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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be pissed of that school expect everyone to be able to download an app?

53 replies

user1477282676 · 12/02/2017 10:43

Our school has just changed so that the newsletter is delivered via an app.

I just tried to download it and my old iphone won't let me. It says I need to upgrade to Ios 8 or something.

What am I meant to do?

OP posts:

Ragwort · 12/02/2017 14:31

Totally unreasonable.

We recently had a text message from DS's school stating that in future important messages would be circulated via Twitter - I replied stating that I did not use Twitter and what other communication methods were available - I didn't even get a reply .

missbishi · 12/02/2017 14:31

It's not their problem that you use outdated software or choose not to update your phone

And how the fuck is she supposed to manage that then? Stop feeding the kids? You might be able to upgrade yearly, others aren't.

jumpin17 · 12/02/2017 14:34

Free!

OopsDearyMe · 12/02/2017 14:37

Sort but not everyone can afford to own smart devices. This tablet is the only one I have and I had to purchase it in order for my children to do homework, which is also app based. When I asked what children without such items are meant to do, the answer was they would need to attend homework club, which is at lunchtime and is considered the place you go if you are naughty and don't do your homework. Why should children be stigmatised by the school for not having these items.

JustAnotherPoster00 · 12/02/2017 14:38

You are given credits towards a new iphone so not free

OopsDearyMe · 12/02/2017 14:41

Why should she have to be forced into relying on such items, its the school being lazy again.

daisypond · 12/02/2017 14:41

Absolutely unreasonable. I don't have a smartphone or tablet, so would be unable to do it.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 12/02/2017 14:44

Lol Jumpin. A free upgrade from who? I've got an iPhone3 here, is someone going to swap it for something that runs iOS 8 for me, for free?

And Hellmouth - perhaps it's not a choice? Perhaps not everyone can afford the most up to date phones? And I imagine most schools want parents to read the newsletters, so it is the school's problem if they're not making it available in a format everyone can read.

But OP, you've got to tell them. You won't be the only one.

PlumsGalore · 12/02/2017 14:45

I have all the technology but I still think it is bloody unreasonable to expect every person to have it and use it.

wettunwindee · 12/02/2017 14:48

You are meant to g to school (or send an email) and tell them you can't get the application and would like a copy sent to x email address. Remind them that you likely aren't the only one.

Schools are looking to streamline processes, remove the man-hours and cost and you can't blame them for trying. People using iOS 8 and below are few and far between: it doesn't mean you shouldn't be catered for but it does mean you're in a minority and they can be forgotten or sidelined.

I shouldn;t imagine it will be much of an issue once it's raised.

I think you're unreasonable for being annoyed that the school wanted you to download an app. Perfectly reasonable to say you can't and would like an alternative.

OopsDearyMe

Considered a punishment by whom?

The school seem damned if they do and damned if they don't in your opinion. They provide access but this isn't good enough.

BreconBeBuggered · 12/02/2017 14:53

That would piss me off no end, OP. I don't need or want a smart device. I can see there are instances where one might be useful, but it's an indulgence I'd have to pay for by forgoing something else. Not worth the sacrifice just to get letters from school, thanks.

TheMysteriousJackelope · 12/02/2017 15:03

It is unreasonable.

Our school sends information by email, but they also do robocalls to leave messages for upcoming events and to let people know how to sign up for volunteer opportunities on paper in the school. Perhaps that is an option for your school?

Children at the DC's school are in an even worse situation. We are on a 100% digital curriculum and homework is set over the internet. Quite a few families don't have internet access in their homes and have to drive over to McDonalds or Starbucks to access free wifi there. When parents have evening jobs it means children can miss out on being able to do homework. Not to mention the teachers who set 2 hours of homework at 8.00 p.m. and it's due the following morning .

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 12/02/2017 15:04

Grandma? Is that you? It sounds just like you...

"No need for any of that new-fangled nonsense. Didn't have it in my day."

MaisyPops · 12/02/2017 15:11

Do they put it online as well?
Im secondary and know that lots of schools have shifted to electronic copies because 2000 newsletters is a lot of copying. They make it available by email, website and app. Parents who request papee copies at the start of the year get them still.

user1484750550 · 12/02/2017 15:14

Phew, I am very glad mine have left school!

I don't even have a smartphone, let alone a chuffing tablet or suchlike. I would be well lost and out of the loop.

This may come as a massive shock to these people, but not everyone has a flucking smartphone or tablets!

SoupDragon · 12/02/2017 15:20

If your current iPhone is 8gb then you'll be eligible for a fee upgrade.

There is nosuch thing as a free upgrade so your typo was probably accurate.

SparklyTwinkleGlitter · 12/02/2017 15:29

I agree OP.
Our primary school posts important school info on Twitter and Facebook which I don't use much. It's just bloody annoying. They still post termly newsletters on their website to include school closure dates but they don't bloody update them on there, just Twitter and Facebook.
If you don't check FB daily, you could miss stuff. I've often only found out about things after the event. My DH doesn't 'do' technology so I can't rely on him picking up useful info.
Several parents at 3pm pick up a few weeks ago weren't aware of a school closure day the next day. It's ludicrous.
It's a small rural primary for kids aged 4-13 with just 5 teachers (inc. head but not in U.K.). It just doesn't make sense to me.

LivingInMidnight · 12/02/2017 15:35

And this is why I loathe apple. Android all the way, at least you can add storage to their devices

Not totally accurate. Android will support sd cards, but device manufacturers don't always. There hasn't been a nexus/pixel phone with an sd card slot since the nexus one. Google actually decided some time ago that sd cards were confusing to consumers . OTG still works though. In fairness, sd cards are slower than the onboard storage anyway.

Willow2016 · 12/02/2017 15:38

Hellmouth/Milk

I dont need anyone to tell me I HAVE to spend hundreds of pounds on new tech thanks, not the school nor you. I get what I can AFFORD not what 'the latest fad' is. Which will be outdated next year and cost you more to upgrade/buy the next 'fad'. We have smartphones but not Iphones so we wouldnt be able to download the app if its for an iphone only.

No way could I afford to spend money on ipads or iphones for me or my kids and I dont give two freaks about it. Its my business what I spend my money on nobody elses. And nobodys kids should be left out cos their parents don't earn enough for all the latest tech.

Our high school does some homework online but you dont need anything fancy to get it, my teen uses my pc. If we didnt have wifi they would have to do it at school or go to the library at the weekend (its only open certain times) and have a slot booked for a computer which isnt always easy.

SandyDenny · 12/02/2017 16:41

What a fuss about a non event, tell the school you need a paper copy, job done.

As the saying goes, don't sweat the small stuff

BreconBeBuggered · 12/02/2017 16:44

Don't think posting a few sentences on a forum constitutes a huge fuss, does it?

myfavouritecolourispurple · 12/02/2017 17:27

No YANBU - I very recently changed my phone but my old one was rubbish - far too little memory and I could hardly have any apps on it at all.

We get a link via email to view our newsletters on the school website.

RandomDent · 12/02/2017 17:38

Is it Dojo? You can get that via a browser.

Chattymummyhere · 12/02/2017 19:12

Parent mail? You can access on a web browser you don't need the app.

If you tell the school you can not access it and give them an email address I'm sure they will email you. Our school is trying to be 100% paperless on forms home due to its eco status but has said if parents are not able to they will send a paper copy. However the children would fail homework anyway as 50% is online on webpages(or the connect apps).

Bangintune · 14/02/2017 23:10

I thought all providers offer a free upgrade towards the end of your contract?

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