The School cordially invites you ......again!

[joelallie]

DISCLAIMER: I have no beef with teachers. Some of my best friends are teachers ?.even quite a few family members are teachers. I know they work hard and it?s a stressful job.

Having said all that, please would someone tell me why it is sooooo impossible for our school to do any performances in the evening? Just one a year per class maybe? I work and so does DH. This terms there a 5 events that we would like, and are expected by our kids, to attend. 1 play (DS#1), 1 music and dance performance (DD), one sports day (both) and 2 separate special assemblies where they receive certificates etc and to which parents are invited. I?ve already booked nearly 3 weeks and DH is taking 2 weeks (unpaid as he?s self-employed) to cover the summer hols. So I can?t in all conscience take any more right now. We?ve managed by hook and by crook to make sure that someone is at the Sports Day (me ), the play (DH) and DD?s performance (grandparents) but we simply can?t do the assemblies. And I?m a bit sad about missing things myself

Clearly the school realised that day time is not possible for some parents as they arrange the parents evenings after 6pm. I clearly remember performing plays in the evenings when I was at school. Would it be so unreasonable to arrange something in the evenings, perhaps just once, in the summer term? Do other schools already do this?

I hear you joelallie! I work part-time but still have to swap my days around and leave early etc to attend school stuff. July is rammed with events - DD leaving infants going to juniors meeting, DS joining infants meeting, summer fair, parent's evening, choir performance, YR2 leavers performance, DS meeting his teacher at 2pm one day.

I suppose the teachers don't want to give up their evenings to do some of this and why should they? They don't get paid but I know what you mean.

Could you put a note in the suggestion box about it?

I spoke to the head recently about having a bit more notice for things so the parents that work can arrange to get hold of something yellow for hospice day, or a bottle for non-uniform day (bottle for raffle prizes). I said it's not much use telling me on Tuesday that DD has to wear yellow on Thursday when I'm working and can't get to a shop to buy a yellow top or whatever. She's a working mum herself and did see my point.

They've still sprung another meeting on us for next Thursday at the helpful time of 2pm so I will have to change my days again.

Ah well! No one said it would be easier when they were at school!