Is it appropriate for a kindergartener to sign a suspension form with out a pare

1. 76

   flacoinohioposted 13 years ago

   Is it appropriate for a kindergartener to sign a suspension form with out a parent being present?
   
   My son made a foolish mistake and was suspended from school for half day for telling a girl that he was going to kill her.  He did not explain his actions and his statement is part of the "zero tolerance policy" criterion.  He and his friends were palying "zombies" and she was unknowingly selected to be a zombie.  My son was escorted to the principals office and consequated before he was asked his side of the issue.  I can understand the policy and the consequence, but did not think it was right to be handed a sealed envelope containing a document signed by my son with no representation.

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2. 63

   rfox21posted 13 years ago

   No.  You need a parent to weigh in on the crcumstances surrounding the suspension before it is signed.

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3. 64

   rutleyposted 13 years ago

   No, normally parent contact is made first, a letter goes home with the student and mailed home seperately. The infraction document goes into his file unsigned, than replaced with a custodial parent signature.  Work in a school office and that's how we do it for discipline. Hope this helps but I don't know for sure as each school has it's own discipline policy.

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      flacoinohioposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I received a single document in a sealed envelope at the end of the meeting when I was called to pick up my son.  To date that document is the only one I have received concerning this matter from my son's school, it is being "looked into".

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4. 0

   Catzgendronposted 13 years ago

   The school system should never have a child under the age of 18 years old sign any form.  In fact, I don't beleive that is legal because they are not of legal age.  You should contact the school board, I beleive you have a case against the teacher and princepal in how that situation was handled.

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   marriagefortodayposted 13 years ago

   While our first concern is why your son would not stand up to saying he would "kill" someone, regardless if it's a game (Our daughter at age 5 has been trained that if another child told her to do or say something that was wrong, to not do or say such a thing and report that immediately)...
   
   ... but we also find it very disturbing that the school would have a Kindergartener to sign ANY document without parental presence.
   
   Honestly, this is something we would actually recommend finding legal foundation to make a move on. A child, let alone a Kindergartener, has no bearing of authority and adult wisdom in signing ANY document of ANY kind.
   
   It was good they asked "his side of the issue" but any "consequence" MUST be done in the presence of the parent(s).
   
   This is also a reason why we direct parents to view: www.overruledthemovie.com and hold parental rights movie screenings - to let parents know that the moment their children walk into public schools, their rights are virtually gone, and are continually, daily, being stripped away until Goverment funded public schools replace parental authority. This is fact, not fiction, not theory. It's been happening and many parents are blinded to this frightening fact.
   
   We would encourage you to seek legal options to make this stop in this school and district, or at least bring parental awareness. This is only one of MANY issues of how the schools have taken parents OUT of the equation, and it's real.
   
   www.marriagefortoday.com

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      flacoinohioposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My son did accept responsibility for his actions, he admitted to the principal what he had said.  He did not say why he said what he said, I believe the principal said it was irrelevant, she processed his suspension based on his admission.

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6. 0

   Lizam1posted 13 years ago

   Sounds to me like the school have approached this in a very clumsy way.  Finding legal representation however is probably going to make things worse and create tension.  I would suggest you request a meeting, include the little gilrs parents and have the school look at proceedure and instigate effective change to how they might handle this in the future.  If they won't do that go to the school board with a formal complaint.
   Sure your son was playing a game and the girl was possibly frightened by what he said to her.  However, using a sledgehammer to crack a nut does not help.  Whilst signing a document may not be legal, I think having children own to what they have done and using an example of process may be helpful - but certainly you and his father or other guardians should have been present.

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      flacoinohioposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that my son should be accountable for his actions, I have no issue with the consequence, he was processed without representation, I was not informed verbally or in writing about the appeals process or a meeting with the superintendent.

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   Becky Katzposted 13 years ago

   No, a kindergartner should not have been asked to sign anything like that without the parent or guardian present. I would raise heck with the school principal and whoever had the child sign. If that does not get action taken, file a complaint with the school board. He did something that was wrong but he was denied his due process and support team. They should have investigated before doing anything else.

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   1. 76

      flacoinohioposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The investigation was merely asking other students if he said what he had said and if he and his peer were mad at each other.  I believe the term she used was unprovoked act of verbal agression.  My admitting his guilt to me was her primary concern.

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   cat on a soapboxposted 13 years ago

   My kindergartener was just learning to print. Are you kidding me???

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   Susana Suarezposted 13 years ago

   A kindergartener is not able to write, maybe can make crosses or circles and a couple of straight lines. On the other hand, parents and guardians are responsible for minor's actions, therefore they are to be informed of any problems. Parents should have the right to speak to the principals before any action.

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      marriagefortodayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, this is not completely true, Susana. Our K-girl is 5 years old, writes paragraphs, reads regular books (not little kids books), and knows the longest word in the dictionary (and how to spell it). But we definately agree on your other statments!

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      Susana Suarezposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi marriagefortoday! Probably because I live in the UK I thought Kindergartener is 3 or 4, like pre-school here. Here a 5 years old is already in school (reception).

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      marriagefortodayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Gotcha!

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