We got a letter from my son's teacher today...

[Ali]

He is in kindergarten and I want to point out that this is the first communication we've gotten from the teacher re: any issues. Please read through and let me know your thoughts. Just as an FYI my son has gotten a stern talk, but part of me feels the letter was innappropriate, not a good way to deliver a message and why am I hearing about issues now, and not before, KWIM? Here is the letter, word for word:


After School, last Thursday, I found out that Keegan cut the sleeve on Carson's new shirt. Carson's mom is quite upset. It was the first time he wore that shirt. Keegan does not do well with scissors. This is not the first time he has damaged something by cutting it. Carson keeps his scissors in my drawer to avoid these accidents. On Thursday he was trying to finish some work which required scissors. I would appreciate you talking to him about this incident and using scissors properly. Thanks.


What do you think?

[meghann8]

Why didn't she tell you the day it happened?! It's been like 5 days now, which is an eternity to a kindergartener.

[bama]

Sounds like Carson's mom is just now making a big stink about it, and the teacher feels like she HAS to say something to me.

[Deanner03]

Originally Posted by meghann8 Why didn't she tell you the day it happened?! It's been like 5 days now, which is an eternity to a kindergartener.

[Mama2acrew]

Wow. FIVE days! That is FOREVER!!! A phone call that day would have been more appropriate... Also, was the cutting an accident? It happens... My 2nd grader was holding scissors and leaned his head into his hand and cut his hair off the top of his head last month. One other time in K, a little boy accidentally cut my dd's hair by turning to talk to someone with scissors in his hand (she had never had a hair cut... Jumped, cut her chin on the desk and had to have stitches and a hair cut the same afternoon!) It happens... He cried more than she did.
It is hard for you to know *what to talk to him about, KWIM? I would send the teacher a note asking her to call you at her earliest convenience so you can get an idea of the whole situation. Or you call her or run in and talk to her. The school is really laid back here so we just run in and chat with the teachers on their prep period or right after school.
If it was a huge deal, she would have told you FIVE days ago

[Frogjump]

umm if his scissors are in HER desk because he has trouble and this happened after school then why wasn't she watching him? My thought is that it is more her fault than his.

[Nikkis_Little_Ladies]

Originally Posted by bama Sounds like Carson's mom is just now making a big stink about it, and the teacher feels like she HAS to say something to me.

I agree.

I would just reply with an , " Oh I am sorry, I will have a nice talk about it with him and see if we can't fix the situation. Next time there is a problem could you please let me know about it sooner, as in the same day."

I would not offer to buy the kid a new shirt, as I am sure that the cut sleeve was not the only thing wrong with it by the end of the day. come on we're talking about kindergarteners.

[missydawn]

I would have to ask do you pick your child up at the classroom door? If you do then you should have known way before now, if not then am not sure of all of the reason's why it took this long. I know it seems impersonal to send a letter but a phone call to me means he has done something seriously wrong like injuring another child. This to me is just more of a too let you know of this problem. I hope you can work this out.

[summersonshine0407]

Hmmm, that note would bother me, too. Granted, you would want to know about the incident. But I'd think she should have told you right away exactly what happened.

It seems she could have left out the part that the mother was so upset about the shirt and that it was brand new. Not sure how that added to the note. It's not like your son knew it was a brand new shirt. He's just a little curious and maybe a bit impulsive like many kids. If that were my son I'd think at least no one was actually hurt, it's just a torn shirt.

My son is newly 4 and I think for some young kids (maybe especially boys.) there's nothing so crazy about needing some extra supervision with scissors. Sorry about all this!

[Nikkis_Little_Ladies]

I wanted to add,

I wouldn't have a problem with a letter being sent home. Thats how my kids school does it or we email, or if theres an emergancy then they call, otherwise its an email or a note home.

But the way she waited so long and the added info into the note is uncalled for. What does it matter that the kids shirt was new or that his mother was upset. Big Whoop! What matters is that your son needs some extra help with sissors.