Would you talk to the principal or let it slide?

Question

I was volunteering at my daughter's Field Day (with my 2yo son in tow). We left our drink (big bottle of powerade) near one of the water stations while we went inside and readied all the otter pops for after the kids were done (about 5 minutes). We came back and were informed (by a student and the coach) that a pack of 5th graders decided to share it amongst themselves and drank it. First off...ew! What if we were recovering from strep and they all caught it? Second, boundaries. I know I left it there, but if it was a teachers, they wouldn't have touched it (plus my son had dropped it and cracked the cap so I didn't want him sloshing it around everything and getting it sticky). So should I talk to the principal, or let it slide? I know that if it was my child and I found out about it, I'd be very upset.

Answer 1

I was raised to respect other people and other people's property... but I know that I'm an unusual rarity in that attitude these days... and every generation of kids is getting worse and worse.

But I was also raised that, if you do things to set yourself up as a victim, and you become victimized, a huge part of that becomes your own fault, and you have to take responsibility for that.

An adult could have just as easily come by, saw the presumably abandoned drink, and tossed it away.  Would you have been upset about that too?

And you should be glad they just decided to drink from it.  I, for one, wouldn't trust my drink after leaving it alone for a while.  Hello -- this is how date rape drugs happen!  Or kids being kids, who knows what they could have put in it (if you really want "ewwwww", just think about it, really).

Let it slide, and know better next time.

Answer 2

In the grand scheme of things, the principal will probably not care.  I understand how upsetting it is, but its one of those "pick your battles" moments, and this doesn't seem like one.

Answer 3

I think that if the coach saw the kids doing that he would have already given them trouble for it.

Answer 4

it' just a drink and they are just kids.  a bottle of powerade is not enough to make a fuss over... especially if it's partially drunk and has a crack in the lid.

that being said, the teachers probably should have said something but, hey, it's a busy day and they were probably trying to so many things at once it wasn't funny.

so i would chalk it up to kids being kids.  no it's not sanitary but hey they're kids.

Answer 5

just let it go

Answer 6

This 5th graders need to learn to NOT steal. Like you said they would not have touched it, if it was a teachers drink, but you are "just" a parent, so they think that gives them the RIGHT to steal your drink.

I would be furious and yes I would certainly be complaining to the teacher AND the principal.

Answer 7

Why not talk to the teacher if you deem it that necessary? Personally, I'd let it slide though.

Answer 8

its not the end of the world but let the teachers know. it might help in the future.

Answer 9

Let it slide.  It's gross that they drank someone else's drink, but they're 5th graders.  What else would you expect.  Don't get the principal involved or you won't be taken seriously when a serious issue arises.

Answer 10

Step up, take responsibility and apologize. No harm can come from that. If  the principal deems it unnecessary, it will still show good character on your part as well as an absence of malice.

Answer 11

Um, let it slide. You don't know if the teacher even saw what was going on. She may have seen the drink, but didn't know whose it was. As a teacher myself, I can honestly tell you that it's not my position to tell students what they can and cannot share in my classroom (muchless on a field trip). Additionally, she may have seen them in a clump, but if they weren't being rowdy, I would not have interfered. Next time, either finish it or throw it away.

Answer 12

To be honest I'd just let it slide, it's just a Powerade. If it keeps up, have a chat with the principal.

Answer 13

Talk to the principal.This shows you what kind of parents those kids have.

I learned at an early age, if it isn't yours don't touch it!

Not without asking or unless they offer.

Answer 14

Just like one person already pointed out, it's a pick your battle moment.  Personally, I'd let it slide.  Main reason, when something big happens, and you want the principal to take your call and take you seriously, you don't bother with little things like that.

The kids know what they did was wrong.

Answer 15

You know, ewww, but bottom line - you did leave it there.  Kids are kids and they are easily tempted.  You're just lucky that some kid with strep throat didn't come by, take a small sip, and put it back for you to pick up (or worse, your kid) and drink.  You'd never know.

Let it go.  The kids were all wound up with field day and probably more inclined to do something they know better than to do.  And field day is sooo crazy, that teachers often have more pressing issues than a shared powerade.

If I were to talk to the teacher/principal I would only come from the angle that perhaps a reminder about not drinking strange drinks would be advisable.  

Come at it from a safety and health/hygiene stand point rather then you are upset about you drink being "stolen."  I'm more concerned about the health implications than the moral one.

Answer 16

The principal probably wouldn't care too much.

Answer 17

I would definitely let the teacher know. If those children were in my class, I would be making them buy a new bottle of powerade for the parent. Not because you as the parent are really desparate to have your powerade replaced, but because they were, in effect, stealing, and they need to know that there are consequences to such behaviour.

Also, I agree with you - ewww! I would also have a strong talking to the kids about not drinking other people's drinks.