No recess as punishment - Page 4

[kewb]

Originally Posted by mommy68

Okay then, so homeschool your child if you have issues with a school that disciplines them? or join the PTA and be as involved as you can and don't use the copout answer of "I work full-time." I think some parents just shove the kids off to school and don't think twice about any of it until something like this comes up and then all of a sudden they want a voice in the matter. I just don't believe it's fair. There are many options out there whether it be public school, private school or homeschooling. I think if someone has a problem with any form of discipline then their child should be at home with them or they should teach them how to act at home so they do right when they are without their parents.

First off, I do not say I work full time as a copout. That is a highly offensiove thing to say. I informed of my working as the reason I was unable to homeschool.

I do not shove off of my children on the schools and expect them to raise them and do not suddenly expect to be heard and listened to as soon as thee is a problem.

You do not know my children. You do not how they do or do not behave. My son stomped on some goldfish crackers. It was wrong. He was made to clean them up. That is appropriate. Making him clean them up and the removal of recess is excessive, inappropriate and does not fit the crime.

Before I decide that having to move somewhere where it is less expensive to live far from any family or support of friends just so my children do not have to miss recess I think I will try to work with the school as I have always done.

[Snowy Owl]

Originally Posted by kewb

First off, I do not say I work full time as a copout. That is a highly offensive thing to say. I informed of my working as the reason I was unable to homeschool.

No kidding, that was an extremely offensive and absurd thing to say. Rest assured, I'm sure most of us here see it as absurd too.

And I completely agree, taking away recess is harmful and IMO it is not the right of a teacher to take it away so quickly. Perhaps if there were a very serious problem and the teacher needed to talk with the student during recess, it would be okay.
When dd was in Kindergarten I was sitting in for a class, and the teacher's assistant was *constantly* holding the threat of taking away recess over a couple of boys who were having problems sitting still. I think they were still a little bit too immature for school, and they seemed to find it difficult to stay still listening for long periods. Taking away their main physical outlet is obviously only going to make the problem much worse later on. One of them did end up with no recess. And with that decided, still continued his disruptive behaviour. It solved nothing.

[KangaTwo]

Originally Posted by kewb

I just sent a note off to my ds's principal. Based on the details I have so far my ds took goldfish crackers, threw them on the floor and proceeded to stomp on them. This is unacceptable behavior and he should have been made to clean up the mess he made. My friend, who picked him up for me today, told me that the lunch aide has taken away recess for tomorrow.

This is unacceptable to me -and I let the principal know it. Now, however, I am doubting myself. Am I correct in my thinking that this is unacceptable and should be stepping in or will I be viewed as one of those pain in the neck moms who will not let the school do its job?

I think there are times when taking away recess is appropriate (example: my son got caught my his teacher once again hiding homework in his desk instead of taking them home) but for your son's incident, I think it's unnecessary. Like you said, I think having a talk with him about proper behavior and having him clean up his mess should have been enough.

[PDean]

Discipline in Schools

I am new to this group, and the mom to four public schooled children. I have taken issue with the way discipline is handled in our school district for a couple of years.
I live in North Carolina, in Union County, where children are corporally punished. Children have been hit with wooden planks, for minor offenses, such as being tardy to class. I have worked hard to get this off the books in my county and state. My own children have not been hit, but the fact that the threat exists is enough to motivate me to advocacy.
I just wonder how many people are even aware that this is a discipline option in 21 states, mostly southern ones.
The school culture, which I see some of your refering to in previous posts, is the biggest concern, other than the fact that we do not hit our chidren with anything, much less wooden paddles. The culture is so negative, and sets the standard way low. Our teachers seem to get away with many types of borderline and actual abuse with the school climate being what it is.
I have chosen to stay and try to change it, but it is tough.
This is a great group, and I am so glad to find people who think a bit like me.
Best,
Peggy

[DreamsInDigital]

We've been having this issue too. My 7-year-old got recess taken away for 9 weeks because he initially acted up in class and then after he didn't have recess for a couple of days,his ability to cope with being in class just fell apart.
I'm homeschooling next year.

[lab]

Originally Posted by PDean

I am new to this group, and the mom to four public schooled children. I have taken issue with the way discipline is handled in our school district for a couple of years.
I live in North Carolina, in Union County, where children are corporally punished. Children have been hit with wooden planks, for minor offenses, such as being tardy to class. I have worked hard to get this off the books in my county and state. My own children have not been hit, but the fact that the threat exists is enough to motivate me to advocacy.
I just wonder how many people are even aware that this is a discipline option in 21 states, mostly southern ones.
The school culture, which I see some of your refering to in previous posts, is the biggest concern, other than the fact that we do not hit our chidren with anything, much less wooden paddles. The culture is so negative, and sets the standard way low. Our teachers seem to get away with many types of borderline and actual abuse with the school climate being what it is.
I have chosen to stay and try to change it, but it is tough.
This is a great group, and I am so glad to find people who think a bit like me.
Best,
Peggy

Peggy!

I am so thrilled to see you on MDC! Our kids go to school together in Union County.

I actually posted a thread about your plight several months ago in activism.

I love this board!



Lisa

[Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by DreamsInDigital

We've been having this issue too. My 7-year-old got recess taken away for 9 weeks because he initially acted up in class and then after he didn't have recess for a couple of days,his ability to cope with being in class just fell apart.
I'm homeschooling next year.

Recess taken away for 9 weeks? Good grief. What the heck is wrong with people?!

[KangaTwo]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

Recess taken away for 9 weeks? Good grief. What the heck is wrong with people?!

That is so excessive.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by KangaTwo

That is so excessive.

not to mention abusive, I'd be going to teh school every day and personally escorting my child to recess.

[kewb]

9 weeks! That is horrible. I am so sorry.

[PDean]

Check your State policies

Taking away recess as punishment, forcing exercise as punishment, etc, goes against all the suggested guidelines for helping children develop healthy approachs to exercise and health.
For those of you having issues in this regard, check your state board of education web site. Here in North Carolina, we have a Eat Right, Move More initiative. It is not law, but the state board of ed is reviewing policy. I hope to see a written policy soon that recess may not be removed as a form of punishment, nor can exercise be used as punishment. It is a step in the right direction. Those types of policy can really make a difference, and give you a leg to stand on when you have administators making poor choices.
I will never understand the punitive nature of some of these people, and to think, they actually have a license to do this.
In the same vein, what about denial of bathroom use? I find that in schools that are punitive, be it paddling, removal of recess, forced exercise, taping mouths shut, that there is a huge issue with letting children go the bathroom on a natural schedule. I take issue with that.
Best,
Peggy

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by kewb

First off, I do not say I work full time as a copout. That is a highly offensiove thing to say. I informed of my working as the reason I was unable to homeschool.

I do not shove off of my children on the schools and expect them to raise them and do not suddenly expect to be heard and listened to as soon as thee is a problem.

You do not know my children. You do not how they do or do not behave. My son stomped on some goldfish crackers. It was wrong. He was made to clean them up. That is appropriate. Making him clean them up and the removal of recess is excessive, inappropriate and does not fit the crime.

Before I decide that having to move somewhere where it is less expensive to live far from any family or support of friends just so my children do not have to miss recess I think I will try to work with the school as I have always done.

You're right, I don't know you or your children. I was simply responding to your thread. You started it all.

I also didn't say I agreed with 9 weeks of no recess. That is totally absurd. I think common sense would tell me to intervene with that (as a parent). I was referring to recess being taken away on an occasional basis and only based on the day at hand, not more than one day in a row. Give me a break.

[mommy68]

I live in North Carolina, in Union County, where children are corporally punished. Children have been hit with wooden planks, for minor offenses, such as being tardy to class. I have worked hard to get this off the books in my county and state. My own children have not been hit, but the fact that the threat exists is enough to motivate me to advocacy

I live in NC too and this is totally untrue. It is against the law for any public school to touch a child in this manner. If you are talking about a private school then I'm sure that varies by county. So you have to be referring to a private school? If you are referring to a public school then sue them AND take your kids out of that school. They ARE your kids, you have a choice how to school them.

[PDean]

Originally Posted by mommy68

I live in NC too and this is totally untrue. It is against the law for any public school to touch a child in this manner. If you are talking about a private school then I'm sure that varies by county. So you have to be referring to a private school? If you are referring to a public school then sue them AND take your kids out of that school. They ARE your kids, you have a choice how to school them.

Hi Mommy68, nice to meet another North Carolina mother. Actually, it is very true that PUBLIC schools are using corporal punishment, and it is very legal. I am absolutely positive, this is my line of advocacy.
Look at my online petition, and see the photos of the injured children. One of these children was paddled and injured in NC this year, in a public school. The mother has an attorney, but usually the teachers are protected. The state board of education has received a formal complaint against the teacher who did this, but they are not sure what, if anything, can be done. I see a change in law as our real solution.
Go to www.nospank.net/bancp-nc.htm I would love to add your name to this petition, my contact information is on this site.
I am on the Board of Directors for this national organization, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education. I have spearheaded the effort to get a legislative change here in NC.
Also, for a point of reference, the state law that allows teachers to hit children in NC Schools would be 115C-390-391
It is hard to believe that we have this law on the books in 2006. Just curious, what county are you in? Lucky for you if this is not being used in your school district. It is up to each school district to decide if they wish to hit.
Thanks for taking the time to post about this topic, it is my passion.
Best,
Peggy Dean