When Mama Bear scratches her way out
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:27AM My youngest son sent me a text message this morning. No, he's not supposed to text me in school, but this was a special case.
His message was that the Vice-Principal had called him to the office today. His music teacher is alarmed at the number of absences he's had, and he wanted to have my son kicked out of the class.
Okay, now. Let's address this:
First: the absences are all legitimate and not outrageously high in number. I know about all of them. He's been sick on and off for the past few weeks.
Second: my son is getting 86 at mid-term, so his grades aren't an issue. Furthermore, he's not a problem student.
Third: if my son's teacher had an issue with the absences, why am I not getting a phone call? Why, for all intents and purposes, is he going "over my head," to such an extreme position?
Fourth: the teacher has done mean things to my child on other occasions. Is he aware that if my son gets kicked out of this class, he will not be going to university in September? Or is that is goal?
Fifth: why didn't the Vice-Principal call me when the teacher made this outrageous request? Did she assume I don't care? My son is under 18 years old; they should be calling the parent.
This kind of thing infuriates me. I have exhorted my children to be respectful of their teachers; even the nasty ones. This one takes the cake. In years past, he has done unkind things to my son, publicly embarrassing him, telling him he "screwed up" because he did something we as parents encouraged him to do. The man is a very angry individual, and I really feel sorry for him. I'm not surprised at his behaviour. He's done things like this before. My problem is, Mrs. Vice-Principal, why did you not call me? Why did I have to call you? A teacher asked to have my son removed from the class, and you don't call me?
There is something really wrong with this picture.
Rants
Reader Comments (4)
That's very infuriating. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.
I think it would take everything I have not to be up at school in full Angry Mama-Bear mode!
I'm so sorry. I hope this gets dealt with.
We did get this dealt with. The Vice-Principal told the teacher in question that all of the absences are legitimate, and that he can't remove my son from the class. I'm glad it worked out this way, but I will be equally glad when this semester is over.