on wednesday. I agree with most of the "rules" they are setting forth for me as a parent in my own home. One I am having a problem with. They are asking me to sign a contract which states that i will not allow my child to watch television, play video games or watch movies during the week except for about 20 minutes a day. I am refusing to sign the contract because as an individual I find it disturbing that the public school system thinks it can tell me what i can do in my home with my child. Or what my child can or cannot do outside of the confines of there particular school house. As a responsible parent of course I limit my childs exposure to television and video games, because it is my choice to do so, and my opinion that it can be detrimental if watched in excess.
I am refusing to sign on mere principal, just as I refused to sign a statement stating that I would never send my child an unhealthy snack to eat at school. Again mine and my childs choice.
What is your opinion
2006-10-07 16:10:03 · 43 answers · asked by ? 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I agree 100%. If I was presented with that contract I would refuse as well---or just cross out what I found offensive and initial it, then sign the bottom with a short statement of MY rights as a parent and adult to think for myself and for my child not the state's assumed and unlawful presumption that they know better than I how MY child should be raised.
I imagine 75% of the parents that do sign it don't read it or understand that they are relinquishing their rights unnecessarily, on the whim of some self inportant school board.
Talk to other parents and the school board. don't let them tell you relax it isn't that big of a deal because it is. Embrace and fight for your rights as a parent.
2006-10-07 16:28:50 · answer #1 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you, it is absurd that they would want you to sign a contract, they could however suggest it and then, it would be totally up to you. I have a daughter in the 3rd grade and they tell me she needs to read for at least 20 minutes each day. But I find it impossible to do that. I try but after having her doing the ton of homework each day to "get them prepared for the FCAT" .I don't even get home from work until 5:45! When she finally finishes that, then she needs to eat dinner and get her clothes picked out for the next day, then it is time for bed. If she has any free time, and if she wants to watch some TV then, by golly, she is going to watch it, no matter what the teachers want!!
In regards to the "unhealthy snack", that phrase alone is all debatable. What is unhealthy to one parent is not to others. And as long as they are doing there school work and it doesn't interfere in any medical way let them eat what they want!!
2006-10-14 19:33:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
UGH. As a former teacher, I can see where the school is coming from...it is hard to work with kids who are all jacked up on tv, video games, etc.... As a teacher you just can't compete with the 15 sec attention span it all creates and the need to be entertained, instead of a child having a naturally inquisitive spirit.
But, as a parent I can see why you won't sign it. I would probably amend it to what you feel is reasonable (1 hour a day??) and then sign it. I would not not sign it, but I would sign it with my amendments.
As for the food thing.....healthy food, same thing. While it is your choice, healthy choices help schoo success.
Too many parents today don't know this stuff, so I guess the school is trying to help.
2006-10-13 16:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by Beth M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a school teacher.
The contract (or at least that clause) is ridiculous. I wouldn't sign it either.
As long as the child isn't watching TV/playing video games to the point that s/he is neglecting his/her schoolwork, it shouldn't matter to the school personnel.
Here's a dirty little secret...(the teacher's union will string me up if they find this)...When I was in school, I probably watched at *least* 2 hours of TV a day..almost always after dark...and it didn't kill me, I did *very* well in school, and I didn't become "addicted" to it (I lived without it for four years by choice after college). I just work best w/background noise, so I'd have it or the radio on while I did homework, read, drew, etc.
Involved parents generally know what's best for their kids, and what boundaries they need. Don't sign the clause.
PS...if it's anything like a school I worked at, it's not the teachers' decision. The school mandates that they send this "information home". *WE* get hounded if they aren't returned. Don't shoot the messenger...bring it up with the principal...I doubt the teacher has much power in this one.
2006-10-07 16:45:47 · answer #4 · answered by katheek77 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you! I think it would have been better for them to ask you to research what detrimental effects it can have,NOT determine how long! Point out to them if you have the chance to watch Pavarotti in concert on PBS for an hour with your child who likes Opera on a Wednesday night you ARE doing it! TV is mostly junk but by God there are some very very educational things out there as well, and unfortunately there are some of us who cannot afford to go see Opera or plays LIVE! TV allows us the opportunity to be able to expose our children to these things!
I work in public schools and I do understand the strain they are under both financially and with parental support. I personally think that parental support would be stronger if schools didn't try to micromanage our kids at home....maybe you could NEGOTIATE the contract. I do believe in your stand. There are exceptions to those particular rules that aren't harmful! If they won't negotiate refuse to sign. If you sign and then break a rule what lesson are you teaching your child? (Another good point to make to the teacher BTW...your childs moral upbringing is JUST as if not more important than education!!*just my opinion!LOL!)
Anyway, I agree with you. I wouldn't do it! What can they do? Deny your child their education? Kick you out of the PTA? I doubt it!!!
2006-10-07 16:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is horrible, like everyone else said, don't sign it. But take it up with the principal, not the teacher, because I doubt they had to much to do with it.
Anyways that is horrible. They put WAY to much pressure on these kids now-a-days. I am in high school and learning algebra.......and so is my cousin that is in 3RD GRADE! And now they want to say that after working on high school level work they can't come home and relax by watching and hour of TV or playing video games, or even watch a movie?
And they are also saying you can't pack them something special in their lunchbox for their birthday, or just to make them happy?
This is taking it too far. I wouldn't just not sign it, I would make sure you talk with someone about it.
2006-10-08 01:10:24 · answer #6 · answered by Jason J 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think this school is trying to control what goes on in the home. Frankly I wouldn't allow my child to spend more than a half hour a day with television/video games, but it is not up to the school to tell me how to raise my child. If I were you I'd seek the advice of a lawyer, you may have a law suit against the school board here.
2006-10-07 18:27:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you it is your choice how to raise your child and decide what they watch and what they eat. A weaker person might just sign it and then not honor it but a strong person would take a stand and refuse to sign it. Are you required to sign this or is it a choice. Is this just something they are trying to encourage? It is a public school and i don't think they have any authority to not accept your child if you refuse i sign this form. I am sure it would not stand up in court.
2006-10-07 16:21:58 · answer #8 · answered by noone 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with the group here- the school is out of bounds even if they have the best intentions.
They may simply see the 'contract' as a way of bringing some awareness to some parents who don't pay attention to how they raise their kids but those same bad parents may also use such a 'contract' to be worse by actually following some of the rules and neglecting the poor kids some more.
I would call your local TV station and make everyone aware of this school's over step. This is not simply out of line it's downright rude and probably not legal. You probably wont even have to be part of the story or have your family name involved a good reporter will run with it and make it a big debate so good parents can speak out everywhere about allowing us our freedom to choose.
2006-10-07 16:21:08 · answer #9 · answered by Answerkeeper 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you do wnat to sign then do not. Yet, from their point of view they want all of the parents to be on one accord. For there are other parents that probably do not monitor their children. So the question is should the school single them out or ask eveyrone? I do not know how they would monitor what you do at home except by your childs performance. I completely understand your position because if I sign this then what do you want me to sign next week. Now the children snack are a bit much also do they have any snack machines or soda machines in thier school.......if so remove them from the school and then I will think about signing concerning my childs diet. So stand for what you believe.
2006-10-07 16:41:18 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. Chrisitn 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋