i'm soooo mad!

[darlene]

After school today I get a phone call from one of dd's classmates mom to ask if Hannah had told me about what happened at school today....dd has gone to another friend's to sleepover so I had no idea what she was talking about. Anyways, I phoned dd and got the story.....her class was having a SS test this afternoon and the teacher saw dd and her friend smiling at each other....the teacher took their tests from them and marked a big F on them!!!! She did this to another one of the girls in their class a little later on during the test too! This teacher has been getting on my and dh's nerves for the past couple of weeks (in regards to assigned homework) and now she does this to dd! Of course because it is Friday, I can't get ahold of the teacher or principal till Monday! By then I doubt I will have cooled off!
I have heard other parents complaining about this teacher lately too....she has been putting the whole class down (verbal abuse in my opinion). But because our dd is very quiet, she doesn't relate any of this back to us. I would like to set up a meeting with this teacher that all of us concerned parents could attend and get answers as to what she is thinking. Guess I'll have to run that idea past the principal on Monday.
How would you all approach this problem????
:{

[Mickey]

I'm sorry your so upset, Darlene!

IF your dd were older and IF this teacher is not abusive--if she's just "strict" or a bit tough compared to others--I think that it's good for kids to learn tolerance for others and learn how to get along. The teachers I disliked the most in high school were the tough ones and they ended up being my favorites.

However, when I was in third grade my teacher was downright evil (seriously evil) and I cried and didn't want to go to school--she did some really horrible things to the other kids and wouldn't allow me to go to the girls room (my mother had to get a doctor's excuse saying, "Allow this child to go potty whenever she needs to!"), but she retired as a respected faculty member. I remember wishing my mother would do something. She later said that she tried to get me transferred to another class, but they wouldn't allow it because most of the other parents had the same request.

Since there are other parents who feel the same way, I think you should definitely get together and investigate and voice your concerns.

The group meeting with the other parents, principal and teacher sounds great to me. I'd definitely approach him with the idea.

[Diane]

Originally posted by darlene
After school today I get a phone call from one of dd's classmates mom to ask if Hannah had told me about what happened at school today....dd has gone to another friend's to sleepover so I had no idea what she was talking about. Anyways, I phoned dd and got the story.....her class was having a SS test this afternoon and the teacher saw dd and her friend smiling at each other....the teacher took their tests from them and marked a big F on them:{

My goodness... since when did it become a crime to SMILE at your friend, and then get an F for doing it? Ugh... I'd be SOOOooo MAD. There is NO WAY that I would let her get away with this. On Monday I'd definitely call the teacher and question her about what happened and why she felt your dd deserved an F... and if I didn't hear what I wanted to hear... I'd call the principal and set up a meeting with him, the teacher and perhaps the other students parents to see what can be done. You'd think the teacher would save such severe punishments for the students that are causing some REAL problems in the classroom and not swet the small things... especially a smile. What's this teaching our kids anyway??? Don't SMILE... ugh!!! Please... let us know what happens. Good luck!!! :)

[PamE]

That's awful!!! I understand what those teachers are like. (I once got detention for the same "offense", smiling at a classmate - it was considered "communication") Go for the jugular on this one!!! >:0(

[KarlaB]

How frustrating!!!! I would talk the teacher first thing Monday morning and then like Diane said follow up with a mtg with the principal and others if necessary. Good luck and let us know what happens!

[AnnW]

Instead of going in there all mad and immediately putting the teacher in either the defensive or attack, I would simply say calmy "I don't understand why dd got an F on this paper". That forces her to say "well she was smiling at another student" and then allows you to look at her with a stunned incredulous look and say in amazement "she was smiling?" This puts you on a better footing cause it shows the absurdity of it all especially if you do end up going to the principal. Also, if for some reason there is more to the story than just a smile this allows her to answer without you giving any information on your side. She might say "I thought they were cheating" and then you could proceed to ask her why, and she might say well, the were smiling at each other....imho, by not storming in there saying "how could you flunk a kid for smiling" but simply asking questions you will get a little farther. Again, if you are rational and do end up talking to the principal on this, the teacher can't claim that you over-reacted or our out of control.
Let us know what happens.

[Ryleigh]

I'm with the others on this one. I would definately be looking in to setting up a meeting with the other parents concerned as well as the pricipal and teacher. If all else fails go directly to the school board.
Keep us informed!!!

[MK]

Originally posted by Ryleigh
I'm with the others on this one. I would definately be looking in to setting up a meeting with the other parents concerned as well as the pricipal and teacher. If all else fails go directly to the school board.
Keep us informed!!!




Ditto. Good Luck!