THE FAMILY AND THE SCHOOL
Jimmy learns at school, at home and in the community. His parents learn at work, at home and in the community. Learning involves listening, reading, talking and doing. We know that learning is a life-long experience. But now we have the computer which is mastering the facts for us and our job comes down to learning to make good choices.
Jimmy and his parents face big challenges. Are the messages Jimmy is getting constructive? Do they support or war against family life? Are his relationships healthy?
Now we come down to the big question: Who is responsible for Jimmy’s good learning?
Is it good enough for each learning site to do its own thing? Somebody should
know how it all is working. Is it good enough for the family to say - education is the school’s job? Somebody has to decide if it is all good for Jimmy
This means that only the family’s job can ensure Jimmy’s education is right. That doesn’t mean taking over the teacher’s job. It does mean working with the teacher to get it right. It also means knowing how Jimmy is doing in the community.
Some parents will say, "Where’s the time for all that?" The answer is - How important is Jimmy and his learning? That leads them to make better choices to do the job they took on by having kids.
Other parents will say, "Our kid is not motivated to learn". Here is another opportunity for the family. Many of our kids seem to lack motivation to learn (too many other distractions). If school learning isn’t working, then there is work learning. Jimmy then learns the harder way. He learns the big lessons of life - the things he wants, like toys and food and fun all come from work. So to get these goodies, he works.
While we can’t do anything much about the child labour or education laws, families do have the responsibility and powers to orchestrate Jimmy’s life so that he learns in a constructive and loving atmosphere. If Jimmy is at the age of legal independence, the family can give him the same opportunity - learn at school or learn at work.
The family is the basic educational unit in our society. All family members learn when they work together for each other. To set a practical goal for Jimmy or the family, try www.newhopecovenants.org and do your part to meet THE FAMILY CHALLENGE.
posted by New Hope Covenants @ 11:21 a.m.
2 comments
2 Comments:
Adding to this, I am finding it more and more difficult to work with the teachers. I have had some difficulties recently and have requested meetings with a particular teacher and She has basically refused to meet with me. After discussing with a counselor and vice principal, I was told that it is rare today that teachers meet alone with parents, well, how do we solve problems ?
I know teachers have difficult jobs and almost "dangerous" jobs, but as you talk to children and parents and get to know them, I think all that could be done, should be done. It never dawned on this teacher that we could hold a meeting in a counselors office, or in the principal's office. Her initial response was to ignore the problem, maybe it will go away. That doesn't set a good example for the child. Especially when your trying to teach your child to talk out your problems and try to resolve difficulties, instead of acting out.
Schools and Parents need to definitely work more closely together for the greater good of our children.
The sad fact is that schools are politiccal Of course you have to talk to the teacher or someone who can work with you. So the trick is to find someone, anyone, in that school who knows that education is first the parent's job and second maybe the school's
In other words for the sake of your child you must find ways to work around a misguided school.If it were me, I would go to a trustee if all else fails
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