Why there are no parental chats and fees for school renovation in the USA: the opinion of an immigrant mother
'06.09.2020'
Source: "Everyday life of a mother in the USA" on Yandex.Zen
Author of the channel “Everyday life of a mother in the USA” on Yandex.Zen tells how the communication between teachers (educators) and parents in American educational institutions is arranged and why the USA does not need the popular “class chats” or groups in kindergarten in Russia. Further - from the first person.
Recently, I learned from a friend from Russia about such a phenomenon as parental chats. This put me in a slight bewilderment, because in the USA I had not heard about such a phenomenon. Maybe when children go to school, such chats appear, but at the moment my daughter goes to preschool, to the sports section, to art lessons, and there is nothing like that.
How it works here
When registering for any circle or school, the preferred choice of connection is indicated in the questionnaire. This is either a text message or an email. I always leave my email as I don't want to spam my phone.
If a teacher or educator needs to convey some information, then he simply writes an email. It is understandable, Americans in general are very sensitive to time and no one has the time or desire to read the correspondence and questions of other mothers for any reason or without (congratulations on all kinds of secular and religious holidays, for example, as often happens in chats on homeland).
There was a need to ask a question - write to e-mail and you will be answered.
On the subject: 14 things parents need to know about American schools: the opinion of an immigrant
Requirements
In general, everyone in America is very calm and relaxed. They told me to bring a green T-shirt to the parade, but it's not there - no question, go whatever you want. Nobody will kick you out and, believe me, they will not be ashamed after that either. Everything is voluntary.
For Easter, they asked to bring 8 plastic eggs with a surprise inside to make an "egg hunt" when they are scattered around the playground and the children run to collect eggs and see what is inside. I read this message and forgot about it. When I brought my daughter into the garden, I remembered, but it was too late.
And no one said a word to me. Said “oh, don't worry about it, they have plenty” (“don't worry, they have plenty”). I can't imagine that this could become a topic for adult chatting in America.
Repairs and gifts to teachers
I noticed that America is very respectful of the right to choose. There is rarely a uniform here, no one will tell you to hand over a lot of money to repair the school.
Everything takes place in an exclusively voluntary manner. This year, on Teacher's Day, the principal sent an e-mail that said in an easy way: let's dump on a gift for the teachers to take them to lunch and give flowers / some kind of surprise. No specific amount was named, everyone gives as much as they can. They hung a yellow envelope on the garden door, and you could put in as much as you like.
At the end of the year, I wanted to make small gifts to two teachers. I wrote to a friend whose son goes to the same garden and asked if she would give something. She said she would bring $ 10 worth of gift cards to Starbucks. I followed her example and also brought such cards. Whatever one may say, but coffee is necessary for everyone who deals with children.
On the subject: First class in Moscow and third in New York: Pugacheva and Orbakaite took the children to school
The idea of parenting chats is crazy! It’s a waste of adult’s time talking about absolutely insignificant things. I am glad that there is no such thing in America.
Original column published on the blog. “Everyday life of a mother in the USA” on Yandex.Zen
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