ok, I recieved a letter in ds's bookbag

[RCT]

first I might add that I thought one of the kids on the bus may have written it, because the hand writing was really bad....but then wondered if she wrote it quickly and actually angrily.......

here is the letter...

Dear Mr. & Mrs._________

This letter is in regards to DS behavior in the classroom. He has been goofing around all the time and and when I 've asked him to stop he doesn't. He has lost recess everyday this week. Also his quality of work has not been the best. Could you please remind him we still have 3 more weeks of school.
Thank You

Mrs. ________


what do you think...I have asked ds what is going on.....he cries...I called his dad in the car and he and I are thinking of new questions and what to do about this...he is usually praised very highly about his behavior in the classroom, even last week when I saw his teacher at a function she praised him.....then I got to thinking that because we were moving he might think he doesn't have to work hard in school anymore? ARGH...HELP this is first grade....why didn't she just call me....help....

[Mickey]

I'm sorry, Renee...you have so much going on right now!

First of all, try to see if ds will talk about it--maybe after a book at bedtime (?). Then I would confirm that the teacher did write the note. If she did, I would go and talk to her. Tell her what's going on at home (getting ready to move) and see if she can find an effective way to help him through these last couple of weeks.

And I know that opinions may differ on this, but I feel very strongly that losing recess should not be used as a punishment. Kids NEED fresh air and sunshine and a chance to run off some energy--I don't see recess as a privilege. JMHO, mind you, but I think she needs to come up with an alternative to that. If your ds is feeling frustrated, sad, or confused, that running around time may be really helpful to him right now.

[AnnW]

I would call her and ask her for specifics...what exactly has he been doing, what about the quality of his work has changed?
Does the teacher know that you guys are in the middle of a move? Perhaps ds is acting out about that. Set up a conference.
I agree that kids need to run around, but unfortuntely, a teacher has very little that she can do or take away from a child. She can't prevent him from participating in anything academic.

[RCT]

thanks, I have a call into her today....I agree that recess is a necessity....

I'll let ya know what happens...;)

[Marla]

I would speak to the teacher and find out all the details...the who, what, why, where of the behaviours.

[Diane]

I'd definitely put a call into the teacher... It seems to me that she's the only one who can really answer all of these questions. I could see him loosing his recess time if this is when he's not behaving himself... but that doesn't seem to be the case. Who knows... maybe you'll find out that she didn't even write the letter... 8o Please let us know what happens.

Diane...

[RCT]

I wrote her a letter and he wrote her an apology, which he took to her yesterday. I spoke with his teacher this morning...she told me that I wasn't the only parent to recieve a letter this week...not comforting really..:lol: she explained that he hasn't been as attentive this last week, and was misbehaving in the sense of NOT doing what he was told the first or second time
:(....I assured her that he had, had privilages taken away this weekend because of this (we were schedualed to go to a petting zoo with his cousin, which I cancelled) ....she said that she would send home something today after school with him...she did...the note said he was very good today, very helpful and attentive...she too believes its the summer blahs...and the fact that we are moving...so that's that in a nut shell....:rolleyes:

[KarlaB]

Glad you got things worked out, but it's too bad she didn't handle things better - I mean I bet it was shocking to all of a sudden get a note like that when up until then there had been no behavior issues. A phone call would have been nice so you wouldn't have been caught so off guard and so you could have heard the tone in her voice rather than not really knowing the "tone" of the letter. I think all kids tend to get a little antsy the last few weeks of school when the weather is so nice and they anticipate summer break. (Even dh says that about his high school students.) Plus, with your upcoming plans to move and all I am sure that has added a little to your ds's behavior..which I do think is normal. :) Glad it's all worked out. Sounds like you have a great kid and really need not worry. :)

[Diane]

I'm glad that you got everything worked out. I agree with Karla too... the teacher should have and could have handled things a lot better. 8o Sometimes I think things are handled much better with a conversation over the phone (and right away) than with a letter found in a back pack. Keeping my fingers crossed that your ds's good behavior will continue... You did good!!! :)

Diane... :wave: