Is Ds's school a pain in the arse, or is this something I have to get used to? (Rant Alert)

[Bomper]

Ds's school have a habit of springing nasty surprises on you, earlier in the year for example he had a 'Jobs for the Future' Day, where they all had to dress up. But in the last week or so, it's gone into overdrive. They have been studying World War II all year, and had to do a project on it over Easter, well tomorrow they have to go in to school dressed as evacuees, complete with gas mask boxes, suitcases etc. Had a nightmare trying to get an outfit cobbled together, then we had a note saying they wanted us to design and make a model of a WW2 garden, with Anderson Shelters, washing lines, vegetable patches etc, to bring in on evacuee day - aaarrrggghhh. Let me point out here, I am NOT very creative!! And now, we have been sent a list of things for them to bring in on Friday, when they will be making 'Moving Monsters'!!! It's never ending!! Is this normal?! It's driving me up the wall!! You'd think they'd be slowing down for the holidays, but they seem to have gone mad!!

how old is he?

I'd feel close to having a word with them tbh

He's 8 - Year 3. If I see one more bit of green tissue paper, or corrugated cardboard I'll go mad!!

Am not creative either and dread these kind of requests coming back with 1 week's notice, but 1 day??

I think a short letter to the Head would be in order, just to remind them that most parents have, you know, a life outside of school.

I don't think a letter this close to the end of the year is the thing to do. Is your son bringing home letters ? I'm sure that info would have gone out with more notice than one day

Bomper - my ds had to make moving mosters too and he is in year 3.

Have to say we haven't had to do any of the other things that you have though!

Yeah, it makes me laugh when they add things like 'Have Fun!!' at the end of their notes. Are they taking the piss or what?!

"most parents have, you know, a life outside of school"

Ah, but it's not the parents who are meant to do the homework

My Dd1 is in year 3 and hasn't done any of that but then her teacher doesn't believe in homework.

The school in general do have a habit of springing things on us though.

my son always let me know at the last minute, i'm sure he keeps them until the night before. do you just have to make the model?

Yeah, but at this age it is usually something you have to get involved in at some level, with his project it was taking him to the library etc, for research, for the outfit it was making a bloody gas mask box, for the garden I had to go out to bloody Hobbycraft (shudder!!) to by him all the bits and bobs!! I have to say he made it himself thought, I don't think I can say the same for a number of his classmates though, his looks crap compared to some of the elaborate works of art I have seen the last couple of mornings!

i know some of the stuff you just know has been done by a parent, it really makes me laugh.

you should (he should) be able to fashion something quick just a flat piece of card (cereal box) arch another piece for the shelter and draw on the veg patch let him do it! the teachers will be more impressed with something like that rather than an impressive scale model done by another child's dad

I used to hate that kind of thing. I am parent not a teacher. That's why they go to school.

I have no creativity myself and so would feel like asking the school to provide a making-things course for parents.

And, why aren't they making the things at school? Much more educational. It covers all sorts of skills, the use thereof. Then when they grow up they will be better equipped to provide similar support for their own kids.
God, I am glad my kids are past that stage. I used to feel so inadequate.

No way would I do this kind of thing. I am not creative. I would complain.

School is school - home is home. Reading is fine but I'm not planning to do anymore when mine are so little.

DS starts school in Sept. I hope that your school is unusual.