The principal at my sons school told me I couldn't sit on the bench outside while my son was at recess?

Question

I got to school a little early & my 7 yr old son was out at recess so I sat on a bench & waved to him. The principal came outside to tell me that I had to come inside the school building to wait?! Without a big argument, I nicely told him that I didn't think I should have to come inside & could sit wherever I wanted. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

I understand your frustration.  There's always going to be rules we don't understand or agree with.  I say pick your battles.  Let the little stuff go.  Stand up against the bigger issues.  If this is their rule... dumb as it may seem...I'd let it go.  You want them to listen to you when the bigger issues occur.

Answer 2

The school has rules for a reason - to keep our children safe. You don't need to know all the rules but when you are told you can't do something simple apologize and say you were unaware of the rule and now that you know it you will follow it. It is all about protecting our children.

Answer 3

From what you described, the principal was out of line telling you that you couldn't wait there.

Could the issue be that the principal was afraid you would take your son home straight from recess w/o signing him out and that could lead to a "missing child" issue? Just a thought.

Answer 4

Seeing as the principle knows you it does sound like he is singling you out a little. You were right as you aren't just anybody and the principle knows about your sons anxieties and you were not hurting anyone. It would be different if the school didn't know you and were concerned about safety for the children in the school. I think the principle in this situation needs to lighten up and allow you to be able to sit there 30 minutes earlier. Good luck hope he improves his attitude.  :)

Answer 5

next time, whoop his butt. Grab that principal and put him over your knee.whooop him til he screams UNCLE.

Answer 6

Yes.  You are the one who will be showing your son to follow rules - even the ones he doesn't like - as long as they aren't doing harm to you or yours.  

It's nice to sit and watch them play... Sorry for that rule.

Answer 7

Did he give you a reason for his comment.  Is it possible that he is just trying to protect the children?  There have been instances of children being nabbed from the schoolyard.  Most often by a family member who does not have custody.  If that is the case you should feel appreciation for his watchful eye.  

If that is not the case perhaps he could give more explanation as to the reason.  Was this a one time instance or an oft occurring thing?  Ask yourself what you would do if you were in charge of the safety and well being of an entire school.

Answer 8

The thing is, would you really want some random person coming over to watch the kids at recess (where there are usually a lot of kids and not a lot of adults supervising)? Obviously you meant no harm, but if they let you sit there, they need to let the creepy guy in the overcoat sit there, too.  I think they're just doing their job.

Answer 9

Okay, the obvious reasons have been done to death, so I will point out one more.

Should a Teacher or safety monitor need to correct your son, how would your son react? Any chance he might have gone running to Mommy instead of listening to the person in charge?

Can you see where I'm heading with this? A parent clearly visible to the child can be more a distraction than help.

Answer 10

I guess it's for saftey reasons, but I would be annoyed if I were you.  Sadly there are so many messed up people in the world.

Answer 11

You are wrong, what if some pervert wanted to sit on the bench and wave at your son, how would you feel.

Answer 12

yes, sort of.  in my area they have asked parents to please not hang around the school ground outside during class hours - due to the fact there are unfortunately child predators in our society, they want any "non-teacher" to stick out like a soar thumb on school grounds for the kids.   any adult will be considered a danger for their protection.  even though your child knows who you are, no one else does...no exceptions are made where we are simply for the childrens protection - this way no one can "pose" as a parent and lure a child to them

Answer 13

You were most deffinatley wrong.  You were there during school time and during school time the school is responsible for your child.  How would you have felt if that were a stranger sitting on that bench waving to your child?  The school obviously has rules and regulations and as a parent of a child attending that school it is incumbent upon you to follow those rules and regulations...after all you did sign that contract when you enrolled your child in the first place.  If you don't like the rules of your school I suggest you start attending the schoolboard meetings and parent teacher meetings and open your mouth there.  Getting angry at the principal is way out of line.

Answer 14

Say WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next year u need to find him a new public school close to where u work..

that school is unreal..

never heard of such.. they have the flimsiest rules...

U were in the right...

so sleep at night..

\take care

PS,,. just came back and read a few ans's.

. just the same as a safety issue.. plzzzzzzz

the teacher or  principal should of recognized u as being the child's mother.. u have been there enough... come on, guys...

Answer 15

sure cant thats trespassing

Answer 16

Did you go into the school yard, or was it a public bench outside the school yard?

If it was a public bench, the principal has no right to tell you not to sit on it.

However, if the bench was within the school yard, there may be a school policy preventing parents from entering that way.  In my daughter's school, every parent coming to pick up their child has to go to the office and sign in.

There are a lot of divorce situations where the non-custodial parent tries to gain access to the child by going to the school to pick them up without permission.  There are also pedophiles who try to gain entrance to the school as well.  I know these rules can be a pain, but they are for the protection of your child.

Answer 17

Believe me I know how you feel.  But it is the safe way to go.  Children are a blessing and should be kept safe at all coast.

Answer 18

It is a Safety reason.  Todays world is so screwed up.

Answer 19

This is your child.  He does not belong to the school.  If you want to follow him around all day, that is your right.

Answer 20

that was the "mother of my son" syndrome...you weren't wrong, but most schools have rules and regulations they are made to follow, for the protection of the school children.

Answer 21

Did you ask him why?  I would have, how else are you supposed to know?

Maybe it was to stop paedophiles sitting there grooming the kids, but if so then the obvious answer would be to remove the bench surely?

Answer 22

As long as you were outside the school you were well within your rights to be there. The principle, who handled the situation poorly, was trying to create an atmosphere for your child to grow without your presence - when your kids are at school they are the responsibility of the school. With many schools security is a concern, it sounds like the principle didn't want to create a precedent for parents or other adults talking to kids during recess.

Answer 23

If you hadn't "checked in" with the School, then you were wrong. It's a Safety Issue. Most schools, you have to go to the Office and Sign In - Then get a Visitor Sticker (or something similar) Someone must not have recognized you and alerted the Principle. Although, I DO think the Principle Should have been more Professional. Asked you to come inside and sign in, etc... Then you could have gone back outside w/ your son.

Answer 24

probably for Saftey reasons

Answer 25

school policies are in place for a reason and we all have to follow them to keep things running smoothly.