Letter to my son's Asst. Principal re: paddling UPDATED Pg 14!

[GEM]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

 

[surfergirl602]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

Interesting.... but to me it sounds like he thinks you support them paddling the children. And if your son comes in again, then he will be reconsidering it.

 

[momrek06]

Paddling.....IMHO, is absolutely DISTURBING.

I just cannot believe that there are cities, towns, states in this country that paddles a child.

I cannot believe that there are college graduate teachers, principals, administrators, in this country that believe that hitting/paddling, call it what you want, children find this appropriate.

I would RUN not walk away from any school system that found that appropriate behavior TODAY.

 

[RadioNate]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

Great update!

 

[laurie31]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

First off, I'm glad to see the school is going to respect your position, but wow, I'm not usually one to point out spelling and grammar errors on the DIS, a message board, but this? From the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL? Really??

And OT - wow, I remember when Paul was born! I can't believe he's in school now! I hope the rest of his year goes well.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree that 6 is plenty old enough to know that but if they are taught to keep their hands to themself then what are you (a general you) teaching them when they don't and you padddle them? Seems very contradictory.

Exactly so if you are willing to contradict the rules in order to discipline, it is to put fear into a child to not do it, because it certainly can't be to learn a lesson. At least thats how I see it.

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

Glad it worked out for you and your ds OP.

 

[RadioNate]

Interesting.... but to me it sounds like he thinks you support them paddling the children. And if your son comes in again, then he will be reconsidering it.

he said

"I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul."

Then goes on to say that if there is another incident that requires disciplinary action he will call GEM to work on an acceptable punishment instead of paddling.

I think it is a 'win' for the OP.

 

[GEM]

Interesting.... but to me it sounds like he thinks you support them paddling the children. And if your son comes in again, then he will be reconsidering it.

Hmmm....That's not how I read it at all. He said he would not consider it an option for Paul and would add it to his file. I think he was saying that, if there was another problem, he would call me in for a conference to try to work out an alternate disciplinary measure.

 

[N.Bailey]

Hmmm....That's not how I read it at all. He said he would not consider it an option for Paul and would add it to his file. I think he was saying that, if there was another problem, he would call me in for a conference to try to work out an alternate disciplinary measure.

I'm glad to read the update. I think you handled the entire situation remarkably well.

I agree with the principal, it's too bad every child doesn't have the same type of parenting at home. If that were the case, our entire education system would be a lot different than it is today.

Just curious though because it came from a school (and I wouldn't nit pick if it were a poster or a typo), but when the principal said, I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school, did he really say you're, or was that just a type on your part when adding it here? It's not a big deal, but coming from a principal, I just had to laugh.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Hmmm....That's not how I read it at all. He said he would not consider it an option for Paul and would add it to his file. I think he was saying that, if there was another problem, he would call me in for a conference to try to work out an alternate disciplinary measure.

That's exactly how I took it, GEM. I think surfergirl misread something.

Glad to hear it worked out. Just make sure that if he moves up to another school in the same district, you let them know your feelings on the subject ahead of time.

to Paul. He sounds like a total sweetie.

 

[GEM]

I'm glad to read the update. I think you handled the entire situation remarkably well.

I agree with the principal, it's too bad every child doesn't have the same type of parenting at home. If that were the case, our entire education system would be a lot different than it is today.

Just curious though because it came from a school (and I wouldn't nit pick if it were a poster or a typo), but when the principal said, I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school, did he really say you're, or was that just a type on your part when adding it here? It's not a big deal, but coming from a principal, I just had to laugh.

I just copied and pasted what he wrote, so the error is his. I'm sure he knows better and was just typing faster than he was thinking.

 

[GEM]

That's exactly how I took it, GEM. I think surfergirl misread something.

Glad to hear it worked out. Just make sure that if he moves up to another school in the same district, you let them know your feelings on the subject ahead of time.

to Paul. He sounds like a total sweetie.

Thanks, Janice. He is a total sweetie. Everyone says he's the sweetest, most loving kid they know. His job in his classroom at school is to escort kids who aren't feeling well to the nurse's office. His teacher says she picked him for that particular job because he is so kind and empathetic toward the other kids. He holds their hand and walks them down the hall to the nurse and then he gets to sit with them while they wait for the nurse, so they won't feel so nervous. I'm pretty darn proud of him.

 

[Normangirls]

He holds their hand and walks them down the hall to the nurse and then he gets to sit with them while they wait for the nurse, so they won't feel so nervous. I'm pretty darn proud of him.

Oh my goodness, that is too cute! You should be proud of him. What a sweetheart!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Nice job, GEM.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Well that's big of him *eyeroll*

I'm glad this worked out for you, OP. And I'd be printing a copy of that email and holding on to it.

Now if there was just some way to prevent this bully from doing this to someone else's child. How an adult who is supposed to have a child's best interests at heart can use the phrase "we won't consider paddling your child an option" is beyond me. It never should have been an option in the first place

 

[VillageMama]

I'm not usually one to point out spelling and grammar errors on the DIS, a message board, but this? From the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL?

Agreed! A professional educator should be more careful in how he expresses himself. That definitely is not a sample of his "best work".

I appreciate his thoughts, though. What a relief that he is willing to work with you and not ever paddle your little guy.

Great job, GEM!

 

[mum4jenn]

I feel OLD.....I can't believe that Paul is 6 years old now!!!

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading the response I received this morning from the assistant principal.....

Mrs. ___________,
Thank you for your concern, and for stating it in such a calm and considerate manner. I really appreciate you're support at home for what we do at school. Paul is lucky to have parents who take his behavior at school as seriously as you do. That is to often not the case, as we see with many of our students. I will respect your opinion about paddling and will not consider that as an option for Paul. I have updated his file to reflect this. Hopefully, it won't get to that point but if it does I will call you and we will work it out together. I'm sure you know the transition to kindergarten can be a choppy one as our students learn a very new set of rules, expectations, and standards. Mrs. ______ and I both agree that Paul is adjusting well over-all and is a good kid who is generally very well behaved, and based on his behavior since we began in August, I do not expect to be seeing him in my office very often this year anyway. Again, thank you for supporting us and reinforcing at home what we talked with Paul about at school. Feel free to e-mail or call me anytime you have questions or concerns.

Sincrely,

Mr. ______________

Wow, the grammar errors in his email are alarming for an administrator. Did you copy and paste or just retype a letter you received in your son's backpack?

Honestly, the whole situation just boggles my mind.

I would follow up and ask if they check the children's files BEFORE any type of "punishment" is doled out. He stated he'd put it in your son's file...what does that mean? Did he check your son's file before he threatened your son with paddling this last time? Had you sent in a letter previously?

I can't believe any responsible parent would knowingly grant permission allowing an adult (a stranger, really) to strike their child (in any form). I can't believe this is legal. Are the paddlers trained in paddling techniques?

I am sitting here shaking my head. This is barbaric. I looked online to see the states that allow this, and for the most part, they are all southern states. Does anyone have any idea why this seems to be such a regional thing? I can't believe that parents aren't marching on their state capitals to put an end to this. I can't believe any educator would believe this is a worthwhile educational tool. If this were going on in other countries (I don't know, like Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) we'd all be going ape-doody. But, it happens here and these parents say, "A little fear is good."

Nuts. It's absolutely insane that there is a segment of our country that seems to think striking defenseless children is the way to "teach" them how to behave. Seriously, it's gross. It's animalistic. It's pathetic.



And, btw, you handled the situation beautifully...especially for a first time parent. Paul's in good hands!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thank you for the update. All's well that ends well. Good job!

 

[GEM]

Wow, the grammar errors in his email are alarming for an administrator. Did you copy and paste or just retype a letter you received in your son's backpack?

Honestly, the whole situation just boggles my mind.

I would follow up and ask if they check the children's files BEFORE any type of "punishment" is doled out. He stated he'd put it in your son's file...what does that mean? Did he check your son's file before he threatened your son with paddling this last time? Had you sent in a letter previously?

I can't believe any responsible parent would knowingly grant permission allowing an adult (a stranger, really) to strike their child (in any form). I can't believe this is legal. Are the paddlers trained in paddling techniques?

I am sitting here shaking my head. This is barbaric. I looked online to see the states that allow this, and for the most part, they are all southern states. Does anyone have any idea why this seems to be such a regional thing? I can't believe that parents aren't marching on their state capitals to put an end to this. I can't believe any educator would believe this is a worthwhile educational tool. If this were going on in other countries (I don't know, like Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) we'd all be going ape-doody. But, it happens here and these parents say, "A little fear is good."

Nuts. It's absolutely insane that there is a segment of our country that seems to think striking defenseless children is the way to "teach" them how to behave. Seriously, it's gross. It's animalistic. It's pathetic.



And, btw, you handled the situation beautifully...especially for a first time parent. Paul's in good hands!!

I just copied and pasted, so the errors are his. I just didn't fix them.

I definitely agree with everything you said.

As for how they handle checking the files, I'm not sure. This is a fairly small school - k and 1st only, about 200 kids in each grade. The asst. principal is the main discipline guy, so I feel fairly sure nobody will be paddling my child.

Honestly, I know there has been a lot of outrage here, and I certainly agree. But, as you said, in this part of the country, this is the norm. We, as non-spankers, are definitely in the minority. I think a lot of it is because of the religious "spare the rod and spoil the child" type thinking. This is the middle of the "Bible Belt" and the basic idea that a good whipping is the answer to most discipline issues still prevails here.

If I had more time and energy, I'd be up for trying to get the law changed, or at least the local school board policy. However, the question of out-lawing corporal punishment in schools has been before the legislature several times and has been defeated each time. Honestly, I don't know that I'm up for that kind of fight right now. I'm just happy to know that my child won't be on the receiving end of the paddle.