Registration Frustration

Okay, so remember how I hated the principal when we toured Jack's school and the idiot secretary lost Jack's registration forms last year, leaving me with a less-than-stellar opinion of our local school? Don't even get me started on the joke they called orientation.

Since that rough start, I've been feeling much better about school because Jack likes his teacher and is learning so much. Amazing what a happy kid can do to soothe a mother's worries, isn't it?

Well, school is back on my shit list -- BIG TIME -- compliments of the idiot secretary. But don't let me tell you about it; let the letter I'm sending to the principal explain:

Dear Mrs. N:

Earlier this afternoon, my daughter and I came to Carrcroft for the Kindergarten Open House which I learned about from the flyer sent home in my son’s school bag last week. Upon arrival, I waited in line while the parent in front of me was asking if it was possible to arrange to see more of the school than just a classroom. The woman behind the front desk all but rolled her eyes when she asked what else the woman ahead of me would want to see. She also asked if Carrcroft was the touring mother’s home school or if she was exploring options, implying that only people who weren’t “stuck” with Carrcroft would get the opportunity to see the building where their children would spend most of their waking hours. The mother didn’t back down (good for her!) and her name was reluctantly added to a waiting list for a tour.

At that point, it was our turn. We were “greeted” with a blank stare and a terse, “Why are you here?” When I offered that we were there for the Open House, I was reprimanded for bringing my daughter with me since apparently children aren’t welcome to see their future school. Please let me point out that I am not a naughty five year old and I do not appreciate being spoken to like I am one.

When I reminded her that the flyer advertising the Visitation made no mention of it being a parents-only event, your front desk representative informed me with barely concealed impatience that school was in session and “It’s disruptive enough for the kids to have adults in and out of the classroom, they can’t have kids there, too.” I’m well aware that school is in session. After all, my son is there. I’m not the one who invited myself to visit while school is in session. I’m also not the one who failed to mention that prospective students were prohibited from attending on the paper sent home to families.

I asked for a registration packet, gathered up my disappointed, weeping child and made my way out through a small crowd of parents coming in for the tour, many of whom also had their children with them. Honestly, I was a bit in shock at what had just happened.

Perhaps the woman at the front desk is having a bad day today and she was taking it out on me. It happens. Coincidentally enough, she must have been having the same kind of bad day right around this time last year for when I came in to register my son last February, I was greeted with the same air of impatience and made to feel like I was interrupting something far more important than helping a new family join the Carrcroft fold. She went on to lose half of my paperwork which I had to bring back months later when she got around to letting me know that it was missing. Fortunately I had photocopied the original packet of completed forms before placing into her hands.

I stewed about the rudeness and incompetence last year but ultimately let it go as I feared complaining could negatively impact my son's time at school. I could not and will not swallow it this year and that is why I am letting you know that being treated like an annoying child by a member of your staff is unacceptable. I don’t let my children be impatient and ungracious with others and I know you didn't with your own children based on the anecdotes you shared at the parent forum you held in the school library last summer. I certainly don’t expect to receive such treatment at the hands of someone representing your school. Perhaps I am the only parent who will contact you with this frustration but believe me, I am not the only one who is experiencing it. Mothers talk and I’ve heard enough to know that mine were not isolated incidences.

My son enjoys his time at Carrcroft. My husband and I are happy with his teacher and all of the wonderful things he has learned this year. It is unfortunate that the person who is basically the frontline of your school sullies what seems to be an otherwise caring, involved staff of professionals.

Sincerely yours,

Christy Tobin

Now I'm nervous about sending it. I don't want them making life at school unpleasant for Jack and Natalie because their mother stands up for herself. I mean, it's not like I'm leading a rebellion of migrant workers against Sunkist but still, the kids are out of my hands and in the school's for most of each day. I don't want them to suffer for me speaking up.

To send or not to send? Tom says go for it. I'm waiting for my mom's feedback. Because I can't make a sandwich without getting their opinions, lol.

Fucking public school in goddamn Dorkaware. You get what you pay for.

EDIT:

I thought about it and decided that I had to "Speak Up or Shut Up" about the whole drama so I emailed the letter directly to the principal. *gulp* My mother said it was politely bitchy. That pretty much sums me up right there.

Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe the principal doesn't give a crap. Maybe all I did was ensure that I get the stink eye whenever I sign in at school. Whatever. Be the change you want to see in the world and all that malarky, right? *sigh*

God help them if they take my honesty out on my babies.