My sons teacher refused to let him see the nurse, came home and was very sick. How should I voice my concerns?

Question

He threw up many times, skin was pasty, has virus like symptoms and could have easily gotten other kids sick.

Answer 1

This is so strange. I work at a school and if a student throws up even once the parents are called and he/she sits in the nurse's office until someone comes to get the child. The janitor would have a fit having to clean up the vomit more than once. (I am surpised he didn't take your son to the nurse after the second time). I would first check your school's policy on a sick child. It should have a section on sick children and what they will do. If the teacher violated the policy (sounds like she did) then I would go directly to the principal and tell him/her the situation. Be sure to express any anger over the situation in a calm manner. Also be clear that you find this unacceptable. No matter what was going on in class that day, you should have been notified and he should have at the very least seen the school nurse.

Answer 2

Write a letter to the principal saying that school is supposed to be a childs second home and they are supposed to feel safe and comfertable which he wasn't. Express how you feel and make it clear that you are not happy with what happened.

Good Luck

Answer 3

I would request a conference with the principal and the teacher TOMORROW.  

Has your son "cried wolf" in the past?  We received an email at school telling us NOT to send kids to the nurse, but to use our own judgement.  Perhaps something was going on in the office or she doesn't have children of her own....I'm not making excuses, it could have just been a simple mistake on her part.  I would still want to meet with her and the principal, because if it was something in the office the principal needs to correct it.

Answer 4

I would call the school and talk to the teacher. Let her know this is not acceptable. Clearly, your son was sick..and she was denying him the right to go see the nurse.

If she does not respond in a way you find acceptable, demand to set up a meeting with her and the Principal.

Do not let her get off with saying.."oh..I thought he was crying wolf as he has before.."or anything like that. She clearly was not  listening or hearing what he was saying.

She should apologize to your son also for making him suffer more.

Answer 5

email the teacher and tell her that your son is sick and that he informed you that she would not allow him to see the nurse. Tell her you were just curious why he wasn't allowed to see the nurse because he came home from school pretty sick. Tell her that in the future you would appreciate it if your son was allowed to go to the nurse when he says he doesn't feel well.

I would email the teacher before running to the principal to tattle, she might have a good explination and then you would feel silly for going behind her back to "tattle" on her. Always find out exactly what went on before going above the teachers head. If it happens again once you have voiced this to the teacher, that is when you go to the principal.

Answer 6

Write a letter to the principal expressing your concerns. Let him/her know that the teacher was wrong to ignore illness symptoms and that you want something done.

Be specific about what you want done and let them know that you want an answer in writing about what has occurred. If the principal is any good they will follow up on your complaint. If they don't then go to the education board.

Answer 7

You need to call the teacher! Or in fact the school system!!  That's really wrong.  At my school if any student complains about a sickness in anyways it's a rule for them to send us to the clinic!  A teacher can't " assume " a kid is lying.  You need to call and confront the teacher about how she dealt with your sons sickness!  That's not right at all.

Answer 8

Geezz -- I am sure glad I don't have any kids.

Answer 9

I'd just call and talk with the principal and let him or her deal with this teacher. Just tell the principal exactly what happened and that you are not pleased.

Answer 10

Forget calling and all that.. You need to go up to that school and let them know what is going on.. Make sure you let the principal know and everyone else that will listen.. This is something that cannot go with out being resolved.. that was very unacceptable behavior on a teacher side.. You should tell your child next time to just walk out the class and go to the nurse himself! Sorry he had to go through this!! Hope he feels better..

Answer 11

You'll need to start with the teacher.  Make an appointment and talk to her about your concern.  If you still feel something needs to be done, go to the principal.

You don't say how old he is or what grade he's in.

Without much information, it is hard to tell what happened.  Sometimes kids don't tell the teacher they are ill and the teacher is busy and doesn't notice.

If he is a high schooler and asks to go to the clinic every week, then the teacher might have thought "Here we go again".  Some kids are pretty good at faking.

If he is in elementary school and threw up in class and/or looked pale, etc. he should have been sent to the clinic.

It's hard to say without basic information.

You'll need to talk to the teacher to find out what happened or why she didn't send him.

Answer 12

On the teacher's side... has your son "cried wolf" in the past?  Perhaps she thought he was doing that again.

Or... was there a test?  Something frustrating that she thought he might be trying to get out of?

I'm sorry your son is sick, but as a former substitute teacher (who usually got abused moreso than regular teachers), I might be a bit on her side.  

I hope he starts feeling better soon.

Answer 13

OMG....I would be furious, this is how I am, and what I would have done....I would 1st make sure my son gets to the doctor and tell him/her what is going on, and maybe even run your story past the doc to see what he/she thinks.   I personally wouldn't, I would march my can straight to the school, I would talk to the principal and let him or her know exactly how P.O. you are, and that it better NEVER happen again. My son and daughters school pulled that c**p one time, and when  I went to them and told them if it ever happened again......I would be back with an attorney. Thats c**p!!!!  I can be really hot headed when it comes to my kids, so maybe you don't want my advise, but just thinking about that, im angry for you.   Good luck......need help just contact me.

Answer 14

You should discuss this with both the teacher and the principal. Teachers have endangered the lives of students in the past. They do not have medical knowledge and should allow a sick kid to GO to the principal's or nurse to make a determination. Yep, its true (as other poster indicates) that some kids have cried wolf. However, if a child collapses on your watch, it doesn't MATTER how much s/he cried wolf before.

Answer 15

go to the teacher and ask why he was not allowed to go to the nurse. Go in nice don't be angry and wait to see her answer before doing anything

Answer 16

You should confront the teacher...but be careful, she can take it out on your son.

You should ask to speak with her without your son or anyone else present and get her side of the story....be sure that what you were told is the truth...the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth.

If you are unhappy with her response....call the principal.

Answer 17

YES!  You should call the principal, the vice principal, the student advocate, everybody who might have some pull.  Okay, the principal may be the only person you need to talk to.  You should also bring it up with the teacher and mention the words "neglect," "lawsuit," and "danger to children" in the same sentence.

This really aggravates me.  She is required to send a sick child home for the safety of the other children.  This teacher deserves to be fired.  You definitely need to tell school authorities about your upset.

Answer 18

I would take him to the dr and get a note of exactly what was wrong with him and when the illness started. I would then get in contact with the nurse to let her know that your son came down with a dibilitating illness and due to the fact that the teacher refused to send him down to see her there is a very good chance that his entire class was exposed and is at risk. I would then speak to the principal and make sure s/he is aware of the situation. No child should be forced to stay in class when they are ill. I'm sure if that teacher fell ill during the school day she would leave early to go home so why shouldn't the student be allowed to as well.