What's a Parent to Do

On Wednesday when T-man got home from school, I asked how his day went. His usual answer is generally brief as his interest is in eating, rather than expounding on his day. Not Wednesday... he wasn't a happy boy. When he finished telling me about his day... I wasn't a happy mom.

He attends two different schools. When he gets to the main school, he gets on a bus and goes to a 2nd school. Well, this past week he had testing at his main school, so he wasn't going to the 2nd school. Each day he finished the test about 2 1/2 hours early. On Monday and Tuesday when he finished testing, he went to another classroom to help out. On Wednesday the librarian told him he couldn't go. He had to stay in the library.  When another student finished testing, the boys were visiting quietly. The librarian told them to be quiet. T-man asked again about going to the other classroom where he had something to do. She refused to let the boys go.  When the boys asked again about going to another classroom, the librarian called security.

Okay, I'm going to brief this up a bit... lol don't ya hope anyway?

T-man and his friend were escorted by security to the principle's office!

Why? Because they asked three times about going to another classroom? Because they were talking in the library? I'm not sure what her excuse for having them escorted to the principle's office is, but that alone made me mad.

He was left in the principle's office for about 2 1/2 hours with nothing to do. He asked several times if he could call home. He asked if they would call home for him. He asked if he could talk to a teacher. He asked if he could use his cell phone to call home. He wanted to talk to an adult who would listen to him. 

Why am I upset?

Because they treated T-man exactly like they would treat a kid doing drugs or a kid fighting with a teacher. With one exception. The parents of the kids doing drugs or fighting would have had a phone call from the principle. Those parents could have gone to the school and bailed their kid out of the situation.

I didn't have that option because I didn't know my child was sitting in the principle's office for 2 1/2 hours like the common bratty juvenile (criminal).

I called the office immediately. I spoke with an adult. I told her I had 5 children go through that school and graduate, without one of them ever being sent to the principle's office. Not one of my children were ever escorted by a police officer anywhere.  I informed her, that if she were to ask around the school about my children, including T-man, she would not hear one negative word about my children. When I asked why I wasn't called she left me on hold for a minute. When she got back on the phone she didn't have an explanation. She didn't know. Then I asked why T-man couldn't call home. Again, I was on hold. She got back on the phone with another lame explanation.... "he never asked if he could call home" 

WHAT?  I know my children are not perfect. But I don't think T-man has ever lied to me. I believe my child over the adults in this case. I didn't tell her that though.

I told the secretary I was not happy my child was sent to the principle's office. I was extremely upset we weren't notified.

She said he wasn't in trouble. They just didn't know what to do with him.

 HUH? WHAT!

I told her they could have called me. I would have given him permission to go to the other classroom to help in the green house, or the gym to help with sports equipment, or to the classroom where he spent the last 2 days... or I would have come picked him up and brought him back for his afternoon classes.

I was nice. I was firm. When I got off the phone I felt better. At least they know to call home if there is ever an issue with my child in the future.

Kevin... my hero... got involved on Thursday. By Friday, the entire office staff knew how we felt about it. Did T-man get an apology? Of course not. Are we happy... not really. But ya know, there are worse things in life.  Now I need to figure out what lesson I need to learn from this.

I know there is a good life lesson in there for T-man...

 

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