Healthy Transitions

Hello Nelson!
I am the proud mother of new student (drum roll!) Kenny Bartleby. We are excited but a little anxious about the coming year. I have several questions, and I’m hoping you can help.
1. How can I get involved? I have scoured your website, but I can’t find any mention of volunteer opportunities for parents, such as bake sales, security patrol, or helping to organize dances. I would gladly give my time to keep community spirit strong.
2. When will I be receiving class lists and phone numbers for my son’s teachers? There are several issues I’d like to discuss about Kenny’s learning style, and I want to ensure that he’ll have a seat close to the teacher’s desk, rewrites on papers, a reward system for assignments completed, and times for private instruction outside of class. Also who is his advisor?
3. Finally, I’m quite accustomed to helping Kenny navigate social situations, and I would like to coordinate our efforts to create a caring atmosphere, organize a friendship chain, and create a no-bully zone. I have lots of ideas about this!
Thank you, and again, we are thrilled to be a part of life at school next year.
Best Regards,
Carrie Bartleby
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Dear Ms. Bartleby,
I am pleased to welcome Kenny to next year’s freshman class. However, parents are not involved in student/volunteer activities here. And unless your son has a 504 plan brought to the attention of our academic support office, he will not be receiving “rewards” from his professors, other than the reward of receiving knowledge in whatever form they see fit to impart it. And as far as social wellness goes, I think at this point you need to trust your son to make his own friends and plan his own events, bake sales, et al.
I wish Kenny the best as he begins this important transition to college life. Best wishes to you as well.
Sincerely,
President Nelson Baxter
Marsters University
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Hi there, Nelson,
We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. Perhaps in my excitement, I didn’t communicate clearly, so let me try again! I’m Kenny’s mom. I’m really going to need the phone numbers of Kenny’s teachers, advisor, and dorm mother. I’m a future parent at the school, and he’s a new kid, and I have lots of general questions about parent involvement and many specific ones pertaining to Kenny’s academic and social needs. As you seem quite busy, to whom should I address my concerns?
Thanks much,
Carrie
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Dear Ms. Bartleby,
I apologize if there has been some kind of miscommunication. I am the Dean of Students at Marsters. I’ve been told you have questions about your son’s transition to college and something about bake sales. Does Kenny have an issue, which was not brought to our attention during the admissions process?
Sincerely,
Dean Patterson
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Hiya Dean,
Yikes, Nelson either doesn’t get me or he needs a little feedback on how to be more helpful! So… I wrote him primarily to offer up my time to help out with school activities. Is there a parent coordinator I should be in touch with? And could I make an appointment with you to talk about Kenny’s teachers?
Not sure what you mean by “Does Kenny have an issue” — he’s my pride and joy. Is that an issue? :-)
Many thanks,
Carrie
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Dear Ms. Bartleby,
Having received an email from the dean of students, I have gone back and reviewed Kenny’s application to Marsters; I do not see any mention of any special accommodations he requires. Perhaps you could let me know what Kenny’s needs are, so that I can get necessary supports in place before his arrival. While this is new information, withheld during the admissions process, I’m certain we can all work to ensure Kenny’s success as a Marsters’ student.
Sincerely,
Kristen Hadley
Director of Admissions
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Hi Kristen!
I feel as though we know each other already, just from the helpful emails your staff sent in response to my many questions all last fall. Re: Kenny’s needs — Thank you so much for asking! Like all children, he needs loving teachers, of course. A safe environment. Lots of cereal (haha), and he needs to feel the support of every member of the faculty/staff all of whom will share the goal of seeing him happy and successful.
My needs, on the other hand, are somewhat more extensive. I need phone numbers of teachers, the ability to access the dorm 24/7 (key card, ID, etc), and most of all information on how I can support Kenny’s student life on campus. I am quite experienced in organizing all manner of fundraisers, costume parties, field trips, and conflict resolution areas and safe spaces. And speaking of “accommodations,” I’m thinking of renting a place in the area, just to be close by. Is this so-called “Air B & B” a good idea? Or is that just a new way to get myself murdered by strangers?
Thanks so much for reaching out.
Best,
Carrie
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Dear Carrie,
I understand that you have been in touch with the President of the University, the Dean of Students, and the admissions director, regarding baked goods and field trips. I am the Director of Student Life. Generally, our students handle all matters regarding their social activities and relationships. Was there something you wanted to suggest? I am, of course, open to hearing concerns and ideas, but feel strongly that the students need to be in charge of their day-to-day life here on campus.
Best,
Bob McEachern
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Hey Bob,
Great to hear from you!! I totally cracked up when I got to “students handle all matters” — you are hilarious. Kenny has never handled anything on his own ever. LOL. I’m actually coming into town next week, so maybe we could have a quick meeting when I’m there, say Thursday morning? (I’m looking to rent a condo near campus. I can’t exactly sell hot dogs at a football game and then drive home 357 miles late at night!) As for my ideas, yes! I’d love to tell you the ways I’ve done things at Kenny’s high school and middle/elementary schools. I really think I can be a huge help, not to toot my own horn.
Best,
Carrie
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Dear Carrie,
My name is Katherine Soler, and I’m the mental health coordinator at Marsters. (I got your contact info from Bob McEachern.) I understand you’re a parent who is planning to move to be closer to campus in order to facilitate the sale of hot dogs at University sports functions. I think Dr. Khan would be a good person for you to talk to about this. She’s free Thursday morning, when Bob said you would be in town. May I pass along your email address?
KS
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Hi there, Katherine! (Or is it Kathy?)
Great to hear from you. Does this Dr. Khan have an apartment for rent? Or is she a parent who does concessions at the ball games? — I didn’t quite get it. Anyhow, sure! Give my email address to any members of the faculty/community. I’ve been contacted by so many different people already, I’m starting to feel like I’m part of things! Go Dragons!
Cheers,
Carrie
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Dear Carrie,
I am available to talk Thursday morning 10am. Does this work for you? Sounds as though we have a lot to discuss, from what I have read in the email chain.
Dr. Khan
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Hi Dr. Khan (Sorry I don’t have your first name!)
I’m so excited!! Is there an agenda for Thursday’s meeting? And is the whole gang (Kathy, Dean, Bob, etc.) coming? Wondering if I should do a little outreach to other parents who might want to get involved. (I’ll just need a class list to send out an Evite.)
I’m planning to bring a coffee cake but would be happy to do a fruit bowl, too. Or a box o’ Joe? Paper products? Just let me know what you need.
In any case, I’m looking forward to talking about all that lies ahead. Kenny and I are really looking forward to college!
Til then,
Carrie
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