I've got to agree with all the previous posts, but here is one for ya. Our kids do not find out who they have till one week BEFORE school starts :eek: . I think they do that so people won't start calling in requesting changes.
Not to hijack the original discussion but if anyone can add as to when they find out about teacher assignments it would be interesting to see if we are not alone.
Requesting teachers is not common practice at our school. Usually what happens is the teachers who currently have the children meet and decide which kids should go to which teacher for the next grade level. I have never requested a teacher but have asked that my child not be put in a class with a certain other child and this has been respected. I also feel my children are picked because the teachers are familiar with me. I have the luxuary of a mother in law who works in the office and my oldest son is a gem (not the middle child though) which means I can I don't usually have any problems. I think if someone threw a fit at our school they could get who they wanted but I would be afraid that this would get to the teacher and instead of feeling appreciated, they would be apprehensive about dealing with said parent. Honestly, I'm a little worried about the teachers my oldest child could end up with next year but that's one of the bad things about being familiar with a school.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
We also have a "no requests" rule. In elementary, the principal and counselor start with a computer generated list and personally review/assign each child. They consider the balance of kids in each class (boys/girls, self-directed/need lots of help, easy going/trouble-makers, etc), the child's personality, and the teacher. All in all, they do a good job.
Although certainly not the reason I became active in PTO, my involvement did give my kids some advantages. The staff knew me better and knew my kids very well. They take care of ALL the children - but having a personal relationship never hurts. Even though I never once asked for special treatment - I know my kids probably got a little extra attention when classes were assigned.
In Middle School - definitely no warm and fuzzy approach. Fill out a "choice sheet" of classes, not teachers. The computer does it all. There's little human involvement in the process. Unless you have a serious educational need that you are willing to fight for, there are no special considerations, no moving around. You get what you get.
As a rule you're not allowed to request--can you imagine the logistics of that? :eek: That said, our district is reasonable about specific requesting so long as it's occasional and you have a specific reason. For instance when my son was going into 2nd grade I spoke to my son's teacher and the 2nd grade teacher about placing him in that specific class. My son has self-confidence issues and I knew this teacher would be very good with him. My son wasn't being bullied, but a few kids were smothering him with their attentions and this one teacher is known to be a good disciplinarian and could help guide my kid to stand up for himself better. Usually the teachers have a fair idea which teacher would be good for a child and will make recommendations accordingly.
My mother always got the teacher I (or she) wanted me to have. Oh yes, I was the spoiled rotten brat even then.
At our elementary school I totally agree with no request unless there is a conflict with the teacher and child or if the parent is going to give the teacher problems. I've always felt I could have my child moved if the teacher was a problem. We have such a wonderful staff that was never an issue. There was one teacher I had resevervations about but she turned to be one of my child's favorite teacher, he actually looked foward to going to school. I couldn't believe it.
We are anxiously waiting to know who our kids will have next year. I get sooo nervous about it. It's like waiting for Christmas. I don't have a problem with any of the possible teachers, but, of course, have my picks. We cannot make request for teachers unless it's a legitimate educational reason. I've heard of other schools where they allow you to make requests and make class lists accordingly. How is this handle at your schools??????
