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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,039
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

This story is making the rounds in talk radio this morning. Embarrassing a 6 year old child seems heavy handed imho.

http://koin.com/2015/02/26/school-policy-under-fire-after-1st-grader-tardy/

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,997
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

Having kids late to school is disruptive to the other kids.

However, in this case, the child is only a first grader.

In first grade, the PARENTS are responsible for him being there on time. He is not old enough to be held responsible.

Too bad the parents didn't have to sit alone for lunch!

Hyacinth {#emotions_dlg.w00t}

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,039
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

I agree, that tardiness needs to be addressed but this particular approach strikes me as cruel and unproductive. To compound matters, the mother posted a picture of him in distress on FaceBook and then it went viral.........

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,126
Registered: ‎06-20-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

Why do these things have to get posted to FB? I bet the superintendent is going to get threats now?

Get your kid to school on time. If you have a problem with their policy, bring it up to the district.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,010
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

The "supervised additional learning time in a non-distracting setting" shouldn't be done in a lunch room during lunch time.

That's a distracting setting, along with being humiliating.

There have to be other times and ways to give him additional learning time w/o hurting him.

**********
"The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself."
- Augustine

Be Vigilent
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,039
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

I understand the mother being frustrated, but it was an unwise move imho. She should have put more effort into resolving why they were constantly late.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 927
Registered: ‎05-26-2011

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

I don't believe this mother for a minute. She kept calling her first grader baby. Now that is embarrassing to a child. Rules must be obeyed and punishment given for breaking the rules, Otherwise there is chaos. Unfortunately it is the parent to be blamed. I am sure also we don't know the whole story. Is this a private or public school?

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,960
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

I feel for the little boy, but school starts at the same time for everyone. His parents are responsible, not him.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,222
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

If this is about that little boy being separated at lunch time.......that's just plain crazy. Honestly, I don't know what this world is coming to. If the parents got him there late, it's their fault. The child can't make the parents DO anything. Holy smokes.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,602
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: Did This Principal Act Appropriately?

The parents are the issue here, not this poor boy.

If you have a health issue, and you know that it will take you more time to get your child to school....get up earlier. Don't use it as an excuse. If it is that debilitating, then perhaps your child needs to ride the bus or get in to a car pool.

ETA:

The principal is wrong here...you don't use a method of punishment that is going to humiliate the child. That is teaching him nothing, and just causing him to feel bad about himself....and this is not his fault.