Preteen just informed me that tomorrow in personal development he’s going to see a movie about “physical and social changes that occur in adolescence,” (that’s all he knows about it) but I’m supposed to write his teacher a note saying whether it’s okay for Preteen to see this movie or not. The teacher didn’t give him any information about it other than it’s a movie about physical and social changes that occur in adolescence, nor did he write out any kind of permission slip (which is what I’d expect a teacher to do in this situation)…instead I’M supposed to write a note saying whether it’s okay or not.
I’ve always been very open and honest with my kids about everything. No subject is taboo around here. So I doubt I’d have a problem with a movie on “physical and social changes that occur in adolescence.” But if a teacher needs permission to show something in school, isn’t it the TEACHER’S responsibility to write the permission slip? It seems a little weird to ask all the parents to send notes saying yes, it’s okay or no, it’s not okay. Especially when all we know about it is it’s a movie about “physical and social changes that occur in adolescence.” If I was the kind of parent who’d have a problem with something like this, I’d wonder what this guy is trying to hide? But since I’m not that kind of parent, I’m guessing what he’s trying to hide is the fact he didn’t get around to making up the permission slip.
It sounds to me that your school has adopted an opt-out policy re: sex education.
I think, although could be wrong, that opt-out policies only require the teacher to notify parents, who must take initiative to remove their child from the class. Opt-in policies, on the other hand, require parentl permission, otherwise the student can’t attend the class.
I don’t know…I think the district has always had an opt-out policy…usually when things like this come up they send a note home and you either 1) read the note and do nothing (unless you object — then, I suppose, you send a note or something saying you don’t want your child to participate) or 2) read the note, sign it and send it back. I just think it’s weird that no note came home this time…AND that I have to send a note giving permission for something I really don’t know much about. Without anything to bring home, I wonder how many kids actually remembered to tell their parents they needed to write a note (you have to write the note either way — whether it’s okay for your child to participate or not)? I’m surprised MY kid remembered! And I wonder what happens if a kid doesn’t bring a note back? Is the default to see the movie or not see the movie? (Clearly I am spending WAY too much time thinking about this…)
I agree this is wierd. These are times I email teachers-I”m too busy to suppy notes for non-specific events. If a note is required, it should originate with the staff.
terribly jaded with high school,
susan
Exactly! I started writing the required note…and I started off by telling the teacher exactly what I thought of him requiring PARENTS to write a note when he couldn’t be bothered to send home some specific information, but then decided it wasn’t worth it. Plus I’d already caused trouble this week…I had to e-mail the principal earlier this week when I found out the school was selling cupcakes that were past their expiration date, only they didn’t TELL the students they were past the expiration date, they just sold them at half price. And my son, of course, ended up with a moldy cupcake! They let him exchange it, but personally, I think they should’ve refunded his money and STOPPED SELLING OLD FOOD! It’s one thing for me, as an adult, to go into a store and make an educated choice to purchase or not purchase “day old” whatever…but I don’t think a public school ought to be selling old food to students!
So anyway…I tore off a sheet of small notebook paper, wrote “ok” and signed my name on it. My son looked at it and said, “This is it? I think you’re supposed to write an actual letter, you know, with complete sentences and stuff.” I told him to have his teacher call me if he’s got a problem with my “note.”
Are you telling me this stuff gets WORSE in high school???