Keeping up with school news

There’s an interesting discussion going on at The Juggle, How Do Working Parents Keep Up With School News?.

At first glance, it seems like the issue is about how to get “official” school news, but, in the comments, the deeper issue seems to be, “How do working parents get the ‘inside scoop’ at school?”

Parents who don’t work outside the home (forgive me, I know not the preferred terminology and am not trying to start anything) have long been seen as the ones “in the know” about teachers, other students, breaking news and more since they are typically more available than working parents to spend time at school.

The discussion indicates that formal school communication methods are pretty standard, but, the informal communication methods may vary. “Networking” with other parents at birthday parties, sporting events, etc. is cited as one way to stay ‘in the loop’, but, it’s been my experience that there’s an awful lot of “networking” that goes on in the parking lot among mothers right before dismissal.

I like to know what’s going on at school beyond the information in the newsletter. I think it’s important to get information first hand, so, I try to stay involved in committees or groups as my time allows, and, I have always been able to contact a teacher if needed.

However, if you have a topic of interest to discuss, that doesn’t mean we can’t meet at Starbucks later.

You know, for “information sharing”.