Question for teachers (any grade level):

[OneGrassRoot]

My only experience with this is via my daughter, who is a senior in high school now (public school, North Carolina), so please know that's the perspective from which I ask this question.

Each year she has shared how teachers will ask the class if they have a computer at home or if they are able to participate financially in a field trip and similar questions. The question is always posed to the class as a whole, and I cringe because, if I were one of the kids who DIDN'T have a computer or access to the Internet at home or didn't have the $10 for a field trip or something, I surely wouldn't raise my hand. That's mortifying, especially when you're a teenager.

It just bothers me that the kids are put in that position -- just as much as it bothers me that they're in the situation to begin with. :(

Does your school, or do you, handle this differently, in a way I can recommend to this school, perhaps?

I mean, the kids could certainly go to the teacher away from class and tell him/her of their situation, but that's still embarrassing and I'm not sure kids would take the initiative to do it.

And they can't email the teacher if they don't have access to the Internet.

I know there have been threads about supply lists and such, and I'm sorry if this issue was addressed and I missed it.

Do you have any suggestions as to a better way of handling these situations, as a school-wide or district-wide policy perhaps?

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. The teacher should send a general letter home.....

... preferably at the beginning of term... that asks for this info, along with other stuff he/she needs to know.

It IS embarrassing to the kid. A good teacher won't put kids on the spot like that.

I'd keep the district and the administration OUT of it if possible. Less bureaucracy is BETTER bureaucracy where education is concerned. (Example : the district will probably issue a memo forbidding teachers to inquire in ANY fashion about the kids' computer access/nonaccess. Not what you wanted or intended. And , of course, EVERYONE will suffer.)

Speak to or write the teacher. They may be new or just overwhelmed. Unless he/she is a clunker, he/she will get the message.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thank you for that recommendation...

It's been multiple teachers throughout her high school years, a general insensitivity, IMHO.

I hear you though.

:hi:

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Then take it ONE step up the ladder.

To the principal.

I'd recommend that YOU do it, btw, and not your daughter. Go in with something else to talk about if you're uncomfortable. Then add this as a "and by the way....".

If the principal's unsympathetic you might see how the Parents' Association president feels about it. There are a lot of variables here... mostly pertaining tot he personalities of the individuals involved.

Good luck. It's very legitimate issue you raise.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Actually, I'm writing one sympathetic teacher in her school right now...

asking for his advice as to the best way to approach this, as well as other issues I need the appropriate contacts for in order to discuss.

Oh, I'd never have my daughter do it. No way.

Thanks again. :)

[knitter4democracy]

2. I teach in an alternative high school. We always assume they can't afford it.

We deliberately don't put kids in that position at all and make sure to offer access to computers at school and help them with anything else. In districts where poverty rates are high, the schools tend to be more aware of it and more sensitive to it.

Me, I'd take the teacher aside, maybe at conferences, and tell him/her that students struggling with poverty aren't going to answer any question like that publicly and shouldn't be put in that position.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Yes, I have...

and I'm always met with their confidence that the students WILL come to them outside of class to tell them. They seem to have blinders on. Again, I fully realize not all teachers are like this at all, this is simply my personal experience at this particular school.

Thanks for being sensitive to it where you are.

:hi:

[knitter4democracy]

8. At this point, I'd talk with an administrator.

It sounds like some PD (professional development) in this area is needed.

[ejpoeta]

3. i am not a school teacher, but i am a parent and i think i would be mortified

if i were a kid and the teacher asked that stuff. certainly wouldn't say i don't have internet or money for a trip. parents would be embarrassed, kids who have to go to school everyday with the other kids would probably be mortified. it's nice that the teacher wants to take these things into consideration. perhaps sending a note home to the parents asking them these things might be better.

[OneGrassRoot]

9. I hear you...

And some of the kids who are extra sensitive won't even tell their parents about some of the things needed, because they know the parents are struggling and they don't want to stress them.

If people were just more sensitive to the situation and wouldn't make assumptions, so many of these unnecessary situations could be avoided.

I know, because I am one of those parents who has often had to use a Citgo card to buy supplies when my daughter was in a school play, praying they had what was needed in their convenience store section.

It just breaks my heart.... :cry:

[LWolf]

10. We encourage those who have computers at home to use them,

and remind those who don't that our school is open before and after the school day for students or thier parents who need computer access for school-related business.

That info is given to students when we introduce or review some of the things we use computers for. We tell them, "If you have a computer, you can...." and "If you don't have a computer, you can use one at school, or you can..." We don't ask them who does, or doesn't.

Parents are encouraged to use email rather than notes and telephone; many of them communicate regularly that way, and the rest use notes and the telephone.

Students often email questions about homework, or attach assignments in emails. Those that have computer access at home like to use it. Those that don't have other options.

As far as field trips...we give information about field trips, including costs, in a letter home. Our district doesn't pay for field trips. So we have to ask for money. The letter explains the cost, and asks those who can't afford it to contact us. We scholarship those who can't afford it, so everyone goes. The scholarships are paid out of fund-raising money and donations by those who can. A few parents regularly send in enough for their child and a little more to help with that, as well. Those who want help return their permission slip to the teacher with the box checked requesting a scholarship. The term "scholarship" is used specifically to help make it a positive, rather than something to be ashamed of, and there is no list of subsidized students. It's private, not public.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Awesomeness....

Great point to use the word "scholarship."

Thanks!!! :hi:

[LWolf]

17. You're welcome, of course.

May this school year be a good one for you and yours.

:hi:

[Dappleganger]

11. Our son who's a senior...

just brought me a letter from his pottery teacher which was very nicely worded, asking for a $20 donation for supply materials IF the family was able to do it. I told ds that for the first time since he's been in PS I was going to exercise that option of not donating, then signed the paper. I think a note sent through the student is a good idea (my kids know we are struggling financially, we don't keep it a secret from them).

[OneGrassRoot]

13. ...

It's so stressful. I wrote above that a couple of years ago I was reduced to having to buy supplies my daughter needed with my Citgo credit card, praying they had what was needed in the convenience store section. When I admitted this to my daughter only recently, now that I/we can breathe -- though still literally live paycheck to paycheck -- we both broke down in tears.

Things are stressful for so many. Having a roof over one's head and food is a blessing, as many have it SO much worse, yet it's all very, very heartbreaking...

:cry:

I hope your struggle eases soon. :hug:

[ejpoeta]

15. we never want our kids to worry about that stuff. we used credit cards to buy

gas so my husband could get to work. we would overdraft every two weeks with the bank so he could have gas for work. it's tough and even tougher if anyone knows about it. i feel so blessed right now because we are doing better than we were a few years ago. we have lived lean and are now working on getting our credit back on track. well, my husband has got his credit repaired and i am working on mine. i thank my lucky stars if i can afford to let my kid go on a field trip or send in stuff. i know others who seem to get upset that they have to keep sending stuff in to the school. personally i would feel happy that i had the money to help the school out knowing others simply can't. i plan on sending in extra supplies as i buy a lot of crayons, glue etc at back to school time and stock up. i believe in paying it forward as well as what i do comes back to me.... when i do for another it will come back to me in other ways or when i need help.

[handmade34]

14. just wrong

I used to teach and I would never have even considered asking such questions to the entire class. Absolutely- express your concerns so that they are heard and demand that teachers be more sensitive to students

[rucky]

16. That's a no-no.

Parent letter is the way to go.

[bobbolink]

18. This is where we could learn so much from other cultures, if we would just listen!

My Indian friends don't like personal questions, and usually don't answer them, for this very reason. It is considered rude and intrusive, as is the scenario you have painted.

Indian people believe very strongly in community, and it is wrong and rude to stand out, or to make someone else stand out. The situation you portrayed is *very* insenstive. It comes from our rugged individualist stance, which doesn't value the community as a whole.

Teachers who teach in Indian schools have had to learn a whole different approach... one which is more humane and more sensitive. We would all do well to learn the same.

I hope those who have power in this situation listen and learn from you.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. I send a questionnaire home on the first day

I ask for a lot of general information, including computer access at home. That way I know but I haven't humiliated a child in front of the class.

I also ask for a parent signature so I have that on file (there is always a brainiac who thinks he/she can forge Mom's signature).

We don't do field trips but when we did, we rarely asked the kids to pay for them.

[MorningGlow]

20. Cost of field trips are mentioned on the permission slip

Something along the lines of "The cost for this field trip is $5, but no child will be prevented from attending the field trip if they cannot cover the cost," implying that there are funds set aside for this purpose. This allows parents to contact the teacher privately if they need to have the fee covered by the classroom budget.

Can't speak for the computer issue because MG Jr. is too young to worry about it yet. However, the school has a computer lab, and I'd assume that older students who need to use a computer for homework would be able to sign up for time during school (lunch) or after school, as there's a signup sheet by the door.

[Catshrink]

21. Here's my way of handling this

I go through the supply list with the kids and at the end say...

"Now, I know for some of you times are hard right now. Our unemployment rate in our state is 14% and that affects many in our community. Some of you may have trouble affording some of the things on this list - please, come talk to me privately. We used some of our supply money to buy a few extra *whatevers* for those who are having a tough time. It will be between you and me and no one else. Please don't be embarrassed - I've been there - we're glad to help out."

This year 4 kids took me up on it. One transferred to another class and came in after school to return the notebook I'd given her - she thanked me and said she didn't need it now and apologized for using two or three sheets of paper from it.

As for the computer use.... I don't distribute textbooks because I don't use them enough to justify the hassle. We have a code for the internet version I give the kids if we need it. I tell the kids this and that if they don't have computer access at home, I can check them out a hard copy of the book. That seems to take care of that need. It's a bit more difficult gor research projects. They go to the library in town or, if they have a transportation problem, I'll print something off for them or lend them the resources they need.

Never would I ask a kid to self-identify in front of the class.