I just love it
when parents refuse to allow their children to face the consequences of their own actions.
Case in point:
Wednesday I stayed home sick, because I was sick. I never, ever call in last minute because when I have a sub in I leave very detailed instructions. Unfortunately, because I was unexpectedly sick on Wednesday, I had no detailed plans/instructions to leave.
Three of my lovely students decided to go behind my desk. They stole candy and some school money (money that awarded for good behavior and homework, etc. and which they get to use to buy things at our student store). After school yesterday, several students came up to me to tell me about what had occurred on Wednesday. I knew that stuff was missing, but figured that either the sub had given some stuff away or that kids had taken it. When the students came up to me, the latter was confirmed.
This morning when students entered my classroom, they were told to take out a piece of paper. They could not speak to anyone - they were then instructed to fold their paper in half. On one side, they were to write the names of those students who stole money & candy from behind (and underneath my desk). The second column, they were to write down the names of people who received the money and candy.
The same three names of students showed up on almost everyone's paper. Those three were given referrals with a request of a suspension and no longer being allowed in participate in the 6th grade store. As with any referrals, I have to call home. The first two parents were very understanding (albeit disappointed, but supportive of the consequence). I just got off the phone with the last parent. Needless to say, mom doesn't believe that her kid stole anything. She says to me "he has ipods (notice the plural), gameboys, everything he could want at home, why would he want to steal from you?" She then tries to say, "well, he's new there so they just must be picking on him." To which I replied, "well, maybe he stole the money because he is new and was trying to get people to like him."
Of course, when I said that, she was really pissed. "He has plenty of friends there (which doesn't make sense to what you said at first) and he doesn't need your stupid money." This student is not new to the district, he's new to our school. He got kicked out of his other school. I suppose that's everyone else's fault as well!
Case in point:
Wednesday I stayed home sick, because I was sick. I never, ever call in last minute because when I have a sub in I leave very detailed instructions. Unfortunately, because I was unexpectedly sick on Wednesday, I had no detailed plans/instructions to leave.
Three of my lovely students decided to go behind my desk. They stole candy and some school money (money that awarded for good behavior and homework, etc. and which they get to use to buy things at our student store). After school yesterday, several students came up to me to tell me about what had occurred on Wednesday. I knew that stuff was missing, but figured that either the sub had given some stuff away or that kids had taken it. When the students came up to me, the latter was confirmed.
This morning when students entered my classroom, they were told to take out a piece of paper. They could not speak to anyone - they were then instructed to fold their paper in half. On one side, they were to write the names of those students who stole money & candy from behind (and underneath my desk). The second column, they were to write down the names of people who received the money and candy.
The same three names of students showed up on almost everyone's paper. Those three were given referrals with a request of a suspension and no longer being allowed in participate in the 6th grade store. As with any referrals, I have to call home. The first two parents were very understanding (albeit disappointed, but supportive of the consequence). I just got off the phone with the last parent. Needless to say, mom doesn't believe that her kid stole anything. She says to me "he has ipods (notice the plural), gameboys, everything he could want at home, why would he want to steal from you?" She then tries to say, "well, he's new there so they just must be picking on him." To which I replied, "well, maybe he stole the money because he is new and was trying to get people to like him."
Of course, when I said that, she was really pissed. "He has plenty of friends there (which doesn't make sense to what you said at first) and he doesn't need your stupid money." This student is not new to the district, he's new to our school. He got kicked out of his other school. I suppose that's everyone else's fault as well!