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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
WTF Wednesday!
If you don't know, Robin works in an elementary school, too. Earlier this week, word got back to him that a kid threatened to kill him. To make matters worse, 1) the principals didn't even mention it to him and 2) they gave the kid detention. He politely but sternly pointed out board policy to the principals, the zero-tolerance clause, and said that he thought suspension was in order. So the principals agreed and called the kid's parents to discuss further action. Well, he just got out of a meeting with the principals and parents and they totally backed down. The kid got away with nothing more than detention, which is a complete joke. I am freaking livid. WTF?!
Re: WTF Wednesday!
Wow. That is so insane. I'm sorry that you're dealing with this. I'd be livid too. Elementary kids too. ugh.
Zuma Zoom
I'm really surprised by his school's decision. This kid is basically getting a slap on the wrist. Why did they not follow through? What was the kid's defense?
My Acme Box last update 3/28/11
And how involved are the parents with the school board? I almost sense some favoritism...
updated 10.03.12
Who is letting him listen to that music? Seriously, I dislike most rap because it is chalk full of dumb stereotypical crap. It is not something I'd let a child listen to.
Last I know of, the recent and/or highly publicized school/youth shootings didn't happen in NYC or CA. Virginia Tech, here in MN at a reservation, CO.
Zuma Zoom
Also, I can't stand it when parents make excuses for their kid's behavior like that. i can guaran-effin'-tee you that if my child EVER threatened a teacher, I would puch for the school to punish her as much as is allowed, and she also would be grounded for years. YEARS.
Two things:
If this student is listening to rap music and isn't able to comprehend that in the real world you cannot go around threatening people, then his parents need to be a little more concerned. Not saying he needs to go into counseling, but his parents need to be a little more involved in his life and pay attention to what their son is watching and listening to.
Second, I know this is a generalization, but in recent years, I have heard of more violent acts in schools located in Middle America than in NY and California. I know they still occur everywhere, but for the parents to make the assumption that students only act out violently in NY and CA is really ignorant on their part.
And ditto MB's point about what their relationship is with the school.
My Acme Box last update 3/28/11
I agree.
Parents always want to blame their childrens' behavior on something or someone... anything but themselves and how they raised their child. Take responsibility for once!
updated 10.03.12
this is sickening. the columbine kids were upper middle class kids from prominent neighborhoods. Anyone who thinks that things like that can only happen in CA or NYC is just plain delusional.
I'm sorry that happened, I'm sure Robin is upset, as I would be. He has a right to see that it's taken seriously. Maybe if he's not happy with how it was handled, he should talk to the pricinipal and let them know that he wants to file criminal charges against the child (which legally could happen), maybe the school would be more likely to take more action.
Ditto.
This is something I couldn't tolerate. I would be embarrassed if my kid did something like this. It would be a reflection on my parenting skills as much as it is of my child's personality/behavior.
My Acme Box last update 3/28/11
If the principals won't take it seriously, Robin should raise it to the school board and if they don't do anything, the attorney general.
It's a hostile work environment. He shouldn't have to be subjected with a death threat, even if it's from a 4th grader.
It is appalling that the school's administrators aren't taking this more seriously.
Surprisingly, this isn't about favoritism. Basically, the assistant principal just f-ed up. He gave the kid detention, because he wasn't a "repeat offender."
Usually, kids get suspension for repeat offenses, but that's for stuff like bullying or being disruptive in class, not threatening to kill someone. Whether the kid meant it or not, they handled the situation totally wrong. The parents somehow swindled their way out of suspension, because they insisted he didn't know what he was really saying or the trouble that would come with it. They also put up a fight about "double punishment" because the kid already went to detention. Robin says the parents were (pardon the judgement) very thug-like. Apparently, violent rap music is common in their house, and they insisted the boy wasn't really going to do anything. THE FREAKING POINT should be that he said it, not whether or not he was really going to do it. Saying it = suspension. We're thinking about taking this to the board. It's just a stressful situation, because Robin knows that if he does his principal will take it out on him.
To MB:
ETA:
I am sorry you are going through this. If anything they are teaching the child it's ok to make threats. They are now part of the problem.
Stand up for something you believe in.
I agree. Zero Tolerance = Zero Tolerance. Going easier on him means they are tolerating it.
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Agreed. Take it to the school board. That kind of stuff is ridiculous. And "double punishment" is a ridiculous idea. If the handbook states that he gets an automatic suspension for threats then he gets an automatic suspension regardless of whatever immediate consequences were already in place.
And I agree with Ames. If my child ever did something like that, I'd just die. I was watching "Most Shocking" on TruTV and saw an 8th grade basketball game where an opposing team member clothes lined and sucker punched an opponent because he (unintentionally) elbowed him when he came down fighting for a rebound. If that had been my kid, I would have been the first parent on the court to pull him off and would have found the other kid's parents and said, "When do you want to press charges."
hello rock. hello hard place.
ugh. im sorry you and Robin are dealing with this DD. i can see how Robin would be hesitant to push this to the school board given that he isnt being backed by the principal or the vice principal. he doesnt want to be that guy.
but on the other hand zero tolerance is zero tolerance and rules arent made to be broken. especially when it comes to something like this. in this day and age, you never know who is capable of doing something crazy or where its going to happen. a lot of public violence has taught us that it can be anyone, anytime, anywhere so i dont think that the school should take it lightly.
good luck, i hope robin gets a resolution that he is happy with.
Uhhh...he wasnt a repeat offender? Man, the person who made that decision is going to feel like a huge assshole when some kid comes to school with a gun. That's just a stupid effing reason not to inforce policy.
Also, rap kills. Its the debil's music. Duh.