I had a pretty bad experience this past weekend in Chicago with my 5 students. Total insubordination.
They weren't where they were supposed to be (despite pretty strict instructions), didn't attend all the seminars they said, escaped to Starbucks, etc. Usual stuff, nothing controversial, no drinking, etc.
I am getting hammered by parents because I laid the law on the last night there and restricted them to their room. They got on their cell phones and cried about how they were locked in their rooms, weren't allowed to eat, all sorts of crazy stuff.
The parents naturally, were upset and took to calling me all night (they were on CA time).
Needless to say this has turned into an administrative nightmare in which I am now considered the problem.
Just curious how any of you have handled this type of situation. The parents at my school are, for lack of a better word, of privilege and although this is nothing new, it is becoming a real problem for me. I have full support of the administration, but still it is disturbing.
Looking for insight. Thanks.
Responses
km, 11/16/2005, 9:57:00 PM
make sure to have a meeting with parents before the trip with a very long rules sheet that they sign off on that lists the consequences for the student's actions. I always put down that the students would be sent home at parent's expense if they were not where they were supposed to be. this is a liability issue on my part--I have to know where they are and I did check on them. I did have to send two students home who had taken a cab to a shopping mall. the parents did not pay at first; had to use a school credit card and one adviser traveled home with the student. Then the school battled the parents for the money after and I didnt' have to get involved. I had no trouble for years afterward as word spread quickly and lasted through many years of younger brothers and sisters.
in addition, the rules say the students will not be eligible for awards that year and for seniors that means scholarships and honors at graduation. No student who misbehaves on a trip will be nominated for Quill and Scroll or be allowed to enter Gold Circle or Gold Key awards and they will never go on another school sponsored trip, even an out-of-town sports trip unless the parents drive them on their own.
I know this won't help for this year, but next year, do it before you go.
Ruairi, 11/16/2005, 10:27:54 PM
Wow. At my school(which is private so I'm not sure this pertain's to a public school), you would be at minimum suspended for such behavior. At max, you would face expulsion for disrespect toward a teacher. And if the trip was paid for by club money, you would have to pay the school back or do manual labor to repay the school. I don't understand how people could be so disrespectful. On our newspaper, we receive no school credit, so we are all there because we want to be. I would say to remove them from the staff if possible because it sounds as if they don't care.
Annie, 11/21/2005, 8:38:04 PM
Thank you. I'd like to hear more from others.
I am facing a board hearing next week.
And yes, Ruairi...WOW is what I said too!
Chad Rummel, 11/22/2005, 8:07:55 AM
Some teachers have been known to take students room keys away and put tape across their door/latch so they can tell if the kids get out!
km, 11/22/2005, 6:37:05 PM
Good luck, Annie. I hope the hearing goes well. I hope they see the students at fault and not you. Afterall, they are the ones who did something wrong. And I hope they don't lose an adviser over all of this. This is what makes good advisers quit.
sp, 12/11/2005, 2:48:56 PM
That's ridiculous. Morale is pretty low at my school paper and we don't always think our advisor is doing a good job, but I think we care about him enough not to pull something like this.
Annie, 12/15/2005, 11:43:41 PM
Well, I thought some of you would like to know...I've been fired...or more politically correct, I've been asked to give my resignation.
I have obtained an attorney but in a nutshell, my word isn't much against five bitter teens.
As KM said, this is what makes good advisors quit...or in my case, get forced out in favor of the parents/community.
This is truly a sad day..after 8 years and 3 award winning yearbooks.
Some would say, for every door closed another opens...I certainly hope this is true.
Best to all, and Happy Holidays. I know mine are bittersweet.
Annie
km, 12/16/2005, 6:17:04 PM
Annie
I am shocked but then not surprised especially if the community is affluent.
this community doesn't deserve you.
Keep your chin up! And I am sure another position will open. And I hope the courts will do something but that would be way down the line.
I am sorry to hear this, and I hope it doesn't cloud your holidays too much.
Annie, 12/17/2005, 11:28:22 PM
Thank KM! But yes, my holidays are quite clouded.
Speaks volumes of the way of today's educational situation and parental influences.
I am sad, but will recover.
Sigh.
Erik, 12/19/2005, 8:10:59 AM
Yow. Gotta love parents who will defend their "little angels" to the death no matter what they do wrong, huh?
km, 12/20/2005, 10:02:50 PM
We may have an opening in Montana. If your interested, reply and I can keep you informed.
