I want to clarify .. hopefully.
I'm not insinuating that private school is an ultimate solution.
Not at all. I'm just considering another avenue of education for my child, for next year. This year is close to being over. And I am not sure I want her in this school again next year. This school seems to be, for lack of a better phrase, "oraganized confusion".
My child is doing an average to above average job of getting an education in this middle school. However, I know my child is capeable of honors classes, and better grades.
I am seeing and have seen many red flags this year, concerning my childs physical safety while inside the school, as well as her education. Yes, there were major concerns that were not handled properly by the school, concerning our child, before Christmas time. If I had not been persistant, the situation would have escellated, and someone else's child would have not only ended up in juvinile detention (if this child isnt already there), and my child would have eventaully been more emotionally scarred that they are right now concerning this situation. And yes, this was a BIG situation. No I wont go into details about the situation.
I could write a book from our negative experiences with this school, this year alone. ( It might not sell..LOL but I could write a book)
I have been very active in trying to communicate with the teachers this year both via email, as well as phone calls. a percentage of the time, I leave message for the principal, he/she may eventaully call me back , and when they do call me back, they are clueless, or they think they have it figured out, agree with me, and have no idea as to what I am trying to convey to them.
I have 2 teachers who have communicated with me, very well, i might add, Out of a total of 12 (one was a substitute, and others are semester type classes) teachers this year. These are the teachers who utilize online communications, as well as "MyHomework.com" type sites, so that parents can see what is going on inside the classroom curriculum, and have an idea of what their kids should be learning during a certain time frame.
I agree that middle school aged kids are to be independant, and more responsible. However, until my child is 18, I am, as the parent, responsible for her actions. To me, this means passing AND failing in school. When I try everything I know of, and my childs education is still at question, I know there needs to be something else done, or considered.
I have found that most of these teachers do not email me back. I have been cordial, kind, and nice in my initial emails. One teacher refuses to use the email communication system completely. Unfortunately, this is the one and only class that my child is now close to failing, yet she carried an "A" previously, from the beginning of the school year until the most recent interim. I have spoken to the principal twice now about this particular situation, to try to get in touch with this particular teacher. This teacher seems to be rarely available. ANd has not made any attempt to reach me by phone, email, or letter.
I tried PTA meetings.
I dont necessarily have all the time to dedicate to these PTA goings on, and prefer to not get into their gossip issues. I believe that they have a positive mission, however. Kudos to them, for whatever it is that they get accomplished.
My child utilizes "the planner" that she recieved at school, also. THAT seems to be a big "pass the buck" solution to these folks here. I am being persistant, and have been trying to accomplish this with my child, in getting specifics in the planner comments, initials, and assignments written into it. It isnt happening. Even with a contract signed in a counselors office. My child is jotting things down, but sometimes the teachers dont have time to even consider signing them. my child has noted on several occassions.."had to get to next class- substitute could not sign", or "sub didnt call for planner today".
My child knows to put the arm up and ask to bring the planner to the teacher in this case. Sometimes, there apparently is not time for that as class is dismissed, due to having to go back to lockers to put books away , and get other books for next classes, or dash to the bus for the ride home, etc.
I also had a comment from one of the two teachers that I spoke with today tell me that they are so far behind in prepping our kids for the MSA, that they are rushing the curriculum, and using organizational time at the end of the school day, to teach new things that will be needed on the MSA. To me, this says that yes, they need to be prepping for the MSA, but this is cutting regrouping time...how do kids stay organized to succeed when that is taken away from them?
Iv'e gone over the situation with our child. We know that if we miss the bus, because we had to make sure we get what we need to complete assignments because of the cut organizational time, that a call is to be made home in the afternoon, and will have another ride home besides the bus..
OK. Let the bombing begin.
For some reason, I feel like I'm in for it, from this forum...LOL.
I do, however, appreciate all of your input, iddeas, and the way you may look at the situation so that I can form differnt ideas, a decision and conclusion...
How can her grades be that bad if you check her homework every night and help her study? I went through a phase when I was in school where I didn't think I had to do my homework. My parents made me carry around a homework notebook and get all the teachers to sign it...then they checked it every single night. I was so embarassed by that...it didn't take long for me to get my act together.
That's a LOT of kids to keep track of ... and to expect a teacher to remember which kids they're to cater to every 45 minutes is asking a bit much, I think. Next thing you know, parents will be pitching a fit that their kids aren't learning as much in class because the teacher has to kiss the asses of a few kids. 
