My child's teacher is about to get reported for corporal punishment -- should I protest it?

Question

Today my daughter (6) was playing instead of doing her work. The teacher warned her twice, then sent her to the corner for five minutes.

She called me this morning and told me what happened.

I thought nothing of it. When I mentioned it to the school secretary as I was picking my daughter up from school and she got really upset. She told me that a child is sent to the corner and not given a chair, then it is considered corporal punishment.

I told her it was no biggie, but she had the principal come talk to me anyway. The principal apologized profusely and said she'd be writing the teacher up.

WTF?! Sorry for the language, but it's NOT A BIG DEAL! She didn't hit my kid and my daughter admitted she was playing. Why are they making a HUGE deal out of this?

Answer 1

Please support the teacher.  This is really ridiculous.  I'm glad to hear of a parent who wants their child to have reasonable consequences for their behavior.

Answer 2

I would definitely protest this, that is ridiculous. They must have something against this teacher and are looking for any chance they can to try and get rid of her. I would stand up for her if you feel what is being done is wrong.

Answer 3

Corporal punishment is physically striking child. This was a completely appropriate consequence for your child. If this continues yes, I would definitely stand up for the teacher.

Answer 4

I would it didn't harm the child and while they may have state guidelines to follow unless the teacher has been warned multiple times a write up seems highly inappropriate. These people are just ridiculous I feel that unless the parent is upset about it the school should stay out of it.

Answer 5

Yes, it is not corporal unless you lay a hand on them.

Answer 6

Wow! What is with these schools? If you don't care that she didn't have a chair during time out then the school shouldn't. It the case of a time out I would consider a chair a luxury item. It was only a time out.

Answer 7

I would speak to someone about that too, probably the superintendent. That is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

Answer 8

Wow, this is insane!  I feel you on it not being a big deal.  As a teacher I'm sure you need some way to keep kids in check.  What the teacher did seemed appropriate in my opinion.  I would ask for a copy of the policy stating this is considered corporal punishment from your principal.  And if you really feel strongly they are giving the teach unfair punishment, which I feel they are, then I would definitely stand up for the teacher.  The definition for 'corporal punishment' is the deliberate infliction of pain and suffering intended to change a person's behavior or to punish them.  I don't see how putting her in the corner inflicts pain or suffering so I think they are full of it.  I would definitely protest it.  Best of luck.

Answer 9

That's NOT corporal punishment. Protest it big time, you're the father of the kid! Talk to the principal.

Answer 10

OMG!!   And schools wonder why the kids are so BAD!?!

They ALL (schools) say it's the PARENTS fault that the kids are bad.  

Well when the schools bend over backwards to not let the kids suffer or pay for their mistakes,  who the h**l's fault is THIS !!!?!?!?!?

Of COURSE the kids are going to be bad if the schools bend over backwards to not hurt their feelings and not make them suffer for anything!!

Then they tell the parents that they should do what they are NOT doing!!

Answer 11

You shold go to her boss and let her know how you feel

I thought it was okay for a child to be placed in a corner  one minute for every age if you child is 3 years old then 3 minutes..

Sometimes we just have to tell our children to listen kids will be kids, maybe your child will think again before not listening

Answer 12

If I were you I would stand up for the teacher. She did the right thing

Answer 13

I don't see the big deal either...a 6 year old is fully capable of standing for 5 minutes.

Answer 14

I'm sorry but if she wasn't made to wear a hat with a big 'D' on it, what is wrong?

It was only 5 minutes not the whole lesson!

OMG whatever next?

I would write a formal letter to the school voicing your oppinion and also speak to the teacher showing your support as i'm sure she feels awful too!

WOW!!

Answer 15

That's a lot like time-out, which isn't corporal punishment. I've never heard of that.  Its up to the teacher to fight it, though.

Answer 16

Dont Let The Teacher get fired over somthing stupid. STOP THE PRINCIPLE!!!!!!

         unless the teacher is an b******e

Answer 17

Seriously, what is the world coming to? I would protest. pretty soon, we're all going to be living in plastic bubble and not be aloud to say hello to anyone else  b/c it might offend someone else! lame.

Answer 18

time out is one thing to another class but standing in corner is bit harsh nothing more talk to school about it its extreme reaction by them if in doubt contact your education dept as for guidelines on discipline

Answer 19

If you think the teacher was justified in how she treated your daughter, I certainly would stand up for her.  From what you described it doesn't sound like she did anything wrong.

I remember being spanked with a big wooden paddle in the first grade.  I doubt my parents even knew about it but I know back then it was totally acceptable for a teacher to hit a child.  Things are getting ridiculous if a teacher can't even give a time out.

Answer 20

Wow.  Talk about over-reaction.  I have a feeling your school may have experienced some problems in the past that they are trying (a bit too much) to avoid again.  I would simply have a meeting with the principal and invite the teacher as well.  Inform the principal that you FULLY agree with and support the teachers decision to place your daughter in the corner.  After some discussion, I'm sure the principal will understand that this does not need to be permanently put into the teachers folder.  If she still insists, then I would take it over her head.  Contact the superintendent.

On a side note:  If you haven't already, then I would inform the teacher about what happened.  That way she's not blind-sided and she knows that she has your support.

Answer 21

I would talk to the school superintendent. That is way out of line.  These folks are ridiculous. I would speak out.  The administration needs a wakeup call about stupidity.  Would you want stupid people in charge of your child?

Answer 22

people need dramatic examples to shake them out of bad ways...sitting in a corner isn't dramatic, all I have to do is play music in my head to pass the time..what lesson did i learn, none.

they used to make us stand in the corner with our hands above our heads, if you put your hand down you get the switch,

yea so I cried a few times in primary school but now I'm a stronger person for it.

Answer 23

Why don't you write a letter stating your support for the teacher and her actions (explain she called you) and have them STAPLE your letter to the write-up in the teacher's file.

The rules may say they have to write her up----you can make sure it doesn't harm the teacher's career by putting your opinion in writing.

Answer 24

Yes, you should express your view to the school administration. Without dissent the schools will continue to go overboard in this sort of foolishness.