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Grandparenting

Apparently I am a dinosaur!

(23 Posts)
Sadgrandma Thu 13-Aug-26 07:58:10

DGD is going on a Brownie weekend from Friday to Sunday so will have to ask to leave school early on the Friday. I innocently asked if mummy or the guider was going to send a letter to the school. “Letter!” Was the reply, “this isn’t the olden days Grandma , we use emails these days!” Of course I’m too ancient to know that. Sigh!

Astitchintime Thu 13-Aug-26 08:05:31

Yes, apparently that is so. Parents/guardians can also see an online record of percentage attendances……..are parents saw none of that until the year-end report sent home in a sealed envelope shortly before school broke up in July.

Aveline Thu 13-Aug-26 08:17:14

DD says she is inundated by emails from her boys' school. So much information sent or searchable. The school has a whole IT dept running it all.

Shel1951 Thu 13-Aug-26 08:22:08

Yes its amazing, I now order my grandsons school dinners online choosing a week before from the menu

PaperMonster2 Thu 13-Aug-26 09:09:55

I’ve found that you get overloaded with emails when they’re in primary. Very little communication from school when they’re in secondary! In secondary it’s all about using the apps though. I need to remember to top up dinner money - that’s the thing I forget. Then there’s another app with timetable/house points/ attendance/ reports on. That one annoys me as there’s a big attendance percentage always on display - which is of more importance to school than to parents!

Cabowich Thu 13-Aug-26 09:20:54

I'm told even emails are old hat these days. There's no hope grin.

eazybee Thu 13-Aug-26 09:23:54

Schools get blamed for poor attendance, which is actually the responsibility of parents.

Sadgrandma Thu 13-Aug-26 11:06:17

Of course I am well aware that schools use email and I use it, text and WhatsApp regularly but despite that and the fact I actually used to teach IT, DGD still thinks I know nothing! Oh dear what hope is there for poor old Grandma!

Dylis Thu 13-Aug-26 11:22:00

Carrier pigeon here!

Ziplok Thu 13-Aug-26 11:37:25

PaperMonster2

I’ve found that you get overloaded with emails when they’re in primary. Very little communication from school when they’re in secondary! In secondary it’s all about using the apps though. I need to remember to top up dinner money - that’s the thing I forget. Then there’s another app with timetable/house points/ attendance/ reports on. That one annoys me as there’s a big attendance percentage always on display - which is of more importance to school than to parents!

Actually, parents/carers need to see the attendance figures.

However, I suppose the few that aren’t interested how well their child attends won’t bother looking at these figures anyway. The more conscientious parents/carers probably do and are probably the ones who make sure their children attend regularly.

It’s all well and good saying the schools are responsible for attendance, when actually the parents/carers have a huge responsibility to ensure their children attend, too. It’s a two way thing, surely?

Fartooold Thu 13-Aug-26 11:40:58

I think our DCs should remember who taught them to eat and pot trained them!!

Gmax3 Thu 13-Aug-26 13:16:37

Sadgrandma

Of course I am well aware that schools use email and I use it, text and WhatsApp regularly but despite that and the fact I actually used to teach IT, DGD still thinks I know nothing! Oh dear what hope is there for poor old Grandma!

My gut told me that DGD's reply was a bit rude. Your second post, quoted here, confirms it. Wouldn't it have been kinder for DGD to say, "Yes, they'll notify the school." and leave it at that? It seems to come down to respectful comms. Next time, your reply could be along the lines of: "Yes DGD, I'm aware that folks use email, and whether I say letter or note or email, they all mean the same generally."
Let's ask for respect from our DGC!

Gmax3 Thu 13-Aug-26 13:17:36

Fartooold

I think our DCs should remember who taught them to eat and pot trained them!!

Amen

MarieElla Thu 13-Aug-26 15:08:33

Why is your granddaughter in school in August?

Cossy Thu 13-Aug-26 15:10:01

Haha I thought “school notes” were still acceptable and I’m sure they are still used by some!!

You’re no dinosaur! X

sodapop Thu 13-Aug-26 15:10:38

Oh dear I'm sure sadgrandma's granddaughter didn't intend to be rude. Don't let's lose our sense of humour, my tech questions are often met with an eye roll and 'oh Nanny'.

Cossy Thu 13-Aug-26 15:11:45

Cabowich

I'm told even emails are old hat these days. There's no hope grin.

Hahaha

Jaxjacky Thu 13-Aug-26 15:41:07

MarieElla

Why is your granddaughter in school in August?

Scottish schools and some in Ireland start back in August.

MarieElla Thu 13-Aug-26 15:45:26

Not until the end of August, well in the Rep of Ire anyway.

Aldom Thu 13-Aug-26 15:49:11

I'm with you Sodapop what sad grandma's granddaughter said was very sweet. Not a bit rude. We remember these things fondly as the grandchildren grow up.

PaperMonster2 Thu 13-Aug-26 16:39:08

Whilst parents may be responsible for getting their offspring in to school, attendance percentages are a school admin issue that parents don’t need to see on such a regular basis. I’d rather receive more meaningful information regularly about my child than an attendance figure that is meaningless to us - if my child is ill, she won’t be in school, so that’s out of our control. Parents who regularly take their children out of school for spurious reasons probably don’t even bother looking at the app.

Sadgrandma Thu 13-Aug-26 16:57:44

My DGD is eight and way did she mean to be rude. Believe me she would soon have known if she was being rude! As sodapop and Adam said she meant no harm, I just thought it was a funny anecdote . Her Brownie weekend is in September well after they go back to school.

Sadgrandma Thu 13-Aug-26 17:05:54

Sorry meant ‘no way did she mean to be rude’ and ‘Aldom ‘not Adam. It’s the heat or maybe I’m a dinosaur!