What are the various other schools' policy on parent visit ?

[Amos2010]

ChiefKiasu:

Amos2010, I hope you are not going to use the feedback given to you by other parents here as \"evidence\" that other schools \"do not chase parents away\"...

Chief,

Thank you for your input. Indeed, I intent to use the feedback to a certain extend. You see, after last week's incident, I was talking to the school's admin manager. I want to tell them that, look nobody resort to actually chasing parent away. Of course, I would bear in mind that this is casual, and by no means a 'hard evidence'. Remember, I am not going to be confrontational.

It is like a pendulum or whatever you may call it. We know that most if not all school has such policy. The middle ground is gray. Some school may choose not to actually chase, and mine - did.

It is interesting that you use the library example. You know that the tables in the library are reserved for library users. But in exam season, you know what happen right ? The library also adopt gray area management method. At times, I am sure the security officer and librarian will take action to ask those who violate the rules to leave. But when the library is really not that crowded, they will let the students stay.

\"To let parents to stay on its premises for as long as they wish\" is turning the pendulum to the other end (for my school). I agree that other parents will certainly now think it is right.

[Amos2010]

sunflower:

The 2nd time, after sitting in the canteen for abt half hr, a staff (not sure whether is it PV) told me to leave as I wasn't supposed to be in the canteen. I told her the reason and she told me to wait at the waiting area at the security check pt as parents were not supposed to be within the sch compound. I was pregnant with DD2 then and didn't feel quite comfortable sitting outside. After reasoning with her (she gave reasons such as other parents wld do the same etc), she relented but said next time cannot.

You are a very understanding person. Likewise, I think the school (+any parent volunteer) should have allowed you to stay (as you are pregnant). I don't see why not.

The same convenient reason - \"other parent would do the same\" which was what I talked about it before, is a sweeping statement. Would other parent be also pregnant ? This is situation where, a human touch can come in.

Of course, you have the right attitude as you only wanted to do it for first few times, and in the long run, you want your child to be able to handle by herself. I am sure, even they have allowed you to stay, after the third time, you will make the arragnement yourself.
[quote]Of course I wasn't too happy as I saw some parents around as well (I later realised those might be PV). [/quote]Precisely I know how you feel, coz I feel the same. I am not trying to make enemy with parent volunteer. I said, I don't want to be a parent volunteer, then do the same thing as they did. If I really want to volunteer my service, then I do so. I would even do my duty only on days where my child is having the normal schedule, to avoid any people pointing finger. Anyway, my contention is not with the parent volunteers. They do what they think is right.
[quote]After H1N1, parents were not even allowed into the waiting area, and had to wait outside the gate to pass their children food.[/quote]:stupid: (not saying you, but saying the change of waiting area)...the difference is the gate...and as if that would have block the germs... :stupid: know what I mean ?

From the next message:
[quote]I think the mum has some issues that she needs to deal with (emotional & mental) and she's probably unaware/not conscious of it....

Very sad. Hope the family gets all the help they need, perhaps counseling from the school instead of harshly telling them off. [/quote]I agree with you view point, thus I said, the Principal, VP, Admin Mgr, Ops Mgr, Form Teachers...should have noticed it, and get her help from social worker...etc.

Thank you Sunflower, I enjoy your two messages.

[Amos2010]

qms:

Actually, Amos2010, if you don't like the school so much, the best and easiest way out for you is to withdraw your child from the school, and look for another school that meets your requirements...

I am sorry if you are unhappy with me.
You can send me private message if you'd like.

[Amos2010]

All parents who have participated:


Thank you again. I sensed that towards the end, somehow, the atmosphere did not seems quite right.

Perhaps stopping the discussion is the best.

If fact, I already know I am going to say to the admin manager tomorrow.

If there is anything else you would like me to take note of, please send a private message. Thank you in advance !

[tamarind]

I think my girl’s primary school is stricter. Parents are not allowed to go anywhere within the school except for the first 3 days of the year. I can at most go to the general office to speak to the staff and then leave immediately. The school’s guards are very hardworking. I used to be a parent volunteer and I have never seen any parents inside the school.

[sunflower]

Amos2010:

Thank you Sunflower, I enjoy your two messages.

You're welcome. Was just sharing my experience and thoughts. Hope the issue will be resolved soon.

[BlueBells]

Oh well, I was in school on a Sat to meet up with the SFE coordinator, and I was asked to leave the canteen by an Alumni staff when I tried to purchase a drink from the school canteen.

[Amos2010]

BlueBells:

Oh well, I was in school on a Sat to meet up with the SFE coordinator, and I was asked to leave the canteen by an Alumni staff when I tried to purchase a drink from the school canteen.

Sounds unreasonable to me.

(a) It was a Saturday;

(b) Alumni staff - what ? meaning \"old\" teacher/staff ? staff in charge of alumni activities ?

[Amos2010]

Now, I am no longer asking for parent’s input on their various school’s policy on parents visit.


I am now focusing on this critical issue:

"Are parents real security threats to school ?"

As seen in peceeding messages, many schools discourage or disallowed parents to enter or stay in school, citing secuirty as the reason. I do not accept this reason. I can accept, on the contrary, parents presence in school may:-

(i) cause distractions from pupils, if they are having some learning activities;

(ii) take up spaces (canteen seats) otherwise meant for pupils;

(iii) and other possible reasons along this line;

but parents, having their own children studying in the school, can not be security threats to school. In my earlier response to the news about Mary, I do not consider her a security threat in the school.

Security threat means - the person will cause bodily harm, property damage (willful) to pupils or staffs. In other countries, security threats includes: gang, drugs, violence (murder/stabbing/fighting), terrorism, bomb, kidnapping or hostage situation.

The purpose of this new round of discussion is - hopefully to make the commonly accepted perspective right. The school must cite the correct reason for limiting parents visit to school.

The security guard giving our visitor tags must have the ability to distinguish the visitors: parents, workers and contractors (carrying out work in the school), vendors and suppliers (to book shop or canteen stalls), others.

If it is necessary, the school should issue some form of identification to parents. I am not talking about another photo ID card that the parent needs to carry.

It can be as simple as a photocopy of the parent’s IC on a A4 white paper, clearly writing the child’s name and class/year, plus an original ceritifcation-stamp from the general office.

The paper could have the following wordings "This is to certify that the person whose photocopied identity card appeared below is the parent of (name of child) of (class) of our school."

When parent visiting the school, they can produce this photocopied paper to the school’s security guard. This does not take a lot of administrative work to prepare. Anytime, if the parent’s ID paper is destroyed, he/she can make another copy and get the child to get it certified through the form teacher or the general office. It is a less than a minute work.

So those visiting the school without this form of identification, the security guard must ask more questions about the visitor. This will then add to improving the security of the school

My suggestion.

[cluelessmom]

So far, I am able to enter my dd school compound w/o excessive restriction and I am grateful for tat. My dd even had a mini b’day celebration at her school during recess time and she was really thrilled. So yeah, I can emphatised with u… but it may be an uphill task as this is afterall S’pore and we all learn to play by the rules…nevertheless Good Luck and certainly some parents will be grateful for ur efforts…