Phone calls home

[kscience]

Dear parents, I have been trying to call home since Tuesday for a couple of pupils who are not putting in the effort I expect in class (despite virtually standing over them and becoming a broken record of nagging) and who have important revision homework ready for their end of year assessment.

I just want to give the parents the heads up that the pupils have revision materials and ask that they could please encourage their DS to spend some time looking at them.

Would you be upset with a phone call from a teacher on a Saturday morning?

Absolute rubbish, we have been years without washing machines at different times, having a machine is pure luxury. The vast majority of human kind through out history and across the globe today manage perfectly well washing by hand, as we have done many times. Some people are so spoilt and demanding these days is just beggars belief. Is this the family that you say can't get internet access? they can sell their machine for it then, can't they, if they care about their child's education.

Yet you think Internet access is essential ...are you real?

I'm hiding this ridiculous thread now. It is unsafe practice, and gross professional misconduct for a teacher to call children's homes from their own private phone, and most parents can be contacted by email. ANY parent can have an email address if they want one, and provide internet access for their children if they want to. That is all there is to it.

Have you got young children?

You still haven't produced anything that supports your assertion that it's unsafe practice as I said there is nothing in the DfE guidance for safe practice in educational settings.

Frankly I find your belief that the Internet is more important than beds laughable

I would not appreciate a call on a Saturday morning. And I am a teacher.

I'm still trying to work out what planet karbon lives on.

As a teacher, I have no problem printing out a copy of notices or newsletters for a parent who doesn't have email. I don't expect them to prioritise email over beds or feeding their child. Part of my job is to make sure that all students get the best education they can, and if that means pressing print a few times and walking over to the copier, then I will certainly do so.

Another teacher here. I wouldn't appreciate a call on a Saturday either. I also think the OP has tried hard enough to reach the parents and should let it go. We are talking about revision for an end of year assessment here, which isn't that important in the great scheme of things.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who says they wouldn't like this. Let me expand: I'm a parent who cares deeply about her child's education and over the years I've had emails as well as letters home. Both give me a chance to digest what is being said by the teacher and, if necessary, to compose an appropriate response and to discuss its contents and take action with my child. Neither of these are options when one is phoned out of the blue without notice, putting aside the possibility that the parent might have hearing difficulties on the phone (as do I) or not have good English.

In contrast a phone call, on a Saturday, my only day off work, would be an invasion of privacy, notwithstanding the sacrifice that the teacher is making of her own time. To me, unless it is an emergency, I don't want the outside world to penetrate my only quiet time of the week.

Indeed, OP, I don't see why you need to be so zealous, so eager to speak to the parent, unless it is to berate them in some way. Why not send them a polite, firm letter in a professional manner on school letterhead. If the parents are in any way interested, this'll have much more of an impact and - importantly - they are more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Accordingto Karbon I should have been sacked years ago sometimes the only time you can speak to a parent is in the late evening, so yes I call from home (I do though withhold my number).

Op; a call on a Saturday might be the only time you will need to do it, as I have found that once students realise that their parents being at work doesn't mean they get away with it the behaviour/attitude that needs to change does