Is this normal for schools!?

[CarrieMF]

Originally Posted by luvsviola Wow. In my district, if you brought your child to any school function, you'd be formally reprimanded on the spot. That is a professionalism thing. Get a sitter.

Teachers kids come to all sorts if school functions even if those kids don't go to that school. I don't see it as a professionalism thing at all. Why should a teacher have to get a sitter for a kid function that the teacher is often required to be at & unpaid for. There would be no reprimand here.

I was supervising preschoolers on the bus one day(we were picking them up To take to school). My kids school called because my dd was sick. The bus driver made a special stop to pick my dd up. She rode the bus until we had picked up/dropped off the kids and i took her home. Most of those bus drivers & preschool supervisors bring their little kids on the bus during the job

[z2akids]

Originally Posted by tryin Whatever! Who said the teacher would be babysitting? If a parent brings their child, she/he takes care of it. I AM a teacher, have been for 18 years. I have had numerous younger siblings attend events and none have "spoiled" it for other kids. Most parents know to take a crying or screaming child out of the area. I have never had to tell a parent to do that. No, I would not break the rules if it is a safety issue, school policy, etc. But to say that I cannot attend a function that I help set up because of my younger child? No, that would not go over too well with me. If you are okay with not going to your child's school function, fine. and yes, sometimes you do have to "break the rules". Have you ever heard of Rosa Parks? If this was the rule, it should have been mentioned prior to allowing the parent to set up. Sometimes, you have to speak up and voice your disagreement with the rules. Example: our school handbook says no flip flops. My student had a ripped off toenail. She showed up at school with flip flops without a doctor's or parent's note. Should I have made a big deal, called home, sent her to the office, sent her home, etc. OR should I understand and teach my lessons and be glad that she came to school that day to learn? At my school, we aim to include families. We want families to feel comfortable attending school events. We are realistic that there are younger siblings at home. We know that parents are working or stay at home or are single parents. I would not want my child to feel that he/she had to lose a special time with his/her parent due to the younger child. I have been in that position and it is NOT a good feeling for the child, nor the parent. I doubt if mom is trying to "amuse" her younger child. I am sure she is there trying to support her older child. She went beyond many parents by setting up and including her family member in setting up. She is not "freeloading". My principal is understanding enough that staff members can bring their own children to certain functions. If this was a quiet or potentially hazardous event, I could understand, but it doesn't sound like this is that kind of event. those younger siblings are also our potential future "clients". If a parent is bringing a younger sibling to school, it's usually for a good reason. I have never had a parent just blatantly disrupt my class by ignoring their child's misbehavior. Maybe that is why many parents request for me to be the teacher of the younger siblings as well. I am not one that goes with the flow just because. I am generally not a rule-breaker, but i'm not going to go along with everything if I disagree with it. I am teaching my child to speak up for herself. I guess we have to agree to disagree on this.

I really have to thank you. I cannot recall the last time I got a true belly laugh out of a post on DS. Equating bring your baby/toddler to a school function that they have been excluded from to the Civil Rights movement? I mean, wow. Rosa Parks would be rolling over in her grave.

Actually, I cannot decide if teaching your child that it's okay to break any rule that inconveniences you and equating this to Rosa Parks is self centered and entirely devoid of basic manners. On the other hand, perhaps this post really shows just how far we have come in this country. If the struggle for African Americans to gain some measure of equality in this country is so complete that we can now focus on the hardships of the babies excluded from public schools they don't attend, then we really have come far.

Personally, I teach my children that there is a difference between bigotry and segregation and personal inconvenience. For the one I would hope that as they become adults they are willing to stand up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. On the other hand, rules that are merely inconvenient to an individual do not rise to the level of civil disobedience.

I guess we will have to disagree whether excluding babies from school functions is an inconvenience or segregation.

[oregonmom]

We homeschool, but I asked a friend about this and she said that the local elementry school has a policy that you have to get permission from the teachers to bring more then one sibling with you when you volunteer there. Also that you can not bring siblings on field trips without prior permission. I know that when we went to the book fair at the elementry school most of the volunteers running it had their younger kid(s) with them.

[Mom2Finn]

Originally Posted by z2akids I really have to thank you. I cannot recall the last time I got a true belly laugh out of a post on DS. Equating bring your baby/toddler to a school function that they have been excluded from to the Civil Rights movement? I mean, wow. Rosa Parks would be rolling over in her grave. Actually, I cannot decide if teaching your child that it's okay to break any rule that inconveniences you and equating this to Rosa Parks is self centered and entirely devoid of basic manners. On the other hand, perhaps this post really shows just how far we have come in this country. If the struggle for African Americans to gain some measure of equality in this country is so complete that we can now focus on the hardships of the babies excluded from public schools they don't attend, then we really have come far. Personally, I teach my children that there is a difference between bigotry and segregation and personal inconvenience. For the one I would hope that as they become adults they are willing to stand up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. On the other hand, rules that are merely inconvenient to an individual do not rise to the level of civil disobedience. I guess we will have to disagree whether excluding babies from school functions is an inconvenience or segregation.

[ajane]

Of the 2 different schools we've been in, I could bring younger siblings. However, I tell my kids they can't take part in the activities or snacks. If there are plenty of snacks and the teacher offers it to them then they can have some.

[mamashhon]

My DS1 is just finishing up kindergarten. I think siblings are allowed mostly to everything, but the only thing I brought DS2 to was open house. Everyone had their whole families there. They did a carnival one night (which you paid/bought tickets for games, food, etc) and we volunteered. DH and I took turns watching DS2 so our full attention was on our tasks. As far as things during the day throughout the school year, DH and I again took turns and one of us stayed home. Our 4yo has SN and I would hate to be that mom who's kid went nuts and caused a huge distraction. DH has only gone to school functions since DS3 was born since I can't really leave him. I'd never want to bring a baby, but that's just me.