VENT....Reason #1000 why my child won't go to school in this district

[Southern Ivy]

The longer I am in this school, the more I refuse to let them educate my child. I am so tired of students acting like crazed banshees, hitting teachers, hurting kids, all while administration does nothing.
I was just attacked from behind by one of these students because he didn't like me reprimanding one of his friends. I did NOTHING to provoke this - just the wrong place at the wrong time. 
This is elementary school! It's ridiculous that any of us have to deal with this at the level we do. 

My kid is not coming here. No sir.  :cursing:

[Jean in Newcastle]

You were assaulted?  Did you report it?  

[Mergath]

When I was in school (graduated in '01) attacking a teacher would most likely have earned a suspension for the rest of the school year.

[Southern Ivy]

You were assaulted?  Did you report it?  

It would do absolutely no good whatsoever. Trust me. She would just say, "that's just what he does."

It's not the first time, but it was the first time to be hit by a student that's not my own. 

I told my husband so who knows what kind of stink he's going to raise. 

 

Just 28 more days of this principal. Just praying we can get through it. 

[Southern Ivy]

When I was in school (graduated in '01) attacking a teacher would most likely have earned a suspension for the rest of the school year.

One would think. It would in the other schools in this district as well. 

[kristi26]

Can't you tell the superintendent?

[Ellie]

It would do absolutely no good whatsoever. Trust me. She would just say, "that's just what he does."

It's not the first time, but it was the first time to be hit by a student that's not my own. 

I told my husband so who knows what kind of stink he's going to raise. 

 

Just 28 more days of this principal. Just praying we can get through it. 

 

I would report it, anyway. And I'd report it to the police after reporting it to the principal.

[mom2bee]

But, but, but...what about socialization?

Where, oh where will your kids learn how to behave in society if not in a local, government run brick and mortar school?

How are they ever going to learn conflict resolution if they don't have to plead their case before the teacher, janitor and principal after having been assaulted verbally and possibly physically?

 

The poor dears. You're kids are going to be so weird and socially challenged if you don't send them to public school.

[JumpyTheFrog]

Are you the teacher or a volunteer?

[Southern Ivy]

Are you the teacher or a volunteer?

I am the teacher - not this particular child's teacher, but a teacher in the same school. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Are you in a special ed. classroom where there are protocols for handling situations like this?  If so, follow the protocol.  There should be reporting protocols and consequences.  

 

Are you in a regular ed. classroom with a mainstreamed child?  Again, there should be a protocol for handling situations like this and it should be followed.

 

Is this child not a special ed. student?  Then there should be protocols for teacher assault (or any assault) for that as well.  

 

Follow the protocols.  If the administration does not follow the protocols then you document that and force them to follow them.  

 

(Said as someone who was assaulted by a teen with a knife, reported it and then when the administration did nothing, reported the incident to the police from the bathroom to force them to follow the protocols.  My safety and that of the students was more important than anything else at that point.)

[Southern Ivy]

Can't you tell the superintendent?

He wouldn't do anything. We've been down this road. 

 

Our only consolation is that we get a new principal next year. Regardless, I have seen enough in this district that my decision stands. My children will go through these school doors over my dead body. 

[Southern Ivy]

Are you in a special ed. classroom where there are protocols for handling situations like this?  If so, follow the protocol.  There should be reporting protocols and consequences.  

 

Are you in a regular ed. classroom with a mainstreamed child?  Again, there should be a protocol for handling situations like this and it should be followed.

 

Is this child not a special ed. student?  Then there should be protocols for teacher assault (or any assault) for that as well.  

 

Follow the protocols.  If the administration does not follow the protocols then you document that and force them to follow them.  

 

(Said as someone who was assaulted by a teen with a knife, reported it and then when the administration did nothing, reported the incident to the police from the bathroom to force them to follow the protocols.  My safety and that of the students was more important than anything else at that point.)

Mainstreamed with para. There are protocols for assault, but it's never EVER followed. Said student just gets to play video games. No one makes this administrator follow protocol. It's been brought to the attention of the supers before and nothing is ever done. The principal is on their way out, so they won't do anything now anyway. They haven't done anything in the 4 years prior to this, so they won't start now. 

[Mrs. B]

Thought about going to the news media?

[MEmama]

I was an aid in a K class several years ago, and a student in another Kindegarten room routinely beat on the teachers, screamed obscenities to his classmates and teachers, and threw things at anyone who came near. His punishment? To stay indoors at recess, while the teacher or classroom aid got to stay with him. Good times.

 

Yes, socialization. Sigh.

[Jean in Newcastle]

BTW - Bushmommy, I do understand not wanting your children in institutional environments where things like that can happen.  Wanting a safer environment that was under my control was a factor in my homeschooling though I'd say it is not even in my top 5 reasons to homeschool.  But it's still a valid present reason.  

[Reefgazer]

The middle school DD is zoned for is a nightmare. Students dealing drugs in the hallway, having sex on the bus, passing porn openly, swearing at teachers, tossing chairs and food in the cafeteria (luckily no one has been permanently hurt yet), and so it goes. I'd sooner die than send my kids there, and I am stunned that there are parents who have choices that opt for that place. I saw harbingers of this behavior in the kids' elementary school, and if it had been thwarted there, the middle school might not be such a failure. The willingness to allow behavior problems to remain in the classroom and disrupt everyone else's education was a major reason we left to homeschool.

 

I know this can be a touchy subject, especially at the elementary level, but can you file a police report (assuming the battering rises to that level)? I know that's difficult with a young child and frowned upon, but the kids need corrective behavior and not giving it to them is doing them no favors in the long term (which I'm sure you know). Being a special needs students also does not give one license to batter a teacher.

It would do absolutely no good whatsoever. Trust me. She would just say, "that's just what he does."

It's not the first time, but it was the first time to be hit by a student that's not my own.

I told my husband so who knows what kind of stink he's going to raise.

 

Just 28 more days of this principal. Just praying we can get through it.

[chiguirre]

Mainstreamed with para. There are protocols for assault, but it's never EVER followed. Said student just gets to play video games. No one makes this administrator follow protocol. It's been brought to the attention of the supers before and nothing is ever done. The principal is on their way out, so they won't do anything now anyway. They haven't done anything in the 4 years prior to this, so they won't start now.

That's lame. I feel bad for staff but I feel even worse for this kid. He will grow up and he won't have the self regulation skills to have any kind of job or do anything in the community. GW could so easily have been this kid. I'm so grateful that he attends an ABA program that just doesn't give up on the kids with severe behavioral challenges.

[Artichoke]

If you're a member of your local teacher's union, then contact them. They should be able to help. What you're describing isn't good for the teachers or the students.

[prairiewindmomma]

Our district mainstreams a lot of kids who are developmentally delayed with severe behavioral issues.  I have friends who have been 1:1 paras who have been a mass of bruises (and occasionally bite marks) all school year long. The tolerance level in the school district for violent behavior goes down as the kid ages and increases in size, but it can be rough for everyone in the elementary school.

 

I feel for you, OP. It isn't right, and it isn't fair to anyone involved. Kid needs active supports to help learn self-regulation.

[Bluegoat]

The middle school DD is zoned for is a nightmare. Students dealing drugs in the hallway, having sex on the bus, passing porn openly, swearing at teachers, tossing chairs and food in the cafeteria (luckily no one has been permanently hurt yet), and so it goes. I'd sooner die than send my kids there, and I am stunned that there are parents who have choices that opt for that place. I saw harbingers of this behavior in the kids' elementary school, and if it had been thwarted there, the middle school might not be such a failure. The willingness to allow behavior problems to remain in the classroom and disrupt everyone else's education was a major reason we left to homeschool.

 

I know this can be a touchy subject, especially at the elementary level, but can you file a police report (assuming the battering rises to that level)? I know that's difficult with a young child and frowned upon, but the kids need corrective behavior and not giving it to them is doing them no favors in the long term (which I'm sure you know). Being a special needs students also does not give one license to batter a teacher.

 

I think in some cases the immediate problem school authorities face is what to do with these kids.  They can't really just be left without an education, totally apart from their rights it isn't going to help anything.

[Tsuga]

I am so sorry. What a horrible work environment.

 

As a yea he if you want to bring this to investigation later, is it okay to have it on here? I don't so much care about the anonymous student's privacy but about ensuring your own legal basis for future.... Whatever you need to do.

[zoobie]

I would report it if only because other people not following procedure doesn't excuse my not following procedure. And it's a CYA. I was assaulted by a non-special-ed high school student when I student taught. How the school handled that is a huge reason for me not teaching (and going into law). I'm sorry you were assaulted. I hope you are not injured. :grouphug:

[Southern Ivy]

Will it at least get documented if you report it? Put it in writing, like an email, so you have a paper trail. Save every email

It wouldn't be documented. He is being dealt with, but not the way he should be (there are never any consequences - ie: he will still be able to play all his games, etc). We've got our own teacher system. The principal seems to not care as long as she doesn't have to deal with it directly. 

 

I know this can be a touchy subject, especially at the elementary level, but can you file a police report (assuming the battering rises to that level)? I know that's difficult with a young child and frowned upon, but the kids need corrective behavior and not giving it to them is doing them no favors in the long term (which I'm sure you know). Being a special needs students also does not give one license to batter a teacher.

 

I don't know, honestly. It was not to the extent that it would need that. However, all we are doing is teaching him that regardless of his behavior, he gets rewards and that is going to be a major issue down the road. 

 

Isn't there always a step above to complain to? I would start complaining now so that the new principal is told to take these things seriously. Who is above superintendent?

The school board is above the super, but I would lose my job quicker than you could blink if I did that. 

 

Our district mainstreams a lot of kids who are developmentally delayed with severe behavioral issues.  I have friends who have been 1:1 paras who have been a mass of bruises (and occasionally bite marks) all school year long. The tolerance level in the school district for violent behavior goes down as the kid ages and increases in size, but it can be rough for everyone in the elementary school.

 

I feel for you, OP. It isn't right, and it isn't fair to anyone involved. Kid needs active supports to help learn self-regulation.

The para has been punched in the face several times. "That's just her job" is what we are told time and time again. It makes me mad. 

 

I am so sorry. What a horrible work environment.

 

As a yea he if you want to bring this to investigation later, is it okay to have it on here? I don't so much care about the anonymous student's privacy but about ensuring your own legal basis for future.... Whatever you need to do.

 

It won't come to an investigation - even the year we had a child violently attack us, threaten to slit our throats, and tell me how he was going to murder me and my husband while we slept...nothing was done even when it was taken to the school board and superintendents.

We have just 28 days left. We're just biding our time until a changeover next year. 

 

I would report it if only because other people not following procedure doesn't excuse my not following procedure. And it's a CYA. I was assaulted by a non-special-ed high school student when I student taught. How the school handled that is a huge reason for me not teaching (and going into law). I'm sorry you were assaulted. I hope you are not injured. :grouphug:

Nope. Not injured. Just royally ticked off at the lack of support we get from administration. 

 

 

Thanks for listening, guys. I just had to vent. As for reporting it, going to media, filing police reports - I need to keep my job and I am not tenured right now. I could lose my job for any reason and you do NOT cross this principal.

Even if I did report it, nothing will be done until the parents get mad enough to raise a stink. That's the only time there has ever been any action. It's sad, but that's the way this principal handles things. 

[Southern Ivy]

BTW - Bushmommy, I do understand not wanting your children in institutional environments where things like that can happen.  Wanting a safer environment that was under my control was a factor in my homeschooling though I'd say it is not even in my top 5 reasons to homeschool.  But it's still a valid present reason.  

It's not the top reason for me either; but, you're right. It's definitely a valid reason in light of the situation. 

I feel the education here is dismissal. That's my primary issue. (Example: My students do not even know what the Mayflower, Boston Tea Party, are the 13 Colonies are and they are in 4th grade!) 

However, the more I see in the classroom, the less I desire to teach and put my kids through this. It's sad, because I used to be very passionate about teaching. Now? It's just a job to pay off my student loans. 

[Tsuga]

Wow, sorry, phone scrolling and autocorrect don't mix.

 

Point is, I hope things get better soon.

[mom2bee]

OP, silly Off Topic question but did you just change your avatar picture?

[Southern Ivy]

OP, silly Off Topic question but did you just change your avatar picture?

I did. I figured it might not be too smart to have a picture of me up if I'm discussing stuff like this. :) I figure it provides at least a bit of privacy. lol Of course, IP addresses can be traced, so it's not like they wouldn't know it was me talking, but still. It makes me feel a bit more obscure.

[kristi26]

He wouldn't do anything. We've been down this road. 

 

Our only consolation is that we get a new principal next year. Regardless, I have seen enough in this district that my decision stands. My children will go through these school doors over my dead body. 

 

Sigh. That's truly unfortunate. :( That nothing will be done, not that your kids can't go there. ;)

[momacacia]

This is why a friend of mine rearranges their life to send their oldest to a pricey private school. In the "very good" ps her daughter was sexually harassed and nothing was done about it, by a kid with a history no less. It was a "he said, she said" situation. And by a kid who was bussed into the district, no less. It sounds easy to me to solve. <eye roll> Now I know others have fine experiences at this place and it's all well and good until it's your kid that's a target and the administration does nothing.

[Southern Ivy]

This is why a friend of mine rearranges their life to send their oldest to a pricey private school. In the "very good" ps her daughter was sexually harassed and nothing was done about it, by a kid with a history no less. It was a "he said, she said" situation. And by a kid who was bussed into the district, no less. It sounds easy to me to solve. <eye roll> Now I know others have fine experiences at this place and it's all well and good until it's your kid that's a target and the administration does nothing.

Exactly. 

Some years it's great, mainly because we don't have the issues. During those times, I think "Oh, it's not that bad." Then, we have years like this that remind me why I bought WTM and am researching curriculum for when my daughter is old enough to do school work. 

[Bambam]

Does it seem to anyone else that this sort of situation actually encourages kids to be bullies? I can't imagine a situation where the children are allowed to attack others without fear of some sort of consequence/punishment. What a horrible situation. 

[Southern Ivy]

Does it seem to anyone else that this sort of situation actually encourages kids to be bullies? I can't imagine a situation where the children are allowed to attack others without fear of some sort of consequence/punishment. What a horrible situation. 

The student's teacher and I were talking. All this student is learning is that abuse to others gets you out of the classroom and gets you rewards. 

More would be done if the principal had a backbone and wasn't afraid of the student's guardian who is also a bully. 

This is sadly one of those situations where we are counting down the days until it's the next school's problem. It shouldn't be that way. But, at least at that school, something will be done.

[Melissa in Australia]

:grouphug:  :grouphug: :grouphug:  

[Anne in CA]

Is it possible for you to do in home day care rather than subject yourself to this? No one deserves this treatment.

[luuknam]

Violent kids with a 1-1 aide should get an FBA done and the aide should get more training. Anyway, it sounds like you're in a sucky situation. Hope the new principal is going to be great.

[Southern Ivy]

Is it possible for you to do in home day care rather than subject yourself to this? No one deserves this treatment.

I almost walked out earlier in the school year because of one of my own students. That student has been dealt with, but this one is allowed to run wild. There's no rhyme or reason to this principal's logic (or lack thereof).

 

We have a new principal coming in next year. We know her and I do believe that there will be some good changes occurring. The only reason I am staying is because the current principal is on her way out. If she was to stay, I would be gone because you're right. No one deserves that type of treatment. I don't know how the para stays. I'd have just not shown up one day if it was me. 

[Shellydon]

I'm sorry.  I worked in public school for years.  I have been in dozens of schools as a therapist, and they are all like this.  Sometime the parents know, often they don't.  The classrooms were a mess and teachers were so frustrated. I've found that when a child is in special ed for behavior, there is very little that can be done, especially when they have a non-cooperative parent. 

[JumpyTheFrog]

I might be tempted to let the parents in the district know so they could revolt. Maybe some video footage with the faces blurred out?

[Southern Ivy]

And the student is back in action....
 
This time, the student punched the classroom teacher in the back of the head. The classroom teacher went to the principal and said she was walking out and the principal laughed and said "You can't do that." Friend said, "Actually, I can. So, unless you suspend (student), I'm gone."
The principal's response was that the student had a bad weekend....because you know, that makes it all better. Eventually, the principal said that the student would be sent home, but who knows if that's for today or the week or what. 
My friend should have walked out like her mother said (friend already has another job in a different district), but she is reporting the principal and the situation to the state. 

Only 14 more days of this principal. We are counting down the days. We'll see if any lawsuits pop up between now and then. 
Freaking ridiculous. 

[clementine]

Report, report, report.  Report everything worthy of a report.  That way if something big does happen, there is record of prior incidents that had no consequences.  It can only make the higher administration look bad in the end.  

 

 

[imagine.more]

((Hugs)) I've been there as a charter school K/1 teacher. I had obscenities screamed at me, rocks and shoes thrown, and the class fish threatened. I also had to deal with one female student peeking on other girls in the bathrooms and a male student pooping on the bathroom floor. I also had to keep a girl with lice in my class for 2+ months straight while her mom didn't bother treating her and the other students and I kept catching lice from her. I warned the administration about the rock thrower/obscenities user multiple times and they refused to do anything about it. In the end he tried to pummel another kid over the head with a large rock (bigger than a man's fist) on the playground and was dragged spitting, kicking, and screaming to the director, he called her an f***ing b**** and she expelled him. He had called me and another teacher that and she had dismissed it.

 

That teaching year happened while I was pregnant with my first and my bio kids have never gone to school as a result. I'd dismiss it as isolated but my own high school experience involved girls trying to o/d in the bathroom, a male student successfully shooting himself in math class, a student dying after a school bus fight and the boy who did it in jail at 15, regular bomb threats, elimination of backpacks for safety, and students sleeping with coaches. This was in a wealthy, beautiful, safe suburb of atlanta. At least none of us attacked the teachers though, sheesh!

[Southern Ivy]

((Hugs)) I've been there as a charter school K/1 teacher. I had obscenities screamed at me, rocks and shoes thrown, and the class fish threatened. I also had to deal with one female student peeking on other girls in the bathrooms and a male student pooping on the bathroom floor. I also had to keep a girl with lice in my class for 2+ months straight while her mom didn't bother treating her and the other students and I kept catching lice from her. I warned the administration about the rock thrower/obscenities user multiple times and they refused to do anything about it. In the end he tried to pummel another kid over the head with a large rock (bigger than a man's fist) on the playground and was dragged spitting, kicking, and screaming to the director, he called her an f***ing b**** and she expelled him. He had called me and another teacher that and she had dismissed it.

 

That teaching year happened while I was pregnant with my first and my bio kids have never gone to school as a result. I'd dismiss it as isolated but my own high school experience involved girls trying to o/d in the bathroom, a male student successfully shooting himself in math class, a student dying after a school bus fight and the boy who did it in jail at 15, regular bomb threats, elimination of backpacks for safety, and students sleeping with coaches. This was in a wealthy, beautiful, safe suburb of atlanta. At least none of us attacked the teachers though, sheesh!

We would just love to see this student assault her because then, the student would be out in a flash. But, as long as it happens to us, the principal doesn't care. It's ridiculous. 

Next year's principal is so kind. She has another position in the district and came and checked on my friend. I am so glad she's here next year, otherwise I would quit. 

The current principal? Nothing. I don't know how she has lasted as long as she has. 

 

ETA: The student you are talking about sounds like one we had the first year I was here. He threatened to slit our throats while we slept, to burn our kids in our homes, to shoot up the school, etc and she did nothing. The fact that she has never had a lawsuit slapped on her is a miracle. Also, a miracle that we haven't had any shootings or deadly assaults due to her lack of acknowledgement.) 

 

 

Clementine, she is definitely reporting now and we have documentation of other incidents as well.

I'm not normally a vindictive person, but I seriously hope this blows up in the principal's face. 

 

(Friend's mom is a principal in another district and she actually instructed friend to walk out, then to call the state teacher association. I wish she had walked out. I would hate to lose her before the end of the year, but maybe it would have garnered more attention.)

[maize]

Nm

[Southern Ivy]

deleted since maize deleted hers. :) 

:grouphug:  That is certainly not easy to deal with on a regular basis, especially when you know you don't get to "leave it behind" when school is over. 

[Reefgazer]

A friend of mine was employed by the district as a home bound instructor and really liked it, because she chose her clients.

 

Is it possible for you to do in home day care rather than subject yourself to this? No one deserves this treatment.