I agree that whether the teacher is competent in his math skills is the most important issue. I do not, however, think that that should be the only valid issue. In my mind, for an educator, regardless of subject taught, to send home a note abusing the language arts as badly as that note does sends a message that English simply doesn't matter anymore. "Dumbing down" is completely acceptable and even encouraged. (I'd better stop there - I just went into a rant that belongs on TOF - not here.) I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it yet, but I agree strongly with Suzy that doing nothing is giving silent approval. I'm very bad at confrontations (which is why #2 DS [the one Jan referred to] is now living with his father), but I might be able to manage Meldy's "draft" line. I really appreciate the input, keep it coming! Thanks! BTW - on the topic of "dumbing down," does any one else go nuts every time someone says "bird flu" instead of "avian flu?"

Here's what we did for Teacher Appreciation Week at my daughters' middle school last week. On Sunday kids and parents showed up at the school and made posters, wrote notes and made banners with words of praise and love for the teachers. We also weeded the garden and the planters. Planted flowers at their entrance way. When they came in on Monday they were greeted by all the banners and posters and also had goodie baskets in the teachers room. Tuesday morning they were served breakfast by the parents. Wednesday was International Lunch day. Parents made dishes from around the world and served them to the teachers. Table cloths were put on the lunch tables with centerpieces to make it look nicer for the teachers. Thursday was candy in the mailboxes day. Friday was dessert and pie day along with warm wax hand dips, and shoulder, back and neck massages. The parent group has also set up a teacher wish list for things that they would like in the classroom that are not covered by the school budget. Our teachers know how much we appreciate them. Not just for one special week but all the school year. I love volunteering in the schools, been doing it for 11 years. It shows my kids how much I value education and their teachers. NancyLouise

Thanks to all of you. I think I will send the email this week. I wish I'd kept a copy of the letter I sent last year - but I didn't save it. I have't actually met the 2nd grade teacher - last year she taught 3rd grade, and I had met last year's 2nd grade teacher & got to know her quite well through PTA. I expected her to be DS' teacher next year, but the school decided to do a "looping" - where the same teacher stays with the class in 2nd and 3rd grades, and a different teacher stays with the class in 4th and 5th grades. It sounds like a good idea if the teacher is good & your child "clicks" with her, but what I worry about is a "bad fit" - then my child would have her for 2 years! I have a lot of confidence in the principal at the school & haven't heard a bad thing about any of the teachers, so it should be a good thing. I also have my #2 son starting Kindergarten in the fall at the same school. He doesn't have any disabilities and I've talked to the K teacher on many occassions, so I don't think I need to send her a letter. Was it easier in our parents' day, or did it just seem that way? My folks just sent me to school - I don't think they agonized over things like I do. My mom wasn't involved at all, they only spoke to the teachers at open house, and they just trusted that the school was educating us. I just can't seem to detatch like that - maybe that's a good thing, maybe not.

It is called....PARENTING.... Which besides feeding, clothing and supplying shelter, means Teaching right from wrong and owning up to and rectifying, mistakes or wrong intentional acts. My friends daughter is a teacher in a public school. one of her students (9th grade) got angry at something and almost hit her and punched a hole into the classroom wall. His parents were called to the school and the first thing they said, was, What did the teacher say to him to get him so angry. Needless to say after 5 or so years, he is in prison. Sad that his parents didn't make him own-up to his wrong doings when they had the chance to correct things.