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 . 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.
We'd LOVE a week's notice. At our elementary schools the class lists are posted on the door of the school the day before school begins. For middle school, they show up the first day of school, go to a particular room (based on an alphabetical split) and get their class list then. So we don't even know what classes they got, much less the teachers until that first day.
We aren't given more than a week. Postcards a sent out telling people of open house and time to bring supplies and that's when you are told what room to report to. Considering all the people in the office the first day that don't remember what their postcard said, I would say it's not a big deal in our school. When my son was in 2nd grade, I asked that he not be put in a class with a certain child because its parent is always at the school and I am not comfortable with her being there(another discussion). Anyway, in 3rd grade, the teacher talked to said parent and decided he wanted that child in his class and so now I am making the request again to please not put my child with that one even if it means a last minute change. The sad thing is, no one really wants this parent in the school, getting in the way, and running their mouth, but because we have so little parent participation, I don't think they know how or want to chase who they can get away.
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
This will be the first year that I don't make a request. There aren't any teachers staying for next year in his grade level!! It makes me a little nervous because he can be a little high-strung sometimes, but I am hoping for the best. Because of the high turnover we have had in our school, teacher assignments aren't known to parents untill the day before school starts. :eek: Beat that! :cool:
Teacher requests are allowed at our school. There is a tiny announcement in the newsletter each year to announce that request forms are available in the office, and they are due a few weeks after that. I would think that accomodating teacher requests would be a scheduling nightmare, but possibly there are not a lot of requests made, because as far as I know requests always seem to be honored.
The request form asks for 1st/2nd choice teachers (you must list a second choice), and, if desired, you can request that your child NOT be placed with a particular teacher or student. You must also list your child's academic/behavioral strengths and weaknesses.
I generally make a request for my daughter because she is a good student, has no unusual needs and always knows what teacher she wants. I do not make a request for my son out of respect for the teachers. He and some of his classmates in first grade were quite rowdy, and his teacher told me at the end of the year that they would likely be split up in the future (which has proven to be true).
Class lists are posted at final registration, a couple of weeks before school resumes in the fall.
I always let my child's current teacher know who I DON'T want for the next year. In general, they are the teachers who have a reputation for yelling, making sarcastic comments or generally putting the kids down. Academics are important but having someone who gets the kids excited and happy about being in school is paramount.
