My Daughter..........

[MikeM]

Best wishes for your daughter's recovery.

...demanding more aid on the playground...

Be aware that an increasingly common "solution" to playtime liability issues across the country is not providing more adult supervision, but rather eliminating all recess or outdoor play.

[Mikekoz13]

Best wishes for your daughter's recovery.

...demanding more aid on the playground...

Be aware that an increasingly common "solution" to playtime liability issues across the country is not providing more adult supervision, but rather eliminating all recess or outdoor play.

yeah I know this. But I'd rather the kids have no recess, thus more learning, than serious injuries.

[dijiridude]

But I'd rather the kids have no recess, thus more learning, than serious injuries

please tell me you're joking

[Rob]

It amazes me that the school even have five foot high platforms in the playground for children to climb on and fall off.  Over here most of our school playgrounds are flat and built on one level with nothing to climb on or fall off.  that way, the children usually need only the supervision of one or two teachers or assistants.  I would definitely say the school should review their playground health and safety.

[herronm]

Mike,  I'm sorry to hear about your daughter.  I'll say a prayer for her speedy recovery.

[joergHH]

Best wishes for your daughter!

J

[Stu]

Mikekoz, I am really sorry to hear about what happened.  I know you are like me and don't like to jump the gun when sometimes, things just happen.  But it really sounds like a case of negligence.  School administators are such dopes.  I'm glad you are ready for the BS they will likely dish out.  We had an incident with our daughter on the playground.  The PTA had purchased some things for the school, including tetherball for the playground.  Our daughter wasn't paying close enough attention one day, and got hit in the head pretty hard... a minor concussion.  In this case, we didn't make a big deal out of it because it was partially her fault for not paying attention.  Of course the school was all freaked out (probably lawsuit paranoia)... their solution: remove the tetherball.

This is an all too typical response from bureaucrats... something happens... punish everyone rather than seek alternative solutions.  Public schools are hell bent on political correctness so that no one should fail or feel bad because maybe they aren't smart enough or athletic enough... so everyone is coddled.  The sad thing is, the kids know how to keep score and how they stack up against other kids... too bad administrators don't realize this as it does a disservice when our precious ones enter the outside world and are ill prepared to realize that they are not the center of the universe.  People must work hard and do fail.  Stick to your guns, my man, and take care of that precious girl.  Sorry for the long rant.

[Mikekoz13]

But I'd rather the kids have no recess, thus more learning, than serious injuries

please tell me you're joking

No, I'm not joking. There is too mush BS that goes on in the schools these days. Extra recesses, a lot of field trips, parties, etc..

By the way..... nice first post.

[warhawk]

hey mike:  i'm so sorry 2 hear about your daughter.  i'll B praying 4 a quick recovery.

WARHAWK

[Mikekoz13]

Stu-

It's amazing how much alike you and I think. Part of my whole point was to go there to make sure they DON'T remove that platform play area. Accidents happen.

[Mikekoz13]

So I met with the Principal first this morning and much to my amazment she didn't try to feed me any line of crap or politically correct mumbo-jumbo.
She actually agreed with everything i said and suggested about the playground area.

Then i spoke to my daughter's teacher to reassure her that we didn't hold her to blame for anything. She was feeling a little guilty so we wanted to put that to rest immediately. She's a great teacher.

Then I went directly to the Superintendant's office just down the road. He had already talked to the Principal earlier in the AM about what happened and when I mentioned my name to his secretary he overheard and came right out.
I have heard that he is an honorable, kind man and he proved that statement to be true. He showed some real concern over my daughter's health and really liked several of my suggestions concerning the playground policies.
Both he and the Principal have assured me that there will be almost immediate changes in some of the policies. For one, there will be more supervision before the end of the week. Other suggestions I made will be looked into immediately.

I also assured all parties involved that I would not go away. I told them that I would be monitoring the progress of any changes and that I would be back if things did not change.
The threat to mobilize the parents in town as well as an innuendo on my part that we (the town) didn't want the local newspapers to catch wind of children breaking bones on the school playground made my points firmly.
I asked the Principal if she really wanted to be known as the "Principal of the school where all the kids break there arms". She hung her head and just shook it back and forth.

I never raised my voice or made threats. I was firm and forthright. They knew that I meant everything that I said.

We'll see what happens.

[Wil87]

Sounds like you made a fine and compelling argument Mike....make sure you monitor the progress though!

Sorry its a bit late, but best wishes to your daughter, while it sounds like a nasty injury, kids are remarkably quick to bounce back!

[Paul]

My thoughts and prayers are with your daughter Mike.   Hope the surgury goes well and she has a speedy recovery.  NOW GO OUT THERE AND GET THOSE ADMINISTRATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alexander215]

I asked the Principal if she really wanted to be known as the "Principal of the school where all the kids break there arms". She hung her head and just shook it back and forth.

Theres guilt for you.

[Stu]

Stu-

It's amazing how much alike you and I think. Part of my whole point was to go there to make sure they DON'T remove that platform play area. Accidents happen.

Maybe we're brothers from different mothers... 

Anyway, I'm glad that so far it looks like you have them in your hands like putty.  As you are well aware, if you don't stay on top of the situation, they won't either, so stay on them like a pitbull.