Just an update for anyone who cares…I sent a fax to the division superintendent last Friday. I pointed out where she violated my children's rights and told her since she didn't care to return a phone call she could respond, US Mail (Just another letter in writing). She still has not returned my telephone calls.What is a parent to think? I plan on filing out the USDOE (Office of civil rights) complaint form tomorrow, but what good will it do? I have filed complaints with them in the past over the same school, and nothing has come from it. I wonder as I send my children back to this "zoo school" what tomorrow will bring....

Rita

-- Rita (rlynchjarss@aol.com), April 02, 2002

Answers

Rita, I wonder what response you might get if you faxed them a copy of a well-written press release on the subject. If you have the skills, write a press release on the matter at hand and send it to the local papers, T.V. stations, radio stations, and any other media in your area. Might not get any response, but IMO, it couldn't hurt. Maybe the school isn't too interested in bad PR. At least another direction to look at maybe.

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), April 02, 2002.

Everything you send needs to be sent Certified, Return Receipt Requested so that you have proof of when it was delivered. I do not know what the laws are with email, faxes, etc., paper holds up better in court.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 02, 2002.

Rita, have you thought about contacting the ACLU? From what I know about the organization, these are the type of cases they'll get involved with (at no cost to you). Each state usually has a regional office. I'm sure an internet search would turn up the info for the one closest to you. Try www.aclu.org Sometimes all it takes is a letter from them on your behalf to get the ball rolling. Good luck! We're all here behind you for this!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), April 02, 2002.

I'm sorry for sounding so ignorant but what are you all talking about? Can someone tell me where the first post is so I can catch up?

Thanks, Susan

-- Susan in MN (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), April 02, 2002.

Rita,

I feel for you, but must say if you dont like the school, you can pay for private school or HOMESCHOOL.... We homeschool due to poor quality of the public schools,ect, ect, ect...... Just a suggestion, dont be offended. I am just making a point.:)

-- Kristean Thompson (pigalena_babe@yahoo.com), April 02, 2002.

Can you say congress person.......? Fight fire with brimstone if you need to win.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), April 02, 2002.

Kristean, Rita still needs to get this matter resolved, even if she does choose to home- or private school her children later. :)

This was a specific incident that happened at the school, not a general dissatisfaction with the public schools per se issue.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 02, 2002.

"HOMESCHOOL!!!" Why would you suject a child to that!

-- homeschooler (homeschooler@kidsmatter.com), April 03, 2002.

I would go to my local state representative. They always need your vote. Good Luck !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), April 03, 2002.

Depending on where you live, You might try the local media. A good "negative" story on the sixoclock news or headlines in the newspaper can get results.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), April 03, 2002.

Well, I spoke with the Division Superintendent this morning. I guess she didn't like the fax I sent to her on Friday. She wants to meet this Friday because she was very disturbed about my letter. I will let her know Friday that I still want her response in writing as to what actions she plans on taking. I hope I can keep my cool with her but if she upsets me, it could turn into an ugly situation. If she starts denying the charges even though she admits to the lack of discipline towards the other students, I will get up and leave.

Rita

-- Rita (Rlynchjarss@aol.com), April 03, 2002.

Rita, please, do NOT go alone to this meeting. You can be sure SHE will not come alone.

Have someone you can trust to stand for YOU go with you. Husband, in-laws, siblings, VERY good friend, or respected community leader (pastor, deacon, mayor, deputy sheriff).

Have them take notes, and take a notepad yourself.

Take a tape recorder and ASK her if she minds getting it all on tape "so there's no confusion later". When she sees you're deadly serious, she may get down to brass tacks and stay there.

If you can get the local "journalismo" involved in your story, the battle is half-won.

DO NOT let her or anyone else fast talk you into agreeing to anything, or signing anything. If you're confused or unsure about anything, say so.

Don't lose your cool - you've lost the battle if you do. Count to 10, ask for clarification or potty break, and refocus on the topic. And hold her to the topic as well, no sidetracking.

Been there, done that, several times over! Will keep you and your family in my prayers.

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Definitely, definitely take Michaela's advice!! And start writing down all the questions or topics you want covered because, just like a visit to the doctor, you'll be walking out the door and realize you totally forgot to find out about the most important item. Good Luck!!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), April 03, 2002.

I completely agre with Michaela!! Don't go alone and tell whoever is with you to take notes. A tape recorder is a wonderful idea. And, I'm hoping that I don't offend you, but in situations such as these, dress carefully. If you have one, wear a suit. If not, look professional. Appearances do matter and I'd love to hear that you intimidated the heck out of her. Keep your temper and don't smile.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

good luck. will remember you in my prayers. agree with the last two or three-record, document, professional appearance. very important, all three. as a cop wife, documentation is extrememly important in any situation, as is keeping your cool, no matter what. again-good luck.

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Memorize Michaela's message. Very well put, very good.

Do not lose your cool. As soon as you do, you are done for. You will be viewed as the guest on a Jerry Springer show. End of it for you. Whatever it takes, do not lose your cool. You can do any number of things, but losing your cool is not one of them. That's just the way of things.

And, all the rest that Michaela said. It sounds like you have a history with this school district already. The rest of what I say is only in the interest of balance, and does _not_ mean this is how I feel about you, ok? Please? I'm not throwing rocks at you....

A family member is a teacher, and they get 2-3 loony-tune parents in every year, that rant & rave about their little Johny, and how little Johny is just the sweetest thing, and how dare your teacher/administration/students be blaming little Johny for ANYTHING? Blah, blah, blah..... We'll charge you with this, and that, and blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile, little Johny has been to jail more often than classes, is the ringleader of the drug club, and threatens teachers with violence.

Why do I bring this up? You do _NOT_ want to look like that parent! Think about what you are doing, and make waves in the correct way. While you might have a very good issue, if you come storming along up the chain of command, and would happen to lose your cool, you might look like just another loony-tune parent to someone, somewhere, that might have actually cared about the situation. Be careful, and think things out. There are times to actually just listen to them too, even if you totally disagree. Be cool about it, while being firm & getting your point across. You do not want to be placed in that 'loony-tune' file, where no one will ever take you seriously, without even meeting you.

Just something to think about. Everyone here seems to be 'you go girl!' I hope you are going in the proper direction, or all will be for nothing. :)

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Appearance is important, but so is how you sound. It's wrong, but people do judge by accents and whether you can speak a grammatical sentence or not, especially in the education fields.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 03, 2002.

I find it hard to believe that the super did not communicate with you. What is up with that? Unbelievable.

-- julie (jbritt@ceva.net), April 04, 2002.