Teacher's classroom pages on school website

Just wondering...does anyone else regulary check out their kid's teacher's classroom pages that are available on the school website?

I think it's a great idea therefore for the past couple of years, my daughter & I feel that we have always been updated on classwork, tests and school assignments. However, my concern is that teacher's don't update their page on a regular basis.

My daughter started the 6th grade on Monday and while viewing her classroom pages, I noticed that some have not been updated since last February!!!

I was just wondering if other parents are not aware that these pages exist or just don't use them at all.

Also wondering if I should even bother wasting my time emailing teachers asking them if they update them on a regular basis or not. Her teacher last year never responded to my emails and updated it once every two months or so for a one week assignment. :x

 

I found the websites highly unreliable. Some teachers will utilize them. Not many though. And I have NEVER gotten a response from a teacher via email through those. I always just call the school. Good luck but I wouldn't depend on those pages for sure.

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

luckily my son's teacher has updated their site, but I noticed that others haven't. For the most part it is the same information that gets sent home (in our case) so I get duplicate information. I imagine this close to the beginning of school it may take a week or so to get things running again. I'd give it another week and then if you don't hear back during that time or it doesn't get done maybe mention something or send a note asking about it.

 

I had one teacher who kept it updated with the nights homework etc... that was really nice when DS couldnt remember... most of them are months behind!

I wouldnt email to ask, just check it a few times.

They SHOULD answer email... I have had great success with emailing teachers, it is a good alternative to calling etc...

 

I have never used it, none of my dd teachers used theirs in the past..this year she said she would use her email if needed...I just rather call the school it's what I have done in the past.

 

I use the live cam to keep a eye out on the kiddo's class...

 

I have found the web sites to be very helpful when teachers take the time to update them. My daughter's teacher at Polenta never updated her web site last year after opening day. But there were a lot of things she didn't do.

 

I would check the teachers page on a regular basis last year. She did an AWESOME job at keeping it updated and was always prompt with answering emails. I've checked this year and so far it just has basic supplies listed for the year. I don't know that many have the time to keep them updated as they get into higher grades (as my son is only in 2nd grade!). I definitely found it convenient last year though with homework and projects.

 

Some of DS's teachers have and others have not kept it updated. This years teacher says she uses it a lot. During orientation, it was mentioned that there won't be as much "paper" sent home due to budget cuts and they were hoping to use the websites more to commmunicate instead. They would send home paper copies of needed info if you didn't have internet access. So far, so good with us this year. Printed off a form he needed just the first night.

 

We've had some teacher's that utilized their classroom page on a regular basis, and it would send "alerts" to your email anytime the page was updated in any way. We've had other teachers that never touched it, which was incredibly frustrating because it is such a great tool. I wish more parents would call the schools and request that the teacher's be taught and encouraged or made to use these webpages. Usually there is a person at the school that has either a volunteered or paid "technology" position of some sort that could/should easily be in charge of holding seminars or classes or meetings (could be incorporated into meetings the teachers already have to attend, or as part of summer education requirements for example) to teach the teachers how to use these. I'm sure some teachers just aren't comfortable and feel they don't have time to learn with everything else they have to do. The more interest that is shown in these, the more likely they are to really utilize them on a regular basis. Southeast Raleigh High School teachers are in constant contact with parents about each students grades/progress/classroom performance and they quickly respond to email. When I look at how that school manages their website and communication it makes me really ill to look at West Johnston's. For example, any form that needs to be printed out should be available on a school's website. That way a student or parent can print it out at home =win/win for everyone. Schools save money on printer cartridges and paper and postage and time of employees, and parents and students have the convenience of being able to access needed items at the touch of a button instead of a car ride or waiting for snailmail. It would be great to help modernize our schools by actually using the technology we pay for with tax $$, and would help our children be more competitive if we as parents can show that we are comfortable with technology, and help them as they learn.

 

I checked the websites for a couple of DD's teachers, neither of whom was up to date. I emailed the AP a the school, who assured me that it will be addressed.

I believe that the updates should be frequent. One teacher does post that week's testable materials, so we know what to expect for that week. Another's web site is dated September 08, which is entirely unacceptable.

As for email via the school web sites, I've always gotten a fairly rapid response from them.

Although calling the school may lend itself to convenience, I would remind you that email provides some sense of tracking and history. Rather than arguing over whether or not issues were discussed and resolved on the phone, email provides a record that remains on the school server. In my mind, this brings about a more thoughtful response from teachers.

 

Or NO response, as I've also experienced when dealing with issues that admin doesn't want to deal with that they know I'm right about 8)

 

I've been lucky, all my boys teachers email in a timely manner and provide plenty of information on their webpages. I email randomly too, couple or more times a month, just to check in and see if there is anything, even minor, that I need to know about or that might be needed in the classroom.

I always, always, ALWAYS, ask when I meet the teacher, "what is your preferred method of contact?" I have had only one, that preferred me to leave a message in the office for her.

 

I check my son's teacher's pages regularly. So far, so good. One did say in orientation that she checks her email regularly and would respond.

 

Teacher last year used it like a champ. Weekly updates home work on the page would check and reply to email, it was a great tool to help us and our son. This year the new teacher page of some one who has been teaching at that school 11 years is not even online yet.


hit and miss I guess

 

Which provides support for your next steps. If you tired to resolve something and get no response, printing out what you emailed shows that you tried to reach out and getting no response, had to escalate matters.

YMMV. For my kiddo, there's no step I wouldn't take to make sure the schools are doing their job. But, then again, I've never been presumed to be one to doesn't challenge the system.

 

:jester:

 

LOL....

 

Not sure to what you allude. If it's because I can find a way to achieve my child's needs in a positive way, then you are right. And by working with the systems as it is to achieve those ends, then that sounds as if it's a way that works.

If, however, you are suggesting that I garner solutions because I have an inside track, you are mistaken. I have no more of an expectation of results because of my involvement with the schools than any other parent should.

With positive involvement within the schools, does that not speak to an ability to understand and achieve what is reasonable?

 

:?