My child missed out on seeing dancers becuase of other kids!
By superchook
@superchook (1786)
Australia
June 3, 2007 9:54pm CST
At my childrens school last week, they had some aboriginal dancers come to the school. My oldest son was really looking forward to seeing this. As they were getting ready to go and see it, some kids started to run in the corridor and start shouting. The teacher decided to punish the whole class and make them miss out except for two aboriginals that are in the class. My son said that these two aboriginals were the ones that actually did something wrong and that's why they missed out. I am furious about this, for starters, we had to pay for this and because of these two kids, the rest missed out but they still got to go.
I am going to see the principal about this, as I think this is very unfair. Any suggestions on what I should say would be very appreciated. At the moment, I just feel like going in there and start ranting and raving, but I know that wont really help the situation. Thanks!
2 people like this
10 responses
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
4 Jun 07
Hi there, What a bummah, your child misses out on something he was looking forward too, all because of two trouble makers who in the first place should have been honest and owned up to it. I can just say for you to stay as calm as can be and really stress to the principal, how that made your son feel and how you felt as a parent, what ever comes of it, just know that you did the right thing to go straight to the top "the principal" and that your not a parent that stands for unfairness, incase this happens again, you would have given them something to think about anyway. Good luck with this Nadia...
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I will try and stay calm when I go in there, I will at least listen to what the principal has to say about it. I am going in tomorrow about it, I couldn't do it today because I have been feeling angry about it and I don't want to go and rant and rave. Hopefully the principal can understand my point of view and see how this was unfair. The thing that gets me is, my son has never been in trouble at school and now he is being punished for what other kids do wrong. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
I spoke to the principal today and explained how I felt, the money is being refunded to all the parents. He told me that there are a group of kids that are always doing the wrong thing and the teacher is trying to set authority by punishing the whole class. She is hoping the good ones will get the others to stop. I said that this is unfair on the good kids. He suggested to my son that he should speak to the teacher and let her know how she feels and he is also going to have a word to her as well and set up a reward program for the good ones too. I asked why the two aboriginals got to still go and see it, but he didn't have an answer for that one. Hopefully there will be an improvement now. Thanks!
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
4 Jun 07
Hi there again, About tomorrow, I hope everything goes well for you guys, and I think waiting a day is a really good idea, that way you can go in there really focused and not so angry... All the best for tomorrow... Goodluck, let me know how it went...
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
I went in and explained the situation and they are going to try and make it fair on the ones that are being good. Hopefully things will get better. Thanks!
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
Well, I think it is unfair that the whole class was punished and so sad that all of them missed out on this event. If you see the principal one thing you should not do is rant and rave. You have the story second hand, you only know what your sond told you. You should make your case that the method of punishment used is out-dated and surely, there would be other appropriate punishments for the instigators. Secondly, you should ask for your money back and ask for the whole class. Throughout all of this you should keep your calm because otherwise you will get no respect and your arguments will fall on somewhat closed ears. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
Yes, your right that I need to stay calm about it, otherwise they are not going to take notice of me. That is why I have left it a day. I am not feeling so angry about it now, so I will defininetly go in and see the principal today. Hopefully I get somewhere with them. Thanks!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Oh, that is sad to hear. I under stand your being furious. I think you might want to request that the teacher be present otherwise what will the principal really be able to do but listen and say I will talk to her. You deserve an explanation for such a harsh punishment to all for the crime of just a few.
The children deserve an appology from the teacher as well.
I am sorry your son missed out on something so exciting.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
The teacher was unable to be there, which is what I thought would happen. The principal explained why she keeps punishing the whole class, I told him that is unfair on the children that are being good. He also suggested that my son should go and talk to her and explain how is feeling and the principal is also going to have a word too. Thanks!
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
4 Jun 07
That is really sad, but I know in my sons elementary school, we were told that the teacher had the option to not let the kids attend the event if there were children who were running wildly and not behaving. It never happened and I don't remember if we were offered the choice of getting a refund. But, you might check with the schools policy and procedure and just speak calmly to the principal. They might even already be working on a plan to right this wrong. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
I went in this morning to see the principal, the principal explained that because the teacher is new, she is trying to set the authority. I told him that I understand this but it is unfair on the kids that does behave. I asked why the two aboriginals were allowed to go and he couldn't answer that one. He has suggested to my son to go and speak to the teacher and let her know how he feels and the principal is also going to have a word too. I hope things will get better now. Thanks!
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
I went in and saw the principal, he explained why the teacher is punishing the whole class, but he did not have an answer for why these two aboriginals were still allowed to go. The teacher is new to the school and she is trying to set the authority, but I said to him, that it is unfair on the children who are not doing anything wrong. The principal has told my son to talk to his teacher and tell her how he feels and he is also going to have a talk to the teacher too. Thanks!
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I understand what you are saying, I have spoken to a couple of parents and they have all said the same thing. Usually I would go to the teacher first, but I have found when I have tried to talk to this teacher about other things, that she has not been that interested or acts like she doesn't have time. She almost comes across as unsociable. Thanks!
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
4 Jun 07
i always hated it in school when we were all punnished for a few people. i never understood it. i think it is just plain wrong. What's even worse about your son's situation is that a few kids were singled out and were permitted to go ahead nyhow. Nevermind the fact that hese were the kids causing all the trouble...
i think you need to have a meeting with the teacher as well as the principal. It won't help to rant and rave, but i understand your frustration. Just go in there with a calm, cool head and say your peace.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I have spoken to other parents too and I think they are going to do the same. I will try and stay calm. It just really annoys me that the two that did something wrong was still allowed to go and watch the dancers. Thanks!
@kayrod2 (1304)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
Well first off i would demand my money back. I dont think the teacher had any right to stop the kids from seeing the show. I would ask the principal if he new about it first, and ask what his thoughts are. I believe the teacher in question should have to appologise to the kids. I also wonder if she knows who was actually running - she probably does - and for her to explain her actions.
I hope you and the children get an appolagy. Best wishes to you
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I definitely agree that the kids should get an apology. I will ask the principal if he knew she was going to stop the class from watching the dancers. I hadn't thought of asking that. I will be asking for my money back too. Thanks!
@tala91285 (1074)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
Maybe when you talk to the principal, suggest that he asks your son's teacher to be present. Ask the teacher to explain why s/he had to punish the whole class instead of those who actually started the mess. In turn, explain why you think the whole event was unfair, stating that the other kids weren't responsible for anything, you paid for the show, etc. Then ask them to refund what you paid for since your son missed out on the show.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I will definitely ask for the money back. The money doesn't bother me so much though. I will ask for the teacher to be present at the meeting, I think they will probably say she won't be able to come because usually I can only get an appointment to see the principal during school hours, so she will be teaching the class, or punishing them. Thanks!
1 person likes this
