Tweet
So I know this will be a heated debate and I will not share a few opinions I have but I'm more curious about what others think about it.
Scenerio: Stealing occurs on the property of a local high school. A report is made by the student. The student requests not to share a locker with a specific individual accused of stealing property. School officials tell the child that she can "roommate" with another student if she wishes but it will be up to her to find someone else to share a locker with since there aren't enough lockers in the school to meet the needs of every student.
A few days later, the High school calls home to the parent of the child making the theft accusation. Their child was just brought into the office for a rumor that a fight was going to transpire after school. A discussion took place with only 1 of the students and a student advisor. The discussion lasts less than 10 minutes.
A call goes out to one of the parents to say that their child was brought to the office for a potential fight. The parent is given the name of the other student that may be involved with the fight. (Doesn't this violate confidentiality?) The parent suggests that the student is escorted to the bus, kept after school, etc to prevent the fight from ensuing as picking up was not something that could happen right that second (school was letting out in 4 minutes from the time the call was placed.) The advisor says she will see what she can do.
A fight ensued after school hours, off school property. No faculty seen the fight. It was recorded by a few students to which both of the children were identified. By the time faculty becomes aware of the situation, 1 child remains at the location (not far from the school), the other is gone.
A call from school goes out to the home of both of the children. They have 1 child in the office awaiting pick up from the parent. Both parents are advised that the children will be suspended for 5 days out of school.
An appeal takes place. The principal of the school meets with the parents regarding the appeal. The school states that the student handbook states that fighting is not tolerated on school property. (No copy was given to the parent at registration time. When asked where this handbook is, the parents were told they can find it online. No link or website given.) The school continues to state that they are responsible for a child's safety from the time they leave their home in the morning and return home in the afternoon. A dispute to this took place as many students have jobs that they go to directly after school. So if they were "jumped" in work parking lot prior to going in for their shift, is the school really responsible for this child's safety??? If a student was shot in a drive by, the school would be responsible??? Etc.
In reviewing the handbook, nothing is specifically stated with regards to fighting. It is handled by school officials and they are to determine the punishment. Typically first offense fighting is a 3 day suspension. Both of these children receive 5 days. During the appeal process, it is requested that the suspension be 3 days. The schools response is because the 1 child was brought into the office and told that fighting was a bad choice, they are able to suspend for 5 days. The process of another appeal is taking place at this time.
My major concern is this: Schools want our children to be safe which is GREAT! But they want to be the enforcer of situations that take place after hours/off school property. I really believe that they are overstepping their boundaries. Children are the parents concern during this time. Whether it be 7pm or even a weekend. The school states that they have authority to use their discretion regarding a student at any time.
However...if safety is their top priority, these questions couldn't be answered.
Why were both children not talked to? Why were both children not brought in to the same room and talked to? Why was the student advisor brought into this? Do they have a degree in conflict resolution/counseling? Is their a guidance counselor on staff? Why was he/she not notified? Why was a call not sent out to both parents before the fight transpired? Why was one child not escorted to the bus and another brought to the office to keep this fight from happening?
The only question that was answered was, "What exactly did the faculty at the school do to keep either of the children safe?" Their response, "The one child was brought into the office and the student advisor told her not to."
You're kidding, right?
Anyone that works with children knows that a child's brain isn't fully developed....regardless of whether they are 3, 9, or 15. Children aren't capable of conflict resolution on their own. Many children have a certain mindset and until consequences are presented (Example: If you do ABC, XYZ might happen.) During the discussion with the student advisor, the student specifically asked, "What can you do about it?" to which no answer was given. Suspension was never discussed.
Seems to me like this school wants it both ways. They want to be make sure the kids are safe after hours and repremand when needed regardless of whether it has anything to do with their education and they want to keep the students safe.
This entire scenario makes me sick! In my eyes, the school did nothing to protect either of these students. In a metro city school, this could have turned out far worse. At the same time, it could have been prevented. A lot of "Whys" and "What ifs" come up but when a parent asks the school what they did to stop it from escalating, their only response is "one of the students was brought into the office and talked to."
In the same respect, we all have daycares. Are we responsible for children after hours/off property?! Heck no! If a 3 year old scratches his 2 year old cousins face and kicks him in the shin, are we as daycare providers going to repremand this child if the situation didn't take place at daycare or during daycare hours?!
Scenerio: Stealing occurs on the property of a local high school. A report is made by the student. The student requests not to share a locker with a specific individual accused of stealing property. School officials tell the child that she can "roommate" with another student if she wishes but it will be up to her to find someone else to share a locker with since there aren't enough lockers in the school to meet the needs of every student.
A few days later, the High school calls home to the parent of the child making the theft accusation. Their child was just brought into the office for a rumor that a fight was going to transpire after school. A discussion took place with only 1 of the students and a student advisor. The discussion lasts less than 10 minutes.
A call goes out to one of the parents to say that their child was brought to the office for a potential fight. The parent is given the name of the other student that may be involved with the fight. (Doesn't this violate confidentiality?) The parent suggests that the student is escorted to the bus, kept after school, etc to prevent the fight from ensuing as picking up was not something that could happen right that second (school was letting out in 4 minutes from the time the call was placed.) The advisor says she will see what she can do.
A fight ensued after school hours, off school property. No faculty seen the fight. It was recorded by a few students to which both of the children were identified. By the time faculty becomes aware of the situation, 1 child remains at the location (not far from the school), the other is gone.
A call from school goes out to the home of both of the children. They have 1 child in the office awaiting pick up from the parent. Both parents are advised that the children will be suspended for 5 days out of school.
An appeal takes place. The principal of the school meets with the parents regarding the appeal. The school states that the student handbook states that fighting is not tolerated on school property. (No copy was given to the parent at registration time. When asked where this handbook is, the parents were told they can find it online. No link or website given.) The school continues to state that they are responsible for a child's safety from the time they leave their home in the morning and return home in the afternoon. A dispute to this took place as many students have jobs that they go to directly after school. So if they were "jumped" in work parking lot prior to going in for their shift, is the school really responsible for this child's safety??? If a student was shot in a drive by, the school would be responsible??? Etc.
In reviewing the handbook, nothing is specifically stated with regards to fighting. It is handled by school officials and they are to determine the punishment. Typically first offense fighting is a 3 day suspension. Both of these children receive 5 days. During the appeal process, it is requested that the suspension be 3 days. The schools response is because the 1 child was brought into the office and told that fighting was a bad choice, they are able to suspend for 5 days. The process of another appeal is taking place at this time.
My major concern is this: Schools want our children to be safe which is GREAT! But they want to be the enforcer of situations that take place after hours/off school property. I really believe that they are overstepping their boundaries. Children are the parents concern during this time. Whether it be 7pm or even a weekend. The school states that they have authority to use their discretion regarding a student at any time.
However...if safety is their top priority, these questions couldn't be answered.
Why were both children not talked to? Why were both children not brought in to the same room and talked to? Why was the student advisor brought into this? Do they have a degree in conflict resolution/counseling? Is their a guidance counselor on staff? Why was he/she not notified? Why was a call not sent out to both parents before the fight transpired? Why was one child not escorted to the bus and another brought to the office to keep this fight from happening?
The only question that was answered was, "What exactly did the faculty at the school do to keep either of the children safe?" Their response, "The one child was brought into the office and the student advisor told her not to."
You're kidding, right?
Anyone that works with children knows that a child's brain isn't fully developed....regardless of whether they are 3, 9, or 15. Children aren't capable of conflict resolution on their own. Many children have a certain mindset and until consequences are presented (Example: If you do ABC, XYZ might happen.) During the discussion with the student advisor, the student specifically asked, "What can you do about it?" to which no answer was given. Suspension was never discussed.
Seems to me like this school wants it both ways. They want to be make sure the kids are safe after hours and repremand when needed regardless of whether it has anything to do with their education and they want to keep the students safe.
This entire scenario makes me sick! In my eyes, the school did nothing to protect either of these students. In a metro city school, this could have turned out far worse. At the same time, it could have been prevented. A lot of "Whys" and "What ifs" come up but when a parent asks the school what they did to stop it from escalating, their only response is "one of the students was brought into the office and talked to."
In the same respect, we all have daycares. Are we responsible for children after hours/off property?! Heck no! If a 3 year old scratches his 2 year old cousins face and kicks him in the shin, are we as daycare providers going to repremand this child if the situation didn't take place at daycare or during daycare hours?!
Comment