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Edited on Wed Feb-10-10 05:42 PM by stopschoolpaddling
A little history: On my first meeting with their principle after my 5 year old son told me that his teacher had a paddle and had brought it to "the carpet" to explain how it could be used on children who didn't behave. He begged me not to make him go back to school because he was scared of his teacher. The principal endorsed the teacher's actions and said and I quote, " if she doesn't get control of her classroom we won't get out test scores" and "I've already had to paddle one child from that class" (this was on the 7th day of the school year) and then finally, "I have better things to do with my time than to discuss this with you any further." I then had a meeting with the superintendent who basically had nothing to say and confirmed that's how it's done in this area at which point I asked for my children to be released from his school district so I could enroll them in another. At first I was told I would have to wait until the school board met which was 3 weeks away but after some convincing it was granted immediately however, I received an email stating that if the board did not approve I would have to return my children to this school at that time. On the last day of school I asked to see the paddle that was shown to my child and tried to take a photo of it. The principal then told me I had betrayed her and would not allow it. At the same time I asked for them to provide me with their corporal punishment records. I never was allowed to photograph the paddle.
Mr. (Superintendent), You have, no doubt, heard from Mrs.(Principal) by now regarding my requests to be provided to me by your school district. Just so you are absolutely clear about them, I am taking the time to request them in writing. First of all, I would like to view and photograph the very paddle that was shown to my 5 year old son by his teacher at xxxx Elementary. I would have been satisfied to have a photo of the paddle I viewed today because as Mrs.(principal) stated “it was exactly like the other one”, but since Mrs.(principal) refused my photograph, I’m now inclined to see the same one. Honestly, I have to tell you I was shocked at her reaction to my photographic request, after all, during my first conference with her she admitted that Mrs.(kindergarten teacher) came into her office asking for a paddle and after explaining to her what she intended to do with it, Mrs.(principal) whole heartily gave it to her and fully endorsed those actions and she would do so again. Indeed, during that same conference, Mrs.(principal) clearly stated to me she had already used it to paddle a child in my son’s kindergarten class. So if she has no problem showing it to a group of kindergartens and using it on their bottoms, why on earth would she be distressed over my photographing it. I suppose I missed a photo opportunity, during the days when Mrs.(kindergarten teacher)left it on her desk in full view of kindergartners as a reminder to behave. I could have gotten a picture of my son standing next to it. I have to tell you that I would have seen the right paddle but would you believe it was still in the classroom three weeks after I expressly requested to have it removed from the same room my son would spend the day in. As a parent I don’t allow my children to even be in the vicinity of a weapon. You should know that in this day and age if you tried to board an airplane with a paddle in your hand they will certainly inform you that they consider it a weapon as well and refuse you. Mostly, however I was just completely mystified as to why it was still in the kindergarten room when I thought I had come to the agreement with Mrs. (kindergarten teacher) over a week ago, that it was no longer to be kept there. If you would be so kind as to inquire to Mrs.(principal), I’m was more than a little confused today when she said I had betrayed her because I didn’t tell her ahead of asking to see the paddle that I intended to take a quick snapshot of it and of course, I didn’t when she asked me not to. Honestly, as much as it is taken down and used around there, I thought it would be about as big a deal as a snapshot of a teacup, after all, when I came to even you with this issue of the paddle you made it quite clear that you intended to do nothing about it. Well, I certainly do apologize but as for betrayal, well that’s going a bit far. If anyone has the right to cry betrayal, I should think it would be me. After my meeting just last week with Mrs. (kindergarten teacher)and Mrs. (principal), I thought they understood my position on using fear and intimidation by displaying the paddle and actually inflicting pain to control the behavior of kindergarten children. I have to say that I left that meeting quite hopeful that they would try to do better and seek out some better alternatives only to learn a few days later that yet another kindergarten child had been paddled and today I find out the paddle is still in the classroom Now listen here, if she wants to cry betrayal, I can talk about that all day.. First off, did I not entrust my children to your school only to find they had been threatened with violence and subjected to intimidation and fear? That is betrayal. Do you not claim that this year, this school would teach compassion as it’s main theme? Now here is the biggest betrayal of all, not just to me as a parent but to the children. How can you claim to teach compassion when you won’t show it? Let me remind you of the definition of the word compassion. It is defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it”. If your idea of alleviating distress is beating a 5 year old child with a long wooden object, then I have news for you, you will never teach compassion to anyone and you should not disguise yourself as someone who can. Now then, I will need to see your every record of corporal punishment performed on a child in all your elementary schools for the 2007/2008 and up to date this year. I will need the age and/or grade level of the child and the date it happened. If there is a child who was the recipient of more than one paddling, you will need to indicate that to me as well, for example, child X, grade 1, on such and such dates. If there was more than one paddling in a day to the same child you will need to show it. Example, child X, date, 2 times. You should have it to me by Monday morning September 28th at the latest.
You want to play hardball with 5 year olds? Fine, now you can play hardball with me. Let’s see who’s got the bigger paddle.
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P.S. In reference to your email stating if the board did not approve my transfer, my children would have to return to xxx Elementary, it will never happen and you are barking up the wrong tree if you think it will.
P.S. Please forward this email to Mrs. Principal so she can read the part about betrayal and inform her to inform Mrs. xxx (2nd grade teacher) that my daughter left a red yo-yo in the locker, up one and over from her regular locker and I will need to have it back. Lastly, you may mail my children’s book order to the address you have on file at your own expense since you have caused me considerable aggravation and time.
Please respond after reading this communication, so I will know you received it.
-- “if you are lost, wandering through a forest in the dark, unable to see, unaware that a cliff is nearby, and you stumble off the cliff and break your neck. That is a mistake. But let’s say it’s broad daylight. You are meandering about in a forest you’ve been told never to enter. There are No Trespassing signs everywhere, but you think you can slip in and slip out and not get caught. Now, again let’s say you fall off a cliff and break your neck... that was not a mistake. It was a conscious choice.” (Quoted from “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews)
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