OT - am I over-reacting??

[WDWMom]

Last Thursday 7 year old DS was injured on the playground at school. His head was a target for a flying piece of ashphalt. From what I heard there was blood everywhere (he was hit in the back of the head) and the accident made quite a scene. By the time I got to school to pick him up the secretaries (God bless them) had him mostly cleaned up and I did not have to see him with a blood gushing wound. I took him to the emergency room and had the wound checked and cleaned well (It was only a puncture wound, no stitches). Thank God it was not serious.

Here is my problem. There little girl who through the ashphalt has not had to apologize yet. Not at school or from home. This family lives in our neigborhood and here mother and I are aquaintances (SP ????) I know for a fact the parents know what happened and of course the school does too. Even though my son is OK and the school insurance will pay for the ER visit, I think the family should have come over to apologize. I know if the case were reversed, my DH, DS and I all would have gone over there to make amends. Are we overreacting???

I know this is completely off topic, but you all seem so done to Earth and was wondering what you thought or had any suggestions.

Sue

 

[dtuleya]

First of all, I hope your DS is ok. I know how much I hate it when one of my boys gets hurt. ((HUGS))

You are not overreacting at all! I totally understand you being upset. If that was at our school (where I work), the child would not only have to apologize, but we have a little storyboard type paper they must fill out stating what they did by drawing a picture and/or words, state why that was a bad choice and what a better choice would have been. The principal then goes over it with the child and a letter and/or a phone call along with the child's work is sent home. The child then has to write an apology card/letter and deliver it with the principal to the student they "wronged". I feel that your school is losing an important opportunity in teaching children about making good choices.


Secondly, I agree that the parents should have marched her over and had her apologize...but then again she probably has learned her manners from them. Like the old saying goes, "You don't get oranges from apple trees." I hope someone steps up to the plate and has this little girl do the right thing. Keep us posted.

 

[Straitlover]

I am surprised, but then again I'm not.

My goddaughter was in Kindergarten 2 years ago and threw a piece of that bark they put under the playground equipment at a child (after several warnings not to, mind you). It hit him, but he was not hurt. She had to apologize and she was also supspended for one day (which I thought was a little drastic, but hey, what do I know???). Did they punish the child in your situation?

 

[eller]

You might want to give them a bit more time. One never knows what's going on in another family.

And no, I don't think you are overreacting.

I hope your son heals quickly!

Lori

 

[Maleficent2]

and I am glad your DS is ok.

at my DS's school this child would have been suspended if not expelled.

I am so very surprised that no action has been taken in your child's case by the school.

You did not say when it happened?

I think a visit to the principle is in order.


Mal

 

[Tantor]

I would be into that principles office stating my concern.

Glad to hear your son is okay........

 

[WDWMom]

It happened last Thursday and other than a "hole" in his head, he is OK. You can't even see the wound anymore.

The story of what happened was, boy "A" threw a rock at the girl, and she threw it back but hit my son. Boy "A" is a friend of my son's and I know he was punished at home and the Dad told me he was sorry his son was involved. No problems there. We have no idea about the girl. Friday a.m. the principal was in meetings all day and then I have been working at another elementary school this week (I am a sub teacher). I keep meaning to call and find out some info but with third graders all day I have been too busy. I plan to call tomorrow and find out some more. I guess I am mad mostly because our family would have been over to their house apoligizing and trying to make amends, and they have not even asked if he was OK.

 

[tink2dw]

Maybe they are very embarrassed and fearful of your reaction??Maybe they are waitng for your lawsuit??

 

[Maleficent2]

Since it happened last Thurs. I know you have said your child is ok but that is just because of luck. I can not beleive neither of the children involved have been disciplined in this matter. What if these rocks were to have hit your child or another child in the eye.

I know I am playing the devils advocate here but rock throwing has no business on the schoolyard. This incident could have had a more serious outcome.

And the time for discipline is when it happens not a week later. I hope your principle takes such actions more seriously in the future.


Mal

 

[WDWMom]

Thanks for all your support.

I talked with the principal this morning and he told me all the children involved were sent home with a note about the incident. There were no consequences at school, but according to the principal, the little girl was punished at home. The little girl's mom even came into school Thursday after school as soon as she found out. I guess I am eally mad now because if my son had been hit in the front of his head (face), he could have been seriously hurt. He wears glasses which are quite expensive because he has an extremely bad eye problem. If those had broken there would have been the cost of replacement plus what they would have done to his face and eyes. Luckily the school insurance will pay for the ER visit but I am not sure if they would have paid for the glasses. Because that didn't happen I shouldn't worry about it, but I am still mad they never asked how he was.

A friend thought the same thing Tink did. She said maybe they were worried about a law suit. Their daughter made a bad choice on the playground, but not one serious enough to do that. It never even crossed my mind.

I do wish the children involed had been punished at school. No recess for ??? or something. I know the little boy who started it said he was sorry and my son is OK with it (they are friends), but s far as I know, the little girl has not. Atleast that is what my son has said. The principal is looking into it for me.

Thank you all for your support.

Sue