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MergeLeft
Typical Liberal
PeaNut 221,236
August 2005
Posts: 19,075
Layouts: 67
Loc: Houston
 |  Posted: 1/30/2013 7:10:39 PM
My principal actually points out spelling and grammar errors in teachers' emails to him, so I don't think that would happen at my school. And it would irk me. | |
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sues
"Surrounded by thugs."
PeaNut 16,228
June 2001
Posts: 32,406
Layouts: 71
Loc: SW Chicago suburbs
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:21:19 PM
I would mark it and send it back. DD is not a word.
"DD" is a substitution for her daughter's name. The letter contained her actual name, I'm sure.
All this 'mark it up with a red pen and send it back!' stuff is amusing to me. I guess it's all in the relationship you want to cultivate with school personnel. If you want to be snarky and disrespectful in your manner, you clearly aren't interested in a good working relationship. You just want to get a dig in and feel superior. It's your right, sure- but it isn't going to do you any favors going forward.
Do I think the principal should be made aware of the errors? Sure. I think it's unacceptable for a professional letter (particularly one from a school) to contain so many errors. One? Could have been a mindless mistake. Five? No way. | |
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obsidian
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 300,909
March 2007
Posts: 2,154
Layouts: 1
Loc: Waikato
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:28:18 PM
CMHS
BucketHead
PeaNut 407,137
January 2009
Posts: 832
Layouts: 0
Loc: New Jersey
[My 4th Pea Anniversary -*-* <div style='margin:5px;'>This badge is earned by being awesome. Oh, and being here for more than 4 years.  </div>]
Posted: 1/30/2013 4:06:07 PM
I would mark it and send it back. DD is not a word
I'm pretty sure the letter did not say "DD" The OP is using that in place of DD's name. The problem with the greeting is "parent's" because there shouldn't be an apostrophe.
No there shouldn't.
I have, received notification from a school which said. 'Obsidian's DD.' My real name added but spelt wrong.
We had a student teacher who thought that text speak must be used in all formal correspondence, at all times. She was promoted. That was messy. We had moved town so only got to hear about it. | |
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Velouria
Pixie Pea
PeaNut 41,800
July 2002
Posts: 12,705
Layouts: 638
Loc: Arizona
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:30:41 PM
Yeah, corrections in red pen and send it back. | |
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LippyMans
I like pizza Steve
PeaNut 28,105
January 2002
Posts: 14,968
Layouts: 0
Loc: West Jordan UT
| Posted: 1/30/2013 7:46:24 PM
I honestly highly doubt anyone would do that. Keyboard bravado and all of that. If you did there would only be one fool. Hint, it wouldn't be the principal.
Oh trust me...there are parents who do actually correct it and send it back. I made a spelling error on a PTA note that went home. I even had others proof read it. We were in a hurry and trying to get it out that day and didn't have a lot of time. One parent marked the error "wrong", sent it back, and put a note on it, and she wanted a response back (and was serious about getting a response back from us). I laughed till I cried because the error was hilarious to me. But trust me we all know who "THAT" parent is! | |
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angievp
Ideay pues?
PeaNut 143,106
April 2004
Posts: 6,639
Layouts: 36
Loc: Miami
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 7:47:09 PM
do you all think the english teacher, that would work with your daughter, typed the principal's letter?
more than likely a secretary typed the letter...and it obviously wasn't done in Word or proofread
don't make a mountain out of a molehill
i would hate it all teachers were judged based upon a school secretary
granted...the principal should have never signed that letter
go ahead and mark it up and send it back
it will make you look great
I don't care if Santa Claus typed that letter. It's unprofessional. A letter "represents" the person who signs it. I would be THAT parent, yes I would. Mediocrity at its best. | |
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SockMonkey
LibrariaNerd
PeaNut 56,220
November 2002
Posts: 28,780
Layouts: 184
Loc: Illinois
| Posted: 1/30/2013 8:12:47 PM
Marking the letter in red pen and sending it back is childish and does not lead to a great relationship between admin and parent.
A simple phone call would do, or even an email (watch the tone).
Man, while the errors are unacceptable and I would want to know about them if I was the principal, there's no need to behave like all that. | |
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Laurel Jean
generic pea
PeaNut 76,877
March 2003
Posts: 9,174
Layouts: 179
Loc: Michigan
| Posted: 1/30/2013 9:31:32 PM
Am I the only one that the subject of the letter bothers me more than the grammatical errors?
Really? The principal seems concerned only when she doesn't do well on the standardized test? What do her English teachers have to say?
It seems awfully self-serving from the school's standpoint.
But then, I am not (or ever have been) a fan of standardized tests. | |
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freecharlie
Is the pool open yet?
PeaNut 109,127
September 2003
Posts: 19,237
Layouts: 4
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/30/2013 9:35:13 PM
It would bother me a great deal. In fact, I read the monthly newsletter from our department head just to find the errors.
Errors in message board posts, quick emails to friends, and the like are fine. Errors in items your are going to send out or publish for people are pure laziness.
When I do a parent newsletter, I always spell/grammar check it. Then I print it out and hand it to my para to proof and then I check it again before it goes home.
ETA: I might email the principal and let him/her know that there were some grammar errors in the note sent home in case she was planning on sending out reminder letters. | |
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TheBiscuitScraps
Bubbie is my most prized title.
PeaNut 99,833
August 2003
Posts: 5,226
Layouts: 2
Loc: Raleigh, North Carolina
| Posted: 1/30/2013 9:42:32 PM
I would make a copy of it and send it to Jay Leno. He would love to have one like that on his show. | |
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scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 12,980
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 10:16:53 PM
Marking the letter in red pen and sending it back is childish and does not lead to a great relationship between admin and parent.
A simple phone call would do, or even an email (watch the tone).
Man, while the errors are unacceptable and I would want to know about them if I was the principal, there's no need to behave like all that.
Exactly. Act like an adult. | |
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shelley36
She who peas to avoid grading papers
PeaNut 9,119
January 2001
Posts: 7,710
Layouts: 0
Loc: The Soggy State of WA
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 11:18:47 PM
I'd certainly bring it to the principal's attention and take the angle that written communication is a direct reflection of the school. Every school office needs a good grammar nazi to proof whatever goes out.
I'm a little taken aback by the claims that some of you would use red pen and send it back as a way to show your displeasure. What is that? I have to tell you, that as a teacher, it feels like a "Ha! Caught you making a mistake! Take that!" that somehow makes you feel good or vindicated? Or maybe it is a chance to get back at the teachers or principals that you didn't like? It just seems weird.
I'll tell you that as a writing teacher I'm paranoid every single time I send an email or a newsletter home. I read my communications no fewer than twenty times, obsessing over every character, with this idea that people are just looking for the English teacher to make an error so they can all rejoice. Again, weird.
Do hold them accountable, but in the same ways you want them to hold your children accountable: with genuine concern for improvement and with kind dignity.
Shelley in WA | |
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corinne11
Stuck In The Bucket
PeaNut 41,525
June 2002
Posts: 700
Layouts: 0
Loc: Australia
| Posted: 1/31/2013 5:32:07 AM
I am one of these people who double check every note I send home but teachers are human and make mistakes.
If this is a standard letter sent out to many parents it is likely that the principal has a huge pile to sign and didn't check them properly.
If you wanted to address it directly an email would be an effective, upfront way to do it.
Once upon a time a parent asked me to send her child's book home. Despite reminders the child left the book on her desk. The parent sent me a scathing letter telling me what a terrible teacher I was and she couldn't understand why our principal would hire me .... I responded with a brief " I apologise for not sending the book home" By this stage I knew better than to offer the true explanation.
Her response? She circled the word apologise and wrote "SPELLING!!" in red pen! I was SO tempted to photocopy a page from a dictionary and explain that since we lived in AUSTRALIA this was generally the way it was spelt. Instead I just signed my name and dated it to let her know I had read it.
Corinne | |
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pjaye
The only happy ending will be mine
PeaNut 111,502
October 2003
Posts: 6,172
Layouts: 59
Loc: Vic, Australia
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:13:47 AM
When I was a child and did something wrong and got caught, I used to try to defend myself by saying "but so and so did it too"
My mother would reply "I don't care what so and so does, she's not my responsibility, but you are"
I think you sound like a petulant child getting irked by the errors in that letter. I also can't believe all the replies telling you to correct the letter and send it back. I grew out of "but so and so did it too" stage about 35 years ago, about time some other people in this thread started acting like the parents instead of the children.
Why do you care about how anyone else at that school writes, especially the principal's secretary?
The only punctuation and grammar at that school that should concern you is your daughter's.
Not writing well themselves does not invalidate what they are saying.
Grow up, let it go, accept the help and ensure your daughter does as well as she is capable of doing and forget about everyone else. | |
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Kez221
PeaNut
PeaNut 451,685
January 2010
Posts: 178
Layouts: 0
Loc: Virginia Beach
 | Posted: 1/31/2013 6:58:15 AM
Why do you care about how anyone else at that school writes, especially the prinipal's secretary?
The only punctuation and grammar at that school that should concern you is your daughter's.
Not writing well themselves does not invalidate what they are saying.
Grow up, let it go, accept the help and ensure your daughter does as well as she is capable of doing and forget about everyone else.
Ok, how many times here is the old CV/ covering letter discussed? It is made perfectly clear that those with spelling and grammatical errors will not be taken seriously. To me, this situation is no different. The letter is a reflection of quality and standards of the school. | |
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pretzels
AncestralPea
PeaNut 479,777
August 2010
Posts: 4,433
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/31/2013 7:02:16 AM
I have, received notification from a school which said. 'Obsidian's DD.' My real name added but spelt wrong.
"Spelt"? Seriously? I realize that is a form of the past tense of "spell," but it's archaic and no longer used.
Are you certain that your school principal PAID YOU to proof written correspondence? That makes two errors in two posts of yours on this subject.
(Also, I would put a comma between "No" and "there." | |
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pretzels
AncestralPea
PeaNut 479,777
August 2010
Posts: 4,433
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/31/2013 7:04:34 AM
Errors in message board posts, quick emails to friends, and the like are fine. Errors in items your are going to send out or publish for people are pure laziness.
And you made an error in that sentence. Are you that lazy? If spelling/grammar counts, it counts.
The self-righteousness in this thread is just mind-boggling. | |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,133
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
| Posted: 1/31/2013 7:08:20 AM
"Spelt"? Seriously? I realize that is a form of the past tense of "spell," but it's archaic and no longer used.
 No longer used by whom? | |
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Denda
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 341,917
October 2007
Posts: 5,036
Layouts: 1
Loc: Texas
 | Posted: 1/31/2013 7:21:53 AM
It would not bother me and I would not say anything. | |
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pjaye
The only happy ending will be mine
PeaNut 111,502
October 2003
Posts: 6,172
Layouts: 59
Loc: Vic, Australia
| Posted: 1/31/2013 7:23:59 AM
"Spelt"? Seriously? I realize that is a form of the past tense of "spell," but it's archaic and no longer used
You need to get out more, I use it and so do many other people I know.
Of course the several million people in the UK and Australia probably don't count.
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IleneTell
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 434,842
August 2009
Posts: 2,427
Layouts: 635
| Posted: 1/31/2013 7:33:24 AM
Marking the letter in red pen and sending it back is childish and does not lead to a great relationship between admin and parent.
A simple phone call would do, or even an email (watch the tone).
I agree. If you feel the need to say something and give feedback, then do so politely. Marking things up in red and sending them back is very RUDE and immature. | |
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basketlacey
PeaAddict
PeaNut 103,805
August 2003
Posts: 1,506
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/31/2013 8:07:15 AM
I normally follow the rule of never correcting an adult's grammar unless specifically asked to proof read something or if that person happens to report to me at work.
However, in this instance, if there really are 5 errors in the letter, I would want to point it out. I would never mark it up with a red pen and send it back in. I would likely go to school in person and if that wasn't possible, I'd call.
I think it is important that communication from a school use appropriate punctuation and grammar. I would completely overlook one mistake and probably even a couple. But 5 is rather excessive. If the secretary is typing it and signing it for the principal, then the principal needs to be aware of it. | |
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ashazamm
BucketHead
PeaNut 217,769
August 2005
Posts: 569
Layouts: 18
Loc: NY
| Posted: 1/31/2013 8:32:06 AM
I'd be irritated but wouldn't say anything. All it would do is cause friction between you and the principal. | |
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ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,558
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
| Posted: 1/31/2013 8:32:16 AM
So...i have thought abiut this thread since i first posted
Five errors....really?
That just seems excessive... a lot for even an uneducated, overworked secretary to miis
And too many for a busy principal to miss as well
I am not saying the OP is lying but damn!
Could it really be delfection or anger that they pointed out her dd wasnt doing well?
I was surprised (but not much) at how bitchy some of you are....
Which is kinda amusing...cos some of you think i am a raging bitch
I am not editing for typos....or grammatical errors
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Simply_Lovely
PeaFixture
PeaNut 463,295
April 2010
Posts: 3,280
Layouts: 3
Loc: New York City
| Posted: 1/31/2013 8:33:23 AM
"Spelt"? Seriously? I realize that is a form of the past tense of "spell," but it's archaic and no longer used.
Are you certain that your school principal PAID YOU to proof written correspondence? That makes two errors in two posts of yours on this subject.
AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAH! I love the irony of when someone tries to makes another look stupid by pointing out a "mistake" when there is no mistake.
"Spelt" is still widely used in many countries. You know those countries that are not America. Yeah, they do exist. They also use the superior metric system, is that archaic too??  | |
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fishwitch
PeaNut
PeaNut 577,311
January 2013
Posts: 178
Layouts: 0
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/31/2013 8:52:59 AM
It might make me laugh at the irony but not annoy me. And I definitely would not. Say anything to the principal. However I might think in my head that I hoped that the author of the letter wasn't giving the assistance. | |
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KristinL16
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 142,870
April 2004
Posts: 12,258
Layouts: 102
Loc: MN
| Posted: 1/31/2013 9:12:18 AM
I would notice the errors and find it ironic (and unprofessional) but would not say anything or mark the letter and send it back. IMO, that is rude and disrespectful.
Yes, the person who wrote that letter could use some help with his/her grammar. But that is not the point of the letter. Focusing on the poor grammar of the writer of the letter (or teachers as described in other posts) comes across as you are defensive and with an attitude of "my child doesn't have a problem, you do".
In the case of a misspelled spelling word or if the teacher had a common word that was written on the board every day for the students to see (something like calender instead of calendar) then I would say something. In those situations the error would actually affect the learning of the students. | |
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Cupcake
BucketHead
PeaNut 16,338
June 2001
Posts: 780
Layouts: 21
Loc: Red Sox Nation
| Posted: 1/31/2013 4:16:24 PM
BTT for update.
Lisa B. | |
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mom2cameron
AncestralPea
PeaNut 150,880
June 2004
Posts: 4,568
Layouts: 1
Loc: On a softball field somewhere.
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:10:03 PM
How bothered would you be by this? Would you (gently) let the principal know?
1. I'd be very bothered by it.
2. Yes, I'd let the principal know.
What she said!! | |
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Nightowl scrapper
Intl Assoc of Epic Length Posters - USA Chapter
PeaNut 103,889
August 2003
Posts: 24,760
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:11:44 PM
She said the letter came straight from the coordinator of the extra-help program, and that she would inform the coordinator of the errors.
So, the person in charge of helping the children improve their skills sent the letter. Maybe I'm weird, but I think that's a problem. Actually, I think it's appalling. I'm glad you said something.
If a doctor sent out a letter that misspelled your medication, actually naming a totally different drug, that would be worrisome.
If your CPA made a typo on your tax return, that would be worrisome.
If your lawyer misspelled your last name in your will, that would be worrisome.
If the school in charge of your child's education is sending out letters with numerous grammar, punctuation and/or spelling errors, I think that is worrisome.
All are professionals, and I can't imagine not holding professionals to the standards of their profession. Sure you can do it in a nice way, but those of you ready to shrug off the school's errors, would you shrug off the errors by other professionals?
Do we really hold schools to a lower standard? Do we just expect less of educators? | |
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AussieMeg
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 51,689
October 2002
Posts: 6,634
Layouts: 16
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:14:17 PM
Thanks for the update Lisa! | |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,133
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:14:56 PM
So, the person in charge of helping the children improve their skills sent the letter. Maybe I'm weird, but I think that's a problem. Actually, I think it's appalling. I'm glad you said something.
Then I'm weird with you. I would try to find my daughter help elsewhere. | |
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schooby
PeaAddict
PeaNut 127,529
January 2004
Posts: 1,597
Layouts: 0
Loc: down on da bayou
| Posted: 1/31/2013 6:53:29 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, the person in charge of helping the children improve their skills sent the letter. Maybe I'm weird, but I think that's a problem. Actually, I think it's appalling. I'm glad you said something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then I'm weird with you. I would try to find my daughter help elsewhere.
I'm with both of you. My child would be getting help from someone else. It's either indicative of what that teahcer will teach your child (teach her incorrectly) or it's indicative of her lacking sense of quality (doing the minimum to get by), neither of which will help your child.
Unfortunately, I've known teachers in the public school system where I live that honestly don't know any better when they make grammatical errors. How they made it through the university system, I have no idea, because obviously some education professor somewhere gave them passing grades on their papers with all those grammatical errors. And, the PRAXIS teacher certification exam does not take off points for mispelled words and grammatical errors, also getting them off the hook. | |
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Nightowl scrapper
Intl Assoc of Epic Length Posters - USA Chapter
PeaNut 103,889
August 2003
Posts: 24,760
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/31/2013 11:24:34 PM
How they made it through the university system, I have no idea, because obviously some education professor somewhere gave them passing grades on their papers with all those grammatical errors. And, the PRAXIS teacher certification exam does not take off points for mispelled words and grammatical errors, also getting them off the hook.
Guess no one wanted to embarrass them by pointing out their errors. SO much better to let them go on for years embarrassing themselves. As many posters think one should stay quiet and allow the teacher who wrote the letter and the principal who signed it just go on blithely embarrassing themselves and their school. | |
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angievp
Ideay pues?
PeaNut 143,106
April 2004
Posts: 6,639
Layouts: 36
Loc: Miami
| Posted: 2/1/2013 3:51:04 AM
All are professionals, and I can't imagine not holding professionals to the standards of their profession. Sure you can do it in a nice way, but those of you ready to shrug off the school's errors, would you shrug off the errors by other professionals?
Do we really hold schools to a lower standard? Do we just expect less of educators?
Evidently, yes. But we are horrified at the state of our educational system, no? It never ceases to amaze me that teachers want to be respected like "a professional," yet get to opt out of acting like one. OH, I forgot, I have no idea what I'm talking about because I'm not a teacher and I fail to understand THE STRUGGLE. Typical. | |
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Kelpea
In a HapPea Place
PeaNut 176,832
November 2004
Posts: 12,209
Layouts: 2
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 2/1/2013 5:40:04 AM
Do we really hold schools to a lower standard? Do we just expect less of educators?
Evidently, yes. But we are horrified at the state of our educational system, no? It never ceases to amaze me that teachers want to be respected like "a professional," yet get to opt out of acting like one. OH, I forgot, I have no idea what I'm talking about because I'm not a teacher and I fail to understand THE STRUGGLE. Typical.
I kinda get the point here. And it does surprise me to see the number of typos from professionals in both social media but also in regular correspondence as well.
And I would be annoyed by the plethora of typos and incorrect grammar as the OP was.
Side note: when you have an international board such as this, you need to remember that certain words are spelled differently by other English-speaking countries, so make sure you know that before you call one of them out on their spelling or verbiage! (And that's "verbiage" and not "verbage;" no such word exists...)
On a lighter note, I am pleased to see that EVERYone spelled "principal" correctly in their responses. | |
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