Critique my gripy letter

In My Humble Opinion
1

Dear Administrators,

My daughter is (girl name) and she is just completing third grade. She is involved in the GT program. This year, there have been three children in the third grade GT program.

As you are aware, the GT program recommends that the GT students be grouped together by classroom and teacher. You may not be aware, however, that my daughter has had an ongoing conflict with another student in the program, (boy name).

Please note that because of the recommended grouping, (girl name) and (boy name) have shared all classrooms and teachers for the past three years. This year, (girl) has expressed a repeated and vehement desire to “get away” from (boy). She has asked me to see if there is anything I can do about it and reports that it is “not fair” that she will be “stuck with him forever” because of GT.

I am writing to request that these two be assigned separate homeroom teachers for the fourth grade (2005-2006) school year. I (and we) understand that if separated, both kids will see each other regularly for program requirements and this is entirely appropriate and acceptable.

My hope is that a one-year homeroom hiatus will break up the disruptive dynamic that has developed between these two over the past three years and allow both kids to grow and develop independently. If queried, I am certain that the teachers who know these children best will agree that all would benefit positively from the separation.

Thank your for your consideration.

(My name and address)

I had to actually name the boy because the only other student in the program is another boy and I didn’t want the two boys to be confused for one another.

Also, my daughter is not innocent in this conflict- she sent a scathing, full page, nasty note to the boy which was made embarassingly public by his mother (although I must say was very slightly proud of her creative use of language! :eek: ) near the end of the year. I was hoping she would cool off over the summer, but that has not happened.

Also, I’m hoping the letter doesn’t make either kid sound like a ‘victim’ of the other as that is not the case. They both are very competitive and very bright.

It’s in the mailbox. Should I go get it back?

2

Go get it back. It really doesn’t say what the problems are.

You are better off to go speak to the school principal before sending a letter.

I changed some text above. Sorry, but I didn’t have my regular editing tools.

whistlepig

3

Thanks, whistlepig. I posted another letter here http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=329982 but put them in two different forums :smack:

4

I’d go in and talk to the principal and teachers in question in person. You can make the entire situation a lot clearer to them, and assuming you come across as a reasonable parent, they will know you are involved and care about your daughter’s school experiences.

Please not that I am not assuming all school administrators are heartless, but they might find a way to do more for you if they know you will be there insisting on a change…

5

Ditto

6

Update- I went in to talk and took the letter ‘for their files’, and also confirmed with both teachers beforehand that I was not being unreasonable.

The kids were separated and school started.

Then, the other mom started seeking me out to complain.

Monday- she complained that the kids were separated and that was against the rules. I said I didn’t care.

Tuesday- she complained that my daughter was ‘dissing’ her son and she wanted me to tell DD to be nice to her son. DD says she hasn’t even seen the boy much less been impolite to him. I told her to use common courtesy with all people.

Wednesday- she asked her son’s teacher to ‘keep an eye on’ my daughter! (Good grief- they are not in the same class and don’t even share a lunch table. They only get together for gym, PE and GT which are not taught by homeroom teachers. I doubt the boy’s teacher even knows which kid is mine.)

I managed to avoid her Thursday and Friday.

Monday- she went to the school administration building to complain about the separation where someone told her that the kids can be separated if a teacher or parent makes a request.

Tuesday she said she wanted to talk to me, but unfortunately (not) I was in a hurry and couldn’t talk.

I have gone into high-avoidence mode. DD is very happy with her class and teacher.

I think that mom may be nuts.

7

Bizarre that the mother would even care if your daughter and her son are in the same classroom. I can see caring that they ARE, but not caring that they aren’t. Sounds like mom’s got a screw loose somewhere.

8

Minor editing required here:

I am writing to request that these two be assigned separate homeroom teachers for the fourth grade (2005-2006) school year. I (and we) understand that if separated, both kids will see each other regularly for program requirements and this is entirely appropriate and acceptable.

There is no need to say 'I am writing… ’ It is quite apparent that you are writing.