letter from school

[kitten_uk2]

hi there, my son has just started full time school this month, he is only 4 and half and has a speech and understanding problem (you could ask him if he wanted grass for tea and he would reply yes! ). yestaday he brought a letter home with him that was a list of things he has to adere to such as, go to school on time do as im told, behave well and follow rules, work hard and listen etc there is a little bit at the end of this for my son to sign. i read all the things to him, he seemed to listen but i know he wont understand, i dont know what to do about his signature bit, do i leave it blank or let him scribble all over it. (it has to go back to school)

[mumof3angels]

Doesn't his teacher realise that he might not understand properly. I would go in and talk to her/him and make them aware of it.

[dot.hawkes]

why have they made a school contract for children so young??? that is daft, i know the parents should sign one now to make things run smoothly, but this is silly.

[kitten_uk2]

yes i agree, but i didnt know about the signature bit, was thinking of writting his name in it, but then it wouldnt be his signature would it.

[Rollo]

This teacher sounds as if they have a problem too.

I would despair!

[mumof3angels]

No I wouldn't write his name at all as that would perhaps mean to the teacher that he understands everything and and as you say he doesn't. My youngest started full time school in sept, and I had to sign a Home/school agreement ( a courtesy contract just outlining that I would support my child and the school just as the teachers would) but my son was never asked to 'sign' it. Can you not have a quick word with the teacher perhaps when he's going in to school or when you pick him up?

[andy-hughes]

I think you should go and see his teacher.

Start by saying that the average four year old does not grasp the concept of a contract of behaviour like this, and explain in detail about the difficulties he has.

Always start from a spirit of co-operation and courtesy. No-one likes to feel under attack, and you need your son's teacher's co-operation to assist with this situation.

Hopefully an informal chat will sort this out, but if not, take your concers to the Head Teacher, with the same approach.

[EmEd1984]

i wouldn't worry too much about him signing it, surely if you printed his name that would suffice? they'll only want a signature to prove it's been read. maybe write a brief letter explaining your conerns, and put it in an envelope with the 'contract' to go back to the school.

...but what a bizarre thing for them to send him home with!

[CrazyCathy]

I go with the others don't sign it - it's daft - Could it be an error that it should be for the parent's signature and they have printed it incorrectly?

[Francis Asis]

The way i understand it, legally children dont have to start school until they are 5. i would tell his teacher where to stick the contract.

[missrandom]

both my kids had to sign an 'agreement' form thing in reception class. I think its such a ridiculous thing to get 4 year olds to do. Yes your supposed to get them to sign it, but no child (understanding problem or not) would understand the implicationss of signing. Its so stupid, what are they going to do if the child breaks the rules? grrrrr some schools spend far too much time on silly things like this and should concentrate on the teaching.

[CrazyCathy]

My eldest isn't 4 yet but will be later this year. When I go to the school I shall ask.

As he can't read that well I can't see the point. His understanding changes from day to day.

[Velvetee]

Seems they are expecting far too much from such a young child. I would also arrange a meeting with the teacher who gave your son this letter and also the Head Teacher.

Was your son the only child given this note, or was it also given to all his classmates too? I would not be happy if my child were singled out.

[cassa333]

Realy it is just as much for YOU the parent to understand what the school ethos is but they are becoming the norm nowadays.

My childrens school expect everyone to turn up on time, be attentive, listen, be helpful to others, be respectful etc.

I don't know what happens if you don't sign it but if you feel your son isn't capable of understanding it (most 4/5yr olds wouldn't though) talk to the head.

My thoughts would be 'How well does the school rate against others that don't have such policies?? How does this help my child within the school environment? What is the benifit to my child/school? My 5yr olds scholl has an extensive behaviour policy and is one of only 12 outstanding infants school in the county and one of only (I think) a handful to get it for the second year running.

If it wasn't a benifit they wouldn't bother with it.

[ganesh]

Shred it!
Seriously though,things are getting ridiculous at primary level,They'll be asking them to choose GCSEs when they start secondary school soon.
Talk to the Head about it,and see what your options are.