Email to principal re: observing K class

My DS is supposed to start at a new school next year for Kindergarten.

I went to observe the class and it was a complete shitshow and it's been nagging at the back of my head since I visited.

Another mom at the playground suggested that I email the principal.

What do you think of this email?

"Dear Principal,

I had an opportunity to observe a kindergarten class on June 11th and came away with some concerns that I wanted to email you about.

3 parents, and prospective students, including myself and my son, came to the class that morning to observe the class. Ms. ____ was running late that day and was not in class until almost 9AM. In her absence, someone was taking attendance and instructing the children to put away their schoolbags. A bit disorganized, but nothing unexpected for a class where their normal teacher was late. We did end up sitting for 30 minutes just waiting for the teacher to come and the class to settle down and get organized. Not a big deal in the scheme of things. I get that people are late sometimes and it throws the day off.

The thing that concerned me was that once she arrived, she seemed very frazzled and a bit impatient with the children. She started the class with story time, reading a book called Zoo Story. The general story was about 3 animals in a zoo, a lion who was singing loudly and 2 others animals who were not enjoying the singing and wanted the lion to stop. She asked the children to talk to each other about what they would do if they were one of the animals who was not happy with the lion's loud singing. Many of the children offered great suggestions like asking the lion to please stop, or shutting the door, but the teacher dismissed their suggestions instead of encouraging them. Her responses were "well, he doesn't want to stop. he likes singing" and "this is a cage, there are no doors or curtains to shut". and ended the conversation with "well, none of those were very good ideas"

I was actually shocked to hear such dismissive comments to what I thought were very good suggestions from the children and should have been encouraged. I'm not sure what I expected from the observation, but I do expect Kindergarten teachers to be a bit more patient and nurturing.


I struggled for a while on whether to send this email, understanding that everyone has off days, especially being stuck in traffic for hours, and maybe this was just an off day for her. But, instead of leaving the class, feeling secure in my child attending next year, I must say, I have some hesitation and am uncomfortable sending my child to that type of learning environment and wanted to share my experience and concerns with you."

That being said, I'm not sure what I expect from sending the email other than that DS not be in this woman's class.

WWYD?

ETA: Aside from the comments to the story telling time, she was generally snippy with the children who were, imo, behaving nicely.

Message edited 6/25/2013 10:20:08 AM.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

wow this is a hard one- you say it yourself that everyone has bad days- but frankly if you are being observed, I think you make sure that you are at your best. The lateness certainly could have been overlooked if she had been stellar for the rest of the observation.

I think you should send it- maybe it was a bad day or maybe she has a history of this- that's really for the principal to evaluate.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

I wouldnt send it.

I am surprised by the lateness but we dont know if she had permission, car trouble, a meeting etc.

Although i do not like her "none of these were good answers" there was nothing wrong with the other responses. She was stating a point, he likes singing and doesnt want to stop, she was encouraging them to think of ways that the lion could sing without bothering the other animals.

Im not saying she was a great teacher but she could have been having a bad day and in addition its stressful having parents watching you,

If you dont want to let it go, I would call and talk to the principal instead of a letter

Message edited 6/25/2013 7:58:34 AM.

Email to principal re: observing K class

I would call and have a meeting rather then sending an email.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Posted by jgl

I wouldnt send it.

I am surprised by the lateness but we dont know if she had permission, car trouble, a meeting etc.

Although i do not like her "none of these were good answers" there was nothing wrong with the other responses. She was stating a point, he likes singing and doesnt want to stop, she was encouraging them to think of ways that the lion could sing without bothering the other animals.

Im not saying she was a great teacher but she could have been having a bad day and in addition its stressful having parents watching you,

If you dont want to let it go, I would call and talk to the principal instead of a letter

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Posted by jambalady

Posted by jgl

I wouldnt send it.

I am surprised by the lateness but we dont know if she had permission, car trouble, a meeting etc.

Although i do not like her "none of these were good answers" there was nothing wrong with the other responses. She was stating a point, he likes singing and doesnt want to stop, she was encouraging them to think of ways that the lion could sing without bothering the other animals.

Im not saying she was a great teacher but she could have been having a bad day and in addition its stressful having parents watching you,

If you dont want to let it go, I would call and talk to the principal instead of a letter

It wasn't an excused lateness. She was stuck in traffic and an hour late. That's not a big deal.

I found her responses very troubling. There is encouraging discussion and challenging the kids to think differently and there is dismissive and impatient. She was definitely the latter.

But I do understand someone having a really bad day, being thrown off and not being able to regroup. I guess I want the principal to confirm that is atypical behavior for her and that it was, in fact, a bad day. Or call/email me to discuss.

Both would be signs of how the school handles parent concerns.

Message edited 6/25/2013 8:14:45 AM.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

This is a tough one.

I went to DC's kindergarten twice (he will start in sept). The first time the kids were out of control, the teachers themselves were yelling and out of control. I felt so uneasy and looked into private school for my DC. Second time around, things were very different, kids were calm, teachers were calm etc. I'm hoping I caught the in an off day the first time. Once my DC is there, if I see something like that I would absolutely call the principal. If I personally have an issue with my DC's kindergarden teacher,I would also go to straight to the principal. I agree with you because they are young and need to be spoken to and cared for properly. A lot of the attitude kids come home with when they first start school seems to be from the teacher, TBH.

I personally wouldn't send a letter, but I think it's fine if you choose to do so, and ask that DS not be in her class. I also Saw a teacher I did not like and will be upset if DS ends up in her class so I know exactly how you feel.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

The only reason I wouldn't send the letter is because she was probably so frazzled from being late with the traffic and then add the stress of 3 parents observing you. That would make any person stress out and possibly not be on their A game. Since it was an unusual day I would give the teacher the benefit of the doubt.

If your child did end up with the teacher I would keep a close eye at the beginning of the year.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

I am also waivering bc having seen the K class, I now compare it to his pre-K class, which was a Catholic School and now I am questioning whether I re-enroll him back in the Catholic School.

The environment there was so much warmer and friendlier and it doesn't help that I loved his pre-K teacher, and saw that even on days where she was off, she held it in and always put on a big smile for the kids.

You can see her on certain days, just take a deep breath and regroup in her mind.

Email to principal re: observing K class

I'm going to be the minority here and say ... send it! I think it was well thought out and parents need to feel comfortable that their child is in the best environment possible.
Maybe visit again to see if her tardiness just threw her off or if this is habit.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

As a teacher, I would say to send the letter or call to talk personally to the principal. I think your letter was very well written and you get the point across that you were concerned. The principal would most likely contact you anyway. On a separate note, I have been stuck in traffic and had my bad days, but I've never spoken to children like that and even if an answer is totally off base, I still say that it was a good thought/ idea, but that's not what we were looking for and continue the lesson. It really is important for a teacher to encourage students and not put them down, which is what it sounded like she was doing. Good luck with your decision!

Email to principal re: observing K class

i would say talk to the principal instead of sending the email. the letter is well written but it only focuses in on how she handled story time but if she was snippy the entire day that is what the real problem is and its easier to discuss in person.

from an outsider that doesnt know the story, i would take her comments (when she was telling them that they cant shut the door and that the doesnt want to stop singing) to encourage them to come up with more ideas. i agree that she shouldnt have said they are bad ideas - but again perhaps it is her way of trying to get them to come up with other solutions. it seems part of the problem may have also been her tone with the kids which you cant convey in an email....so talking in person may be best.
good luck

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Thanks.

I will call. You're right that the tone does not come through in writing.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

was this a public school that allowed you to observe a teacher? When I was teaching, they would never allow a parent to observe a teacher. However, I did teach middle school so elementary may be different.

Honestly, I would call the principal, not email if I was concerned enough.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Message edited 6/25/2013 12:07:02 PM.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

Message edited 6/25/2013 12:28:40 PM.

Re: Email to principal re: observing K class

I would just leave out the part about her being late out. We have ALL been late for work, for whatever reason, it happens. I just dont see her being called out on that AGAIN will do any good. She was late, it happens. I am sure her principal is aware and there is no need to rehash that, IMO.

Email to principal re: observing K class

Principal needs to know...whether email or text.. she just got in.. its not like they were screaming for hours at her then you observed....you also should be prepared to tell him what your looking for... like I prefer my child not be in that teachers class and assurance this is not how the other teachers approach learning....

Email to principal re: observing K class

I would bullet point the paragraphs and rewrite it as a narrative of what you want to discuss. I'd sit with the principal and use that as an agenda. I would make comments on my sheet as the discussion was done and I'd respond via email with a recap.

I'd want it in WRITING.

Still Id rather talk about it in person first.

oh and no way i'd want my kid in that class