I am looking at all the different angles on this to try and make sense of it. Just so everyone understands why I am so upset about this situation I am going to give you just one example of an issue. This was our last conversation with the teacher and the GHS school administration, the conflict in this situation that the school and teacher keep throwing out as an excuse is caused and keep going by this teacher. Just remember this is only one of many issues we have.
July 31, 2008 - My husbands last meeting with the principal and teacher he left not completely happy but with a understanding of how things were going to be from that day forward. They all agreed the rule stated that you could not return if you quit after football season, since we pulled our daughter before the season started our daughter could return to her activity. She was to report to the teachers class the next morning which happened to be the first day of school. At 9:30 that same evening we received a call from the principal he stated that he had been thinking about things all evening, it was his decisions and his alone and he had not talked it over with the teacher. Due to the conflict with the teacher and her assistant he was going to override the rules and our daughter would have to sit out a year. We again explained the conflict and the rules. He acknowledged that he knew the rules that we had signed but he was going to override them and make her sit out for the season as an example. We argued that our child did not quit but we pulled her until the school handled the situation with the teacher. He told us he was going to make an example of our daughter to let the other athletes at GHS know that quitting would not be tolerated. We then asked why some students were being allowed to return after quitting but he decided that he would set an example with our child. He stated that is because these other athletes didn’t have rules like our daughter did. My husband asked him twice just to be sure he understood what he was saying and yes he stated the other athletes don‘t have rules. So if they don‘t have rules how is making our child sit out as an example suppose to help? Since she didn't quit will her school record say they kicked her off? What about all of our complaints or issues with this teacher will they ever be addressed? By removing our child did that correct the teachers behavior? What is the real example you are setting?
Our daughter still reported to the teachers class to pick up her stuff and turn in her uniforms. The teacher told our daughter that her and the principal had a long talk and they felt that because of the conflict it would be better for her to sit out this year. She then went on to tell our daughter that she didn’t have a problem with her or her dad. Was she saying that she has a problem with me and that gives her the right to treat our daughter the way she did? Why did the principal tell us he made the decision on his own and she told our daughter that they had a meeting after my husband left? She also stated that the principal was going to back her and not allow anyone to question her authority. Is that why in the first parent meeting she told all the parents that if we had complaints we needed to tell her because he didn't want to hear them? If we can't go to him then who do we go to?
Not only will this decision effect my daughters junior year it also could effect her future college scholarships. She received an invitation to tryout to be a staff member to help train other students at summer camps and clinics. These invitations are by recommendation, if she makes the staff not only would it help with scholarships the summer job would also pay for an entire school year of expenses such as books and living. She will now have to explain why she is sitting out her junior year and why she is no longer a 4 year member on her tryout package. This will definitely be a black mark on her application even if it isn’t her fault.
I know that everyone would handle this situation differently and it is hard to know how you would handle it without having the whole story. I do appreciate your advice and opinion and I will be open minded. Again remember this is only one small part of our complaint. I just want GHS and Mr. Lewis to do a full investigation into our complaints so both sides could be heard not just the teachers. Then once this is resolved based on school board polices and school rules we can put this behind us.
The only one suffering in this situation is our child who did nothing wrong. You only get one chance to go through high school and every child should have the opportunity to be involved. Does Smith County only give that opportunity to the kids of the parents they like or don't have a problem with? Based on what this teacher has told our child this is exactly how this situation was handled. Quote "She doesn't have a problem with my daughter or my husband."
Think about it........
Keep fighting ghsparent.
ReplyDeleteWhat concerns me is that this family has witnesses to this teacher grabbing this child and she is still walking the halls of GHS. No matter how you word this story or which side you are on, has anyone consider what is in the best interest of the child? How is this child handling all of this? GHS, Roger Lewis and Smith County can you say LAWSUIT? You are lucky this family has not clean out our school system funds. Someone needs to open up the lines of communication and fast. Does our school district really need another lawsuit or a lawsuit they will lose?
This happened at a BB game in Wilson County she grabbed two of the students. From what I saw the retired principal got to the teacher & students before the parents could. A gym full of Tigers and Commanders. If I was the parents of both these students I would file charges in Wilson County take it out of county and away from the school administrators. That should solve all the other problems with one stone. Its ironic that one of these families is from FCS and WC so witnesses wont be an issue.
ReplyDeleteHas this been taken to the news media or a attorney?
ReplyDeleteWhat principal would call a parent at 9:30 at night and tell them they changed their mind after having this resolved?
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to call him and tell him to let his go in his heart and let this child return and we can all move on!
I think it is safe to say that the last thing the GHS administration or Roger Lewis wants is the news media involved. If that happens, there is a good chance that all of the problems that have been festering at GHS for the last several years will all get brought out in the open. That will be more than just a black eye for GHS, it will be a nightmare (yes, I know there is a new principal, but he was the AD when a lot of this was going on). Anyone who has had a child or grandchild go through GHS, or is currently going through GHS, has almost had to have heard, at some point, about all the unfairness and the many, many issues and problems that have arisen at the school and were just hidden away and never dealt with. The students, teachers and parents have all openly talked about the problems and the fact nothing gets done. It is a sad commentation on the school that all anyone ever did was shake their heads and say, "What do you expect? It's Gordonsville and it will never change". Then again, maybe the news media or a lawsuit is EXACTLY what is needed. Personally, I hope the parents do press charges against this teacher. Maybe that will get a suitable resolution for the student and her parents since it seems they won't get one within our county school system.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, my child was an athlete at the school and yes, they started in their sport. My child got special treatment because of being an athlete. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now, and I let my child know it was wrong to get special treatment just because they played a sport. Same set of rules should apply to all students, not just the ones who are athletes, related to the right person, or friends with the right people. Equality is desperatly needed at this school. Now, let's see if any of this makes a difference, or if it will remain the same old Gordonsville that will never change.