School WWYD? Update Page 6, post 112

[pls5286]

My DD13 is in our local middle school. We have been hit hard from the smoke from the wildfires in GA, TN and NC. Air quality is a Code Red. My DD has pretty significant asthma and smoke is one of her big triggers. We are really limiting her outside time to try and prevent a significant flare. I have spoken to her PE teacher in an attempt to keep her inside because of this. He did not agree with me and said she needs to be outside and exercising. I spoke to the school nurse and she agreed with me. Still the PE teacher does not agree with this. This morning, I went to pick up a note from her doctor, stating she does not need to be outside, but is clear to participate in any indoor activity and delivered it to the school before her PE class. She just got home, and she had to go out again today. The PE teacher is adamant about her needing to be outside, and she had to go out to soccer again today. I now have a semi-wheezy kid. The principal knows what is going on, and this morning even said the note should be adequate to keep her inside. Nope.

Any advice on what I can do short of keeping her home? I did tell her to call/text me and her dad if he makes her go out again tomorrow, and we will deal with the cell phone use at school problem then.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My DD13 is in our local middle school. We have been hit hard from the smoke from the wildfires in GA, TN and NC. Air quality is a Code Red. My DD has pretty significant asthma and smoke is one of her big triggers. We are really limiting her outside time to try and prevent a significant flare. I have spoken to her PE teacher in an attempt to keep her inside because of this. He did not agree with me and said she needs to be outside and exercising. I spoke to the school nurse and she agreed with me. Still the PE teacher does not agree with this. This morning, I went to pick up a note from her doctor, stating she does not need to be outside, but is clear to participate in any indoor activity and delivered it to the school before her PE class. She just got home, and she had to go out again today. The PE teacher is adamant about her needing to be outside, and she had to go out to soccer again today. I now have a semi-wheezy kid. The principal knows what is going on, and this morning even said the note should be adequate to keep her inside. Nope.

Any advice on what I can do short of keeping her home? I did tell her to call/text me and her dad if he makes her go out again tomorrow, and we will deal with the cell phone use at school problem then.

Well, it seems you have an ineffectual principal. I'd probably be on the phone (directly) or visiting the teacher in person tomorrow. If that doesn't seem to work, I'd be visiting the principal. Take it up the line in person.

If she's told she must go outside tomorrow, and calls you, tell her to go (note in hand, if she has it) to the school nurse.

I'm confused about one thing, however. Is soccer a separate thing? Or is that what the class is doing now? If she's OK to be outside for extra-curricular sports, I don't see how you can say she can't be outside for regular PE classes.

 

[Poohlove]

It seems to me that a doctor's note and instructions from the principal should be enough to override the gym teacher. If not I would address it with the board of education.

 

[pls5286]

Well, it seems you have an ineffectual principal. I'd probably be on the phone (directly) or visiting the teacher in person tomorrow. If that doesn't seem to work, I'd be visiting the principal. Take it up the line in person.

If she's told she must go outside tomorrow, and calls you, tell her to go (note in hand, if she has it) to the school nurse.

I'm confused about one thing, however. Is soccer a separate thing? Or is that what the class is doing now? If she's OK to be outside for extra-curricular sports, I don't see how you can say she can't be outside for regular PE classes.

Soccer is her PE unit right now. The nurse also has a copy of the note. I live close enough to the school to be there in 5 min. I have not spoke to the principal this afternoon, since I found out she had to go out. I just spoke to him in a casual manner when I dropped the note off. I have spoke to the teacher in person and via email and he is adamant that she needs to be outside.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Does the gym teacher know about the note? If he knows I be very upset he was putting your daughter at risk, I would be having a meeting with teacher and the principal.​

 

[tvguy]

I would think talking to the Principal would solve the problem.

 

[Wendy31]

We are also in the middle of these wildfires, & NONE of the schools around us are having recesses or PE outside due to the air quality.

At our house, we have even turned off our central heat & air to keep as much of the smoke & haze out of our house as possible.

I would be talking to the principal again.

 

[pls5286]

Does the gym teacher know about the note? If he knows I be very upset he was putting your daughter at risk, I would be having a meeting with teacher and the principal.​

Yes, he knows. He told my DD that he decides who stays in, not the DR.

I would think talking to the Principal would solve the problem.

This was mine and DH thoughts as well, but wanting others input to see if I was missing something.

 

[Nettester]

Tell her to go to straight to the nurse's office or main office instead of gym period tomorrow. She can sit and read or do homework for an hour and explain the staff you and her doctor have excused her from participating from outside gym. Make sure she has notes from you and her doctor. PE teacher sounds like a real jerk. I would not be dealing with that. Let PE teacher's boss bring back to being his or her responsibility to provide an alternate activity or indoor instructions for her. The staff will be irritated PE teacher didn't just take care of it the right way in the first place, especially if your DD is behaving respectfully. (they'll be a little thrown to have your DD just hang in their space). Follow up afterwards to ensure she isn't marked un-excused on her attendance record.

 

[Wendy31]

You might also find out what some other schools in your area are doing & how they're handing PE classes & recesses.

And, when talking w/ the principal, I'd go w/ some information about air quality & what the current recommendations for your area are.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Is there anyway she can go to the nurse office during that class?

 

[EMom]

The PE teacher has already made it clear he believes he knows more than a doctor and he is not willing to take the lead of the principal. He does what he wants. So I would not put my child within his control, because he will likely make her go outside again, no matter whether she has a note and even if the principal tells him not to. Have her go straight to the nurse when it's PE time. Send a copy of the dr. note and a note from you, stating that the PE teacher refuses to follow the doctor's medical instructions, so you have no choice but to send your child to the nurse during PE. It's to protect her health. To be honest, I'd be all over this coach like a cheap suit. He's an idiot. A dangerous idiot. I wonder if he knows more than doctors when it comes to things like diabetes too? No, I'd follow up with an email to the principal, superintendent, school board and anyone else I could think of to let them know this coach feels comfortable endangering the health of children. Attach a copy of the dr. note and your instructions to go to the nurse during PE. He needs to be dealt with.

 

[4cats2kids]

I'd be calling the school and speaking with the principal. If he already agrees with you, the teacher really has no say. I wouldn't be putting up with the PE teacher.

 

[mummabear]

Yes, he knows. He told my DD that he decides who stays in, not the DR.



This was mine and DH thoughts as well, but wanting others input to see if I was missing something.

No you/DR decide if she is medically unfit to take part. I don't believe the PE teacher has a medical degree.
I would take it to the principle for sure

 

[anniemae]

I would be at the school making a huge scene in the principals office. No way would I sit back and let that PE teacher ignore a doctors note, parent order, and principal order. I would give your daughter instructions to head directly to the office at PE time with a note to call you if there is a problem. Don't even have her see the PE teacher, just have her go directly to the office.

 

[mummabear]

The PE teacher has already made it clear he believes he knows more than a doctor and he is not willing to take the lead of the principal. He does what he wants. So I would not put my child within his control, because he will likely make her go outside again, no matter whether she has a note and even if the principal tells him not to. Have her go straight to the nurse when it's PE time. Send a copy of the dr. note and a note from you, stating that the PE teacher refuses to follow the doctor's medical instructions, so you have no choice but to send your child to the nurse during PE. It's to protect her health. To be honest, I'd be all over this coach like a cheap suit. He's an idiot. A dangerous idiot. I wonder if he knows more than doctors when it comes to things like diabetes too? No, I'd follow up with an email to the principal, superintendent, school board and anyone else I could think of to let them know this coach feels comfortable endangering the health of children. Attach a copy of the dr. note and your instructions to go to the nurse during PE. He needs to be dealt with.

I agree with this completely.
Lay a complaint against him with the school board.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

I would have copied the PE teacher, the nurse, and the principal on an email with a copy of the note attached so that nobody could say they didn't know, or trumps another.

Teachers can be jerks sometimes. DS16 had shoulder surgery last year and couldn't even lift a gallon of milk for months. It was easier when he had his sling on (he had to wear an immobilizer sling for 4 months after surgery), because it was a visual that something was wrong. But the injury has a 6+ month recovery time, which trickled into this school year, plus he hurt the other shoulder (long story) in late August right as school started. Many doctor visits later, and basically, he wasn't supposed to carry more than 10 lbs with either side in september, so we had to pare down his backpack to bare minimum.

Well they only have 3 minutes between each class, which isn't enough time for locker visits. Most of his teachers were ok with him asking to leave his book in the classroom every day if there wasn't homework. But his English teacher actually mocked him, and said that that was the stupidest excuse he ever heard.

I kid you not, but before the day was over, I had an email drafted with a copy of every doctor note, surgery notes, physical therapy orders, school/sports restrictions, etc that I had, going back a year lol I sent it to that teacher and copied the Dean and DS's counselor who was aware of the issues from the previous year.

The next day DS said the teacher told him where he could leave his book and binder in the classroom.

I HATE being "that mom", but when I have to, I will!

 

[verleniahall]

i would call your superintendent at home tonight and talk to him/her about the situation - that is a liability on the school

 

[Southernmiss]

Tell her to go to straight to the nurse's office or main office instead of gym period tomorrow. She can sit and read or do homework for an hour and explain the staff you and her doctor have excused her from participating from outside gym. Make sure she has notes from you and her doctor. PE teacher sounds like a real jerk. I would not be dealing with that. Let PE teacher's boss bring back to being his or her responsibility to provide an alternate activity or indoor instructions for her. The staff will be irritated PE teacher didn't just take care of it the right way in the first place, especially if your DD is behaving respectfully. (they'll be a little thrown to have your DD just hang in their space). Follow up afterwards to ensure she isn't marked un-excused on her attendance record.

For the win.

 

[Southernmiss]

i would call your superintendent at home tonight and talk to him/her about the situation - that is a liability on the school

No, not the right advice yet. Can't believe how quickly people want everyone's head.