SM, I just saw this and I am speechless. How on Earth can a school be allowed to endanger a child's health that way? I know how crazy schools get about anything that wins them awards (marching bands, football teams, etc), but this is nuts.
I hope your daughter will stick to her guns and make them see sense. I send her all the hugs in the world and all the strength I can share.
{{{Hug}}} to you too.
Whaaaaat???????
Uh uh, NO WAY, some serious arse kicking is required here, if her scholorship depends on it. Pass me a whack bonk stick...
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
I am absolutely enraged by what happens. What I WANT to say is none too fluffy! I agree with what everyone has said so far. I hope in the end cooler heads will prevail and they will see YOUR side. It angers me when adults set examples like this for our children. I pray that all will work out and your daughter will not have to sacrifice her college money for some idiots decision! Prayers and hugs for you and your family! (((SM Family))) I have a whackbonk stick at the ready....
Posted 2 years ago by mollycat71 #
SM and daughter, we're with you all the way!!
Posted 2 years ago by LadyKat of IA #
I am in a very bad situation. If I help my daughter and fight the school I will be fired. It has happened before to others. This is a small town. If you look at most of the top teachers and administration you will find that jobs are legacies. Example my great-grandfather was the first principal of this school, then my grandfather, my father, and my mother was the head of her department, my aunts and uncles were in these schools as teachers.... I am sure you see where I am going with this. I had a VERY dear friend that was hired in the English department in the high school. They needed her because numbers were up and they had to increase since 4 years of English became required for graduation. When the numbers went down after they had hired all the extra teacher it wasn't the local that lost the job it was my friend a military spouse. They admitted she was the better teacher, but she was military and would be leaving eventually. I have to be very careful or it will not be just my daughter sitting on the side. I need my job, and it doesn't matter how good I am or what awards I have. The athletic and band departments get what ever they want. It has always been that way. Until someone dies nothing will change. Every year they have to have someone taken to the hospital because of how hard they are worked. More than once they have had to have an ambulance called to take a child to the hospital. This town always supports athletics and band. They are pawns, desposable with others that can take their place. I read your advice and it is the same advice I would give. But now I know that if I push this I will lose my job. Can I get another, probably next year. This town even ran the NEA out. I have always put my daughter first and I will now too. But for me it means I will probably lose my job. I have been sacrificing for my husband and daughter most of my life. When we got here my husband said it is your turn. I have wanted to teach all my life. I am very good at what I do. But this is Clovis and I am expendable. I know what I have to do and will do. I also know what it will cost. Maybe God is reminding me that I should have taken the pay cut and gone to the Christian School. I am sorry this is rambling. I just hurt more than I ever have before. Lainey I am with you it isn't fair but as you said very little in life is fair.
Thank you very much for the support, prayers, and friendship.
{{{SM}}} This is quite a stinky and sticky situation. Are you tenured? Are you a member of the NEA (even though the town ran them out - probably illegal)? I'm sorry to keep harping but I'm really concerned about this and the precident it sets...or breaks (something that might be worth looking into) as well as daughter missing out on such a character-building time. I've also seen both sides of this fence.
What if you stayed out of it all together? Are there enough band members to squeek the wheel on her behalf, emphasizing this precident?
Regardless of what happens, you have my support, prayers and friendship.
Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
I didn't realize the precarious situation you are in SM. My prayers and thoughts with both you and your daughter. You know we all love and support you and her no matter what. Many hugs.
Posted 2 years ago by Jetta and Boo Boo's Mom #
I have to say, as TDK's newest insomniac, when I finally got to sleep, I thought I was laying in bed spinning my saber, but it was really my whack-bonk stick.
Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
What will you be teaching if you protect your job at your daughter's expense and next year that death occurs? It may occur anyway, but you will feel the weight of your condoning dangerous policies if you remain quiet.
See a Lawyer. Go to Lubbock or Amarillo to see one if Santa Fe or Albuquerque is too far. If you are fired for this even without NEA protection you can sue and the media will love it.
Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #
Joan they will not tenure here. All teachers are at will. I am a member of NEA but we are not allowed to meet here. Because of things that have happened in the past almost every NEA member has left this district. When numbers begin to rise again in NEA there are always negative consequences. This past year so many joined and they thought we would have collective bargaining, so the supertintendant came out and said that those that joined would have to figure out another way to pay because she would not allow the finance staff to have to be burdened with taking it directly from their pay. The new people understood what was being said loud and clear--become an NEA member and you are labeled a radical and trouble maker--they look for a reason to get rid of you.
I talked to my daughter like KW suggested and she said to let her speak with the director herself. She said she needs to tell him a few things. She is going to thank him for her years in band. When he made her march against medical orders last year when she had MRSA or throw her off the field. She wants to say that she is very thankful that when he had his heart issue and was hospitalized he wasn't replaced when he missed a few weeks--to include competition. She said that regardless of what he does, she will stand up and be proud of what she has accomplished. I should live up to her example.
It is a complete crock of smelly brown stuff, and I really feel for you SM -
{{{hugs}}}
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
SM I can not tell you how sorry I am for you and your daughter right now. In most situations you could easily fight this because of the students not getting proper water breaks to the point of making them ill. However, I also understand the workings of "small town" and you are right between that rock and a hard place. At this time all I can do is pray for the 2 of you. Maybe this freshman will not be able to cut it and they will reconsider your daughter and the value of going to competion with the more experiance band member.
*shaking head* this is just sooo wrong. Stand proud, stand tall, daughter. You are rising above all others. {{{SM & daughter}}}
Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
SM, I am so sorry for the situation. It is completely unfair and dangerous. Here in Kentucky a football coach is now being prosecuted for murder because of a player dying on the field. http://www.wjbf.com/jbf/news/national/article/kentucky_high_school_football_coach_charged_in_players_death/10289/
This story needs to be held up as an example to coaches and band leaders all over the country. This might have gotten swept under the rug but parents and members of the community banded together and would not let the media let it die. I hope Clovis is not the next place to have a child die because of irresponsible adults.
Posted 2 years ago by KYKAT 12 23 #
Awwww...SM....I know I don't even have to say...You Must Be So Proud...*there I said it* Your daughter is one to behold for all her work, loyalty and perseverance. A lovely girl for sure. No doubt she has some very good points to make to the director. Good for her....and shame on him! Hugs 'n' Prayers to you all.
I just read your last post....It just breaks my heart. I'm so proud of you and the way you've always put your family first. Wow...there's no job like a mother's job. I couldn't agree more that life just isn't fair at all. =(
SM, I can relate to what you mean about small towns. Around here we call it the good ole boy system. My son hurt his knee the year before last during football practice and all the coaches did was scream at him to get off the field. None of the coaches bothered to check him to see what the problem was. Some of his buddies on the team drug him off the field because he couldn't stand up. It ended up that he hsd dislocated his knee. My husband ended up going to school and talking to the athletic director and then they wanted to be all concerned. As for my son he decided to not play football anymore, even though the coaches really begged for him to. My son told them all that they didn't care about the team members that all they wanted to do was win games and that both should go hand in hand and until they changed their attitudes he wasn't interested. I was very proud of him for making that stance and I think your daughter is doing the right thing. You must be very proud of her she definately sounds like she is one strong young lady. My hugs and prayers go out to the both of you.
Posted 2 years ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
Karen when we initially took him to the er, they thought he had torn his acl, I am so very glad that he didn't. It is amazing to see young people that are mature. Thank you
Posted 2 years ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
SM, your daughter is showing a level of maturity not matched by those who made this decision. I hope they will reconsider, but even if they don't, she can be very proud of her conduct. I admire her (and you) immensely and I can't wait to meet you both in Austin!! {{{{hugs}}}}
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
You know that he learned his maturity from his parents! She went in early this morning to speak with the director. I haven't heard from her, so I know she is in practice. I will see her in 1 hour at the lunch break. I want so badly to scream at him. My husband called and said he is taking care of the school end. He listened to me. He spoke with someone on base and was assured that if I am the one speaking my job is indeed in jeopardy. He called the band director and got his voice mail. He left a message.
I am just seeing this thread and I want to say SM, your daughter sounds like she knows what to do. I echo what KW said about your daughter's maturity. Sounds like you husband is helping too.
Sending you and your family prayers and hugs that this all gets worked out.
Posted 2 years ago by SylMiaFelixsMomma #
SM...I honestly don't know what to say. I'm so emotionally scrambled at this time. I just want to see these 'Bullies' within the system, pulled to there knees. I totally agree w/Aluromaniac tho. I think a lawyer would be a good idea.
Everything they are attempting to do (right down to losing your job) IS a crock of brown stuff! It sounds like they're trying to cover their a**es before anything illegal comes out against them.
Lots of Loving Prayers for You & Daughter to find the strength to stop these no-gooders in their tracks.
Bless your Husband for stepping in to help. {{{HUGS}}}
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