http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/ Superintendent of Schools writes about learning and school management in rural Western New York. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:30:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/comment-page-1/#comment-4135 Crystal Fri, 25 May 2007 14:10:41 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/#comment-4135 When ever I hear about a parent having an issue with a teacher or the school, I can't help but think about the time my brother came home and said that the school made him and a friend shovel the tennis court. How he drew sympathy from my mother because he didn't even have gloves or a hat to wear. And the fact that my father had to stop her at the door as she was leaving to give them a piece of her mind. The real story is that where we went to school, you had a choice between extension and working off your punishment during study hall. Usually the work off punishment entailed scrapping gum off of desks, or washing lockers. But my brother and his friend, thought that it would be funny for their classmates to watch them shovel the tennis courts and volunteered. A little jewel of information that he choose to leave out when he told my mother the story. I hope that when my kids come home in trouble that I remember to think about this, get both sides of the story (because kids always put themselves in the best light) and then react. Kids are kids, it is their job to try to get away with stuff, and they are experts at it. When ever I hear about a parent having an issue with a teacher or the school, I can’t help but think about the time my brother came home and said that the school made him and a friend shovel the tennis court. How he drew sympathy from my mother because he didn’t even have gloves or a hat to wear. And the fact that my father had to stop her at the door as she was leaving to give them a piece of her mind. The real story is that where we went to school, you had a choice between extension and working off your punishment during study hall. Usually the work off punishment entailed scrapping gum off of desks, or washing lockers. But my brother and his friend, thought that it would be funny for their classmates to watch them shovel the tennis courts and volunteered. A little jewel of information that he choose to leave out when he told my mother the story. I hope that when my kids come home in trouble that I remember to think about this, get both sides of the story (because kids always put themselves in the best light) and then react. Kids are kids, it is their job to try to get away with stuff, and they are experts at it.

]]> http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/comment-page-1/#comment-4092 kwhobbes Wed, 16 May 2007 04:43:13 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/#comment-4092 Very few have to sit where we sit. I've been through something very similar. It was in my second year where I am currently. It is very difficult to remain fair and objective when you have a personal stake. If, at the end, you can look all the people in the room in the eye and tell them you did your best, you were fair and you were dealing with the situation, then you did a great job. Unfortunately, my experience didn't end the way I wanted, the family moved schools but, in the end, it was probably best for everyone. Sometimes, when you remain objective and don't side where people think you should, they try to point the "favouritism finger". If you've remained true to who you are, it won't stick. Sounds like you did a fabulous job in a very delicate and difficult situation. Very few have to sit where we sit. I’ve been through something very similar. It was in my second year where I am currently. It is very difficult to remain fair and objective when you have a personal stake. If, at the end, you can look all the people in the room in the eye and tell them you did your best, you were fair and you were dealing with the situation, then you did a great job. Unfortunately, my experience didn’t end the way I wanted, the family moved schools but, in the end, it was probably best for everyone. Sometimes, when you remain objective and don’t side where people think you should, they try to point the “favouritism finger”. If you’ve remained true to who you are, it won’t stick. Sounds like you did a fabulous job in a very delicate and difficult situation.

]]> http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/comment-page-1/#comment-4090 Lisa Wed, 16 May 2007 01:06:07 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/principalparent/#comment-4090 I am sure you were nothing less than fabulous. I am sure you were nothing less than fabulous.

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