Dear Just Precious, I hear my daughter's teacher is wonderful, and I want to make sure she knows that we're excited to be in her class this year. I read that parents give gifts to their teachers on the first day. What should I give? What is the appropriate amount to spend? I swear. Parents stress out over gifting... its not worth it. Really. Because, in a word, nothing. Give them nothing monetary on the first day of school. Give them a well-rested, well-fed, happy/nervous/curious/shy child … [Read more...]
Back to a New School, with Parenting Jitters
August 17, 2010 By 4 Comments
Image by Editor B via Flickr Big starts 1st grade this month at a new school. He already knows a few of the kids, but he's nervous, and so am I. I started first grade as a new student, too. I entered the room (mid-year) knowing no one. I remember my dad holding me as the teacher came over to greet me. And the next week, I sat in the front row with 10 new friends vying for my attention. Most of the class befriended me right away. Being new in school in first grade is cool. You're … [Read more...]
How to Do Good without Giving Money
August 10, 2010 By 3 Comments
Economically, its a tough time. Yet we're getting hundreds of calls asking us to give money. And we feel guilty every time we hang up the phone. Nodding your head in agreement? That's okay. Here's a very incomplete list of ways you can help charities without opening your wallet: Help your local school: volunteer your time daily, weekly, monthly or once a year; call your teacher and offer to write her newsletter, run your classroom's scholastic program (you can do this from home and it earns … [Read more...]
my pyramid
February 23, 2010 By 4 Comments
In our call last week, Secretary Vilsack shared that a new Food Pyramid is planned to be unveiled later this year to reflect the findings of many different studies, and to encourage, or course, healthier eating. Here's the big surprise, many active parents don't realize that the pyramid has changed since we were in school. While its true that the pyramid will be changing, that doesn't stop the need to learn healthy eating in the mean time. The Department of Agriculture created several great … [Read more...]
Teachers: Take Advantage of Your Parent Volunteers
February 21, 2010 By 6 Comments
Image by bx1935 via Flickr I’m a parent volunteer. A volunteer mom. A PTOer. PTA member. Whatever your school calls the women in the halls that don’t get paid, that’s me. Like so many other parent volunteers, I do this out of love for my children, the school that I’ve chosen for them, and for their future. A former teacher, I recognize that many teachers don’t appreciate me. I remember my across-the-hall coworker rolling her eyes behind 2 of my role model moms commenting, too … [Read more...]
Always in support of the IEP
November 11, 2009 By 1 Comment
A recent friend's facebook status read: ...is PISSED at his kindergarten teacher!... now they are trying to get him labeled IEP, more money for the public school, ... already had him tested over summer and educationally speaking he is fine, I have the documentation! He is SO smart he shocks us!!He has other issueses from [an injury] but NONE having to due with intelligence I'm paraphrasing. As an educator, this status frustrated me. Reading it made me want to reach through the computer, grab … [Read more...]
