To ask if you use ClassDojo

[readytodropnow]

How often do you interact with your child's teacher? Ask questions or send messages or generally interact?

I'm somebody that even when I've got a niggle I don't like to pester. But then I feel like I don't bother at all.

Before this kind of thing it was easy to see what was socially acceptable by how often parents stopped teachers at the door ect. But I don't know how often other parents bother teachers on classdojo, and I don't often see his teacher, they line up outside with TAs after school and go in one door in the morning.

What's normal? How can I gauge if I need to be taking more of an interest or chilling out?

[TabbyMumz]

We got a message from school saying dojo was more for the teachers to pass on news and info to us and not the other way round. Ie we could still pass messages to teachers through school secretary as before dojo came in, so got the impression they weren't wanting us to use it a lot. Think I sent an urgent message on it to the teacher twice in two years.

[TeacupDrama]

we were told to send urgent messages via office as often teachers only update dojo once a day and not to assume a message will be read before school

and like above it is more for teachers to communicate with us and so you can see points etc rather than to message them

[Aeroflotgirl]

What the hell is classdojo, thought you were going to be talking about Martial Arts .

[curiousierandcouriser]

I use ClassDojo just for the behaviour managment. We use SeeSaw as our online learning porfolio and encourage parents and students to comment (positively) as much as they wish on posts.

Communication is handled through email (preferred) and communication books which are sent home daily.

[Scotinoz]

My kids' school use ClassDojo.

The message function is used a lot. Staff send group messages e.g remember wellies tomorrow or you can't play out at break, can any parent help out on a trip etc and individual messages, e.g. great effort in choir etc.

Urgent messages go through the office, for example if kids are off sick or if someone different is picking them up. But questions like, are homework books due tomorrow are great in Dojo.

Our school uses it extensively, messaging, reporting and information sharing, but I know others are different.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Ours just use it for behaviour rewards I think. It’s a shame as I’d like to see more of what’s happening.

[readytodropnow]

@Scotinoz Ours is used very much in this way.
The teachers use the feed to post updates and photos, they use the points system for behaviour management, but regularly send messages home about things like asking for parent help or reminders of things they need for each day. Sometimes they will take a photo of the spellings and message them on a Friday for any that might go missing, or message out who is on the list for which clubs. It's really active in the school.

I've used it before for replying to messages about school trips and letting the teacher know he has a hospital appointment the next day. But I have no idea how others use it.

He's now in a situation where I think he needs to be moved away from the boy he sits next to (I don't even know if I can ask them to move him? Can I ask them to move him?)
It's not anything awful or urgent for today but the boy he sits next to is the known class bully and has been since they started in F2 (now halfway through y1). He's spent the last few weeks coming home saying hes had to tell all of his friends he can't play with them anymore because X said so, and today he has said that he wants to be in Xs gang who hits and kicks people so he will know he won't get hit or kicked himself. He won't talk about it anymore than that.
Now I don't want to rush in all guns blazing but I'd like to speak with his teacher tomorrow as in go in for a quick chat if I can. Not sure if this is something other parents might send a dojo message about like hi can I come in tomorrow when you have ten minutes for a chat about X, or whether it's best to call the school tomorrow.

I'd like to know more about what others use it for anyway though just to gauge myself, dd starts this year and dd2 in a few more years. Is it appropriate to use if you feel they are slipping behind or if they are having particular problems?

Are there any teachers on here that can maybe advise?

[CigarsofthePharoahs]

My childrens school uses ClassDojo.
We are not allowed to message the teachers on it, we have been told that any messages will be removed. It's just used for the behaviour points.

[Scotinoz]

@readytodropnow In our school, messaging the teacher to ask for a chat would be totally the appropriate thing to do

[StopMakingAFoolOutofMe]

I'm a teacher and I use it for messaging and behaviour. I get the odd message from parents but they don't abuse it. If I can't reply there and then, I'll speak to them when I can. Great system.

[SadOtter]

We use it. Some parents message every 5 minutes about everything, I'm pretty sure some have never ever used it, please don't try to judge yourself by other parents.

From the details above, yes "hi can I come in tomorrow when you have ten minutes for a chat about X" would be fine and would give the teacher some time to check any details they need to and a chance to find an appropriate time, just be aware they may not check it this evening/before school tomorrow so might be worth a call in if you don't get a reply

[jocktamsonsbairn]

I'm a teacher and our LEA don't allow us to use class dojo due to GDPR. I wouldn't want parents messaging me all the time if I'm honest. Most parents get it right - wee message at office/gate or in pupil planner unless it's a big issue/emergency. Others - either of 2 extremes where the parents you really want to talk to don't come near the school or the others who are constantly demanding attention and want meetings about everything and nothing under the sun. Our job is hard enough without the last type!! If a teacher really needs to tell you something they will!
I personally don't like parents seeing things like dojo points daily as minor behaviour issues should be dealt with in school and kids should be allowed a chance to improve, get a second chance/clean slate etc. without parents knowing all the ins and outs!

[kitkatsky]

I wish it had a newsfeed function as I find whenever I need to message it's usually along th lines of "EEk! DD has just told me she needs to bring craft materials in tomorrow to make a 3D model of human body but doesn't know what! Can you clarify?" I don't want to bother the teacher when it's likely other parents could help

[Shenanagins]

I think it’s a good way for interaction between the school and parents. Our teachers use it to communicate information, reminders etc plus share pictures of interesting things the pupils have been up to.

In terms of interacting with the teacher I tend to use it to follow up on something that I have spoken to the teacher already about and as i would phone the school to discuss any real issues.

[TeacupDrama]

I don't think it is a GDPR concern I think LEA are being lazy and using it as an excuse, a bit like the school that said kids could not take their own work home to their own home as it had their name on and their art work needed to be shredded as their names were on the back.
People also quote health and safety wrongly when they just don't want to do something or organize something
The local school did this with solar eclipse a year or two back said it wasn't safe even with the special glasses as the council said so; no surprises the next day when loads of pupils reported having seen on various news items heaps of kids outside with the special glasses in uniform, they were mad they had been banned from seeing a once in a lifetime thing because of an lying excuse dreamt up in an office

[StopMakingAFoolOutofMe]

It does have a newsfeed function.

[readytodropnow]

Would I look like a nutter asking for him to be moved seats or does that sound reasonable enough?

[Whoopsies]

We use class dojo, and I message a fair amount on it. Just to communicate basic things, ask for extra reading books, ask about trips etc. I also sometimes send photos of things ds has done at home that compliment the learning in class. (Which I know she likes as I've seen them printed out and used in his learning folder) The teacher is very young and tech savvy so seems to use it a lot! We are always told to message on there if you have any queries etc.

[Whoopsies]

We use class dojo, and I message a fair amount on it. Just to communicate basic things, ask for extra reading books, ask about trips etc. I also sometimes send photos of things ds has done at home that compliment the learning in class. (Which I know she likes as I've seen them printed out and used in his learning folder) The teacher is very young and tech savvy so seems to use it a lot! We are always told to message on there if you have any queries etc.

[Ninjaplus1]

We use Class Dojo. I think it’s reasonable to ask if your child can be moved. If she wants more detail then you can arrange an appointment.