need some opinions before I lose my cool at school :( kinda long, sorry

[housewife2k]

Please tell me hat you talked to the principal about DD's teacher selling jewelry in class! I am pleased that you have the tutering/grade side of things taken care of, but a teacher selling anything to a student is wrong! Teachers are authority figures, what is to stop her from targeting students who didn't buy something from her and treating them poorly?

[Sharnita]

Out of curiosity, are the teachers contractually obligated to tutor after school? Are the teachers who tutor paid a per diem rate for the after school/before school tutoring they do?

It is possible she has no contractual obligation to tutor and that she isn't paid to stay after contract hours to tutor. If that is the case that time would be her own and I wouldn't expect her to tutor. On the other hand if she did think your child needed tutoring she could tutor her for free or put you in touch with a school counselor who should have a list of tutoring available in the community - free and at a cost.

I have had kids call their parents at work from my room if their is a behavior problem - "Call you mom and repeat to her what you just said to me." I would never have a kid call mom for money for stuff I was hawking. Of course, the only things I sell my kids are notebooks and pencils.

AS far as a B last month, F this month are they different quarters? Our semester ended a couple weeks ago and the new one started. Thus kids who had Es last month could have As now and vice versa. I don't know how it works for elementary though

[gennacat]

I believe they have a group of teachers that volunteer for after-school tutoring for K-6 grade. Certain days/teachers for different grades. It's 2 hours a week for a few weeks each semester.  All she had to do was put her on the list that goes to the office.  They coordinate the who/when/ permission slips.

As for her grades, yes, it's a different quarter.  What I couldn't understand is how an A/B student suddenly starts failing her one of her favorite subjects the very next quarter. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that point. What happened was when she completly bombed those tests it brought her grade down b/c it's in the middle of a quarter, she didn't have that many grades on the book to average.  That's why I was glad she can re-take those tests.

Out of curiosity, are the teachers contractually obligated to tutor after school? Are the teachers who tutor paid a per diem rate for the after school/before school tutoring they do?

It is possible she has no contractual obligation to tutor and that she isn't paid to stay after contract hours to tutor. If that is the case that time would be her own and I wouldn't expect her to tutor. On the other hand if she did think your child needed tutoring she could tutor her for free or put you in touch with a school counselor who should have a list of tutoring available in the community - free and at a cost.

I have had kids call their parents at work from my room if their is a behavior problem - "Call you mom and repeat to her what you just said to me." I would never have a kid call mom for money for stuff I was hawking. Of course, the only things I sell my kids are notebooks and pencils.

AS far as a B last month, F this month are they different quarters? Our semester ended a couple weeks ago and the new one started. Thus kids who had Es last month could have As now and vice versa. I don't know how it works for elementary though

[Hawkwatcher]

UPDATE---

When I got to the school, the principal had apparently talked to her already.  Before I could say anything, she said she had decided to let DD retake 2 of the 3 tests since she went over it with her and she understands it now.  I asked her if she needed tutoring why wasn't she in the group tutoring after school.  NOW she says she's doing really good in math (8 out of 8 on 3 assignments and a 92A on a test) except for the last 3 tests.  Two of which were on things she missed while she was gone.  NOW her suggestion is for DD to spend some time in the mornings before the first bell working with her. (my kids get to school about 30 minutes before the bell) It did upset me when she said DD needs to quit being a "social butterfly" flittering around in the hall in the morning instead of being in there studying.  *Everyone* that gets to school early either plays on the playground or in the case of older students, stands at their locker talking.  What 4th grader is going to *ask* to study before school on their own??

From what I could tell, she didn't bother to go over things she missed in class and just tested her.  When she failed, she used it as an opportunity to get some business. 

Her comment about your daughter needing to study before school starts sounds like a way to deflect your attention from the teacher's own bad behavior.  I think that it is strange your daughter went from a "B" to an "F" to an "A."  I also think that it is strange that this teacher files the exams instead of sending them home. 

If your daughter has any more problems with this teacher, you might want to start requesting to see her tests.  I do not believe that the teacher can legally refuse to let you see her exams.

 

[Alida]

Have you spoken to the principal about the teacher using the children as a source of income on the side?

[Shoo]

Have you spoken to the principal about the teacher using the children as a source of income on the side?

That's what I wanna know too.  That's outrageous.

[gennacat]

My daughter just called me.  She was so excited b/c her teacher let her re-take the test she made a 0% on yesterday and she made 100%.  Then she says "and guess what mom! I don't have an F anymore!  That test brought my grade up to a B!!!"  I'll talk to her when I get home and more details on what happened after I left.  I asked her if she knew I was there today.  She said "yeah, she said you stopped by"  

The only time I got a chance to talk to the principal was when I called this morning and when she saw me in the office.  I told her about the note on the phone but not the jewelry.  I planned to have a nice chat with her when I got to school so I got there a little early.  I wasn't able to though.  When she came through the office she had a parent with her.  I'll have other opportunities though since I help out there on my off days.   


*edited b/c i can't seem to type  today!

[Twik]

This is outrageous. It's as if a salesperson takes a pair of scissors to a skirt you're buying, then says, "Oh, I do sewing repairs at $25 an hour". It's a COMPLETE conflict of interest.

The jewelry-selling is just icing on the cake. Authority figures should not be asking those under their authority to buy things from them. Does anyone really believe the students feel free to say "No, I don't want/need/have the money for any jewelry right now"?

As someone who's taught in the past, I say the principal should fire this teacher now!

[ShadesOfGrey]

[

My daughter just called me.  She was so excited b/c her teacher let her re-take the test she made a 0% on yesterday and she made 100%.  Then she says "and guess what mom! I don't have an F anymore!  That test brought my grade up to a B!!!"  I'll talk to her when I get home and more details on what happened after I left.  I asked her if she knew I was there today.  She said "yeah, she said you stopped by" 

The only time I got a chance to talk to the principal was when I called this morning and when she saw me in the office.  I told her about the note on the phone but not the jewelry.  I planned to have a nice chat with her when I got to school so I got there a little early.  I wasn't able to though.  When she came through the office she had a parent with her.  I'll have other opportunities though since I help out there on my off days.   

I agree with Hawkwatcher - definitely start paying closer attention to tests/grades/homework/lessons, and requesting them from the teacther if necessary.  For your daughters sake as well as letting the teacher know you are involved. 

and good for you for letting the principal know about her 'conflict of interest.'

[gennacat]

Hi everyone... 

I talked to my DD again last night about this teacher thing.  She said the jewelry was made by her teachers friend and she was selling it for her.  I told her I will NOT be giving her money for anything else her teacher or her friend is selling.  My brutally honest child says "that's fine with me, I thought they were kinda ugly anyway!"   I asked her why on earth she bought them and she said it was b/c she thought I would like them since we like totally different things!  (They were a Christmas present, BTW. They weren't that bad, really.  Just not my style either, I just didn't tell her that!)

Here's what I've decided to do.  I know the principal is aware she tried to charge me for tutoring she now says she doesn't need.  My DD said someone came in and asked the whole class if there was anyone who would like to stay for tutoring.  Four kids raised their hands.  So at least I know they are getting some help now.  For now, I'm just going to watch how things go.  I don't want to "stir the pot" b/c my DD is stuck in that class for 4 more months.  I will, however, be dropping by on the days I volunteer since now I know when her prep period is.  I'm already there, so I might as well check on things and take a look at any "filed" papers, right?

I know now to watch this teacher when my son has her (if she's still there).  I know he will at some point, there are only three 4th grade teachers and each student has all of them at some point during the day for different subjects.  I just hope she isn't his homeroom teacher.

[hollasa]

Is this a new teacher? Does she just not understand the whole conflict of interest type of thing? Or appropriate money making opportunities (ie, you get paid a salary for teaching in the classroom, not tutoring students for extra bucks, or bringing in jewelery to sell to your students.

[CocoCamm]

I'm glad to hear that you went to the principal with your concerns. What the teacher was doing is downright unethical! Heres hoping your daughter has an uneventful rest of the school year.

[Just Lori]

Is this a new teacher? Does she just not understand the whole conflict of interest type of thing? Or appropriate money making opportunities (ie, you get paid a salary for teaching in the classroom, not tutoring students for extra bucks, or bringing in jewelery to sell to your students.

I would be livid if my child's teacher tried to sell anything in the classroom, whether it's tutoring, jewelry or Avon.

When I was in seventh grade, some 28 (!) years ago, a substitute teacher used the class hour to read from her original "Starsky & Hutch" fiction and offered to sell her bound (stapled) copy for $3.  That's right, a TEACHER TRIED TO SELL HER FANFICTION TO SEVENTH GRADERS!

Anyone who is thinking "I didn't know they even had fanfiction back then" should just stop right now and refrain from pointing out that I'm old.

[blue2000]

I would be livid if my child's teacher tried to sell anything in the classroom, whether it's tutoring, jewelry or Avon.

When I was in seventh grade, some 28 (!) years ago, a substitute teacher used the class hour to read from her original "Starsky & Hutch" fiction and offered to sell her bound (stapled) copy for $3.  That's right, a TEACHER TRIED TO SELL HER FANFICTION TO SEVENTH GRADERS!

Anyone who is thinking "I didn't know they even had fanfiction back then" should just stop right now and refrain from pointing out that I'm old.

Too late. 

BTW, Starsky & Hutch fanfiction? For three dollars? Yeesh. I wouldn't have paid more than a quarter.

[Kirasabu]

BTW, Starsky & Hutch fanfiction? For three dollars? Yeesh. I wouldn't have paid more than a quarter.

Was it Slash? I'd buy that for a dollar!