If one kid doesn't comply all are made to repeat the activity!?!

[pink gal]

I'm wondering if any of you have had experiences with this type of situation. At my DD's middle school, in gym class if one kid doesn't do the assigned activity, i.e. 50 Jumping Jacks or sit ups, then the entire class has to re-do it even the kids who complied initially.

DD has been receiving treatment for a disk injury in her back and had been out of gym for over two months. She has finally recovered enough that the Dr. wanted her to be active, but told her if any particular activity caused increased pain she should stop. She is afraid to stop doing any of the gym activities even when she is in pain because she feels a tremendous amount of peer pressure to not to make the other kids have to re-do an activity that few enjoy.

The gym teachers are aware of her injury and I have communicated with them by e-mail regarding her limitations, but it seems that is not enough.

I have a call in to the principal, but I have not yet heard back from her. I just feel like this is a teaching technique from the dark ages where kids are pitted against each other to get compliance.

Any words of wisdom or experience with this type of situation would be greatly appreciated.

[saysumthing]

It seems to me like the gym teacher needs something from the doctor stating what is and isn't ok for your daughter physically. She has a documented injury and should not be subjected to activity that will reinjure her. If the gym teacher already has this, then you may need to take it higher up the ladder and discuss it with the principal or whatnot.

[fadedgirl]

She's probably active enough outside of school? If so, I'd explain the gym teacher's practices and ask the doc to write another note to keep her out of gym until she's 100%. Even if the teacher is or becomes understanding, peer pressure is peer pressure, and back injuries are nothing to mess around with. I wouldn't risk it.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by saysumthing

It seems to me like the gym teacher needs something from the doctor stating what is and isn't ok for your daughter physically. She has a documented injury and should not be subjected to activity that will reinjure her. If the gym teacher already has this, then you may need to take it higher up the ladder and discuss it with the principal or whatnot.

Exactly. If the gym teacher knows that certain exercises will injure your daughter and forces her to do them it's cause for a lawsuit. (I'm not in the "sue crazy" group...but when it comes to kids' health I'll fight for it)

And if said teacher is punishing the group because DD can't do it that's just not right in general.

Did the gym teacher email you back regarding the issue? I would speak to them directly to ensure that everyone is understood.

[Dov'sMom]

Talk to the gym teacher first. Has she actually made teh group re-do something b/c of your DD or is DD just afraid it'll happen? Could be that's the general policy and the teacher just hasn't made it clear to her that it's waived for a/t she stops doing b/c of pain.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by Dov'sMom

Talk to the gym teacher first. Has she actually made teh group re-do something b/c of your DD or is DD just afraid it'll happen? Could be that's the general policy and the teacher just hasn't made it clear to her that it's waived for a/t she stops doing b/c of pain.

This would be my reaction as well.

There is a chance (or there would be a good one with my kids) that they just wouldn't want attention drawn to themselves/ an exception made for them and would do it with no input from the teacher.