It's Not My Job Syndrome

Food allergies can be very serious. While it MAY NOT have been that teacher's "job" to get the sign, he/she certainly should have gotten the wheels in motion for the Grand Poobah of Sign Placing to get moving!

Let the district know.

Since things can get lost in translation (especially coming from an 8 yr old), if it were the very first time this happened, I'd probably let it go. If it happens again, I would gently approach administration to address it, not go in fists swinging shouting accusations.

:)

This is a prime example of how unions are shooting themselves in the foot. While proposed legislation to dissolve unions is terribly unfair, this is exactly why the general public has such disdain for them!

But I digress - talk to the principal and ask what the procedure is for the signage. Go in with a cool head. It is likely that the principal is not the one who forgot to place the sign so don't shoot the messenger. Simply state something to the effect of: "My son sits at a 'food allergy' table and was a little dismayed when the sign was not posted yesterday. Being an advocate for his own health, he sought assistance from one of your teachers to get a sign put on the table to which she replied "It's not my job." I'm really concerned about the health of my child, as I am sure you are too. Can you please check into this to see what happened and can you also, perhaps have an alternate plan for faculty and staff in the event yesterday's actions are repeated? Although you are not the person present in the cafeteria, you ultimately are responsible for the health and well-being of my son while he is in your school's care. I really don't want anything to happen to him and I'm sure you don't either."

That ought to set the ball in motion.

Technically it was NOT that teachers job to do something, that is a lunchroon persons job to do. That teacher has to worry about getting their own class of kids settled and make sure they have everything before they get to take their own lunch break. If it had been his own teacher he asked I am sure that he might have gotten a different answer. As for no other adults being around, that most likely is not true since most elementary lunch rooms have at least two attendants along with the person heating up or cooking lunch along with a cashier. If I were you I would make a trip to the school and speak to the lunchroom personnel and find out what the procedures are for kids with allergies, going through the front office first of course.

I bet that teacher is Union. I have nothing against union's, but it seems that is the answer when you have a Union. If this happens again I would tell your son to go to the office if possible and ask for help. I would also have him tell them that he asked Mrs. B and she said no.

Since this could be a life threatening issue with your son I would also contact the school today and make them aware of the problem. Chances are the person who normally puts the sign up was off work yesterday. This still gives that teacher no right to act like she did.

Thats the unions for you. Never willing to take one step outside of their job description.

No matter what, in a school system you would hope that regardless of what the question is, any teacher should NEVER say that to a child! It is not only irresponsible (especially in this instance) but it is also teaching the children VERY bad habits!

I would ask your son which teacher it was and make a call to the principle. I know it may seem like you are being a little 'picky' (can't think of a better word), but I think that these are the little things that make our children grow up with a sense of responsibility and knowledge of how to be an active member of society.
Not to mention that in this specific situation, it could be dangerous for those children that need that table to make sure they are safe to eat lunch without having an allegric reaction!

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I would pitch an all out fit and threated a lawsuit on the school. It IS every teacher's job in that school to make sure kids are SAFE and he was not safe if someone ate peanuts at that table. He could have had an allergive reaction to it. I'd meet with the principal andtell him/her that I didn't care if a lunch lady, nurse, teacher, or herself made sure that table was infact peanut free, but it would be done or legal action would be taken. I know this sounds harsh, but I've had it with my kids school this year and am one incident away from a lawsuit with them. It comes down to our children's safety...and everyone's job discription that I've ever seen has the infamous line "and other duties as assigned" in there somewhere...it was her job.

Talk to the principal.We are talking about life and death here.

I despise lazy people who do the minimum!

A mom once spilled 20 ounces of tea right in the cafeteria line. She did not clean it up though the supplies were right there. She told the head janitor who along with 2 other janitors was right there because they do lunch duty.
He told the assistant janitor who put the cone out. The assistant told the other janitor to clean it up. He left the cafeteria, walking past the spill, the cone, and the mop in a bucket of water. He was gone 10 minutes and finally came back with the newest janitor who cleaned it up after 15 minutes and many kids walking in it. That story sums up why our school is 2nd rate on a good day.

Ask the teacher. While I agree with Theresa that things can get lost in translation, this is not one you should just let go without first finding out exactly what happened.

Your son is in 2nd grade - you know how accurate his memory and message relaying abilities are. Find out for sure if she said this. You will be able to tell from her reaction when you ask her. If she said it or seems to be lying, go above her head to her boss. Like another poster mentioned, this not only shows your son irresponsible behavior but could be very dangerous for many, as you are aware.

Good luck to you.

She could have said, "I don't have the sign" or SOMETHING but "It's not my job?" To a kid? I'd call the school. I'd find out who fell down on the job (this is a health issue for your son) and find out why that teacher said that to your kid.

Ooooo this makes me so mad - why do people go into professions to be with children if they don't actually want to BE with children? Anyway, that doesn't help you solve the problem, but I wanted to commiserate with you and let you know that yes, she was wrong!
Can you send a paper sign with him in his backpack that he can prop up on the table in case this happens again? Or maybe a big sticker ON his backpack and he could prop his backpack up on the table? Do they even take their backpacks to lunch? Probably not, but I'm not up to par on lunchroom stuff yet, my Kindergartner eats lunch in his room.
Maybe call the school, or go in there yourself, and make sure the sign is in a specific location that he can get it himself every day (maybe with the person who is collecting lunch money or checking off names in the computer).
Hopefully you'll get better ideas from other people, because that is unacceptable. When your child's very life is at stake, it is everyone's job at the school to make sure he is safe!

Gah!! Yep, wouldn't be very pleased if I were you. I have to say that keeping ALL the students safe at the school is definitely in her job description. I would probably say something to his teacher. I know that she isn't the one that did it, but she can help by keeping an eye on him.

Your son is young so kudos to him for asking an adult to do something that needs to be done. The teacher, even on bad days, needs to respond appropriately. She should have pointed your son in the direction of who can help him if she feels it is 'not my job' or if she did know where the sign is and easily gotten to retrieve it. Now if the teacher would have to leave the room, I understand that is not possible if in charge of watching, but should still be able to point your son to someone else (or the sign).

I would call the principle and simply ask what the signage procedures are; who is in charge of it, if it is not there who should your son approach, if that person is not helpful or around what are other steps your son can take, and any other questions that you can think of. If this is the first time this happened I would not mention the teacher was not helpful, unless the principal asks why you are asking all the questions. If this has happened many times then you do need to make a point that this needs to be addressed or remind the teachers that this is important to be helpful in the simple task of putting out the sign.

Denise P....amazing...Yes, when it comes to allergies, they are in some cases life or death...and as hard as it may have been for that second grade teacher to get the sign...I would think she would have been jumping a bit more if something serious was to happen to him. It would of required all of three minutes probably for her to find the thing...Or if she couldnt leave the area she could have stood next to your sons table until the sign was gotten!

I would call and talk to someone higher up with the school district...That is just nuts!!! I cant believe anyone would be so rude!

Diana,

That is SO wrong! I can not believe this horribly selfish teacher. I think you should go to the prinicpal and tell them that they need to tell their teachers to help with this and be an example or they need to be forced to go to food allergy training,sensitivities etc. Doesn't this teacher realize how dangerous it is for your child???? I would not let this one get swept under the rug...I would make a stink until everyone no matter if they like it or not is on board and in agreement. Your child did the right thing and asked for help--for this person in a position of authority to refuse to help him is unacceptable. GL on the situation.

Molly

I didn't read the other responses, but I wanted to say to please praise your son lavishly. It is wonderful that you are also teaching him to speak up about his allergy- that will make all the difference in the long run.

If you haven't heard of it, there is a wonderful magazine called Living Without, that deals with food allergies. They have great recipes, but the articles are always good too- lots of people writing in with various stories, as well as the latest info on allergies, etc.

I wish it was easier. ((hugs))

You did the right thing...People are pretty calluous some times.