We got midterm grades yesterday for our kids. Oldest DS, he is in 5th grade, has almost all C's and one F. He has brought home two tests that he failed and I called the teacher about those. She didn't mention to me that he has failed several assignments before that. He has had an issue with some of the "football players" bullying him at recess and the school is well aware of that.
When I called her about the tests last week, I asked her if he was having any problems in class, does he need to do extra work at home and she didn't say ONE WORD about his grades or that anything was amiss. He might bring home homework once every couple of weeks since he gets it done at school. I can't help him at home if he doesn't bring work home to do or if she doesn't give him stuff to bring home. What bothers me is that he had much better grades at the end of 1st semester that ended before Christmas break. How do they bottom out so fast in less than 2 months?
I am frustrated in what I feel is a lack of communication on her part and it doesn't feel like she cares if he succeeds. Am I being too unrealistic in what I expect from her? What are realistic expectations? We scheduled a conference with her tomorrow to discuss this. We did tell DS that even if he completes his work in class, he needs to bring it home so we can go over it with him before he turns it in.
I am at a loss as to what to do. I feel I need to do something, but unsure as to what. He has been behaving so unlike himself since school started up after the break and I don't know if it's his age, if it was the kids at school or what.
Last week I spoke to the counselor and found out that several other parents complained about problems from the same kids that were bullying DS. The teachers have been watching those kids hoping to catch them in the act, but my DS told me the kids have slacked off because they know the teachers are paying attention.
I am just very worried for my son and I feel as if I am missing something important. Ask away if I didn't provide enough info.
*UPDATE*
I first want to say that I was upset when I posted this and very worried about more than just his grades and his teacher. I guess I expected from her what previous teachers were able to do, which was give me a heads up about abnormal behavior. I met with her today and shared my concerns. We had a very good visit and I feel I got a lot accomplished and misunderstandings lined out. He will be bringing home is work each day so I can go over it with him before he turns it in. I really appreciate your posts on this matter. I didn't mean to step on any toes. I had expectations and I was trying to get feedback on whether or not they were too high. I should have made that clear in my first post but I simply wasn't thinking as clearly as I should have been. It has been a rough week in more ways than one. Thank you and I hope I don't come off as an idiot!
When I called her about the tests last week, I asked her if he was having any problems in class, does he need to do extra work at home and she didn't say ONE WORD about his grades or that anything was amiss. He might bring home homework once every couple of weeks since he gets it done at school. I can't help him at home if he doesn't bring work home to do or if she doesn't give him stuff to bring home. What bothers me is that he had much better grades at the end of 1st semester that ended before Christmas break. How do they bottom out so fast in less than 2 months?
I am frustrated in what I feel is a lack of communication on her part and it doesn't feel like she cares if he succeeds. Am I being too unrealistic in what I expect from her? What are realistic expectations? We scheduled a conference with her tomorrow to discuss this. We did tell DS that even if he completes his work in class, he needs to bring it home so we can go over it with him before he turns it in.
I am at a loss as to what to do. I feel I need to do something, but unsure as to what. He has been behaving so unlike himself since school started up after the break and I don't know if it's his age, if it was the kids at school or what.
Last week I spoke to the counselor and found out that several other parents complained about problems from the same kids that were bullying DS. The teachers have been watching those kids hoping to catch them in the act, but my DS told me the kids have slacked off because they know the teachers are paying attention.
I am just very worried for my son and I feel as if I am missing something important. Ask away if I didn't provide enough info.
*UPDATE*
I first want to say that I was upset when I posted this and very worried about more than just his grades and his teacher. I guess I expected from her what previous teachers were able to do, which was give me a heads up about abnormal behavior. I met with her today and shared my concerns. We had a very good visit and I feel I got a lot accomplished and misunderstandings lined out. He will be bringing home is work each day so I can go over it with him before he turns it in. I really appreciate your posts on this matter. I didn't mean to step on any toes. I had expectations and I was trying to get feedback on whether or not they were too high. I should have made that clear in my first post but I simply wasn't thinking as clearly as I should have been. It has been a rough week in more ways than one. Thank you and I hope I don't come off as an idiot!
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