[mommytoEli]

still not over the school supply fiasco....don't get me started again. lol. but last night i went to back to school night. the teacher holds up this piece of paper and says, "sign it, turn it in, and then don't call me in the middle of the year telling me you 'didn't know' my discipline policy bc i'll pull this out and say 'yes you did.' " i look down and it says that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th time she has to warn my child in a day, he will walk the fence at his recess time for 5, 10, or 30 minutes. um...he's five. as much as i know that there needs to be a plan (former school teacher here, 5 years in K), i really disagree with making little kids have a physical punishment at recess for something that went wrong in class. i also feel like this causes a child to be ostracized by kids as they have to walk by all of them playing while they walk the fence. again.....they are five. it really bothers me.

what's your opinion?

[JustBarbara]

Sorry I just spit up my iced coffee - no, no, NO. Not a teacher but used to work in after-school program. Your little guy is 5. The teacher sounds like she should go into debt collection and out of education. Great - so if it's 90 degrees out and your DS or any other child is having a bad day and has to walk the fence for 20 minutes?? Seriously, I know children need boundaries but this sounds like cruel and unusual punishment. Do parents really sign this paper? Is there a PTA or other group you can speak with? Good grief.

[purplecat]

Absolutely Not!!!

I am not against having the child sit out of recess for 5 min. but, that would be enough. They are Kindergarten students not puppets GEEEZZZZ!

[angieandstever]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

still not over the school supply fiasco....don't get me started again. lol. but last night i went to back to school night. the teacher holds up this piece of paper and says, "sign it, turn it in, and then don't call me in the middle of the year telling me you 'didn't know' my discipline policy bc i'll pull this out and say 'yes you did.' " i look down and it says that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th time she has to warn my child in a day, he will walk the fence at his recess time for 5, 10, or 30 minutes. um...he's five. as much as i know that there needs to be a plan (former school teacher here, 5 years in K), i really disagree with making little kids have a physical punishment at recess for something that went wrong in class. i also feel like this causes a child to be ostracized by kids as they have to walk by all of them playing while they walk the fence. again.....they are five. it really bothers me.

what's your opinion?

Okay I don't like the discipline policy but I really have trouble with the attitude she gave you all last night! I cannot believe she said the whole 'sign it and don't call me telling me you didn't know about it because I will pull out this piece of paper' I might ask what happens if you don't sign it. Seriously he is five not ten! I would definitely be talking to someone about this.

[angelkisses0102]

I hope you didn't sign it...that is crazy and unacceptable, IMHO!

[mommytoEli]

in the box where i was supposed to sign i wrote:

"i do not agree with conseqeunces #2,3, or 4, and do not want my son physically punished for things that happen in class. I'm happy to discuss alternatives."

[mcnay1]

Did you sign it?

That is crazy and I cant imagine how the school district/principle would agree with this for an grade. I certainly understand sitting in a "time out" situation for recess, but not doing "hard labor" for something that happened in the classroom. Yikes...that seems really harsh.

[jules17]

Oh my gosh, that is wrong on so many levels.

1. Her attitude!! Makes you wonder if she talks to adults like this, then how does she talk to a group of kids? Gosh, she sounds like a . And that was my kindergarten teacher. And I still remember how much I disliked her. Did she say what the "warnings" would be for? I would get that in writing before I would sign ANYTHING. (I wouldn't sign her paper period.)

2. The length of times - we do 1 minute of timeout per age. So, if that is how you disciplined, it would be 5 minutes.

3. I don't like how the punishment comes "at recess" - what if "the infraction" was an hour or more earlier? We do immediate consequences or it isn't effective anyway.

(Didn't you want to give her a "first warning" for her attitude? I would! LOL)

ETA: I don't and will never agree to physical punishment at school or anywhere else. There are plenty of other ways that have been shown to be far more effective.

[mommytoEli]

angelkisses...i LOVE the song in your siggy..it came on last night as i was driving home from b-t-s night and i cried. i just want my little kid to stay a little kid and enjoy being a little kid.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by jules17

(Didn't you want to give her a "first warning" for her attitude? I would! LOL)

ROFL......YES! and that wasn't the first thing she said that was outta line last night....i think she needs to walk the fence! lol. since a 5 year old can do it for 30 minutes on the 4th infraction, and she was probably 25, then i say to keep things fair she can walk the fence for 150 minutes! LOL!

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by mcnay1

Did you sign it?

That is crazy and I cant imagine how the school district/principle would agree with this for an grade.

i don't think the principal will care as he regularly ridicules teachers over the PA during morning announcements for things they have forgotten to do.

[giovanni7460]

I would have made her walk the plank for her nasty attitude.
Then I would start a petition to get rid of her before she challenges you to a duel.
Seriously I wuldnt sign it and find another teacher.
Patty

[Saya]

Um - wow, that is just crazy. I'm glad you didn't sign. I wonder what she's going to say to you now.

[krafmatic]

What?!?

First off, her attitude could use some work. Secondly, I don't like her idea of classroom management.

I would definitely do two things, in this order:

1. Make an appointment with the teacher to discuss your issues with her policy and what you would view as other solutions...understanding that she has a classroom of kids, not just yours (I'm sure having been a teacher before you fully appreciate this). Make sure you give her a chance to explain the reasoning for her policy.

2. Make an appointment with your principle. Two distinct items should be discussed: First the attitude, Second her policy regarding punishment. Since you have already talked to the teacher you know her philosophy and reasoning, making it easier to discuss with the principle.

Another advantage to talking with the teacher first...it shows the teacher and principle you understand the "chain of command" which will hopefully help smooth things over and make you sound less like a "overactive parent".

I hope you principle acts appropriately. I fully understand the importance of backing teachers (I have experience as a high school teacher) but I as a parent of 2 elementary school kids, I also understand the importance of listening to parents concerns and acting as a mediator.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by giovanni7460

I would have made her walk the plank for her nasty attitude.
Then I would start a petition to get rid of her before she challenges you to a duel.
Seriously I wuldnt sign it and find another teacher.
Patty

all the classes are full. the good news is she is having a baby and will be out all of october, nov, dec, maybe she will really REALLY enjoy being home with that baby.