– Completely wrong focus – VG

– It is very disappointing that the school has chosen to send out a rule book, instead of focusing on the fact that the first day of school is something exciting and fun – a day most of us remember for the rest of our lives, says Jøran Ilseng to VG.

He is the parent of a 5-year-old who will start at Glommasvingen school in Skarnes in Innlandet county this autumn. This summer, the parents have been sent a digital letter about the first day of school, which several parents have gone out and responded to in the local newspaper Glåmdalen.

The document listed 46 rules the 5-year-olds should follow.

– The content of the letter has the wrong focus. The first thing the child encounters is a “rule regime”, when it should rather build up under the tension the children have when they start school, Ilseng tells the local newspaper.

Ilseng elaborates to VG that this is their third child starting school, and that they are usually very happy with the school and teachers. He had thus expected more.

– If you as an adult had been met in the same way, then I do not think you would have felt very welcome, says Ilseng.

Rector: – Really not our intention

Principal at Glommasvingen school, Therese Peeters, says that the information letter that was sent out to the rivers contained a lot of important information about starting school.

There was information about everyday school life, the school’s partners, about school transport and more.

– As an attachment to this information letter, it was a letter where we had taken pictures of different arenas at our school. The classroom of the students, their locker room, the entrance area they are to enter and exit. Below the pictures we have written down some good habits we want the students to acquire, says Peeters.

– I can understand that some may perceive this as many rules, but it was really not our intention. I have to apologize for that. We want everyone to feel good with us and for everyone to thrive, so these habits are only part of ensuring a good school environment for all students at the school, says Peeters.

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