tater03

I have never in my life heard of such a thing. I don't think that pushup I don't care if it is just 10 is the way that a child should be punished within a classroom. And to top it off a boy missed his bus ride home because of this also is uncalled for. Have you heard of any other parents having this problem with this particular teacher?
Thank goodness the year is almost over with but I would be making another trip into the principals offices with that list you have and letting him know one more time how you feel about the way things have been handled from his actions to the teachers.

CrazyBird

I want to say thank you, first of all, to everyone who responded. I started to update the day I posted the original post. But something came up. And from there, things have drastically changed.

My husband had spoken with the principal earlier that day concerning the pushups. We were promised a meeting. Me, husband, principal, and the offending teacher.

I guess they didn't want to do that, and I'm pretty sure I know why.

My son had a 2 inch burn on his leg from my parents' dog's leash when we visited over the weekend. I sent aloe with him to school to apply when it started to throb.

He had fallen at recess that day (wednesday) and asked the teacher if he could have some ice, his leg hurt, from falling on the already burned spot at recess. (She knew prior to this about his leg, about the burn, and about his "aloe spray") She told him he could not have ice.

This was morning recess. Closer to the end of the day, he asked if he could go to the restroom. Her response was "Won't your leg hurt too much???"

Ok. So he tells me this afterschool and I'm livid. First of all, a little ice isn't too much to ask. Second, what teacher gives smartass responses like that to a seven year old?????

Within 20 minutes of him telling me this, the phone rang. Guess who it was. The teacher.

She says to me "I'm calling because Mr. K (principal) says you had some concerns about the pushups yesterday?" I said yes. She said "I just wanted to clear any questions you may have, and let you know that it was the end of the day, and the kids were anxious to get out of class, so I jokingly told them 'ok, if you don't stop talking, you have to do 100 pushups' and a lot of the kids saw it as a challenge, and it was supposed to be fun".

I flat out told her I didn't buy it for a second. And then.....the floodgates....the ones I've kept closed all schoolyear??? They came open.......

I said "Actually, I'm SO glad you called, because Tyler came home today and told me something that has me a little concerned." "OH?" she says, "whats wrong?"

"Would you care to EXPLAIN to me, why MY CHILD was not allowed to get an icebag for the burn on his leg today?"

She fumbled her words for a minute, and then claims she wasn't allowed to send kids down for ice. Which is a viable excuse, except for the fact that they have phones in every classroom. She didn't WANT to let him get ice.

So that was it for me. I tore her up one side and down the other. No holds barred. It takes a lot to get me to that point. But she managed. 20 minutes I spent telling her exactly what I thought of her, how she runs the classroom, and listed off all the things that have been a thorn in my side since my son stepped foot into that classroom.

So today..... (yes, it gets worse). The principal calls my HUSBAND at work, to inform him that Tyler was in his office today. Apparently, he and a girl in his class were arguing VERBALLY and that landed him in the principal's office. These two kids have played together all year. They're hardly enemies. Yet Tyler saying "You act like you hate boys" and little girl saying "I'm telling" was enough to get him into BIG trouble.

Husband calls me at home and tells me there was some issue at recess, Tyler was in the principal's office, and that I would need to find out what happened when he got home. As I suspected, it was very childish stuff, normal day to day 7 yr old arguments..... But when I asked Tyler WHY that warrented a visit to the principal, he said "Mrs. X said 'Tyler your parents don't like how I handle things, so you can go to Mr. K and let HIM deal with this'" I about flipped.

First of all, that comment doesn't sound like it came from someone who "was only playing" when it came to the 100 pushups, and it was a big misunderstanding. And what 7 year old doesn't take going to the principal's office VERY seriously? Tyler was devastated. And she laid the blame on ME as to the reason he was going there.

One more week.

But if she is going to make it miserable for my son, I fully intend to do the same for her.

Sorry. I'm a very longwinded person.

Kaytee

OMG, I am so sorry that poor Tyler is having to deal with this his first real year of school. I t really makes me understand why some parents home school their kids.
If it was me I wouldn't let him go back for that last week of school. Granted he hasn't missed much school this year. I just can't believe she would say that it was because of you that he was being sent to the principals office! What a wench. Sorry I'll calm down now. lol

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Melissa

You know, If I were in this situation, I would just not have my child attend for the last week. I don't know how it is where you live, but in California there wouldn't be anything they could do. They lose the ADA funding, but it doesn't sound like they're earning it anyway. I don't know what your daytime situation is—if he can be with you or someone else. Back when I worked in an office, I would take time off if my kid was sick. This is just as important.

That teacher is just so out of line and it sounds like the principal isn't much better.

And, good for you for letting that teacher know what you thought. She should know that families don't have to just lie down and take that kind of treatment

Best of luck.

SageMother

This is one of those times where having a shorter fuse is necessary.

I remember on o f my sons had an issue with a teacher that was uncalled for. Not exactly like Tyler's, because my son was in high school when this happened, but I didn't bother the principle, because he was so very smooth, like the person you are dealing with.

I called central administration, and worked my way up the chain of command, it took about 5 minutes, then when they wanted to put off my talking to the superintendent I informed them that my next call was to a newspaper.

Needless to say, my son's situation improved immediately. Have you considered becoming more aggressive?

tater03

Actually going to the local paper and even writing an Op-Ed piece would be a great idea. I would not use the teachers name but I would definently get my point across. I cannot believe how you have been treated through this whole ordeal. It is absolutly oncalled for.

happy2bg33k

I think before going "public" in any form the next step most definitely has to be a meeting with the superintendent. I also would recommend documenting any conversation you have with the teacher and principal from this point on. Make sure you note the type of communication, the time, the date and the duration of the contact. Try to be objective in your documentation, (i.e. teacher states X, Y, Z, informed teacher that...) so that if ever needs to be part of some record you have the facts without the emotion (I know, easier said than done).

I have nothing but sympathy for your son who seems to be in the middle of some sort of teacher power struggle. Did you mention whether she's new to teaching or has been teaching for a long time?

Kaytee

I hope his las tweek of school went ok for him.

__________________

If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
http://www.spcnicholasidalski.com

happy2bg33k

I second Kaytee- I hope the last week went well for him AND you. Hopefully you had a big end-of-the-year celebration in your house! I'd bet things will be a lot more relaxed for a while.