Help Handling School Punishment-updated w/ school's response

[spoon full of sugar]

I'm sorry the school is jerking you around like this. This is what happens when we let the goverment have more rights over our children then we do. ( like not being able to take them out of school for a family vacation ) The schools treat parents like second class citizens because they know they will get away with it. To the poster that said running in the halls is a victimless crime, you are wrong. My son broke his arm playing soccer (huge kid fell on him), then at school, some kid running in the hall caused a big pile up,like an accident on the freeway, and ds ended up on the bottom. Yes, it rebroke his arm even in the cast, he had to go in, be sedated (he still screamed during the whole ordeal, by the way, did I mention he was 7 at the time?) and have the arm reset. We were just really lucky he didn't have to have surgery and have pins put in his arm,that is what one of his doctors suggested. So this is NOT a victimless crime. To the OP I am not slamming your son, eveyone makes mistakes, and usually this doesn't happen, but it is why they have this rule. The way the dean is avoiding you and not working with you is terrible, and the way they dealt with your son being bullied is criminal, if it happens again I would talk to my lawyer. The school has a legal obligation to insure the safety of the students to the best of their ability. It sounds like they didn't even try, gee I wonder who these kids parents are that they aren't bound by the same rules as the rest of us?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I really feel for the OP. It sounds as if she has no support plans in place and at the same time her son cannot join activities because of her schedule.

Does your son have friends at school? This is where I would start, their parents. Ask them for a favor and pay them.
Can he stay at school until a family member gets off work.
Normally I would say ride his bike but since your area sounds deserted, I would say that is not the best option for him.

Since you are far from the school you need to find support. This will not be the last time your son will have to stay after school.
What if he wants to join a club or something?

I would take this as a sign that you need to get a plan in place.

 

[kilee]

First thank you for the support. I expected it to be both ways- that is what happens when you post publicly and I didn't expect 100% support. So, I'm okay w/ those that are in opposed to my thoughts on trying to work this out.

Anyhow, I was able to reach the Dean of Students (he's not the principal-- rather it's his job to mediate "student issues"). He was very nice. I didn't even bring up the other bullying child because I wasn't really looking to take it to comparing the 2 if I didn't have to. And it didn't go that far. I explained my situation. He did say Tuesday would be excused because the school was in the "wrong". He did reduce it to two 1-period detentions. I did state I could understand if he felt a need to "double" the amount due to the length being inadequate. However, he didn't feel it was needed since this is the first time he's ever been in trouble for anything at school.

As for my calling in sick-- I told my supervisor I was having an issue w/ my child at school that just came up- I didn't go into detail-but I never called in "ill" for myself. I needed to use a sick day. And no I didn't think I was going to call in for 3 days-- I was hoping to work something out w/ the school. Monday was a holiday and I hadn't had a chance to make arrangements up to that point. As for when I'm at work-- 9 out of 10 times ds goes w/ me. He can use the computer, watch TV- do his homework. We have a full "living room & Kitchen" at work. During this timeframe he is coming w/ me most times. So, they are kid friendly to a point-- it's just I have to show up, especially now, we are under extreme circumstances at work right now and they are not bending the rules much.

Either way- it worked out I remained nice and they were the same. He told me w/ the 6th-8th graders they are much more understanding about these things.

Thank you for all the advice!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am glad you worked things out and they were understanding!!! Sometimes it goes either way..

 

[mickeyfan2]

Glad to see that everything worked out.

 

[urglewurgle]

me too! glad you got it sorted! shows what staying calm and rational, and just talking things through can get done!

(((hugs)))

 

[N.Bailey]

I was almost postive they'd work with you. I'm glad to hear that you've all come to a solution that will work out for everyone.