What do you think???

I've had an interesting situation come up and I am curious as to what YOU think.

Here's my question....

Do you think parents should be able to quietly sit in the back of their child's classroom when ever they feel the need to? This is of course after signing in at the office and possessing a visitor's badge.

Think about that for a minute while I tell you the shortened version of my story.

Kimberly has to give a current events oral report every week. When she came home I asked her how she did, this was her 2nd week, she said thinks she did alright, but her teacher wouldn't let her use her notes at all. I said what?, did she do that to all of you? She said no, just me. Obviously, I was a little perplexed, because I didn't prepare her to have it memorized, just comfortable enough not to have to keep her nose in the paper. The next day, I decided I needed to go to the classroom and observe the next set of these reports and watch what was expected so I could better prepare her for the next one.

I checked into the office, and quietly sat in the back of the class. After the reports were given, the kids left for recess, I asked the teacher about the correct form to use because the one she gave me in parent/teacher conference was different than what was used in class that day. She gave me her answer. She talked a few minutes about Kimberly's report the day before, I was very careful not to comment too much. I didn't want to start something during the school day. I did think it was interesting she started to explain herself when I didn't say a thing about it.

Anyway, the bell rang and she left to go get the kids. I left and came home. She asked Kim why I was there and she told her to watch the current events reports.

Do you see a problem with that??? Keep in mind, I am an involved parent. I attend my parent/teacher conferences, as well as volunteer in my children's classrooms. I have been an involved parent in this school for 8 years. I would be surprised if there were very many adults in that entire school that either didn't know me or know of me or my family.

Well, she was upset that I was there without an appointment? I didn't tell her why I was there or how long I was going to be there. She never asked and I didn't interrupt to volunteer that information. If she would have asked, I would have told her I was there to see the current events reports.

She got the principal involved and he backed her and said I had no business being in there with out giving her a "heads up" first. All for safety reasons. I called the district, and they backed them as well.

I thought to myself... if I was interested in what was "really" going on in my child's classroom, why would I give the teacher a "heads up" to prepare for my being there. Wouldn't it be a more clear assessment if I just showed up? Why can't I as a parent, whose checked into the office, check on my childs school experience when ever I feel the need to ??

What do you think???