It pays to be a meddling kid...er mom

[krystalhartley]

My daughter is an A student...National Junior Honor Society, 5 honors and pre-AP classes...the whole shebang. So, when she brought home a 75 on her report card for Computer Exploration...a normal, non-advanced class to learn typing and stuff, where she is the fastest typer in her class...a mom gets pissed.

My daughter is completely baffled about why she got such a low grade. I email the teacher...rationally and kindly, of course, and I give Avery instructions to find out what the heck happened (enforcing accountability and responsiblity).

She tried to approach the teacher after school (it's her last period btw), and the teacher says she doesn't have time because she sponsors an after-school group and has to do that. Additionally, the teacher has not responded to my email.

Avery persists the following day and gets an acknowledgment from the teacher that it does seem odd and that a mistake must have occurred, but she still can't take the time to address the full problem.

Today, however, Avery brings me the news that the grade will be adjusted to an A afterall. Still no email from teacher, but yay for Avery for sticking it out (not that I really gave her any choice LOL).

Anyways...I'm glad that somewhere along the way, I learned to not just take things as they are, and I hope that Avery is learning that lesson much earlier than I ever did.

[jessica31876]

I would be kinda ticked that she never emailed back or gave any explanation...I mean it is good that it was taken care of and all but she should still have taken a few minutes to investigate it right away.

[newfiemountiewife]

I totally agree, she should have looked into it right away. That was not cool that she blew you off, kwim? Good for Avery for sticking it out!

[Nikki Epperson]

Good for her! Glad it worked out!!!

[Jennifer]

Good for her. :) I am glad she got it taken care of (but do think the teacher should have emailed you back).

[Sue Setiadji]

My dd had a similar thing happen with sport - she represents the school at our Zone level in everything - swimming, cross country, athletics (both field and track). She has been on the only 2 teams the school has put together for soccer and AFL. One year they ran a gymnastics program - since my dds both do gym that costs me a fortune I decided I couldnt support this for the 3rd year running and pulled them from the program (we had to pay for this program in our Public School - they were learning forward rolls and could already do layouts on the floor at Gym).
With a stack of trophys and representation at state level I didnt feel they were missing out on any skills. My eldest was given a really low rating on her report for sport that year (all other subjects were outstanding results) yet my littlest was given an outstanding for sport (different teachers) - I went to see the teacher (also the principal). Itold him I felt it was like buying grades after he admitted the reason for the low grade was due to her not doing the Gym program. We have cupboards full of medals and trophies to prove her prowess at the sport and she had been doing many other sporting activities that year that would have enabled him to assess her contribution and attitude. He actually agreed and said hed update her report to give the reason for not completing the gym program - when he gave it back he had readjusted the grade as well to outstanding for effort and result.
Sometimes its really worth questioning things in the right light and even tho my DD didnt do it herself I kept her up-to-date on the process and she enjoyed the benefit of the outcome (which she was more than entitled to!)
If my DDs are struggling with things at school Im happy for that to be reflected in their reports as an honest appraisal of their progress - but they shouldnt be used as a method of gaging parents support/ or lack of for a voluntary program.