Parent's Evening - This isn't going to end well...

[Eggrules]

Parent's Evening/ Consultation is coming up and is the same day for the entire school.

Some parent's of children in my DS's Reception Class are incredibly competitive. Instead of holding the meeting in the classroom, this event is being held in the hall. Had some excellent first timers Reception Parent's evening advice from PastSellByDate.

Totally fed up. No good can come of this. Does anyone have any parent's evening stories to cheer me up?

oddgirl Right, ignore me, I'm with you now - what you are going to say if any Competitive Reception Parents ask you "How you have gone on"

Sorry not sure what you mean Iam... his NCT group means they are all of a very similar age (therefore I would think abilities could be comparable?)

I suppose I do worry too much.
We went out on a trampoline this afternoon and he told me it's a hexagon

All good now, thanks Egg. I wasn't really worried, but pleased that the school were supportive. He has had the same character since he was 3 months old!

Brian, do not worry! My eldest couldn't even hold a pen when he started school (late nov birthday).

You will all be pleased to hear that most of this rubbish competitive nonsense stops as they move up the school, and particularly when they finish the reading schemes.

How does 'OK' sound as a stock response?

Brian It is totally normal to compare in that situation - it can't be helped sometimes. Your DS sounds fine imho.

Sittinginthesun Glad it is ok now.

If asked by nosy parent, I would just say, "all good, dc is happy and thriving".

Sittinginthesun same here. My DS has a late November birthday and couldn't hold a pencil. They have the entire school year to progress.

Hopefully the set up will allow some privacy.

Glad to hear the competitive nonsense stops. My DS's school uses ORT and I think reading levels is something that some parents have latched on to examine progress. The school does not rank the children academically and reading levels is one of the more visible ways to make comparisons.

I'm now remembering one of the few things teacher said about us doing a lot with DD at home. Um, no we don't! I have ample ideas/resources but more often than not DD is sat in front of a DVD. I wonder if they have me pegged as a pushy mum. I am too lazy for that, I actually worry I'm not doing enough

Egg your comments on this and t'other thread about not being able to get through the door of a morning REALLY resonate - same thing in DD's class, one mum at the door talking the ears off whatever teacher is there, imparting some vital piece of info. Every. Sodding. Day.

We don't seem to have reading levels ATM - DCs are encouraged to choose their own new book every day from a massive range, including picture books. [sick of Moo Cow Kung-Fu Cow emoticon]

Eggrules It does stop, thankfully; although in your DS's school... doesn't sound likely at the moment (Maybe as the DC apply for mortgages.)

fuzzpig same here and it drives me insane. It would be annoying anyway but it is mental because the kids can't get in the door.

Sorry-Iamnotinterested...just re-read my post and it was a bit cryptic..if anyone has the nerve to ask me directly I am going for the mysterious slightly smug smile...and maybe a little teaser of "well...we have been asked not to discuss this with anyone because of funding issues..." That should do it...

Getting a bit nervous before the parents evening tonight at 5
Should I dress up a bit? Or are jeans and a nice top enough?
DP will come from work so will be wearing a suit.... Never mind!

I'd go for wetsuit and flippers. Or a flamenco dress.

Report back to us

Had my Dc's P.E on Monday.

BrianTheBrainSurgeon I think jeans are fine. Fancy dress will make an impression. Definitely let us know how you got on.

I wonder how mummytime got on?

World Book Day on Friday. EVERYONE was having home made costumes; until this morning when all talk was about costume delivery.

I know it was a silly question. What can I say, I got inspired by the "what do you wear to the zoo" thread

I did PE. It was slightly ahead I think. I id my best try to concentrate on DDs tray and not hear what teacher says to others (sorry but Dyslexia like my kids names, is one of those words I focus in on, but as I have no idea who their child is it doesn't matter).
Hopefully DD is going to have some 1 on 1 sessions on anger management. I told the teacher that DD had spotted their coding for kids on the recent trip and worked out what it meant; she said in future she will explain to DD what it is and why she is classified as she is. I do wonder if another school would be better or worse for a child intellectually about 13, emotional and behaviourally between 2 and 8 depending on the circumstances.

Oh BTW Brian - one thing to learn is that parents lie (I still remember "George is reading himself to sleep with Harry Potter" George (not his real name) was 6, and couldn't read fluently until at least 8).

BrianTheBrainSurgeon I laughed when I saw that title.

mummytime Good news about 1.2.1 sessions. Hope it makes your DD feel better.

I think having PE in the hall means a certain amount of eavesdropping is unavoidable. Much better to have these things in private imho.

I have PE tomorrow afternoon, even though nothing negative is usually said about DS I always come away feeling disappointed. I think they have a standard speech that they say to everyone and just adjust it slightly. I never feel its that personal.

I want to know the truth really and if its a bit woolly then I end up dwelling on what 'they really meant' etc etc.

We have been given a report in advance with the KS1 levels on for year 1 but no real explanation of what they mean with regards to his progress so I am not entirely sure if they are what they expect from him worse or better. His levels range from 1a to 2a so I understand that he is where he should be at least but what I really want to know is where he should be for 'him' not in comparison to national average or the other children as all children are different so its not relative! They never seem to want to push him or discuss it particularly so I always come away feeling a bit indifferent!

I was completely baffled by the EYFS stage competences. I think progress will be matched to this and so have explained it to my OH in advance. I would rather they said what they meant too. Luckily we had some very constructive feedback last year in nursery.

I have no idea what the KS1 levels are. I think I would like to come away knowing my SD's basic strengths and weaknesses.

It did end well.

DS is doing really well. He has at least caught up surpassed in some areas. What a relief.

The decided not to show work/ folders AT ALL. Teacher said she will send photocopies of examples home instead. They will have an open day at some point so we can see.

Set up was strange; infants and juniors in the hall and the appointment times were all running really late. Just chatted to OH and some friendly parents and avoided parents talking to the class teacher.

Roll on post PE Inquisition .

Glad it went well

I wonder why they did not show any work at all, it might have been to stop the nosy brigade because you were in the hall, not the classroom.

Brian - my DS (now yr2) is 31st Aug and I remember coming away from his first parents eve in reception sobbing (ok, I waited till I got home ) because his teacher was so negative about how behind he was and he could not cut with scissors, draw a perfect circle etc...

But by the Easter term he had caught up and started yr1 near the top of the class

My 2yo is 30th August, I worry about him being behind too!

Glad it went well Egg :) we didn't see much of DD's work either, only one example of independent writing ("I wnt to the prk. I plad in the sndpt" :o) - it was lovely but actually I'm kind of sad about it because I had NO idea she could do that much - she's only written single CVC words at home, and that's only in the last few weeks! What else are we missing? :(

simpson. DS has a end of Nov birthday and so I had the opposite problem. His pre-school teacher were worried about him being behind, especially as he was 'one of the oldest'. He was being compared to peers that had attended a school nursery for 2 school years. In addition although his BF was much smaller physically, there is only 15 weeks between them.

I don't doubt there is a difference when there is around a calendar year difference in age. I went to school when I was 3 and had my 4th birthday in Sept. My twin and I were always above average in class right through school.

fuzzpig I agree about being regrading what they can do. It is amazing to see the progress made. I definitely have under estimated what my DS can do.

I think (HOPE) the tides have turned; I think this nutty behaviour was getting a lot of people down. At drop off there were the normal offenders questioning progress. I think a lot of people (myself included), feel reassured that DC are doing OK and are settled into school. People were even joking about whom was the naughtiest. It made a change to have such a nice atmosphere.