Problems with Teacher

I know that your family has already dealt with this issue but I just want to say thanks for posting this request. My daughter will be starting Kindergarten in a year (before I know it!) and this is one of the topics I will bring up. I will be sure to ask how often does the teacher let the child go to the bathroom and what is their procedures when/if an accident happens. It was so sad to read this but very helpful to someone like me. Thanks.

They do this, to teach the children, timing is everything. They do give bathroom breaks, but, that doesn't mean that there are NOT extraordinary circumstances. Write a note to the teacher, and a copy to the principal, that the parents give their son, permission, to leave the classroom, when necessary, without any further ado.

Wow. I have such a hard time believing that any person, teacher or not, would allow a child to sit in soiled underwear and pants for any period of time. I'm not doubting your story in any way, but this "teacher" does not represent the overwhelming majority of them who would never dream of doing that.

Another conference with the teacher and principal is the only thing that I can think of--which is what they are doing. The solution would be to let the child go to the bathroom when he asks. I'd have them get this agreement in writing from the teacher.

I saw your update and I'm glad the superintendent is taking things seriously. The only thing I wanted to add is that they may want to have him moved to another teacher's classroom. Anyone crazy enough to think it's appropriate for a child to be forced to wear soiled clothing sounds crazy enough to me to be the sort to retaliate against your nephew for reporting it. And it's usually pretty difficult to discipline a tenured teacher.

Good for his parents for standing up for him! I think one lesson of the grade school years is that things are not always fair - but an even more important lesson is that parents can be relied on to support their child when it's something that is that obviously wrong. Good luck to them!

I worked in 1st. grade with one of the meanest teachers,and she was young mid 20's. And she had a real problem with kids going to the washroom when it was not "potty break" . I would let the kids go whom I knew where not goofing around, because that happens, they are kids. I don't know if it is a power struggle, but sometimes a note from mom & dad made it harder on the kids. I would go to the super, and the board. I can
not imagaine anyone letting a child of any age sitting in his/her own mess all day like that. I would DEMAND that the teacher be held accountable for her action. She should say she is sorry in front of the entire class. After all isn't that what we teach our children? To say sorry when they are wrong? I finally quit the school because I could not handle the rudness this teacher endured on these kids. Now I run my own daycare a safe happy place for kids to come, where they are treated with love and respect daily. Good luck to your nephew i hope it does not ruin his idea of school. It can be a great palce. Sometimes I think these young kids go to teaching because they are looking for an easy job, there is nothing easy about teaching. It takes a wonderful special person who loves to be around kids. We have to watch out for our children, in classes I have taken it teaches you how to watch for these things. I truly hope it works out. My heartgoes out to your little nephew. Best of Luck...

One more trip to the principal. And threaten to go to the board if this isn't taken care of.

I find this very intresting. My husband and I were talking about this last week. One of my daughters freinds in her 3rd grade class asked to go and was told no and then ended up having a accident. My daughters teacher gives a potty break every hour but like my daughter she has a problem and sometimes has to go often. I think that it is wrong and children should beable to raise ther hand and allowed to go. Not every bodies bladder/bowels works the same. I would raise the issue again at school if the principal does nothing again and the teacher only say sorry then go to the higher ups! This is uncalled for there or any where else. Teacher are to be role models not act like a child! I also would consider having him pulled from her class and placed in another class. Sorry to hear about this and best of luck!

They need to go to the superintendent if the principal isn't taking action. It is unacceptable that a child sit in their own BM or urine for a whole day. Not only is she not listening to the child but is not caring for his physical needs (getting clean clothes) or his emotional needs (the stigmatizem of being the child in the class that has accidents). The parents are doing the right thing by going to the school until there is a resolution. I can't believe this actually happens, how sad!!!

T.,

I am so sorry for what your nephew is dealing with. It is outrageous that teachers will not let a small child use the restroom when needed--how on earth can they let the child stay in the soiled clothes! I would be in the principals office finding out school rules and perhaps the teacher needs to know your nephew has problems holding it for a long time......my daughters school alos does not allow them to go whenever they want but when it is obvious it is an emergency and can no longer be helpd they let the child go. I find your nephews situation unexcusable and would address it with the school principal or administrator for the district.