- the thought would have sent me into panic. 

My oldest is a kind-laidback-athletic-earth-loving-easy going-child. He has been known to successfully complete an extensive report but yet forget to turn it in. Conversation went something like this: “Yeah I forgot. But I did it. You know I did it. So, the important thing is that I learned something. Why stress?”

High School - "HS"

My son spent his sophomore year in a small parochial school – where I got weekly on-line updates on each class. As a parochial school alumna, it was an environment I was familiar with – but it wasn’t my son’s.  

Fast forward to this week – re-enrollment at HS was great start. There were a series of stations – from reception to nurse and so on. We were greeted warmly by principal.  Met with the new assistant principal. Then the final step was with counselor where - with husband, son and myself -  figured out classes, college track, etc. 

I'm looking forward to what will probably be a busy year. As a parent, I'm not here to be a pain ... really ...  but I do believe in being aware and partnering with teachers in order to support my kid’s education at home. Not getting responses and learning until the report card’s comment section that homework was incomplete or not turned-in is often too late.  So yes, it’s timely communication and a partnership: Parent, teachers and administrators.

And for sure we can't forget the student. For my oldest, more is on the line now – like driving, extra circulars, social life – 'cause in our home these are all privileges directly connected to academics.

"It's like life kids: don't do the work, don't get paid." My kids hate when I say that ... LOL ...  I think it's a pretty good mantra.... 

PC