School Parents Reunion

This Saturday morning we gathered at 8am with all the parents of kids in our school to listen to the principal and to discuss issues facing us. Last November, there was an earthquake that damaged one of the 2 school buildings, so the older elementary school kids have been relocated to other schools nearby. Some issues that parents raised were around how we can drop off and pick up our kids and still get to work on time, when they are at schools 20 minutes apart. The service that keeps kids before and after school has kids sit in chairs without desks until school starts or until parents pick up kids. Because this service (called La Garderie) is run by the mayor’s office, the principal said we needed to talk to them about providing the kids better service. A parent compained that the mayor had refused even to accept a letter with questions regarding the services of the Garderie. Another parent offered to organize parents to pay for fans in the often hot schoolrooms, but was rebuffed that this too was the sole responsibility of the municipality, and that parent involvement like this was not allowed.

There is a PTA-like group that puts together the school directory and helps parents answer questions of the school. However, that group doesn’t seem to have much power. Hopefully we’ll get to see and know how the school works well. Parents are not generally permitted on school grounds during school hours, so that’s something new for us. The teachers seem great, and we’re looking forward to getting to know them better. We’ve been able to chat with them briefly before and after school, and feel confident that Olivia and Colette are in good hands and will be able to learn well.