1) in public school they have no idea how many children will show up for each grade on the first day. This would explain why the beginning of each day this week was a little crazy at Gemma's school, as they dealt with way more registrations than they expected. They planned for three grade 1 classes, but had more than 80 grade 1s show up. Yah; crazy.
2) private schools have to focus on the business aspect of things; service with a smile, pleasing customers, etc. Apparently public schools do not feel it necessary to make you feel welcome, or assure you of how great their programs are, or 'sell' the school in any way.
Maybe I am being a little harsh. But on the first full day (Wednesday), after meeting in the library for almost an hour, waiting for attendance for 80 kids, waiting for our name to be called (which it wasn't, despite registering a week prior and the day before in the gym) I was so worked up! I mean seriously???? They wanted me to leave my not quite 6 year old in a new place, with people I didn't know and who didn't know her, for the entire day?????? No one had introduced themselves, except for the grade 7 teacher they had filling in for that first hour (yes, the grade 7 teacher???). There was no tour, there was no daily schedule, just administrators and teachers popping in and out, trying to figure out what to do. I felt like a number, like we were an inconvenience to them for showing up at their school. I mean, yes we are new but we went to the school and registered the first day the office was open... What else should we have done?
Anyway.... It took me most of the day but I calmed down. And when I picked Gemma up she said she had the most fun day, and it was totally awesome. There were great toys in the classroom, and the teacher there was really good, visiting with her former students and stuff. Then I saw the name tags on the desk, and that made me feel 100%. Someone had taken the time to write everyone's names down, and the kids had colored them... at last I felt like there were professionals at work and they cared about us.
I know I just need to be more relaxed and gracious and patient... It was stressful for them too, and I know that support and cooperation is what they need, not criticism. I'm excited about the new year beginning and getting involved with volunteering and stuff.
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I can't believe they were that off with registration! Of course, that is by far the fault of all the parents who neglected to properly register their kids. I feel bad for the staff who were obviously left in a bind - I mean, who's going to teach the extra class?! They would have to hire another teacher ASAP. At least one - it may have happened in other grades, too. You'd think there would be a better way...but for a grade to increase by that much from one year to another - who would guess that!
Anyway, I'm sure it will be fine. And you may not have been taken for a tour (no parent at the kids' school is either, although I'm sure if I asked they would take me - of course, it was also the school I went to!) but I would guess that the kids would be taken for a tour of some sort?? I guess maybe not in grade one, as most of the kids probably went to K there too...
I'm surprised they didn't give you a packet of info when you registered, like the daily schedule, etc.
Yeah, I found it hard to beleive that was the best way to handle the crowds, but whatever. Maybe they'll try something new next year. Gemma seems to be learning where things are, and everyday we tour around a part of the school and meet a new teacher or,two. Now that things have settled down a. It.
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