OT - 2nd grade discipline?

[dreamn_Disney]

Last year, at my son's school, I was the one outside with he children at recess. If I had someone who needed time on the wall I made sure the child was in the shade if it was hot out or in the sun if it was cold out. I always felt not being able to play with friends was enough punishment and I did not need to add physical discomfort to the mix. As for drinks the child could get one as soon as the time out was done. These children had just been at lunch and waiting 10 minutes for a drink was not unreasonable. Most children who asked for a drink didn't need the drink after the time out.

 

[luvmikids]

We just went thru the same thing. My son's 2nd grade teacher is changing the whole discipline process in her class. She now does the "TOKEN" program. The kids earn tokens for good behavior and can lose a token for not following the rules per se'. I have taken this program home and award him with one token if he earns a token at school and give him opportunities to earn extra tokens if need be. At school they learn to count "money" tokens and can "buy something out of the prize box in her class. At home he can turn in his tokens to watch his favorite program or play a video game for 1 hour. I think it is genius. it takes learning to a whole new level and is actually working

 

[Disneyadore]

I can't judge this punishment because I feel we don't know everything that happened. Still there's one question that bugs me. If your child is that sensitive to being outside for only ten minutes how on earth do you cope with this in hot,sunny and moist Florida when visiting WDW?

 

[cinmell]

I agree. It's 10 minutes. It is also not the dead of summer unless you live on the equator. To me it sounds like he got in trouble and then started the whole "I'm so hot! I need a drink!" whine and there are no drinks on the playground anywhat. I as a parent would be more concerned that my child was not listening. I guess I am mean because I don't think 10 minutes in the sun is a huge deal. I would tell my kid that if they behaved then they wouldn't be standing there. Do they only play outside in full shade? Is the playground completely shaded and your sun was banished to the sun? I hate to say it but I think the bigger problem is that he is getting in a lot of trouble and school has barely even been in session.

ETA- I think saying he is being "punished with/by the elements" is so over the top. Standing on the playground instead of running around for 10 minutes is not even close to corporal punishment and it makes you sound silly if that is what you are telling the principal and teachers.

I totally agree with you, especially the bolded part. Really, 10 minutes isn't a long time. If he didn't like standing in the sun for 10 minutes, maybe he'll stop talking when he's not supposed to. If he wasn't being punished he would have been running around in the sun for that 10 minutes. I'm thinking if the sun really bothered him while standing, he really would have felt worse running and playing around in the sun.

If it were my child, I would just tell her if you don't like standing then stop talking or get used to standing and "feeling sick" for 10 minutes out of the day. Also, in my daughter's school, kids have their drinks before of after recess, they are not allowed drinks during recess. I definitely would not have gone to the teacher about this never mind the principal/assistant principal.

 

[RabFlmom]

10 minutes? He would have been out there anyway! And chances are, if he was playing a game with other kids, he would have been in the sun the whole time.

Speaking as a teacher...you don't make kids stand in the sun on purpose as punishment...not unless you want to lose your job. But you may make kids stand in the sun in order to supervise ALL students and make sure they are safe, or stand on the blacktop in a specific (in a spot that happens to be in the sun) so they are not goofing around playing with other kids.

I say drop it. Contact the teacher and give her another chance to contact you...if she does not contact you then, talk to the principal.

Even 30 years ago when I first starting teaching, missing a few minutes recess, standing on the playground was about the only punishment allowed.

As the teacher I stood out on the playground for 20 minutes with the kids in the hot sun, too. I was in heels, pantyhose and school policy deemed teachers had to wear jackets with pants or dresses so even hotter than for the kids in shorts. Was that punishment too harsh on me, too?

Kids have to learn if you disrupt the class, you suffer the consequences. If you don't like the consequence than quit doing the behavior getting you there.

Also seems like the original poster's son was having trouble with his asthma . Sometimes running and exercise can bring on the asthma, so are you sure it was the standing for 10 minutes or was it the running around playing in the hot sun for the rest of recess that caused him to feel effects of his asthma? Does he have an inhaler at school? Or could it be one of the girls sprayed cologne or hair spray when they got back to class or the teachers perfume or something else in the classroom causing a reaction. Or could it even be stress of worrying about reaction at home when parent's find out you are misbehaving at school? Shoot, when my oldest was in first grade and I was home with the toddler, he worried that he was missing out at home and that his brother was doing things that he was missing cause he was stuck in school. He would tell me he was sick some days just to try to stay home. and there was the time he came in to our bedroom at 2 AM feeling guilty and not being able to sleep cause the teacher sent him home with a note for me. He thought it was about him pushing someone, but it was about volunteering. LOL There could be a million reasons for him feeling bad after a day at school.

BTW most school districts do not allow trees on playgrounds because of a safety issue of falling limbs etc. I remember when they came in and cut down all the trees at my son's school here in Florida.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Even 30 years ago when I first starting teaching, missing a few minutes recess, standing on the playground was about the only punishment allowed.

As the teacher I stood out on the playground for 20 minutes with the kids in the hot sun, too. I was in heels, pantyhose and school policy deemed teachers had to wear jackets with pants or dresses so even hotter than for the kids in shorts. Was that punishment too harsh on me, too?

Kids have to learn if you disrupt the class, you suffer the consequences. If you don't like the consequence than quit doing the behavior getting you there.

Also seems like the original poster's son was having trouble with his asthma . Sometimes running and exercise can bring on the asthma, so are you sure it was the standing for 10 minutes or was it the running around playing in the hot sun for the rest of recess that caused him to feel effects of his asthma? Does he have an inhaler at school? Or could it be one of the girls sprayed cologne or hair spray when they got back to class or the teachers perfume or something else in the classroom causing a reaction. Or could it even be stress of worrying about reaction at home when parent's find out you are misbehaving at school? Shoot, when my oldest was in first grade and I was home with the toddler, he worried that he was missing out at home and that his brother was doing things that he was missing cause he was stuck in school. He would tell me he was sick some days just to try to stay home. and there was the time he came in to our bedroom at 2 AM feeling guilty and not being able to sleep cause the teacher sent him home with a note for me. He thought it was about him pushing someone, but it was about volunteering. LOL There could be a million reasons for him feeling bad after a day at school.

BTW most school districts do not allow trees on playgrounds because of a safety issue of falling limbs etc. I remember when they came in and cut down all the trees at my son's school here in Florida.

Pantyhose. Yes you were unfairly punished and I for one think wearing pantyhose is in the same category as corporal punishment. Just the thought makes me ill. (BTW- I am not kidding about wearing panthose. I hate them.)


I guess the OP isn't coming back because she can't believe her child might have actually deserved time off recess for misbehaving.

 

[kevschickee]

Pantyhose. Yes you were unfairly punished and I for one think wearing pantyhose is in the same category as corporal punishment. Just the thought makes me ill. (BTW- I am not kidding about wearing panthose. I hate them.)


I guess the OP isn't coming back because she can't believe her child might have actually deserved time off recess for misbehaving.[/QUOTE]

She needs to let the teachers do their job and quit comingto the kids rescue

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Pantyhose. Yes you were unfairly punished and I for one think wearing pantyhose is in the same category as corporal punishment. Just the thought makes me ill. (BTW- I am not kidding about wearing panthose. I hate them.)


I guess the OP isn't coming back because she can't believe her child might have actually deserved time off recess for misbehaving.[/QUOTE]

She needs to let the teachers do their job and quit comingto the kids rescue

Well, snowflakes melt in the sun and all.......

 

[declansdad]

WOW! Some people here are really in attack mode.

Why is it that if most poster disagree with the op, they are in attack mode?

In reading through this thread, it seems, the op is the only poster who got snarky.

 

[ajh88]

To the OP - I would definitely encourage having a meeting with the teacher and trying to figure out exactly what is happening, both in the classroom and on the playground. As a PP mentioned, if the principal deemed the time-out location in appropriate, I'd be upset it continued - and it makes me wonder if there is an "official" time-out spot. Good luck in figuring this out!

I don't like it when DD comes home and has "check marks" for the day, especially when I don't necessarily agree with the offenses. They get them not just for mis-behaving, but for not putting their names on their papers or other similar offenses. However, I support the teacher and try to remind DD that she has to follow ALL the rules of the classroom.

And finally, I agree that a generally healthy child should be able to withstand a recess period outside (standing or playing) for 15 minutes without needing a drink (especially when it seems they just want a drink to get out of time-out). However, I will never forget, when I was in 3rd grade, my teacher would not let me get a drink when I needed one - she told me I could wait until break time. It was hot, I didn't feel well, and we didn't have good A/C in our grade school building. I was not particularly unhealthy (no long-term medical conditions) to speak of - but the next day after that, I ended up at the doctor and subsequently in the hospital with a kidney infection. Now, of course I don't think that one little drink would have made a difference in my overall condition - but sometimes even 8 year old kids *need* a drink even if it is at a time that is not convenient or pre-ordained to be drink time.

 

[cinmell]

Well, snowflakes melt in the sun and all.......

 

[nuke]

Actually 10 minutes in the sun is probably good for him. Studies have shown that kids are deficient in vitamin D and the sun is the best source.

 

[playswithstars]

Ours just have to sit out on recess for a certain amount of time while the other children are playing if they got in trouble.

Inside recess it's at their desk and outside it's normally on the steps up to the school or on the one stone wall at the playground.

 

[disneymom3]

Wow, here the president thinks that longer days and school years would help kids learn better. Huh, I think that if kids who are being naughty were in more trouble at home BECAUSE they got in trouble at school instead of being coddled at home, I bet our schools would be a whole lot better. THINK of the time teachers could spend actually teaching instead of dealing with discipline problems.

 

[princessmom29]

Wow, here the president thinks that longer days and school years would help kids learn better. Huh, I think that if kids who are being naughty were in more trouble at home BECAUSE they got in trouble at school instead of being coddled at home, I bet our schools would be a whole lot better. THINK of the time teachers could spend actually teaching instead of dealing with discipline problems.

Imagine what 30 of those kids are like at 16, thow in the fact that 75% of them live in public housing, and have moms who had them at 14-16 and you have a small idea of what a day in my school is like!

 

[justhat]

Our school has the same punishment for kids, except it is the entire recess, which is 15 minutes (for most kids-those in kindergarten and up as well as those in the after school program get 30 minutes). And these kids are 3-5yo, so no 10 minutes for 7yo doesn't seem harsh to me. The part about standing in the sun is moot to me as our entire playground is in full sun so whether the kids are playing or being punished they are in direct sun.

Neither of my kids have had to miss recess (yet...I am sure it is a matter of time for my son!), but my daughter's friend misses it often and at 4yo has always survived standing in the sun for the 15 minutes. In fact, he is much less sweaty than my son who runs around the entire 15 minutes.

 

[jinia]

Sorry I haven't posted - seem to be doing fine without me! I don't mind a diffrence in opinion.

Will try to answer the many criticisms:
1.Punish by the elements - say that because while the monitors are in the shade (yes there are trees where the monitors wait) the kids are being forced to stand on a crack in full sun - so not just missing recess but in full sun when there is another option that isn't too inconvient for the monitors because they would then be next to them.

2.Son playing me - DS doesn't even know we are having these issues. We say nothing negative about the school (that up till now we loved) or his teacher when he is even home. We are very careful about that. DS isn't playing us - I am the one disturbed by this - not him. He is pretty oblivious to anything like that. Everyday we chat about his day and I figure out what is going on.

3.DS asthma - heat and allergy induced. From Aug - Nov he usually most sensitive. First time this year had to use is inhaler - yes he has one at school. He never says when he doesn't feel well. It was an orange quality day - on those days all asthmatic in DS school are supposed to be watched closely. DS has been doing awesome so that day caught me be suprise - and him. Doesn't matter - I think if I wouldn't punish DS that way the school certianly has no right to. I am the final authority for DS.

4.Discipline problem - We reinforce the school. We have a chart at home. Whenever he gets three good days of behavior he gets to chart it. When he gets three of those he is awarded. Two days without a sticker equals no cartoons for two days. Three equals no ps2 or cartoons over the weekend. Age appropriate punishment. We are not fooled by DS - we see who is and if we don't my family will quickly tell me! We remind him every single morning...

5.Chain of command - DS teacher sends home a planner each day with a sticker or no sticker with a note and DS is to write his homework in it - parents are to sign it evernight. If parents don't sign the kid misses 5 minutes of recess. We were directed to make any communication with her through this planner. This is where I made my request - per her instructions. I am expected to sign and acknowledge this each night as is she according to her policy. She should have contacted me - sent my email, and two seperate numbers and checked for notes.

I was glad to get info about other schools and there protocols from my fellow disers. I use to have so much faith in the school system. I belong to two other forums and between these three I get to read a lot of teachers posts. Some inspire me the way teachers should. Too many others have made me realize the system is only as good as the people in it. I think to blindly trust when it comes to our kids is asking entirely too much.

 

[kevschickee]

I just can not see a teacher or an aid saying you must stand in the sun for punishment. I think you are making a mistake by coming to his rescue and you should let the teacher do their job. If this is their way of a time out then so be it you can not micromanage everything your child does or doesn't do. This will not teach your child the respect he should have for teachers and other people of authority

 

[TCPluto]

Sorry I haven't posted - seem to be doing fine without me! I don't mind a diffrence in opinion.

Will try to answer the many criticisms:
1.Punish by the elements - say that because while the monitors are in the shade (yes there are trees where the monitors wait) the kids are being forced to stand on a crack in full sun - so not just missing recess but in full sun when there is another option that isn't too inconvient for the monitors because they would then be next to them.

2.Son playing me - DS doesn't even know we are having these issues. We say nothing negative about the school (that up till now we loved) or his teacher when he is even home. We are very careful about that. DS isn't playing us - I am the one disturbed by this - not him. He is pretty oblivious to anything like that. Everyday we chat about his day and I figure out what is going on.

3.DS asthma - heat and allergy induced. From Aug - Nov he usually most sensitive. First time this year had to use is inhaler - yes he has one at school. He never says when he doesn't feel well. It was an orange quality day - on those days all asthmatic in DS school are supposed to be watched closely. DS has been doing awesome so that day caught me be suprise - and him. Doesn't matter - I think if I wouldn't punish DS that way the school certianly has no right to. I am the final authority for DS.

4.Discipline problem - We reinforce the school. We have a chart at home. Whenever he gets three good days of behavior he gets to chart it. When he gets three of those he is awarded. Two days without a sticker equals no cartoons for two days. Three equals no ps2 or cartoons over the weekend. Age appropriate punishment. We are not fooled by DS - we see who is and if we don't my family will quickly tell me! We remind him every single morning...

5.Chain of command - DS teacher sends home a planner each day with a sticker or no sticker with a note and DS is to write his homework in it - parents are to sign it evernight. If parents don't sign the kid misses 5 minutes of recess. We were directed to make any communication with her through this planner. This is where I made my request - per her instructions. I am expected to sign and acknowledge this each night as is she according to her policy. She should have contacted me - sent my email, and two seperate numbers and checked for notes.

I was glad to get info about other schools and there protocols from my fellow disers. I use to have so much faith in the school system. I belong to two other forums and between these three I get to read a lot of teachers posts. Some inspire me the way teachers should. Too many others have made me realize the system is only as good as the people in it. I think to blindly trust when it comes to our kids is asking entirely too much.

Your entire post and justifications are, well, way out there.....

With the path you're preparing for your child, instead of preparing your child for the path, is going to create a lot of issues for everyone who comes into contact with your child.

The idea that standing for 10 minutes on/near the playground where he would otherwise be playing, and getting sick becasue of it, is ludicrous.

 

[leighe]

I think your justifications were even sillier than your original rationalizing and that you are making a massive mountain out of the proverbial molehill. You are definitely setting a worrisome precedent for the rest of your DS's schooling and your interactions with his teachers.