OT: Kindergarten Career Week

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January 7th, 2006, 02:30 PM
dianasmama

We rec'd a letter from Diana's school this week, I will summarize:

"Career Education Week in Kindergarten. We are looking for individuals who would be willing to come and talk to the kindergarten classes for 20-40 minutes about their career. Children are always eager to hear about what their parents do at work each day and this is a great way to contribute to your child's learning. If you are interested....

Here's the kicker:

"Our .....Career Center liaision will then contact those speakers whose careers will best meet the standards for kindergarten career education."

That peeves me! Standards? What standards? Obviously this sounds like some "careers" will not live up to their "standards"? Are only doctors or lawyers or firemen or policemen up to their standards?

I know personally of several fine people with the following careers who earn money to put a roof over their children's heads and food in their tummies and a warm blanket at night, but will they meet the "kindergarten career education standards"?

Correctional facility guard
Garbage Truck driver
Grocery store cashier
Pet groomer
Yoga instructor

I could go on and on. And yes, I also know the doctors and lawyers, policemen, firemen, city planners and FBI agents and numerous other people that all perform functions and duties that keep society going.

I'll be writing a letter to the principal of the school asking for a definition of their so-called standards.

Laurie
January 7th, 2006, 02:54 PM
Ds9jullian

"NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND"

Ashley
January 7th, 2006, 05:28 PM
amyjoy

I agree with you. Everyone is important no matter what their job is.
I have had so many people give me grief over the years for being a stay at home mom. Including my husband's family, who thinks it is just awful that I don't work!!!!
But If I paid someone to watch my kids, then that would be a job for them and OK????
That doesn't make sense.
Every job is of value even the ones that don't pay much or pay nothing, like mine.
January 7th, 2006, 05:43 PM
dianasmama

Quote:

Every job is of value even the ones that don't pay much or pay nothing, like mine.

awww, but yours (and mine) pays in hugs and kisses and sweet smiles and that beats any paycheck! It just doesn't buy groceries! [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie
January 7th, 2006, 05:45 PM
Starearedkid

The only thing I could think of by the words "standards" is more just to save themselves for protection. They will probably approve EVERY job, but they need to know what it is first.

I would definately ask though what "standards" means.

Eventually, I'd love to be a stay at home mom [img]smile.gif[/img] Its been my dream.

-Jordyn
January 7th, 2006, 05:49 PM
rolloverrover

Another thing I wonder about is who is organizing this event. I can't imagine the average kindergartner sitting still for 20-40 minutes listening to ANYONE talk about his/her job. I pity the poor parent who has the last slot for the day.
January 7th, 2006, 07:29 PM
heidiabigail

Quote:

Originally posted by Ds9jullian:
"NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND"

Ashley

you mean . . ."NO TEACHER LEFT STANDING" . . .hehe
January 7th, 2006, 07:39 PM
Skittl1321

I don't think "standards" would take out any of the jobs you named. Most likely they are going to want jobs that are familiar to the children, so they can learn more about them, but not be confused

They will probably screen so 20 firemen don't come, someone with an "adult" orieneted business is left out, someone who has a "package" store, while legitamete hard working business, wouldn't be appropriate, and something that is just to complicated to understand is left out.

You could call to clarify their "standards" but you might have read to much into it.
January 7th, 2006, 09:10 PM
Grapedy1982

What are they doing having career presentations in kindergarten anyway? These kids are far far too young to even be thinking about what they'll do in 20 years. Why can't people just let kids be kids?
January 7th, 2006, 09:15 PM
Magdalen

Quote:

Originally posted by Grapedy1982:
What are they doing having career presentations in kindergarten anyway? These kids are far far too young to even be thinking about what they'll do in 20 years. Why can't people just let kids be kids?

My thoughts exactly....
January 7th, 2006, 09:53 PM
ponydreamer

The first thing that got me was the length of the presentations! Geeze! Anyone who works with children knows that is far too long.

I think you're right to ask questions and voice your concerns. I wonder, though if the letter wasn't just worded badly. I almost think they just want to be able to keep some organization. You know...not have 5 nurses in one day or something.

Anyway...I think it's awfully young to do career day.....but that's just me!
January 8th, 2006, 03:20 AM
amyjoy

Quote:

Originally posted by dianasmama:
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Every job is of value even the ones that don't pay much or pay nothing, like mine.

awww, but yours (and mine) pays in hugs and kisses and sweet smiles and that beats any paycheck! It just doesn't buy groceries! [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie<hr /></blockquote>I agree with you, I wouldn't trade my job for all the money in the world!!!!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]
January 8th, 2006, 03:22 AM
amyjoy

Quote:

Originally posted by dianasmama:
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Every job is of value even the ones that don't pay much or pay nothing, like mine.

awww, but yours (and mine) pays in hugs and kisses and sweet smiles and that beats any paycheck! It just doesn't buy groceries! [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie<hr /></blockquote>I agree with you, I wouldn't trade my job for all the money in the world!!!!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]
January 8th, 2006, 03:53 AM
lj01

"Our .....Career Center liaision will then contact those speakers whose careers will best meet the standards for kindergarten career education."

Career Center Liason? Who works with Kindergartners?
My word! Shouldn't they learn how to print a simple sentence before they worry about choosing a future career? [img]eek.gif[/img]
Learning what their parents do is wonderful, but "Career Center liason"? Please!

Bravo to you Laurie!! Let us know what the outcome of your contact with the school is..
January 8th, 2006, 04:17 AM
slovejoy

I agree completly with you and I'm glad that you are writing the principal. I think it's important to instill a respect for all professions, not just those deemed "worthy" but school, or society etc. Good luck!

Shanna
January 8th, 2006, 04:22 AM
rolloverrover

Wish I could be there to join forces with you.
January 8th, 2006, 10:18 PM
annkirstin

Just my two cents [img]graemlins/money.gif[/img] but the first thing I thought of was that they are making sure that the kids would even understand the careers. Who knows a kindergartener that could possibly understand what a CPA or stockbroker does, for instance? They need to orient the program to a 5-year-old's level of understanding. I hope I am right and it's not what you fear. But it didn't worry me right off.

I don't think they are trying to make the kids grow up too fast either, like some posters mentioned. Kids are always asked what they want to be when they grow up. It's natural for them to think about what jobs they might like to do later, and kids do enjoy learning about what people do at their jobs. I remember having a career day in third grade and as part of it, we could come to school dressed as the occupation we wanted to be when we grew up. However I can't imagine an elementary school needing a career center liaison!
January 8th, 2006, 10:46 PM
mom4four

I have done the Kindergarten career day 4 times (I'm a Dental Hygienist) and every time there has always been a SAHM among us, they always have some pretty funny stories to tell. and you are right about the time limit I always bring toothbrushes for them and the big teeth to show them how to brush, but after 20 minutes they are scooting around and you start to lose them. I am sure that by standards they just mean as others have said that it isn't an "adult" business or one that 5 year olds couldn't grasp. There first year that my oldest did it a girl in his class had a dad who was a Dentist and since the teacher felt the kids wqould find that too similiar ( I wish the pay was similiar!)I did the afternoon class instead. I'm sure that's what it is.
January 8th, 2006, 10:49 PM
MollyGirl

kk, I am guessing they don't want

strippers
**** Stars
Bartenders
Go Go Dancers
Bouncers
Witches
Palm Readers

But really 20-40 mins? What kid wants to hear a Lawyer talk for that long. Or for that matter a engineer. I would think 10-15 mins would be better. You did say Kindergarten. What are they doing to the kids to get them to sit still for so long?