WWYD? Yes another teacher issue. Update pg. 5

[pls5286]

My son is in high school and taking a dual enrollment biology/physical science course this year. He has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to penicillin. He has had both epi and Benadryl for this reaction.

His class is doing a lab where they are working with penicillin. This sent off alarm bells with me. I contacted his doctor who said he does not think this lab is safe for my son to do due to his extreme allergy. He gave me a note to this effect, which was given to the teacher. I have also spoken with the teacher as well about this allergy and both my son and I thought he would be given an alternative assignment for this lesson.

Well, today, I got a frantic call from my son that his teacher was trying to force him to do the lab or take a zero. I have emailed with the teacher and he said he could not excuse my son nor give an alternative assignment due to the nature of the lab! He assured me he had never "lost" a student doing this lab. This is a 100 point lab, so a zero will really hurt.

I have emails and phone calls out to the principal, but they have not been returned. Is there anything I can do?

 

[Chocolate Cake]

My son is in high school and taking a dual enrollment biology/physical science course this year. He has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to penicillin. He has had both epi and Benadryl for this reaction.

His class is doing a lab where they are working with penicillin. This sent off alarm bells with me. I contacted his doctor who said he does not think this lab is safe for my son to do due to his extreme allergy. He gave me a note to this effect, which was given to the teacher. I have also spoken with the teacher as well about this allergy and both my son and I thought he would be given an alternative assignment for this lesson.

Well, today, I got a frantic call from my son that his teacher was trying to force him to do the lab or take a zero. I have emailed with the teacher and he said he could not excuse my son nor give an alternative assignment due to the nature of the lab! He assured me he had never "lost" a student doing this lab. This is a 100 point lab, so a zero will really hurt.

I have emails and phone calls out to the principal, but they have not been returned. Is there anything I can do?

I would just sit tight for now. Since the teacher has been informed of your son's life threatening allergy and doesn't really seem to care, I think you made the right decision by contacting the principal.

Your doctor gave his advice and a note. The teacher feels he knows more than the doctor. You can't deal with the teacher any further on this matter. His mind is made up. Time to take it higher, which you did.

Although, this teacher may be the type that will try to make your son's year unpleasant for the duration. Yes. There are teachers out there like that

 

[Dawnlight]

As a fellow mother of a penicillin-allergic child, I call ******** on the teacher not being able to give an alternative assignment.

There is so much back-bending to accommodate children with food allergies, but other allergies- less vocal ones such as latex, penicillin, and stinging insects (I've got one child with that allergy, too, SOOOO scary!)- can't be accommodated.

I would absolutely stick to your guns and bring it up with the superintendent and school board if there is no resolution from the principal.

 

[DopeyDame]

Yeah, if your doctor said your son shouldn't do the lab, then no way- no how would I let him do the lab. I can't even begin to imagine why the teacher would be such a jerk about it! Surely he doesn't want a kid going to the hospital because of his actions.

I think you were right to call the principal. Now just try and bide your time until you hear back. Hopefully the principal can talk some sense into the teacher and provide an alternate assignment.

ETA: How long ago did you call or email the principal? I'd give him at least a full 24 hours before you get upset that he hasn't gotten back to you.

 

[pls5286]

It was around 10 a.m. when I emailed him. My son called again during lunch still upset about his grades.

I have really tried to get him to take care of his school things this year, but I feel like this is way over his head and up to me to handle.

 

[pkondz]

"And, oh, by the way. I know your school is a peanut free school, but from now on my son will be bringing peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. But don't worry! We've never lost a student from my son bringing peanut butter sandwiches!"

Perhaps a politely worded query to the principal as to why the teacher is so willing to risk your son's life?

 

[Chocolate Cake]

It was around 10 a.m. when I emailed him. My son called again during lunch still upset about his grades.

I have really tried to get him to take care of his school things this year, but I feel like this is way over his head and up to me to handle.

Life and death of a child? Yes. You should handle this.

 

[littlejimmy]

agree with most of the above. I am a firm believer in not meddling with my teen agers school things and letting them handle it, but if any case warranted parental involvement this does. let the principal handle it, he/she will. you did the exact right thing here.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'd probably send a follow up email and copy the principal -

Dear Mr. XYZ,

I just wanted to confirm that (as stated in previous emails) you are demanding that my son participate, against doctors orders, in a lab that involves a substance (child's name) is highly/deathly allergic to or else receive a grade of 0% as no accommodation will be made?

Thanks,



At least then he knows you're contacting the higher ups and it lays out exactly what he is requesting (hopefully making him realize how unreasonable he's being). And at that point, wait to be contacted by the end of the day.

 

[anniemae]

I think the teacher is being unreasonable. Of course he can give an alternate assignment, but for some reason is being difficult. Why on earth would he want to go against a doctors orders? If your son was harmed, or worse, would he really want that on his head? I just don't understand the teachers view.

Please let us know if you get a call.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My son is in high school and taking a dual enrollment biology/physical science course this year. He has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to penicillin. He has had both epi and Benadryl for this reaction.

His class is doing a lab where they are working with penicillin. This sent off alarm bells with me. I contacted his doctor who said he does not think this lab is safe for my son to do due to his extreme allergy. He gave me a note to this effect, which was given to the teacher. I have also spoken with the teacher as well about this allergy and both my son and I thought he would be given an alternative assignment for this lesson.

Well, today, I got a frantic call from my son that his teacher was trying to force him to do the lab or take a zero. I have emailed with the teacher and he said he could not excuse my son nor give an alternative assignment due to the nature of the lab! He assured me he had never "lost" a student doing this lab. This is a 100 point lab, so a zero will really hurt.

I have emails and phone calls out to the principal, but they have not been returned. Is there anything I can do?

Go up there and demand an audience.

 

[gwynne]

I'd probably send a follow up email and copy the principal -

Dear Mr. XYZ,

I just wanted to confirm that (as stated in previous emails) you are demanding that my son participate, against doctors orders, in a lab that involves a substance (child's name) is highly/deathly allergic to or else receive a grade of 0% as no accommodation will be made?

Thanks,



At least then he knows you're contacting the higher ups and it lays out exactly what he is requesting (hopefully making him realize how unreasonable he's being). And at that point, wait to be contacted by the end of the day.

Great advice!
This email makes it clear that the teacher appears to be deliberately ignoring a physician's note and choosing to endanger this student. Why a teacher would want to do something like that I have no idea.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just curious... at what point did you notify the teacher about your son's allergy and hand in the doctor's note?

I hope all that didn't happen the day of the lab. Even if it did, your son should have at least been sent to the library (IMO).

I agree with waiting on the principal. If you don't have an email response back today, I think a call to the principal is justified tomorrow. If you still don't get a response, a trip to the school on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[HM]

I'm sorry that happened. I hope your principal comes through soon, and there is a way for your child to get a grade for that lab.

I will say that my one of my children had problems a teacher before that ended up with a zero for a grade on something bigger than a lab and though it did hurt their grade a bit, it didn't kill their GPA.

 

[pls5286]

Everything was turned in to the teacher on Wednesday before Christmas Break. He brought home the info on the lab on Monday and gave it to me. I contacted his dr Tuesday morning and got the note Tues afternoon and my son turned it in Wed.

I had an email conversation with the teacher confirming that he had the documentation and confirmed that my son would not participate due to medical advice. He told me he would find something for him to do since I would not let him do the lab.

 

[sam_gordon]

Everything was turned in to the teacher on Wednesday before Christmas Break. He brought home the info on the lab on Monday and gave it to me. I contacted his dr Tuesday morning and got the note Tues afternoon and my son turned it in Wed.

I had an email conversation with the teacher confirming that he had the documentation and confirmed that my son would not participate due to medical advice. He told me he would find something for him to do since I would not let him do the lab.

Just to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt... have YOU had a conversation with him (phone or email) where he confirms what your son told you (about not participating = 0)? Maybe it's a misunderstanding?

Another possible (and I admit I'm reaching for straws)... was there a sub in the class who didn't know your son was excused from the lab?

 

[pkondz]

I had an email conversation with the teacher confirming that he had the documentation and confirmed that my son would not participate due to medical advice. He told me he would find something for him to do since I would not let him do the lab.

Wait. Let me get this straight. You have an email from the teacher saying he will find something else, and then changes his mind and tells your son he has to do it anyway???????

 

[pls5286]

Wait. Let me get this straight. You have an email from the teacher saying he will find something else, and then changes his mind and tells your son he has to do it anyway???????

Yes. This is what has me upset.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yes. This is what has me upset.

Did you include that information in your e-mail to the principal?

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd at least give the principal until tomorrow to get back to you - I'm sure he/she isn't checking all day. It's not life threatening right now - the class is over for the day. Hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding.