Nothing against old principals but at the age of 70 plus if she is locking people out maybe she needs her head examine. If I was you i would do some research into your states laws and no child left behind (the parental involvement part-parents have the right to be involved in their child's school, the right to observe teachers, etc.) then request a meeting with your board and superintendent, knowing your rights and facts up front will help you show them you know what si right and standing up for it. This lady does not seem qualified any longer to be head of a school.
She locked parents out an is still princpal *our school would have already had her gone* WOW
The more parents are involved the I think kids do better for the fact they know someone cares. just my 2cents.
Thank you for all your great responses! Our principal is 70+ years old and very very old school. She is not in favor of parental involvment.This is the same women who a few days ago put a chain and lock on a door to keep parents out. We had to call the fire marshall and state board of education to have the chain removed. We have about 60 5th grade students and 3 teachers. Most 5th grade parents feel this is not enough chaperones. We took the issue before the BOE last spring, but they did nothing. Very few people will stand up to this women. We are currently composing another letter to the board. I have also researched our state parental involvement law which states there can be no policy to discourage a parent from being involed. The law clearly states parents are welcome in a classroom any time. In her own words field trips are an extension of a classroom so my next step is to call the statte board of education.
Our 6th graders go to 6th grade camp which is about 2 hours away. Parents are not allowed to go as well. They get alot of teachers and staff from the 3 different schools to go along. My thought was I was fine with it. Parents don't have background checks to volunteer but teachers and staff members do. (I know that that does not mean anything 100%) But it made me feel better than having Little Bobby's dad staying with my child that I don't know. Our school system has been doing this for a number of years and there never has been a problem. As far as the other field trips parents are welcome depending on space.
I'll ask the same question again. What adults are going? When our 5th graders go to Washington, there is a limited number parents allowed to go, maybe 2 plus a teacher. But....we hire/sponsor sworn police/sheriffs officers to go along. This maybe what they are doing. I've never had a problem with this set up. So get more information before going on a hunt. There maybe enough adults going, although this should have been made perfectly clear by the school.
