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Original poster

When do you meet your DC's teacher?

62 replies

mamaM0 · 08/09/2023 13:52

My DC started Y4 this week and we've not had any interactions with her teacher outside of chaotic pick up which is still done covid style - Parents waiting outside the school while teacher stands behind fence sending out each child.
Apart from an A4 piece of paper with new class teacher, class name and a few paragraphs, given out at the end of Y3 when they had a meet the teacher morning, which we subsequently lost over summer, woops! Nothing...
Is this normal?

My expectations of school experiences is getting lower and lower!!

We've had no letters or other communication from the school so far.
Been told by my DC when pe is but that's all.
Just wondering what other schools are doing to get a gauge of what's normal!
Feeling a bit in the dark so far!

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Noodledoodledoo · 08/09/2023 22:49

mamaM0 · 08/09/2023 22:41

Communication is usually by letters in book bags, email sometimes dojo.
I messaged her on dojo but got no response.. early days I guess.

To be honest, I'm a week back in, I'm Secondary do slightly different but it's a crazy week and if it's not urgent I have a billion things I need to sort to be on top of stuff. Was the message on Dojo about something urgent?

Holidaydiscosinglemum · 08/09/2023 22:51

My communication with dd2's yr4 teacher so far has been double thumbs up twice in the playground.
Information evening is in a couple of weeks & I'm hoping not to need to dojo him anytime soon coz that usually means something's wrong!

Sparkleshine21 · 08/09/2023 22:54

@cansu my daughter has been back since Monday morning

thisone6 · 08/09/2023 22:57

Our school is having an evening next week. Reality is the teachers stand on the door every morning and afternoon and have a chat.

Whatsfordinneragain · 08/09/2023 23:08

Parent teacher meetings. Had a brief word at pick up.

If you need to talk to them, contact the school.

Original poster
mamaM0 · 08/09/2023 23:08

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · Today 22:44

Surely by year 4 you vaguely know who all the teachers are? My dc is Y4 and I could name probably 80% of the staff in the building.

Not really, DC started school in academic year interrupted by Covid-19, back then I never went to the school as working full time in office, since then teachers have come & gone. DC's teacher is new, I think she started last year?? So you see even though DC in Y4 now not really had a "normal" school experience but, at least we have been allowed in the school for performances and so on last year was like the first "normal" year.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 08/09/2023 23:09

We have a meet the teacher thing but I'm fine with meeting her at parents evening. I went last year and asked DH to go this year

Original poster
mamaM0 · 08/09/2023 23:19

Noodledoodledoo · 08/09/2023 22:49

To be honest, I'm a week back in, I'm Secondary do slightly different but it's a crazy week and if it's not urgent I have a billion things I need to sort to be on top of stuff. Was the message on Dojo about something urgent?

Show quote history

Not really, was a dojo suggestion to say hi to the teacher haha! Last year I messaged DC'S teacher about homework stuff but got no reply either..
I would usually email the teacher regarding any queries etc, I'm sure she'll get around to checking her messages eventually.

OP posts:
CupOfCoffeePlease · 08/09/2023 23:20

I dont think by yr 4 there is much "establishing a good relationship " to be had. Or any sort of relationship really!!

Unless your child has some additional needs and even then that communication may be with the TA or sendco.

CupOfCoffeePlease · 08/09/2023 23:21

What are you emailing about?

Can the office help instead? They're often around at drop off/pick up. Or a phone call or email to the office.

Failing that we'd do a note in the homework planner but it would be quite a rare need.

UsingChangeofName · 08/09/2023 23:35

Sounds pretty normal to me.
Before starting Reception you tend to get a 'Come in to school and meet the teacher' session, but after that the normality is that the dc meet the teacher on a 'moving up day' in July, and that is it.
Not sure why you need a 'relationship' with the teacher ?
If she is new, she will be completely up to her eyes in it for the first month or so.

raingame · 09/09/2023 01:17

Mine has just started Year 1. I met the teacher on the first morning at drop off, and also see her at pick up, which are both in the school playground. I don't like to demand her time chatting then though as she has to dismiss all the dc individually to their parent/carers so it's just been a quick hello.

We had a longer drop off this morning (3rd day) as parents were invited into the classroom to see the room and see the work the dc had been doing. There's a curriculum meeting in a couple of weeks, and a parent's evening in about a month when we get a 15 min slot.

Mumwithbaggage · 09/09/2023 01:21

I'm a teacher in a small school with mixed classes. I'm available to speak to parents (if it's very brief) in the morning or straight after school. I've made an effort to speak to the parents of children who were nervous about transition to reassure them and will always pop out at the end of the day to mention any issues. Love working at my school.

SaltaKatten · 09/09/2023 06:12

The dojo suggestion message,the teacher gets is clearly a generated message and the teacher might have 20 David is excited to be in your class messages. I wouldn't expect an individual reply to it. Apart from that, If the teacher is around at pick up, wait until most children are gone and go say hello.

Original poster
mamaM0 · 09/09/2023 16:37

UsingChangeofName · 08/09/2023 23:35

Sounds pretty normal to me.
Before starting Reception you tend to get a 'Come in to school and meet the teacher' session, but after that the normality is that the dc meet the teacher on a 'moving up day' in July, and that is it.
Not sure why you need a 'relationship' with the teacher ?
If she is new, she will be completely up to her eyes in it for the first month or so.

I guess it's because I want my DC to get the most out of their education and I want the teacher to know I'm a parent who's invested in my DC's education. Otherwise the days just go by and there's no time for follow up and whoops my child's missed out on a big chunk of what they need to learn - could've nipped that in the bud if I was more connected! No thanks to that scenario.

Y4 seems a lot more serious (I mean it's primary school for goodness sakes!)
But, Prep for 11+ and Sat's is now, I've been advised next year is too late to start!

OP posts:
elsieandthepooch · 09/09/2023 16:53

DD is in Year 1 and we are meeting her teachers (job share) on 20th September.

Original poster
mamaM0 · 09/09/2023 16:56

SaltaKatten · 09/09/2023 06:12

The dojo suggestion message,the teacher gets is clearly a generated message and the teacher might have 20 David is excited to be in your class messages. I wouldn't expect an individual reply to it. Apart from that, If the teacher is around at pick up, wait until most children are gone and go say hello.

The dojo is a nice icebreaker but its like you say - where is time to respond to all the messages.. I get that and probably feels like more being piled on her plate!
And there I was thinking I was being supportive and positive for the new year!

I've not seen her this week at drop off, DH picks up and saw her behind the fence so not much opportunity for convo of any length!

There will be an opportunity to meet her next week when they have the curriculum overview for the year/term so that should be fun!

OP posts:
RoseslnTheHospital · 09/09/2023 16:59

Your class teacher isn't going to be able to give you individual feedback on your DDs learning on a daily basis. And I would wager that every parent posting here wants their child to get the most out of their education.

You can show the class teacher you're invested by responding to all requests, by attending all meetings and keeping track of all paperwork sent out by the school. You can volunteer for class trips and to be a reading supporter in school. You can volunteer for school events that need parental involvement. You can be part of the PTA and attend PTA meetings.

In terms of your child's progress, you can support her with reading daily and with any homework that is set. You can provide a wide range of outside of school experiences and demonstrate that you value learning in general.

If you have a specific concern, then ask the school for an appointment with the teacher at a suitable time.

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 17:10

Have to agree with everything @RoseslnTheHospital said.

We've had no letters or other communication from the school so far.

So how do you know about the Curriculum overview meeting next week ?

Noodledoodledoo · 10/09/2023 10:35

Like the majority of parents I want the same as you for my children.

My eldest is yr 4 the same as you, I can pretty much pick out most teachers, never spoken to either child's but knew who they were, pictures in reception help - we had same covid experience.

I'm only at pick up twice a week, communication with teachers is brief if at all. Work on your children's communication skills so they can let you know if things get tough, so you aren't bugging the teacher all the time. If you want that level of info pay for a tutor or go private.

Original poster
mamaM0 · 10/09/2023 19:51

RoseslnTheHospital · 09/09/2023 16:59

Your class teacher isn't going to be able to give you individual feedback on your DDs learning on a daily basis. And I would wager that every parent posting here wants their child to get the most out of their education.

You can show the class teacher you're invested by responding to all requests, by attending all meetings and keeping track of all paperwork sent out by the school. You can volunteer for class trips and to be a reading supporter in school. You can volunteer for school events that need parental involvement. You can be part of the PTA and attend PTA meetings.

In terms of your child's progress, you can support her with reading daily and with any homework that is set. You can provide a wide range of outside of school experiences and demonstrate that you value learning in general.

If you have a specific concern, then ask the school for an appointment with the teacher at a suitable time.

I don't know how you got I want "daily feedback" from my posts! But thanks for your suggestions ☺

OP posts:
Original poster
mamaM0 · 10/09/2023 19:52

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 17:10

Have to agree with everything @RoseslnTheHospital said.

We've had no letters or other communication from the school so far.

So how do you know about the Curriculum overview meeting next week ?

It was in the newsletter on Friday

OP posts:
RoseslnTheHospital · 10/09/2023 22:40

"Otherwise the days just go by and there's no time for follow up and whoops my child's missed out on a big chunk of what they need to learn"

This bit. Kind of implied that you want regular updates from the teacher in person in addition to the standard feedback that is offered.

There is no way that you will get to the year 6 SATS without being aware of the progress of your child towards passing them.

Glad you'll take my advice on board.

CupOfCoffeePlease · 10/09/2023 22:44

Yup all Roses said.

There won't be regular updates. Keep communication open with your child.

Go to the meeting to meet the year and maybe say "hi" but that's it.

It's your childs school, their teacher, their space. They will contact you if they need you.

Imagine 30 "little 5 min conversations". Even at 1 a week that's 3 hours a week...

CupOfCoffeePlease · 10/09/2023 22:45

As for what they need to learn... that will be in the curriculum overview.

Unless you miss a chunk of school your child will cover it...