Your child's school rules: the stupid, weird, or just plain annoying

[RDM83]

Our district HS stresses the no hoodie thing. I mean to the point where the kid can walk in with a pet crocodile and the principal will yell.."Young man, TAKE OFF the hoodie!!" Lol

 

[piccolopat]

[QUOTE="mhsjax, post: 42796603, member:My DD can't eat before she leaves for school...[/QUOTE]

Out of curiosity, why can't your DD eat before school or on the way there?

 

[sam_gordon]

Mine has a rule against zombies.

 

[kimblebee]

No restrictions at my daughters high school. Hoodies, water bottles, backpacks, all allowed. It's nice to not live in a world of constant fear

 

[Hikergirl]

No restrictions at my daughters high school. Hoodies, water bottles, backpacks, all allowed. It's nice to not live in a world of constant fear

My kids high school doesn't restrict those items either. The middle school does.

 

[Aliceacc]

"Constant fear"??

I'm in a Catholic high school in the suburbs. The level of "fear" is roughly equivalent to that of Disney World.

But even in my little bubble, kids are kids. The vast majority of the kids I teach with are amazing young people, doing so very much good for others. They volunteer with the homeless in NYC, they work every February break to help rebuild homes damaged by Sandy. They work with local nursing homes, they work at a local food bank, they make the world a better place.

I'm in the same world as you. But I've taught long enough to know that drugs and booze and other issues do exist, even in my little Nirvana, even in yours. And the rules exist to ensure that their effect is minimal.

 

[kimblebee]

My kids high school doesn't restrict those items either. The middle school does.

When she was in the lower grades there were no restrictions. I am chairperson of the board at her old daycare and we don't have any restrictions and I haven't heard of any at any other school/daycare. Not saying they don't exist, but they aren't a part of my wide circle..

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Even though this is a zombie thread, my DD would love it. She gets sooooo indigent about the rules she considers bad rules. If I ever want to get her to talk, I just say, "Hey, Alison, tell me again about the lockers at your school." The school has lockers, but they kids aren't allowed to use them. They have to carry their extremely heavy backpacks, purses, coats, lunch bags, water bottles, and band instruments (DD plays the French Horn) with them all day long. Technically, DD could leave her French Horn in a locker in the band hall, but the teachers all also teach at the high school, so they aren't there to let them retrieve their instruments at the end of the day for practicing at home.

The next topic she is happy to vent about is sleeves on shirts. Their shirts have to have ~2" straps on the shoulders. It basically precludes sleeveless shirts without actually banning them. There is also a blanket ban on sports shorts - except that the boys don't get in trouble for wearing them and those on sports teams are allowed to change into them at a certain point in the day.

Finally, their dress code doesn't allow "unnaturally" colored hair. She wants to try pink hair so bad she can taste it, but I won't let her citing the dress code as the reason. She swears other girls have pink hair. I let her try fun colors last summer - blue and purple came out almost immediately, but the fairly natural looking orange/red is STILL in her hair. Her hair is close enough that the natural and dyed sections blend nicely. I'm afraid that I'll let her try pink - which will involve bleaching and coloring - and the school will make her get it stripped.

 

[MamaLema]

DS12 is in middle school (7th grade). They do not allow drop offs of any kind. No forgotten homework, books, instruments, gym clothes, etc. While I understand WHY, and I do agree with the sink or swim on those things, and hopefully the lessons learned, they also do not allow drop offs of lunch or lunch money.

I have a HUGE problem with that. If your child does not have money in their lunch account, and they forget their lunch, they will not get ANYTHING to eat. They do not get a sandwich, or crackers, or anything. They don't get three strikes. You forget even one time, and you are S.O.L. I don't know how this is going to teach them any kind of lesson- except that they will be hungry and will not be able to focus on school lessons that day.

I did strong arm my way into the office once last year, and the secretary made me feel like garbage for dropping of my DS's forgotten lunch. It only happened one time. I told her there was no way I was letting my kid starve for the day. If he forgot his homework, then he would have to deal with those consequences. But I won't let him go hungry all day.

I would have a huge problem with that also...even though I have only forgotten lunches once in 15 years so far. That is ridiculous and I'm surprised there isn't any backlash over it. My kids school has a designated table in the office so if you forget your child's lunch, you can leave it on the table with a name label and kids know to go to the office at lunchtime.

I have to say we are pretty lucky after reading some school rules on here. The only rule my kids really have is that they banned soccer balls.

 

[mamasuf]

Mine are out of high school now but the most annoying rules they had were regarding latenesses. You had to bring a note and it couldn't say certain things. You couldn't use oversleeping, missed the bus, car trouble. Basically all the things that would make you late. It had to be certain things sanctioned by the state like sickness (why would you go at all if you were sick?), religious reasons? So I would have to write a note with a lie on it, intentionally.

 

[mousefan73]

Stumbled upon this thread. All I can say is thank God my kids go to school in Germany!!! I grew up in the states. I guess alot has changed , for,the worse. My kids age 10 carries a normal backpack ( all day), any water bottle and can put whatever he wants in there. Of course common sense, no rule, makes sure it, s not vodka. Can go out for lunch, wear a hoodie, i can drop things off. Etc.

 

[Madame]

Our students are not allowed backpacks in class. It's a fire & safety violation. They want the aisles clear for an orderly evacuation in case of an emergency.

I've tripped twice over backpacks kids snuck into the room and stuffed (not well) into the basket under the desk chair - the one time I was 7 months pregnant with my boys & couldn't see my feet.

Every school I've attended & taught in had this rule for this reason. The school will be fined if an inspector catches this here

 

[Tinijocaro]

Mine are out of high school now but the most annoying rules they had were regarding latenesses. You had to bring a note and it couldn't say certain things. You couldn't use oversleeping, missed the bus, car trouble. Basically all the things that would make you late. It had to be certain things sanctioned by the state like sickness (why would you go at all if you were sick?), religious reasons? So I would have to write a note with a lie on it, intentionally.

My son16 is late a lot this year, usually cause he doesn't get himself moving quickly enough. Every time, including this morning, I write, "Joey is late due to not feeling well." Every time. I feel a little guilty cause boy, this kid doesn't "feel well" often!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I really don't mean to offend you.....and I have posted this in other threads......but why are people so uptight about rules these days?

Yes, I know seem silly, but I bet most are not arbitrary, and there is a legitimate reason for them. In some cases I suspect something happened and some angry parent wanted to know why there wasn't a rule against that in the first place.

And I am sincere, I don't mean to offend anyone, but sometimes I think we should just shake our heads at rules we don't like, and move on.

My BIGGEST PET PEEVE about stupid rules in a school district....

If you are likeable student you can break rules. Teachers look the other way.

If you are a student that is not liked by a teacher it is their legitimate way of getting back at you.

Most of the time we eye rolled however TVGUY there are rules in place that are frankly harmful to the mind, body, spirit of kids.

One example are schools that have the bathrooms locked. Basically your child can't go to the bathroom during school hours.

Parents that have kids with issues have to go to their doctor, get a note that states "Susie needs to use the restroom due to XYZ issue".

Never mind the fact that children should be able to go to the bathroom during a school day.

I could go on but I am just throwing my hat in the ring.

My kids had to carry their backpacks ALL DAY LONG. The schools were too large to be able to use their lockers.

 

[DawnM]

Why is it annoying to need to be to school on time? I am not getting this. Most people need to be to their jobs on time, that is just life. Isn't it a huge inconvenience for the teachers to have kids wandering in whenever they feel like finally getting out of bed?

 

[smiths02]

Even though this is a zombie thread, my DD would love it. She gets sooooo indigent about the rules she considers bad rules. If I ever want to get her to talk, I just say, "Hey, Alison, tell me again about the lockers at your school." The school has lockers, but they kids aren't allowed to use them. They have to carry their extremely heavy backpacks, purses, coats, lunch bags, water bottles, and band instruments (DD plays the French Horn) with them all day long. Technically, DD could leave her French Horn in a locker in the band hall, but the teachers all also teach at the high school, so they aren't there to let them retrieve their instruments at the end of the day for practicing at home.

The next topic she is happy to vent about is sleeves on shirts. Their shirts have to have ~2" straps on the shoulders. It basically precludes sleeveless shirts without actually banning them. There is also a blanket ban on sports shorts - except that the boys don't get in trouble for wearing them and those on sports teams are allowed to change into them at a certain point in the day.

Finally, their dress code doesn't allow "unnaturally" colored hair. She wants to try pink hair so bad she can taste it, but I won't let her citing the dress code as the reason. She swears other girls have pink hair. I let her try fun colors last summer - blue and purple came out almost immediately, but the fairly natural looking orange/red is STILL in her hair. Her hair is close enough that the natural and dyed sections blend nicely. I'm afraid that I'll let her try pink - which will involve bleaching and coloring - and the school will make her get it stripped.

You can ask before you let your daughter. We were only allowed "natural" hair colors in high school (bleach blonde was okay, though), and my friend wanted to do grey/white since it is natural to old people...she asked and they said no. Saved her some trouble.

 

[fly girl]

There's one STUPID rule at the school my daughter attends.

A little backstory, I am a "Classroom Parent", i.e. I help organize and throw the Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's parties as well as help with Teacher Appreciation Week.

So, on those days that parents go in for the afternoon parties, if you leave the school with your child before all bus and car riders are outside you'll get a PM tardy for your child. It is the dumbest rule. Even if it's 30 seconds before you'll get a tardy.

And it is a rule they don't post! I didn't find out until I signed my child out (since she's normally a bus rider I thought they wanted me to sign her out since it wasn't the norm) NOPE! It was to mark her PM tardy. When I found out I immediately scratched our names out and waited the minute in the school entrance. I did ask why she would get the tardy when the bus riders had already been excused? The reply, you're leaving with your child early. I then replied learning has commenced for the day, the students are not in the classroom anymore, it makes zero sense. The response, that's the rule!

I came home and double checked it wasn't in the schools handbook. Then I went so far as to check state law and it definitely wasn't in there either.

Since it's not a huge thing it's not worth fighting over. But it is by far the dumbest rule I have come across at this school. So now after the class parties we stand in the entrance hall for that minute so she doesn't get a tardy.

 

[tvguy]

My BIGGEST PET PEEVE about stupid rules in a school district....

If you are likeable student you can break rules. Teachers look the other way.

If you are a student that is not liked by a teacher it is their legitimate way of getting back at you.

Most of the time we eye rolled however TVGUY there are rules in place that are frankly harmful to the mind, body, spirit of kids.

One example are schools that have the bathrooms locked. Basically your child can't go to the bathroom during school hours.

Parents that have kids with issues have to go to their doctor, get a note that states "Susie needs to use the restroom due to XYZ issue".

Never mind the fact that children should be able to go to the bathroom during a school day.

I could go on but I am just throwing my hat in the ring.

My kids had to carry their backpacks ALL DAY LONG. The schools were too large to be able to use their lockers.

Wow, a Zombie thread.

 

[mom2rtk]

Our students are not allowed backpacks in class. It's a fire & safety violation. They want the aisles clear for an orderly evacuation in case of an emergency.

I've tripped twice over backpacks kids snuck into the room and stuffed (not well) into the basket under the desk chair - the one time I was 7 months pregnant with my boys & couldn't see my feet.

Every school I've attended & taught in had this rule for this reason. The school will be fined if an inspector catches this here

OK, I can almost buy that if they are consistent between schools in a given district. But our middle school says no backpacks, but all of a sudden it's fine in high school. So either it's a safety hazard or it isn't. Which is it?

 

[Shanti]

I really don't mean to offend you.....and I have posted this in other threads......but why are people so uptight about rules these days?

Yes, I know seem silly, but I bet most are not arbitrary, and there is a legitimate reason for them. In some cases I suspect something happened and some angry parent wanted to know why there wasn't a rule against that in the first place.

And I am sincere, I don't mean to offend anyone, but sometimes I think we should just shake our heads at rules we don't like, and move on.

This. I'd like to add that some stupid rules are created not by the faculty but by the school board, which is publicly elected & features members with no education experience. In my district no one can use alcohol-based hand-sanitizer (the only kind that really works) at school. The school board's reason was that "alcohol is bad for children". Like strep throat isn't.