What are the various other schools' policy on parent visit ?
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vivi33:
Parents also human. How do you know is not a threat to other children who is not theirs? There are many criminal who themselves are parents too. So many news of father molesting their daughter how we ensure these parents do not do the same to his child friends?
Sometime ago, there was a female teacher had sex with student. Would you consider teacher a security threat to school ?
:stupid:
So I will just simply answer you that - no, I do not consider parent as security threats to school. -
Amos2010,
Eh, no matter what type of registration process the school takes up, it doesn’t solve your ‘problem’ of staying in the school for more than an hour isn’t it? Pardon me, I may have misunderstood you, but if your said school agrees to your suggestion, do you mean you will then be allowed to stay in the school so often?
The school doesn’t just teach our kids academic stuff. It also helps to nurture their independence and how to mingle with classmates from all types of family backgrounds. If I were a kid, I would beg to ‘break-free’ from my parents for the few hours that I am in school.
Pack lunch for your kid by all means, and let him take his lunch with his friends. I always remind my ds that I trust that he is a big boy now and he should be able to at least take care of himself by not going hungry during recess. You’d be surprised that our kids are more capable than we think.
What would a school be if there are many parents hanging around the premise during school hours? My ds’s school even strongly discourages parents to deliver to their kids books that they have forgotten to bring.
Harsh you may think. but on the other side of the coin, isn’t it good that our kids learn to bear consequences?
JMHO:) -
BeautifulLife:
Yes I remember reading this in the parents' handbook and the FT also reminded parents that NOTHING should be left for the children at the GO if they fail to bring it to school. They would not allow the kid to pick it up either. I thought that was an excellent rule for all, parent, teacher and child...win-win-win.My ds's school even strongly discourages parents to deliver to their kids books that they have forgotten to bring.
JMHO:) -
BeautifulLife:
Thank you. I know your suggestion meant well.Amos2010,
Eh, no matter what type of registration process the school takes up, it doesn't solve your 'problem' of staying in the school for more than an hour isn't it?
Those are different sets of issues.
One, registration process must distinguish parents and non-parent visitors. This is to enhance the security. Because right now, they (or at least my school) don't check IC. This is independent of whether they allow parent to stay long or not. That is my point.
Second to this, I argue that parents are not security threats to school. I would imagine most of you should agree with me. Otherwise, you and me are all become security threats. That is nonsense. If this (that parent is not a security threat to school) is accepted by all (MOE, school, parents ourselves) then for whatever reason they do not allow us to stay (long) or enter the school, they must give the CORRECT reason, don't just anyhow cite 'security' as the reason. I don't buy it.
Then, thirdly, if they cannot find the right reason for refusing parent to stay (long) or enter the school - then they have to let us so ! If they can convince me of the valid reason or concern, I would accept it. However, I believe at this stage, the reason or concern they can come up with, can be mitigated, i.e., some adjustment can be made to accomodate. What are the adjustment, I don't know yet. Both the school and the parents got to discuss. Like I said before, parents to go school IS with VALID reason. So, we have to work out some arrangement.
By setting a strict rule and start getting admin/operation staff to chase me off, it is going to upset me.
On top of these, yes I agree with you, and KS2ME and others who very thoughtfully said we should let the children learn on their own. True. While that is true, like we have other parent who is pregnant...why they cannot allow ?
I hope people can see this thought process.
Thank you very much ! -
Not meant to offend anyone with this post, but these are my thoughts on the topic and it will be my first and last post in this thread.
In my opinion, if I decide to send my child to a particular school, I am obligated from the day I register my child there, to obey the rules, regulations and policies set up by the school to protect the very people whom we love dearly, non other than our own kids who are students of the school. If I am not happy with the rules set up by the school after my kid has been enrolled, then by all means withdraw the child from that school after knowing the rules, no point whining and expecting the school to make an exception just for me.
Rules are rules for everyone, not with the exception of. The MOE has empowered the school Principal and his/her staff to decide what they deem best for their school and their students, so it is pointless bringing up school rules to the MOE unless it is a matter of life and death issue, which, in my opinion, will never happen. If that happens, then the Principal is not fit for the job if MOE has to step in over some rules that the Principal made.
Parents are visitors to the school. Period. No exception. As visitors to the school, we have to obey rules set up by the school for visitors, no questions about that. Rules are rules, not meant for me to question the rationale behind it, especially if it concerns the safety of my child in the school. I may or may not agree with certain rules of the school, but it is not for me to question why certain rules are meant the way they are meant to be.
Also no point asking around and comparing what other schools are doing with regard to their policy on visitors lingering on in the school premises for a ‘so-called’ personal valid reason as every school has its own different set of rules, unless of course, one is willing to move his/her child to that particular school which has rules that agree with the particular parent’s point of view of lingering on in the school premises for a ‘so-called’ valid reason in the opinion of the parent. Imagine what sort of chaos there would be in schools if every parent insist on lingering on in the school premises for a ‘so-called’ personal valid reason.
I have a friend whose child is handicapped and needs to move around in a wheelchair and needs her help to buy food for him from the school canteen during recess and lunch and if there is anyone with a ‘valid’ reason to stay behind, it has to be her, but she has not overstayed her welcome in the school all these years. She sends her child to school, drops him off at the gates and let the school take over from there. She will drop by again during recess and later at lunch time if he has to stay back for activities, other than that, she has no time to linger on in the school premises and has never come across as being a nuisance or a security threat to the school. Does not staying around in the school from morning assembly to recess to lunch time equate to not loving her son? I don’t think so, but more so due to the fact that she respects the school’s rules for visitors and trusting the fact that the school knows what is best for her handicapped child and his other able bodied schoolmates.
I have spoken my piece. Hope I didn’t offend anyone, just my personal thoughts on this issue. Have a great weekend. -
Replying to 25hourmaid:
Since you said that having differing views does not mean to offend anyone, so likewise.
Rules are made by people. If people don’t question it, just follow it, then it defeat the purpose. Think: in human society, at first, the ‘rule’ is ‘no rule’. Then people encounter difficulty with the ‘rule’ (of no rule), so people say lets have rule; thus there is rule. Thus, rules evolves. Laws need to be reviewed and old laws and rules need to go and make way for new one. Hope I am not too chim here.
Following rule is good. But able to question the rule, and suggest better rule is even better.
The misconception here is a few of you accuse me of whining and trying to make it favourable for me only. That is wrong. You look at what I said before, which one is applicable for me only ? Any reference to that, means you did not care to read my posts carefully.
In your example of the handicapped child. If the rule is strictly no visitor, then the child’s mother cannot even step in during recess. Obvisouly the school allows her, because of the special situation. This is actually an example that fits my arguement. She has a valid reason to back, during recess.
Actually for children of special needs (physical disability and non-physical disability both included) the school SHOULD in fact leverage on the parent or the child’s regular caregiver. Because, the school DOES NOT have sufficient trained personal to care for special needs. (Only parents of children with special needs understand my statement - if you don’t, please don’t even attemp to comment on this.)
So, that school actually give her the flexiblity to go back. It is good. This is what exactly I am talking about.
Why can’t you see my point ? And just want to criticise me because I am bringing up changes ?
You did not offend me, you give me more opportunity to try to point out the ‘current’ set thining, in every school, in every admin managers, that conveniently use a ‘invalid’ reason (security !) to keep parents out.
Each of you may have encountered a type of parent who "like to ask for a lot of things from school" and "speak the most" during parent-teachers meeting, and you may have a certain ‘dislike’ of this type of people. I can understand. But the difference here is, I try to give suggestions and alternatives to the school, which I think is constructive. I also try to involve views and opinions from others - unfortunately those who replied me took it the other extreme.
You have good weekend too. -
Amos2010:
... Actually for children of special needs (physical disability and non-physical disability both included) the school SHOULD in fact leverage on the parent or the child's regular caregiver. Because, the school DOES NOT have sufficient trained personal to care for special needs. (Only parents of children with special needs understand my statement - if you don't, please don't even attemp to comment on this.)...
Amos2010, can I clarify if you are lobbying the school for allowing freedom of access to its premises for
(1) ALL parents, or
(2) for parents or special needs children only?
I don't think you need to lobby any school in the second case. Schools and staff are usually much more compassionate than we tend to give them credit for. -
ChiefKiasu:
It is for all parents.
Amos2010, can I clarify if you are lobbying the school for allowing freedom of access to its premises for
(1) ALL parents, or
(2) for parents or special needs children only?
I don't think you need to lobby any school in the second case. Schools and staff are usually much more compassionate than we tend to give them credit for.
Maybe this table will give you a better picture
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ai6bnGldwQd3dE5KTnU0Z2p1OVBkS1pjRFR2MEdmZFE&hl=en
(Will keep this active for 2 days)
What you said about special needs is correct on the surface. However, schools, as I find out, are still very 'reserved' in giving parents of children with special needs the access and modifications needed to help the child. This is really a separate topic, I don't want to confuse the issue here. -
This is how my child’s school system regarding about parents visiting the school. All parents are given ID card with our picture on it and each ID card comes with numbers which can be scanned. Once scanned, all the particulars of the ID holder will appeared on their system. Each child entitles to 3 ID cards. Is up to parents whom they want to register. Some opt for, 1 for Mom, 1 for Grandparent and 1 for maid. Whatever, is up to your choice if you want to opt for 2 IDs for Mom and Dad and the other to maid or Grandparent. There is a security guard to do the scanning job before we enter the school premises. All visitors must register at the guard house and they are given a pass with a big “VISITOR” written on it. These cards come in the size of credit card and parents and visitors are required to wear the ID card and be visible at all times in the school. As parents, we do sometimes see some ‘visitors’ without the pass and we’ll politely asked them if they have registered themselves with the guard. Most times, they put away their pass in their handbag and parents have rights to remind them to put it on. It’s sort of like parents are also looking out for unwanted visitors.
Parents are allowed to enter the school at any time and stay as long as you want. Some parents after sending their kids off, they remain in the school till the school end. Parents are welcome to use the library but of course, if there are reading classes in the library, parents usually very considerate and move to the corner. We are encouraged to have lunch with our kids for bonding sake. Usually, parents of the new kids stay around for the first week or two, but after some time the kids will ask the parents to scoot off because they have found new friends. Some non-working parents stay around and they make friends with some other parents around. I have seen many of these ladies after sending their kids off, they brought food from home to share with other parents like having a potluck or picnic at the canteen. When it comes to lunch time, parents are very considerate and they don’t occupy the seats in the canteen if that day happens to be full due to weather. I packed home cook food for my kid such as sandwiches, sushi, salad , fruits …Too lazy to cook and deliver the hot-hot food. When my child was 7 years old, I stayed in the school for a month but haiz…after that so lazy to go already. Also happened to other parents, and ended up these parents went shopping before returning to pick up their kids. Nowadays, I still drop by to have lunch with my kid but not so often anymore. Sometimes I drop by during lunch just to say hello to his teachers or the admin staffs because they are a friendly lot. -
[no need to quote everything !]
What you just described, is my DREAM SCHOOL !
*3 ID cards - this sounds like quite a bit of work for the school to do ! and they don’t mind doing it.
>>I’d like to add this - I think it would invariably take up the school’s resouces to prepare these ID cards. Given that in your description, the security guard has a computer to scan the card, I think it would achieve the same objective if the photo of that parent, guardian, maid is stored on the computer at the guard post, and no need to print out into a card. The parent would just give the guard an IC number or mobile phone number, for the guard to retrieve the record, and the photo in the computer shall match with the face of the visitor. Then the guard can issue a generic tag - "Parent". Perhaps the school can also allow photographs to be sent electronically to the school to update the record if for example there is a change of maid in the household. This is just a slight modification to see if it can cut down admin. work and paper etc.
*Parents can help to look out for unwanted vistors - that is very good community spirits ! See, if the school accepts that parents are not security threats, and allow them to come in, they feel home, and they will help to keep home safe.
*Can even go to the library ! Wow !
*Potluck in canteen ! This is beyond the imagination of my school, really.
Make sure this is a Singapore school…
So, your school can do it this way, why not the others ?
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