Goodbye, Remote-Learning. Hello, Montessori Academy.
After a rough week of attempted Kindergarten & 2nd grade remote-learning, a tone-deaf & condescending email was sent out to all parents in Chayce’s school.
The email thanked parents for helping get their kids logged onto zoom for the day (as if that is all the work parents did), and then (IMO) it went on to reprimand students/parents. The email clarified (1) all the rules around how students should act & dress & behave on zoom, (2) that parents must ensure all homework is submitted by 1159 each night the day it was assigned or it won’t be counted, and (3) that parents must not try and communicate with teachers after hours because this is stressful/hard on teachers right now.
Well, no shit. I don’t doubt how hard it is being a teacher right now. But, let’s be honest, it’s been incredibly hard on everyone involved, especially the children, so I personally would’ve held off on sending a note out that basically felt like a 1-2-punch to most working families. Maybe something like “Holy smokes, I can’t believe all of you parents have been able to do 2 full time jobs in the same amount of hours?” Or….”I know this was rough, but we are in this together, just breathe.” Or… “Hey, if your kid didn’t get logged in, or you missed an assignment …. no biggy, this was week 1… we’ll get better.”
Nope, not Alton. Cool.
We. Out. Anyways.
But not till I vented a bit to the principal:
I very much appreciate what you are trying to accomplish with remote-learning, but I need to share my point of view.
We are essentially handcuffing our working parents, and making then choose between: (1) quitting their jobs, (2) leaving their young children to fend for themselves during these livestream calls, or (3) hire someone to be next to them all day. My family is in a position where we can afford to hire someone, and even then it’s been impossible to manage all the requests/needs coming from the classroom. I can’t even imagine all the other families out there that are trying to juggle work but can’t afford to pay for additional childcare (nor should they even be asked to, because they’ve already paid for their child’s education through taxes).
So as much as I appreciate your note, the tone is so inappropriate. Most working moms I’ve talked to have broken down at least once this week, have failed miserably at their jobs while attempting to juggle this additional huge responsibility, and have gone to bed each night considering if they should pull their children from school all-together.
I know I personally am considering any other option that will allow me to keep my job and keep my children learning in a socially-interactive & positive atmosphere.
So forgive me, if I don’t thank you for your email which dictated more rules, more communication obstacles, and frankly a very one-sided (teacher-sided) concerned tone.
Hopefully you understand this is requiring so much than “helping your child to logon to their Zoom call daily.” And perhaps you’ll pause before sending a tone-deaf note to your hardworking parents.
Please feel free to call me to discuss anytime.
V/r
Lindsey Spahr
