Feeling annoyed about school and need to rant!

[november90]

I'm sure most will read this and think I'm being unreasonable... maybe I am but I just need to vent!
My son is 4 and just started reception. Like most his age, suffered a lot due to the lockdowns etc and is having some difficulty adjusting to school. He is finding his uniform very difficult to wear as he doesn't feel comfy. It's mainly the pants. I put his issues with certain textures on his nursery transition form, i mentioned it on the pre school meeting, the home visit and also the phonics meeting 2 weeks ago. I just want assurance he's ok to wear his shorts which they have always told me he is. Anyway, dropped him off today and the teacher was really abrupt with me about wearing his pe shorts and not joggers... they way them to go into school wearing both at the same time. I felt so embarrassed and also annoyed.... why tell me one minute he's ok tk wear shorts but the next she wants the joggers and shorts?!
Also, the reading book annoys me. I made ds feel so proud about himself last week for doing a reading session everyday and he watched me fill the book out and when it got send home after being reviewed not so much a sticker or well done comment! Completely blank!
I've spoke to my family about this who say I'm expecting too much from school... but I just feel sad that we're like 6 weeks into school and o feel so distant from it all!
Anyone else have a new school child and feel the same? I know teachers are stressed and restricted due to Covid, but as a parent I'm finding it hard!

My point it: if the information isn’t being used for anything, if not everyone is filling in a reading record, if it doesn’t provide targeted feedback or reading support, why do it?

A parent not filling in a reading record is important information in itself. It means that child may need more targeted support with reading in school.

Reception teacher here 👋

Re the reading book... we make a big thing of reading and star readers get stickers and certificates based on how many times them have read. My TA checks reading records each morning whilst I do the register.

We read with the children twice a week... Oh w Tuesday abs Thursday.. I do half and my TA does the other half and we swap. Always write in reading records when we read at school.

One maths observation per child per week and one literacy observation per week in online learning journeys.

Re the shorts issue.. what type of shorts is he wearing? Jersey joggers if he's used to jersey shorts or get shiny joggers if he's used to football shorts.. surprised that he's allowed joggers tbh as we are full school uniform, trousers and school shoes!

If he's really struggling, do you have a diagnosis of a sensory disorder ? Have you spoken to the senco about sensory issues so that a referral can be put in place or an assessment take place?

@Hercisback

But then what happens with the kids who are never read to?

They read more often to the teacher to try and narrow the gap. The teacher can't hear kids read every day, so they prioritise.

But surely that gap is also being widened by setting a reading record in the first place?

@TheGrumpyGoat

My point it: if the information isn’t being used for anything, if not everyone is filling in a reading record, if it doesn’t provide targeted feedback or reading support, why do it?

A parent not filling in a reading record is important information in itself. It means that child may need more targeted support with reading in school.

Why? Surely the only accurate conclusion is that the diary hasn’t been written in - it doesn’t mean they’re not reading at home, it means nobody is writing in the diary.

Re the shorts issue.. what type of shorts is he wearing? Jersey joggers if he's used to jersey shorts or get shiny joggers if he's used to football shorts.. surprised that he's allowed joggers tbh as we are full school uniform, trousers and school shoes!

Our school wears full uniform 3 days a week, then on rheb2 days that they have PE they wear their kit to school. This is white round necked t-shirt, navy shorts, navy joggers over the shorts and navy logo’d sweatshirt. The idea apparently being that it saves valuable PE time by avoiding them getting changed into PE kit and back again.

But surely that gap is also being widened by setting a reading record in the first place?

Your solution is to lower the bar for all... Excellent.

[quote alrightfella]@november90 I'm going to disagree slightly with everyone else. My dc went to a private school. In reception they were heard to read every day and a comment would be written in the book, and ticks, stars and stickers given frequently [/quote]
There were probably a quarter of the class number 😳🤦‍♀️

My point it: if the information isn’t being used for anything, if not everyone is filling in a reading record, if it doesn’t provide targeted feedback or reading support, why do it?

Not everything needs targeted feedback. When the teacher hears the child read she/he can give that feedback then. This can be fed back to parents during parents evening/reports/phone calls if necessary if there is an issue. The teacher can note where to focus attention next time they hear them read

Responding to a parents comment in the log will not aid progress. The log, however, will encourage parents to read with their children. That is its purpose. It also helps teachers see who isn't being read to so they can be targeted.

Wasting teachers time marking logs means other important work like differentiating lessons does not happen. Let's be realistic about what one person can achieve.

@Hercisback

But surely that gap is also being widened by setting a reading record in the first place?

Your solution is to lower the bar for all... Excellent.

How is it lowering the bar? You seem to put a lot of trust in a reading record. That, to me, seems a pretty low bar.

@TheGrumpyGoat

Re the shorts issue.. what type of shorts is he wearing? Jersey joggers if he's used to jersey shorts or get shiny joggers if he's used to football shorts.. surprised that he's allowed joggers tbh as we are full school uniform, trousers and school shoes!

Our school wears full uniform 3 days a week, then on rheb2 days that they have PE they wear their kit to school. This is white round necked t-shirt, navy shorts, navy joggers over the shorts and navy logo’d sweatshirt. The idea apparently being that it saves valuable PE time by avoiding them getting changed into PE kit and back again.

Oh it absolutely does and we will be the same when we start pe after half term!

But op has concerns about her son and his shorts so I was offering support regarding how she could address this going forward.

Why? Surely the only accurate conclusion is that the diary hasn’t been written in - it doesn’t mean they’re not reading at home, it means nobody is writing in the diary

Yes, it could mean that. However in my experience, people who read with their children at home write in their diary as requested, and those who don’t read with their children at home don’t write in their diary. There are a few exceptions to this, but not many.

I found the transition from nursery to school strange at first, no handovers at the end of the day, just out the door and see you tomorrow, nursery was always a little rundown of the day. DD1 reads everyday of the week, little bookworm, but so far since September there's only been one comment from the teachers, which is fine, even if the teachers don't see how much they're reading, YOU know, and he is doing it. Not to sound harsh but it sounds like you want the recognition. You will get used to it.

@Hulkynothunky

My point it: if the information isn’t being used for anything, if not everyone is filling in a reading record, if it doesn’t provide targeted feedback or reading support, why do it?

Not everything needs targeted feedback. When the teacher hears the child read she/he can give that feedback then. This can be fed back to parents during parents evening/reports/phone calls if necessary if there is an issue. The teacher can note where to focus attention next time they hear them read

Responding to a parents comment in the log will not aid progress. The log, however, will encourage parents to read with their children. That is its purpose. It also helps teachers see who isn't being read to so they can be targeted.

Wasting teachers time marking logs means other important work like differentiating lessons does not happen. Let's be realistic about what one person can achieve.

I’ve already said this so many times - the diary isn’t evidence they’re being read to, or that they’re not being read to.

@TheGrumpyGoat

Why? Surely the only accurate conclusion is that the diary hasn’t been written in - it doesn’t mean they’re not reading at home, it means nobody is writing in the diary

Yes, it could mean that. However in my experience, people who read with their children at home write in their diary as requested, and those who don’t read with their children at home don’t write in their diary. There are a few exceptions to this, but not many.

And do you think there’s people who wouldn’t read to their children without the diary?

@Mammyloveswine I was just responding to this comment…

surprised that he's allowed joggers tbh as we are full school uniform, trousers and school shoes!

You sound like a normal mum, experiencing school for the first time with their child. It is frustrating and the little things can niggle you. As long as your dc is happy, learning and making friends and progressing academically, try not to worry.

You seem to put a lot of trust in a reading record

It's the encouragement and engagement that reading record promotes. There are some parents who would read with their kids anyway. There are others who won't ever read with their kids (they need support). There are (a tiny minority) who will read with them and never write a thing down. There are a lot of parents (I include myself here) who will be prompted by the reading record in the book bag to hear their child read.

My daughter has sensory issues over certain clothes. Parents whose children aren't like this will never understand. For my daughter wearing certain clothes is for her like (for example) having to wear a t-shirt that's full of sharp briars stabbing you all day.
You need to contact the teacher (email or in person) to say you were confused about what she meant and what he can wear. I doubt the other parents took any notice of what she said and how she said it to you and hopefully that was a one off (maybe she had had a exhausting day - teaching Reception is exhausting !!). You could try experimenting with different types/makes of trousers. If the school has a Facebook group or PTA you could put a message out asking to borrow different trousers so you can try them. It could be something as basic as he finds ones from Asda really comfy but ones from Tesco not. If he insists on wearing shorts would he wear leggings underneath?
Good luck. Hopefully you will find the perfect clothes.
(Don't worry about the reading diary. They aren't really a big deal. As long as you read with your son (and read whatever he is interested in - not just what the school sends home) then it's all fine.)

And do you think there’s people who wouldn’t read to their children without the diary?

Yes, loads!

And do you think there’s people who wouldn’t read to their children without the diary?

Maybe. I don’t know peoples motives for reading to their children. However the diary enables the teachers to identify those who aren’t being read to, as a general rule. And this is useful information.

I’ve already said this so many times - the diary isn’t evidence they’re being read to, or that they’re not being read to.

No but it will give some indication for some pupils. And even at just a basic level the log encourages parents to read to their children (so no need to be marked) - so what exactly is your problem with it? I'm still not clear - you think they are pointless or you think they should be marked?

@Hercisback

You seem to put a lot of trust in a reading record

It's the encouragement and engagement that reading record promotes. There are some parents who would read with their kids anyway. There are others who won't ever read with their kids (they need support). There are (a tiny minority) who will read with them and never write a thing down. There are a lot of parents (I include myself here) who will be prompted by the reading record in the book bag to hear their child read.

You wouldn’t read with your child without a reading record to fill in?

@TheGrumpyGoat

And do you think there’s people who wouldn’t read to their children without the diary?

Maybe. I don’t know peoples motives for reading to their children. However the diary enables the teachers to identify those who aren’t being read to, as a general rule. And this is useful information.

Why? Surely you know what level they read at from class work?

You wouldn’t read with your child without a reading record to fill in?

Yes I would. But using a reading diary enables teachers to identify children who aren’t being read with.

[quote TheGrumpyGoat]@Mammyloveswine I was just responding to this comment…

surprised that he's allowed joggers tbh as we are full school uniform, trousers and school shoes![/quote]
Oh pe days are different I read it as everyday, maybe I misread the op 🙈