Pre K

[Ladybug]

You'll do fine! Do you have a sitter for the other kids so you can have a good cry afterwards? I used to live across from an elementary school and I remember moms sitting on our Apartment steps with oversized sunglasses, crying. or holding onto the chain-linked fence along after their kids disappeared inside. Give yourself some emotional space to Mourn afterwards. Another fun tradition is going out for ice cream after the first pick up so school kids can share all their stories. It's a good place for pictures (without chalk boards). I'm glad to hear you volunteered for room parent. I think you're bringing your own talents and perceptive observations to the function of the room and communications between teacher and parents. Yay you!

[Ladybug]

The no pictures is just like the OB office walls coming down . I think they will eventually do away with year books too. FERPA includes a student photo as unprotected directory information, but parents can opt out any public pictures. I had to sign the release for photos when I registered, but now they can be published school newsletters or websites. It should be an in-or-out deal when you register.

[MrsK]

The no pictures is just like the OB office walls coming down . I think they will eventually do away with year books too. FERPA includes a student photo as unprotected directory information, but parents can opt out any public pictures. I had to sign the release for photos when I registered, but now they can be published school newsletters or websites. It should be an in-or-out deal when you register.

I'm okay with the no pictures. In fact, when I'm given waivers I opt out and specify that I do not want my children's photographs published and somehow they end up published anyway. Too easy for my husband's patients to find the kids at school if there is a webpage or facebook post "tagging" my husband. While most of my husband's patients are harmless, it just takes one unstable person to create a very dangerous situation. I don't even like to get my kids spirit t-shirts for the same reason. I feel like I'm battling the tide when the teacher talks about uploading pictures of classroom activities to snapfish albums. Today, the other parents looked at me like I was crazy when I asked the teacher whether a class list was on her webpage and whether the page was password protected. Really, there is no need for anyone outside of the class to access her page.

[MrsK]

You'll do fine! Do you have a sitter for the other kids so you can have a good cry afterwards? I used to live across from an elementary school and I remember moms sitting on our Apartment steps with oversized sunglasses, crying. or holding onto the chain-linked fence along after their kids disappeared inside. Give yourself some emotional space to Mourn afterwards. ...

No! I didn't think I'd be emotional because he's been in some form of school or another since infancy. Figured I got it out of my system when he was 3mo and I sent him to day care so I could work full time. Sending him to a class or a camp for three hours never seemed like a big deal before. Somehow, this just feels different. Like I'm set on a new path.

[Ladybug]

Have you considered giving the more info-my husband works In the mental health field. It would help me as a fellow parent to understand. I can understand you not wanting to share that too, but without that perspective it can feel more frustrating to fellow parents that don't get that (including me).

[MrsK]

Have you considered giving the more info-my husband works In the mental health field. It would help me as a fellow parent to understand. I can understand you not wanting to share that too, but without that perspective it can feel more frustrating to fellow parents that don't get that (including me).

Oh, I do! I always preface my question with something along the lines of "My husband works in mental health. While most of his patients are not dangerous, he sometimes comes in contact with people who are unstable. Since things like the internet and GPS make it very easy to find people, we try to limit the amount of exposure our children have. If it's necessary to post pictures of our children, we request that you do not post their last names, my husband's name, or any contact information. If you would like, I can provide a pseudonym....." People still don't get it and sometimes I have to get more explicit. Like explaining to the phone company that my husband has treated people who are criminally insane and it is very important that our address is not published. In a school setting, among other parents, I'm less explicit because I don't want them to fear for their children's safety. But if there is an even remote possibility that posting the pictures could lead someone to come to the school with malicious intentions, I'd think that all the parents would prefer that the pictures not be posted. Still, it's impossible to prevent the pictures from being posted.....

[Pollyanna]

Come to our school MrsK, I get the impression the sheriff confiscates your camera and checks the pics before you can leave campus...I'm only partially kidding...

I do think you have a completely valid reason for wanted to be kept out of pics and directories, but June Smith who is afraid a stranger is going to track her kid down from a nameless pic on the kinder website is just over the top.

[alotofyarn]

I'm okay with the no pictures. In fact, when I'm given waivers I opt out and specify that I do not want my children's photographs published and somehow they end up published anyway. Too easy for my husband's patients to find the kids at school if there is a webpage or facebook post "tagging" my husband. While most of my husband's patients are harmless, it just takes one unstable person to create a very dangerous situation. I don't even like to get my kids spirit t-shirts for the same reason. I feel like I'm battling the tide when the teacher talks about uploading pictures of classroom activities to snapfish albums. Today, the other parents looked at me like I was crazy when I asked the teacher whether a class list was on her webpage and whether the page was password protected. Really, there is no need for anyone outside of the class to access her page.

It should definitely be protected! E's school does shutterfly, and you have to be added to the site by a teacher to access it, and they ask you not to share pics on social media (I try to only share the ones of E). Now that she's moved up, my access to her old class has been revoked, so I know they keep on top of it, which is nice.