AIBU to think this is over the top and a bit odd? (Reading level related, of all things!)

[Caff2]

A former colleague of mine, primary teacher teaching year one at the moment, has had a complaint made to the HT about her by a disgruntled parent.

The parent's complaint is that the teacher moved her child up a level in reading, but did not inform the parents via a celebratory certificate (?), well done sticker, or make an announcement to the class in celebration time. Just "X has now moved up to level Y", for example, in reading record with new level book in book bag.

I think an actual written complaint about this is really a bit odd, but the parent feels that the teacher is not providing enough positive reinforcement or using self esteem building opportunities because of this.

AIBU?

Oh you must - when I qualified as a teacher, my PGCE co-ordinator didn't even SAY well done! I never got a sticker and the certificate I did get was oddly formal and had no stars or smiley faces on it. sad face

We don't even get a note when dc changes reading level.

It seems so ott that I wonder if there is some background that we're all missing. If this complaint came out of the blue then YANBU and neither is your former colleague.

I just wonder if there's been an ongoing tussle about the reward and recognition structure in the school and the reading book was a final straw

When I started teaching Reception many years ago we had a star chart which showed which reading level each child was on; when they moved up a level they stuck the new star on themselves; impressive, eh! We had to remove the charts because some parents complained that it was demoralising for their children because they didn't get as many stars as the others. How they would cope with certificates or Celebration time I dread to think. Actually, those children will be parents of Reception children themselves; perhaps this mother is one of them and is compensating for her disappointment?

I actually like the idea of a sticker in the reading record, partly because it also means it's easy to see when your child last moved level, how many books they've had at the current level etc.

YANBU, that would be unnecessary and OTT! We don't get a note in the reading books, just a little squiggle in the new colour :)

Very ott.

DS is in y1 and in his first term he got a little note each time his teacher thought he was ready to move up a level, and he took the note and his book to the head, who would listen to him read and sign the paper saying "Ring's ds can move up a level"

I don't think they do that anymore now they are finishing this year soon, just write "moved to level...." in his record book.

The parent sounds a bit silly.

Ah well, to be charitable, maybe she's just pfb. I currently am really struggling with BOTH my children - I have a nearly 14 and nearly two year old and maybe as parents we get a bit bogged down sometimes. I've just been reduced to tears by my pfb, for example. But a written complaint does seem mad, and the way some SMT are (not this one) it could cause a world of pain for the teacher for no reason.

I don't have a clue what reading level either of my ds' are! I think ds2 went up.a level.this week, but he rarely reads his school books at home because he thinks theyare boring and prefers the famous 5.

My DD gets "try green :)" or whatever written in her reading record when she's ready to move up. This results in a cheer/hug/high five from me. Job done.

There's no fanfare at all at our school; the books state quite clearly what level they are, no need for it to be announced via special telegraph.
The lack of brass bands to "celebrate" a perfectly natural progression doesn't appear to have held any of my children back...
Can you imagine what madam will be like when the school play rolls around, and her child's special talents aren't showcased to her satisfaction?
Who'd be a teacher?

I have worked for senior management that would have sent the parent packing with a felea in their ears and others who would have castigated the teacher.

We do the fanfare here at home, don't rely on the school for positive 'parenting'.