to want to complain about comments in school newsletter

[kel4mum]

My dp took the kids to school for me last thur, he drives a big purple and pink van. He finally found a place to park, but when doing so he was verbally abused by another driver taking kids to school as she couldnt get pass. My dp who was shocked by the language that came out of her mouth just apologised and moved his van a little futher down so that others could pass safely. Then today when my ds came home from school, as bold as brass was the mention of my dp van in the newsletter. It reads i quote:

Dangerous Driving/Parking
A purple/pink large transit van -
(Reg number)- was parked illegally
and, when pulling away, nearly
knocked down a parent. Please remember all our children's and parents' safety when parking near the school.

I was outraged, why the hell had this woman gone in to the school and tried to shame him with a pack of lies. Dp is fuming and has said that he wont take the kids to school again for me. I really want to complain to the school for printing this as it is total crap. He wasnt parked illegally and he definately didnt nearly knock anyone over. Im i right to be angry esp when there are parents out there that park on zig zags etc

It's outrageous. If the school was concerned they should have approached you directly, not put it in the newsletter. It's not news, is it?! DP and the school could have discussed and resolved it without bad feeling.

Knowing the parents at my DC's school, it won't be a PTA parent - it'll be a troublemaker that they're scared of, not someone who does anything positive for the school.

Definitely complain.

I fully support naming and shaming in the school newsletter.

But only if they are 100% sure of the facts!

I do agree with name and shame if you are reoccuring offender and a lot of people have complained about you and the head had spoken to you and you still carried on. But they have taken the word of one parent, who lies to make it sound worse. moo..

Bump

Do a formal letter of complaint with a copy to the chair of governors. It is completely out of order to name and shame without getting your DH's side of the story.

dp doesnt want to complain now as he feels its a waste of time. Should i complain on his behalf? Ive already had two mums who know us comment on this and i am sure it wont be long before others have their say. I dont want women in the playground bitching about my dp when he has done nothing wrong

It shouldn't be a waste of time if you are clear about the outcome you want from it. If I were your DH it would be two things:

1. A retraction and apology in the next newsletter. 2)An acknowledgement by the school that this type of accusation has no place in a school newsletter and that they should ensure they have both sides of a story before naming and shaming. If he or you go to the school with these prefectly reasonable requests it is hard to see how they could refuse to agree.

I agree that you don't want them complaining * bitching if he hasn't done anything wrong, but then if they always name & shame then they haven't picked on your dh specifically.

I would be annoyed if this went as far as his work though.

Yes complain on his behalf. Damn it this isn't acceptable!!!!

Thank you RosaLuxembourg you have put it so nicely. If dp,who i really wish was dh, doesnt complain i will do exactly as you have said. Thank you

Sorry for misnaming your dp Kel4mum - should have paid more attention! I'm glad you've decided to complain - actually maybe you should look on it not as complaining but as giving them the opportunity to improve the way they handle this type of situation!

Thats ok RL, wish he was dh but thats whole other tread