Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,788 
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 25, 2016 14:33:48 GMT
I don't want to be rude and I'm asking a favor. I also have great respect for both ladies involved.
On Wednesday of last week I sent an email to DS's G&T teacher and cc'd his regular classroom teacher. I am requesting a conference to ask some questions about the G&T program as well as his progress. I outlined what my questions were in the email. They aren't extensive or anything accusatory, etc. Very simple...I would like more information about...type things. In my email I said I wanted info about G&T specifically but if his regular classroom teacher was able to join us that would be super awesome. His regular classroom teacher responded the next morning with her schedule and that she'd like to come. Crickets from the G&T teacher.
Do I email again with a "Mrs. R can you meet with me?"
or "Classroom teacher can you check to see if Mrs. R received this?"
or move up the chain? What would that even mean?
I hesitate to get the regular classroom teacher involved more than she is because I don't want to put her in an awkward position with her peer. I don't want to run to the principal and tattle. But I would really like some kind of response!
In a normal business world type scenario I would have expected an answer within 24-48 hours.
And technically...this isn't even an option technically. The G&T teacher is supposed to hold these conferences at the beginning and end of the year. She didn't have one at the beginning and for the past 2-3 months hasn't sent out her regular update emails that she had been sending en masse to all of the parents.
Thoughts?
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Post by gorgeouskid on Apr 25, 2016 14:40:03 GMT
I'd probably write a note before calling or emailing again.
The teachers with whom I work are notoriously terrible at checking their district emails. Some only check once a week (though it's policy to check daily.) A few never check and don't even seem to know that they have a district email.
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Post by debmast on Apr 25, 2016 14:40:36 GMT
Our district, teachers are expected to respond to a parent email within 24 hours. Obviously many cannot respond during teaching hours, but 24 hours gives them time to have after school and/or conference period to respond.
If it has been since last Wednesday, I would email again and say I was following up to my email from "such and such" date as I had had no response and wanted to verify that it was received.
If I didn't get a response within a couple of days, I would then contact the principal (or here, counselors schedule teacher conferences) and see what can be done as the teacher is not responding to your request.
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Post by scraphollie27 on Apr 25, 2016 14:43:37 GMT
I would email the G&T teacher, tell her what days work for everyone's schedule and ask her if any of those days work for her. If not, please suggest one that does ASAP. I would not involve the classroom teacher and I would not move up the chain. This is a coordination issue for people with busy schedules at a busy time of year and a gentle email reminder that you are waiting for a response never hurts.
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Post by Bobomommy on Apr 25, 2016 14:57:43 GMT
It's possible that your email went into her spam folder. I've had that happen before, and even for addresses that I've previously been able to receive mail from. Could you send a hand-written note with your child?
Dear teacher,
After checking with (classroom teacher), it looks like Friday at 3:15 would be a good time to meet. Would that day and time work with your schedule? If not, please let us know what would be best for you. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss (topic).
Sincerely,
Kerri W.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,788
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 25, 2016 15:02:29 GMT
To answer a couple questions:
The regular classroom teacher did a "respond all" to the email and asked a question of the G&T teacher so my assumption is that she knows the G&T teacher does use the district email. It's not a very large district with maybe 30-40 staff total in this building.
G&T pull out is done for the year. DS said last week that he wouldn't be seeing her again this year. I know the G&T teacher does not work in his building all day, every day so I'm not sure if getting a hand-written note would be any better than an email?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 14:16:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 15:07:53 GMT
I would follow-up with a second email.
If that does not work, I would follow-up with a handwritten note.
If that doesn't work I would drop by the school and have a quick face-to-face chat and schedule the meeting.
We are in the season of state testing. The G&T teacher may have other responsibilities that align with those damned tests.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 25, 2016 22:09:12 GMT
I would have sent a follow up email 48 hours after no response. Just a friendly, hey can you confirm if this time will work for you?
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 25, 2016 22:26:45 GMT
Previous teacher. We were expected to return all emails within 48 hours. Yes, things are hectic now and maybe she doesn't know when, but she could respond that she received the email. I had a parent that would email me on Friday nights and be furious I did not respond that evening. That was unreasonable- but not the 48 hours.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
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Post by Dani-Mani on Apr 25, 2016 22:28:43 GMT
Why can't you call her?
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,788
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 25, 2016 22:47:01 GMT
I had to stop and think about that for a second. I don't think I have ever called any of my kids teachers...ever. I always write a note or email so they can respond when it's convenient for them. I confirmed that she does not stay at one school all day, she rotates between the elementary schools throughout the week. If I don't have a response by tomorrow morning, I will call. |
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Post by CarolT on Apr 25, 2016 23:00:51 GMT
I would shoot her a quick email, just "hello, following up to see if..."
Our district has a 48 hour reply policy, but sometimes emails get buried or even stuck in my outbox. I do my best to reply promptly, but every once in a while a miss the mark!
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,788
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 25, 2016 23:21:14 GMT
I forgot to say I did send a follow up email this morning. Just a quick "I wanted to follow up since I hadn't heard from you. It looks like this and this work for classroom teacher and this is the day that won't work for me. Do any of those work for you and if not, could you give some suggestions that would?"
I'm not angry or upset but I guess I am a little taken aback because I've never *not* received a response when I have contacted the school. I don't do so often but I have been rather impressed with how responsive in general they have been communicating with parents.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,969
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Post by AnotherPea on Apr 25, 2016 23:22:41 GMT
I agree, send another nice email. I'm pretty good about responding within a couple of hours. But if I cannot address a concern right away I might forget about it. I received 42 emails today. Sometimes things get lost in the shuffle.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,973
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Apr 25, 2016 23:27:16 GMT
Yes, I'd just email again. Sometimes emails get lost in the shuffle. Because of our LMS notifications, I sometimes can get 200 emails a day. I've missed a few over the years---or read them, started to respond and got interrupted and thought I sent it, etc... Kost's of scenarios.
If she doesn't get back to you in 48, I'd try and call her and leave a message. If she ignores that, then consider moving up the chain of command.
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Post by Really Red on Apr 26, 2016 2:40:35 GMT
YOu sent an email and a follow up? I hate that. I have a teacher who is not responding to me right now. It's super frustrating. You need to stay on their good side. Is there any way possible you can go into the school and stop and see her? If not, I'd call. I hate calling SO much, but at some point, she needs to respond. Ugh. Sorry!
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 26, 2016 3:07:19 GMT
I'd she is done with pullout for the yeat, it may be that she isn't in the building. I'd call and leave her a voicemail, then a 2nd email, then I'd go to the district site to see who is over the gt program.
My district has a 48 hour rule, my building has a 24 hour unless there is a good excuse rule.
I try to respond as soon as I possibly can.
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Post by KiwiJo on Apr 26, 2016 8:07:23 GMT
I don't want to be rude and I'm asking a favor. I also have great respect for both ladies involved. On Wednesday of last week I sent an email to DS's G&T teacher and cc'd his regular classroom teacher. I am requesting a conference to ask some questions about the G&T program as well as his progress. Wait - your son has a Gin and Tonic teacher? Blimey - what sort of school is it - is he learning to be a bar man?  ( So..... What IS a G&T teacher?) |
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Post by anonrefugee on Apr 26, 2016 14:30:45 GMT
How frustrating! Sounds like you've got a good plan, send another email and then call. Where does she get mail? You could leave her a note there too.
I normally wouldn't go up the ladder, but it's odd she's stopped sending regular communication. Can you call her supervisors office? Maybe while asking contact info from an assistant you'll learn some detail. Yes, sort of roundabout, but might help you gauge what's happening.
If program is being changed you want to be in the know. There would be public presentations about it here, and brouhaha.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 26, 2016 14:56:54 GMT
Hmmm - if your son's pull out is done for the year, is she effectively done for the year? Perhaps she's no longer checking email. If she doesn't respond to your follow up email, I'd contact the district to figure out where she is physically and how to contact her.
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 27, 2016 2:59:57 GMT
I don't want to be rude and I'm asking a favor. I also have great respect for both ladies involved. On Wednesday of last week I sent an email to DS's G&T teacher and cc'd his regular classroom teacher. I am requesting a conference to ask some questions about the G&T program as well as his progress. Wait - your son has a Gin and Tonic teacher? Blimey - what sort of school is it - is he learning to be a bar man? ( So..... What IS a G&T teacher?) gifted and talented |
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 27, 2016 4:26:06 GMT
If pullout is done for the year and she's not responding, I'd be suspicious that either the GT program is going to be cut for next year or she won't be the teacher. Our elementary schools just finished three weeks of national/state testing so all pull outs were pulled. The kids only have about two more weeks of regular class left. |
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Apr 27, 2016 4:37:41 GMT
Our district, teachers are expected to respond to a parent email within 24 hours. Obviously many cannot respond during teaching hours, but 24 hours gives them time to have after school and/or conference period to respond. If it has been since last Wednesday, I would email again and say I was following up to my email from "such and such" date as I had had no response and wanted to verify that it was received. If I didn't get a response within a couple of days, I would then contact the principal (or here, counselors schedule teacher conferences) and see what can be done as the teacher is not responding to your request. I agree with all of this. I work for a school district, and we are also expected to respond within 24 hours, and it is expected that we keep up with our email at all times. Things can get lost in the shuffle, but she should have responded to you. Heck, it's 11:15 PM and I just finished a couple of emails to parents. At times I have sent off a quick reply, saying something to the effect that I have received their message and would send them a more detailed reply later in the day of that evening. I never recommend running to administration without trying to work it out with the teaching staff first, but I will say that I have had to do that with one of my dd's teachers on one occasion (I thought long and hard about it before doing so). I hope you are able to straighten this around quickly, OP. |
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