Children's safety

[sjevergreen]

California...........Our principal has decided that since the lower grades get out 10 minutes sooner than the upper grades (1-3) vs. (4-6) that the students are wandering around campus after school and are a nuisance to the other classes. So the first grade teachers have been instructed to take the first graders to the street OFF SCHOOL grounds and wait for their parents there. There is only 2 teachers to over a hundred 6 year olds standing on a crowded street that is a traffic problem area to the school in the first place. I thought they have no legal right to take my child off of campus without my written approval?

First she complained about parents being too early on campus after school and they were a nuisance. So I tried to be a couple of minutes late to honor her dilemma. Now I have to be at school early to ensure my child is not put in harms way. The PTA has been useless. The principal has stated that in the end it is her ultimate decision on how to run the school and we have no legal leg to stand on.

Help!!

 

[CdwJava]

The release times ARE under the control of the schools. There are many reasons why they might release the lower grades before the upper grades - traffic, busses, not wanting to clog the streets with 600 kids at one time (settling for 300, instead), etc.

They could just let the kids leave and wander off, but instead it sounds as if they are being responsible and having at least a couple of teachers oversee things as children are leaving or being picked up. Heck, they could just tell the kids that they must leave campus, period.

Just where is this "off campus" area? Across the street? Down the street? Or just the street in front of the school?

My middle son's elementary school is the same way (but they have three release times if you count the PM Kindergartens), and the local middle school my oldest son attends ALSO does staggered release times.

It's a common occurance.

If you want to make a change, speak with the school board and bring other parents that feel the same way you do about the matter.

- Carl

 

[sjevergreen]

1. I never asked if schools could stagger release times.

2. The kids could stay somewhere else on campus or in their classrooms.

3. This is a major city not a rural area 2 teachers to overseer 100 first graders in the street is not adequate.

4. I asked if the school has the legal right to escort my minor off school grounds without my written permission.

 

[CdwJava]

1. I never asked if schools could stagger release times.

2. The kids could stay somewhere else on campus or in their classrooms.

3. This is a major city not a rural area 2 teachers to overseer 100 first graders in the street is not adequate.

4. I asked if the school has the legal right to escort my minor off school grounds without my written permission.

Well, I used to work in a major metropolitan school district (in San Jose), so I do have some idea of the problems in a major metro area. And while they CAN have kids stay elsewhere on campus or in the classrooms, they are under no obligation to do so after hours. What they CAN do, what they are obligated to do, and what they want to do are different matters.

If they do keep the children in the classroom AFTER school, then you get into some other areas ... perhaps contractual staff time for the teachers, mandating the children stay in the classroom after school when not being punished, etc. And if they just release the children all at one time then you get gridlock on the street and double the number of targets for passing motorists.

Perhaps the PTA or parents could offer to watch children on the field for a while. Maybe the city parks and recreation people could start a program ... there ARE other options if you are concerned.

You still didn't answer my question about where they are taking the children.

And, yes, they have the legal authority to have the children leave campus when school is out.

- Carl