Dear Ann Landers: I read the letter from “Teacher in the Midwest” and her rules for parents. Most parents do send their children to school well-prepared and excited about the day, but when the kids come home, their enthusiasm is gone, and their desire to learn has disappeared.
Some children have problems in school because of poor teaching, not bad parenting.
Teachers should ask if they are doing their job to teach and not simply store children for the day. Here are my rules:
It is the job of teachers to make sure children come into a clean classroom where they feel welcome and respected, even if they are different from their classmates in appearance, background or ability.
It is the job of teachers to make sure they come to school prepared with a curriculum, lesson plans, solid academic knowledge and sensitivity to the child’s individual needs. They must ensure that every child has the chance to learn something new.
It is the job of teachers to assign class work and homework that actually teaches something.
If homework is pointless, parents find it difficult to insist that their children complete it. It would also help if teachers would inform parents of grade-schoolers what the assignments are and when they are due.
It is the job of teachers to ensure that classrooms are orderly and that no student is bullied, teased, ridiculed or injured. Courtesy, responsibility and good manners should be taught in school as well as at home.
It is the job of teachers to be literate. Notes home should not include misspellings and poor grammar.
It is the job of teachers to inform and consult with parents, and to listen respectfully to them.
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I have had the privilege of working with some inspired teachers, and my children were lucky to have them. Unfortunately, I have also encountered teachers who were terrible and principals who would not take action against them.
Teachers are human, too, and even good ones can make mistakes. When that happens, they should admit it. — West Coast Mom
Dear West Coast Mom: Thank you for a fine rebuttal.
Teachers and parents should work together to provide a good academic environment. Both must do their part to ensure the best education possible for the children.
Dear Ann Landers: Last week, I saw most of a good movie at the theater. I say “most” because during the last half, I had to visit the ladies’ room. This has nothing to do with a physical problem, Ann. It was because the movie was over two hours long, and I had been drinking a soda.
How do they expect people to consume popcorn and soft drinks without using the facilities in that amount of time?
When I go to a play or the opera, there is an intermission. In fact, I seem to recall that old movies such as “Gone With the Wind” and “The Sound of Music” had intermissions as well. I’m not sure when this practice vanished from movie theaters, but I sure wish they’d bring it back.
Please print this so the movie producers will see it. It might help if you mention that an intermission provides an opportunity for the theater to sell more concessions. Thanks, Ann. — Watery Eyes in Fennimore, Wis.
Dear Watery Eyes: Most movies are two hours or less. For those that are longer, a bathroom break would be most welcome. I hope the producers out there are paying attention.
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