What do you think constitutes a discipline referral?

[Leigh]

While I was working today, I noticed that one teacher had sent several (5-6) students down to the office on discipline referals for not doing work or their homework. No where on the referral did it say that they were being disruptive instead of doing their work, it just said they weren't doing it. On the referral the teacher requested that the students receive a paddling or time out. The assisstant principal (he is in charge of discipline) walked in while I was there and said that his job was students that were acting up, and that those could be sent to the principal and if the principal wanted to paddle or send them to time out for that, he could. The AP said that he felt the zero they got for not doing their work would be enough punishment. (especially if the parents found out) The time out instructor also said that he felt his room should be used for students that cause trouble and not students who are just not doing their work. What do you guys and gals think? Oh yeah, some more info you might want- this is elementary school, and time out is the same thing as in school suspension.

[Lynda-WA]

I don't think students should be sent down to the office for not doing homework except in repetitive extreme cases. And that would be so rare. Not doing homework is something the teacher and parent should deal with. With that many kids being sent to the office - it sounds to me as if the teacher is keeping the parents out of the loop. Or she just had a really bad day if this is an isolated incident.

I think sending the students to the office for minor things sort of dilutes the punishment of going to the office. I mean most of that punishment is the fear factor.

And while I may believe that parents can spank their children, I don't beleive it ever should be a punishment in school.

[AnnW]

You have got to be kidding!!! The teacher is seriously delusional!!!
Not doing homework is a parent/teacher deal..NOT a paddling offense!!!
RUN AWAY FROM THAT SCHOOL!!!!!!!!

[JeannieOR]

I had no idea they were still paddling kids in school. Heck, if I spank my kids in public, I could get arrested. There is no way I'd allow a any principal to do that!

[Diane]

I agree that the issue about the homework not being done should be taken care of between teacher and parent... certainly not the principal and definitly NOT a paddling!!! If I ever sent my child to school and someone else paddled them... they'd have me to deal with and I'm afraid it wouldn't be a very pretty picture. 8o I would be one angry parent... and rightly so.

Diane... :wave:

[Leigh]

Corporal punishment is still allowed in Florida, but every parent signs paperwork at the beginning of the year as to whether you want your child to be paddled or not. If you say that the school does not have permission to do that, then the school can not paddle them. Everyone at the school agrees that this teacher is sending the students down for very trivial things, and that is why the Assisstant Principal was so upset over it. I was just making sure that we weren't the only ones who felt that way about it. I have no clue however if this teacher is trying to reach the parents or not, but it appears that she isn't.

[AnnW]

When my kids were younger, we had that on our forms also. And to be honest, I don't really have a problem with paddling in middle school or high school. In this instance, that teacher was really out of control!!!!

[BevJ]

Well, first I'm shocked that schools still even use a paddle. Secondly, I also think the zero is punishment enough and the teacher should involve the parents.

[lindaM]

I agree I can't believe they allow paddling in school still. Heck you yell at your kids in a store and you get looked at funny never mind spanking them.

Here you have a hard time getting the teachers to send kids to principle because it might hurt their self esteem.

[Lynda-WA]

When Jeannie pointed out that you can get in trouble for spanking your child in public, I was reminded of the debate I recently posted. The child (12?) wasn't doing his homework so the parents had him stand on a street corner with a sign that said *I don't do my homework. Beep if you think this is a good punishment* (or something like that). People called social services and social services were going to investigate if this was emotional abuse. I haven't heard what has happened to the case since then.

Sorry, just seems messed up to me that the school can paddle with the parent's permission but the parents could get in trouble for the same thing or less. Maybe the teacher is afraid to administer any punishment? I think the VP should have a talk with this teacher and standardize what his role and her role is.

[littlesista06]

That is so messed up!!
I agree with what the others have said, and I'll tell you this too, if it were my dd's behind in question being paddled for not doing homework, her behind would be out of that school!

[Leigh]

Thanks for all of your replies. I am glad to see that I am not the only one that thought what this teacher did was out of line. I thought for a minute maybe I was losing my mind!