wwyd - school related

[jkjs]

At the age of 13, what was HIS reaction when asked to participate? Did the teacher force him to do it with threat of punishment, or ask him and he agreed? I would want the full story before jumping to any conclusions.

He's a rather docile kid and so if a teacher says he has to do it, he does it.

Its one of those slippery slope things. You teach kids to respect authority but as they get older you also want them to begin to question authority especially if it is not in their best interest. Finding a happy medium is hard to teach.

 

[jkjs]

That's a good point..it could simply be an interpretation thing based on how the note was worded. Did the note state "absolutely no activity in gym class at all" or was it worded to indicate no contact type things like football? Running could be considered relatively low risk vs soccer or football and the teacher just used their best judgement based on how they understood what was being asked.

We asked that he be excused from gym for the day.

 

[BobbieD]

We asked that he be excused from gym for the day.

Ah..I wasn't sure how it was stated.

I wouldn't get upset..he didn't get hurt. Use it as an opportunity to talk to the teacher to find out how it works when a note is sent..what is their policy regarding excusing from gym. Was it a matter of them ignoring it, forgetting about it. Is it policy that only medical excuses are valid or that they said "you will get a lower grade" and your child chose to run..etc. Just work with them to find out how it all works and go from there for the future.

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd11 is a competitive irish dancer - top 30 in her age group in the world. I do understand your craziness, but I don't think I'd go that far. Yes, when she qualified for worlds (the olympics of ID), I was afraid she'd get hurt. She dances 5 nights a week, has a couple private lessons every week, her shoes and dress cost thousands of dollars, and the airfare to Europe wasn't cheap. It never crossed my mind to have her excused from gym (in all her years in elementary school, no one has broken a bone in gym).

However, NO TRAMPOLINE! It's also my rule before all major competitions.

 

[dakcp2001]

We asked that he be excused from gym for the day.

In that case, I would call and talk to the teacher. If the teacher MADE him participate when you sent a note asking him to be excused, I'd want to have a sit down to see why this note was ignored and how to go about something next time so this does not happen again. I would not just let it go. I'd want to hear it from he horses mouth.

 

[Kristibo42]

You two honestly think that a kid is just a likely to twist an ankle walking down the hall as he is in gym class? You must have some seriously dangerous hallways!

OP, for a once-in-a-lifetime event such as your son has coming up, I can understand being extra cautious. It's a shame that the school did not honor your request, but since it's said and done, I wouldn't bother to address it. Good luck to him this weekend!!

My daughter plays college softball. A couple of years ago during summer ball we were a week away from nationals. Sitting on the bench in between games she got her nose broken. There was a pitcher practicing when the ball came in hit the coach on the foot then hit her in the nose. So things happen.

Their college team broke several records last year and came in 3rd place at nationals out of over 200 teams. Several of the girls took sports classes. Never once have I or any other of the parents thought about asking a PE teacher or professor to not let our girls participate. That's life. If things happens it meant to be.

I believe everything happens or doesn't happen for a reason.

 

[RunningGirl]

He (13) only has gym Mon and Wed each week.

If we knew our request was going to be ignored we would not have sent him today.

I just don't see PE participation as a big injury risk, unless they're jumping on trampolines or something. I personally would not have tried to get DS excused; the most I might have done would be to tell him to take it easy. And I would not allow such an infinitesimal risk to keep my kid out of school for the day.

 

[Minnesota!]

You know, a freak accident could happen anywhere.......he could step in a hole outside and break his leg. I would not have asked for him to be excused in the first place and I would let this go.

 

[DizneeCM]

My DS was nationally ranked in his sport, but we never considered having him excused from gym class (he is in college now) in order to avoid a possible injury.

Also, in our district a student may only be excused from gym if he has a written excuse from a doctor (and then he would have to make-up the class after-school at a later date). Perhaps your district is the same?

It's also possible that gym is required by your state.

 

[mickeyboat]

Dd11 is a competitive irish dancer - top 30 in her age group in the world. I do understand your craziness, but I don't think I'd go that far. Yes, when she qualified for worlds (the olympics of ID), I was afraid she'd get hurt. She dances 5 nights a week, has a couple private lessons every week, her shoes and dress cost thousands of dollars, and the airfare to Europe wasn't cheap. It never crossed my mind to have her excused from gym (in all her years in elementary school, no one has broken a bone in gym).

However, NO TRAMPOLINE! It's also my rule before all major competitions.

I watched a show on tv the other night about the world competition. Amazing!

 

[sam_gordon]

WWID? I would let him take his chances. If he gets hurt (and the odds are VERY slim IMO), he gets hurt.

While a state record is neat/cool/whatever, I don't think it justifies skipping a class.

Let's picture a football player playing in the state finals on Friday. If he doesn't pass his English test on Wednesday, he's not allowed to play Friday. Should his parents send a note saying "Please excuse Johnny from the test because it might affect his ability to play."?

 

[mjkacmom]

I watched a show on tv the other night about the world competition. Amazing!

Well, then you saw my dd on the big stage - for almost 2 seconds - lol! I had to sign a release with TLC! The u11 girls on the show are girls my dd competes with year-round, and is on the podium with. The show focused on girls in our region.

 

[Rylee]

What is your school policy on being excused from PE?
Does it require a Dr's request?
Do you have to state the reason for wanting him excused?
Do you have a Parent/Student Handbook with policies on valid/acceptable reasons?

If you don't know the answer, I'd find out before addressing the teacher.

Elementary is much more lenient about excused absences than MS and HS. Also, they must be present for X amount of classes to receive credit for the course.

I understand your worry, I've had girls under contract with professional theater companies, (can't even change their hairstyle) and kids going to state competitions, etc., but it has never occurred to me to pull them from gym. I tried to keep them from doing anything totally foolish, but other than that... you just have to hope for the best!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

So, he participated in gym class, nothing happened and he's perfectly fine. I'd let it go.

 

[Erin1700]

WWID? I would let him take his chances. If he gets hurt (and the odds are VERY slim IMO), he gets hurt.

While a state record is neat/cool/whatever, I don't think it justifies skipping a class.

Let's picture a football player playing in the state finals on Friday. If he doesn't pass his English test on Wednesday, he's not allowed to play Friday. Should his parents send a note saying "Please excuse Johnny from the test because it might affect his ability to play."?

That is a good point.

Here a note from mom is not valid for getting out of gym.

 

[LilyWDW]

That is a good point.

Here a note from mom is not valid for getting out of gym.

Same here... and same where I went to school (many a year ago).

Also my opinion is that I would NEVER have thought to ask for my (yes, imaginary) child to be excused from gym because of that. Sort of made me roll my eyes a bit honestly. And I was an athlete back in the day. My injuries didn't come from gym... they came from the sports I played. I mean, I wouldn't have asked to skip gym because I had a chance at a higher ranked team (which I did and then suffered an injury... on the field playing the sport).

 

[ZuZugal]

I would let it go. He wasn't hurt in PE class.

I think you should check with your school's policy next time before sending in a note and think that it will be honored. Removing a student from gym class most likely takes a note from a doctor, not a parent.

 

[JessicaR]

Personally, I think some are missing the POINT here. If I write a note excusing my son from gym for 1 day no matter what the reason is, it damn well better be honored.

On the other hand I have to question if the child handed the note in at all.

 

[JessicaR]

I would let it go. He wasn't hurt in PE class.

I think you should check with your school's policy next time before sending in a note and think that it will be honored. Removing a student from gym class most likely takes a note from a doctor, not a parent.

No, not here anyway. I am the parent if I want my child excused for 1 gym class a doctors note will not be necessary.

 

[JessicaR]

That is a good point.

Here a note from mom is not valid for getting out of gym.

Really? I seriously doubt that. Is it in the school guidelines?