Why can't schools use the mail?

[macroy]

Originally Posted by TKramar

I'm pretty sure my email is private, since I have to enter a password to get in, and have to jump through hoops if I forget the password.

This is inaccurate. You having to authenticate to have access into your mail account is analogous to having a locked mailbox.

However, the way email is sent is analogous to a post card. Anyone who took part in delivering that post card could have read it. While emails are not delivered by people, anyone who has access to the delivery mechanism (servers, routers, network etc.) can read the contents. So therefore, it's not considered a private form of electronic communication.

To the OP's comments - As someone else mentioned, have you brought this up? or asked the other parents in the class if this is a widespread issue? Understanding that special needs students may require their own processes -you indicated that in your post that this method isn't working because the paperwork become paper airplanes. Is this the case for the majority of the class?

Just as you indicated that the school shouldn't assume that you just sit around and can "swing by" anytime... maybe you should also inquire to make sure that you're not trying to change something to suite your own needs (or the needs of a few)? And not saying your needs are not legitimate; but just because a process doesn't work for you, it doesn't' mean its broken. You may be an exception that needs to be addressed separately - but they won't know that if you don't try and work it out with them.

[CMMom]

I know that some of our local school systems use a "Parent Portal" to report children's grades, etc... Others mentioned this above. It seems to me that scanning and downloading important documents to that Portal is a reasonable compromise. Then the parent can either drop it off with original signature or mail it themselves.

[glass_of_merlot]

I think e mailing is the best way to go. Get a PDF program for the school, scan your papers and e mail them to the appropriate people.

[Pupmom]

What age/grade is the child that makes airplanes out of the papers? I think that I read somewhere in this post that he comes home to an empty house- he definitely should be able to bring papers home if he's old enough to be home alone.