I am working, going to school, involved with scouts and my kids. The teachers want to label my children as ADD And ADHD. My son doesn't pay attention all the time in school and is one that is likes to show how he likes people by giving hugs and hanging onto to others. However I give him a lot of love at home, always have, even him asking me to stop, but he can still be a "bit clingy".
However my daughter is extremely independent and outgoing.
But I don't feel the schools give either of my children what they really need to succeed at their level. I would love to home school both of my kids, however that just is not an option for me. Bills still have to be paid.
Why can't the schools divide the children up according to their abilities instead of their age? Wouldn't that be better?

All I can say is the 10+ years of experience I have of working with the school and the kids I work with and not just working with them but pouring my life into them and learning as much as I can about the situations - you just know. I also know kids who are dressed in polo, Ambercrombie, Gap, etc but are 2 levels below grade level - mom would rather sell drugs (and has spent time in jail recently for it) so to me - dress is a minimal aspect of it. There are kids who I can't tell right away and that might be the case of your children but there is a gut feeling when you've been involved in this stuff for so long. I can be wrong! It is definately not scientific - but you learn over the years then even when kids ask certain questions you just begin to dig into their lives to find out if there is something that might need to be done. Remember - 98% of the families I work with - are NOT as your family. EVERY family has issues but there are some with more issues....

I am the parent of two children and an educator for 12 years. I really wish people would lay off on blaming the teachers. I am very tired of the "who to blame" game. The bottom line is that teachers work within the political construct of those who decide what is best for children without the knowledge or expertise of those who have actually taught children. As long as we allow those in political power to dictate educational reform and budgetary decisions without our consensus, we get what we deserve. If you are unhappy with the quality of your child's education, get out and vote. Make your thoughts known to your political representatives. In an era of high stakes testing, what do you know about the tests your children take? Public schools are government institutions and subject to governing by the trickle down theory. It rolls downhill from our nation's capital. Teachers also have a pendulum theory about education and politics. It goes like this - give it time and the direction will reverse as an old theory or school of thought is "rediscovered." Examples include phonics instruction vs. whole language, tracking students, Inclusion (mainstreaming ESE students), emphasizing one content area over another (reading vs. math and science), and so forth.

Teachers do the best they can with what they have been given to work with. We know that parents, as my principal has said on more than one occasion, send their best kids to us...they don't hold back. I am not going to blame the parents, the elementary school, or even a daycare facility. It is pointless (although I occasionally do fuss about multimedia enrertainment)

Sorry, just a little venting. Actually, I am constantly amazed at how much I have accomplished in life without the dictation of high stakes testing to guide me or those who taught me. And, I have faith that my children will manage as well.

Okay Has any one heard that teachers are not suppose to be friends with parents of any child at a school. as a matter of fact no one working at the school is suppose to be friends with parents of a child at the school. Yet they want you to volunteer and be part of everything yet dont be friends. what kind of message does that send out?? And just what is so secretive that you can't be friends??? makes me wonder exactly what is really going on at the school.

Hi eyorteach,
Nice to meet you. I definitely agree with you. In my own experience (both as a parent and as a student) I have had experiences with teachers who go way beyond their normal duties and I have also seen those who do the bare minimum. I have had experiences with teachers at every level. That's why, that, as a parent, I take the ultimate responsibility for my children. If my child is having problems in school, I do not expect the teacher to fix that problem, I usually call and ask "What can I do?" I depend on teachers for communication about what is going on at school. The rest is up to me. I agree with you that we, as parents, simply cannot blame teachers for the problems our children are having. Having said all of that, I have had more good experiences than bad with my children's teachers. Good for you for being a teacher! I appreciate you for that!!

CMK--
Did someone tell you that you should not be friends with your child's teacher? That's odd -- I've never heard that. I don't even know how that would be inappropriate...???

Okay sons teacher and I are pretty close. So we work closely together with what he is going and how to help him. I also know several others at the school and have been told by actual staff that they could get in trouble if anyone found out we were friends. For some reason they are not suppose to be friend any childs parent. Which is really dumb to me b/c they want parents to volunteer and do so much but they are saying well lets do everything as a team but no friendships. I don't understand that at all. I kinda feel uncomfortable..like what is really going on there.

I would ask if there is a written rule about this; but, also, I am a little surprised that you have been spoken to about this. You are a volunteer, a parent. You are not their employee. It seems that if this is a rule that the teacher should be spoken to about this. Not you. Although, the rule seems a little silly to me. Can any teachers comment on this? And is this an Alachua County Elementary School?

No I was not spoken to about it by anyone. Friends who work in the school has told me just like in conversation. Hey you know they don't want employees being friends with parents so we have to keep it low. Things like that. Yes this is an Alachua County elementary school.

Many of my friends are teachers at schools my children attend. Some were friends before, some are new friendships we formed when my children were in their classrooms. I have never heard anything of the sort here in Alachua County. It may be school by school concept that your principal has introduced.