Daughters water contaminated at school

[ZebraD]

Just that - daughter went out to play at school break time. Came back in and thankfully noticed her bottle had bubbles in it so didn’t actually drink it. However it turns out that someone has put hand sanitizer in the water. (She opened the bottle and could smell it I think)
school didn’t ring me until an hour after school ends (it happened morning break). Daughter was at her dad’s last night so I knew nothing of it until they rang.
they don’t know who did it. The only thing the teacher explained at is that it is dangerous to do things like that - he said they spent 20 minutes talking about the dangers and then carried on with lessons.
how would you feel?

@Kaben back in the good old days nobody would have had a water bottle in class. And a whole primary school class wouldn't have been given detention.

The teacher dealt with it immediately. It doesn't need a whole school assembly for a one off incident. For one thing, it can give some kids ideas they wouldn't otherwise have had. Presumably consequences were discussed by the teacher? Should nip it in the bud and, if it doesn't, the teacher probably has an idea who is behind it just no proof yet.

Maybe they survived but I remember being very thirsty at school. especially in warm weather. I used to get headaches which the doctor put down to jog drinking enough. I’m sure I didn’t perform as well in lessons as I could have some days due to it so I think allowing water bottles is probably better.

*not

Nobody has said it’s acceptable though. But you have to be realistic as to what school can do. They can’t watch every child all of the time it’s physically impossible, if nobody witnessed it and nobody is owning up then other than reminding the whole class of the dangers what else can they do?

YY. And the kids that have been told by mum to drink A LOT coz the temperature has somehow got above 18 degrees and then they are constantly needing the loo midway through classes...

OP, I appreciate it is upsetting but you are really not reading what people are saying. It isn't bullying - unless there is a drip feed - it is a one time offence against her - bullying is repeated actions. It has been noted - the teacher has explained to the children the dangers - has taken considerable time out of a pre-planned day.

The next step is to protect your daughters drink - so tape/plastic bottle etc.

The teacher can not punish or hold the class until one confesses - that isn't how we treat children today. And yes I would have an issue if innocent children are punished -that doesn't teach respect it completely tears it down and raises children to not disclose.

And no thank you to having my children being exposed to "military behaviour modification strategies" - strangely enough I don't want psychology which is used to desensitize people to killing others as a job if necessary and to stick to orders never question or use self determination.

I would suggest those that do look into the considerable broad range of peer reviewed research into how absolutely "fucked up!" they end up with generational issues in forming relationships, protecting abuse, communication issues etc.

Hopefully the culprit has got the message.

@PeaceOnThePorch if a child had symptoms that might be attributed to not drinking enough then I would make sure they had access to a cup of water and check on them repeatedly through out the day. The first thing I do if a child says they have a headache is offer them some water. But believe me, 30 kids with water bottles is a logistical nightmare at times. The OP's situation illustrates that well.

What I don't get about water bottles, am I meant to take it out of the bag every day, wash it up, dry it, put it back together and remember to put it back in the bag? Every. Bloody. Day. My child is not this thirsty! Does my head in.

Nobody has said it's acceptable. Not one.

I mean… I have three kids at school and yes, manage to wash and refill their bottles every day. Just like I remember to make sure they’ve got all the other stuff they need. It’s hardly difficult 😁. And when they get past a certain age, they can be responsible for it themselves.

OP it’s a horrible thing to happen and I can see why you’re upset. My daughter is a similar age and some of the behaviour in her class at school is shocking.
However as there’s no realistic way of finding the culprit (bar them confessing, which is unlikely) I’m not sure what they could do other than a class talk.

Yes pls, @TheCoolOliveBalonz and don't forget to fill it up again. Right up to the brim, please but don't screw the lid on tight, just tight enough to let a bit leak out all over their homework. Ta, muchly! 😉

PS - also can you add in some contraband sugary cordial so that their books are stained orange and the kids are hyped on E numbers.

I would suggest those that do look into the considerable broad range of peer reviewed research into how absolutely "fucked up!" they end up with generational issues in forming relationships, protecting abuse, communication issues etc

Mine who went through this are absolutely no different in terms of outcomes as adults than my others who went to public schools* where this was not the case, nor are any of my kids different to any of their friends from outside school activities or friends they made while in uni or casual work who didn’t go through such a system at school. They just didn’t have to put up with as much dickish and disruptive behaviour at school as everyone else. Didn’t affect them whatsoever as compared to peers as adults, and they don’t view it as an adverse experience.

Before whacking up some ‘study’ re favouritism in kids, rest assured all of mine went where they wanted to go. Some chose to go public as that’s where friends were going and was their personal preference. Some started public and ended in private, precisely due to adverse behaviour with no consequences which they felt affected learning. Some started private then went public due to in availability of desired specialty subjects. Everyone got what they wanted.

I asked how others would feel - that was the question not how the school handled it

When it happened to my son what I felt was "typical bloody daft kids".

Do you always make such a small job into a big thing? 😅

@HoppingPavlova and then they are the lucky ones. If you want to review -google collective punishment, Geneva convention - it makes very interesting reading.

I sadly was one person who didn't do great after years of collective punishment through my secondary education. As were many of my peers - we were innocent children treated without respect by so called educators. At nearly 50 we are still impacted - we are not unique.

One if my children is quiet and shy at school and would never tell the teacher she was thirsty or had a headache. It’s good that she had a water bottle whenever she wanted. For most kids having a water bottle is beneficial and they manage to behave and not mess about with them.

@PeaceOnThePorch but I would hope that child's parents would tell the teacher who (if they are worth their salt) would check on them and make sure they drank enough. In times of yore Before water bottles came in I did this often with children like that even if parents hadn't actually asked me to but because I know that they are the quieter ones. It took less effort than the myriad of time consuming issues that water bottles create.

My mum did ask the teacher to offer me water and check on me but they rarely did, they were busy. I felt so much better at secondary school when I could drink whenever I wanted to, no more headaches and feeling thirsty.

I’m glad that kids have access to water bottles now.

Also, the kids that cause issues with water bottles also cause trouble generally ime. (I used to be a teaching assistant) It’s not the water bottles that are the issue, it’s the children themselves.

I don't think the school could do much if they don't know who did it.

I'd be checking they gave her enough alternative fluids. How are they going to tackle this if it happens again? Kids could get very unwell.

I have to say I agree with you op. I think adding hand sanitizer to a bottle of drinking water is utterly deranged behaviour quite frankly.

Although I agree that if they don't know who did it, what can they do.

I'm sorry to hear that your teachers didn't help you; they were remiss in that. I think at senior school water bottles are perhaps less of an issue. I'm primary and, as you can probably tell, they are the bane of my existence. 😂

@Comedycook 10 year olds can be a tad "deranged" sometimes. It doesn't mean it was done with malice. Most deranged and dangerous thing that they do are often just silly pranks that were ill-judged. If it were to happen repeatedly that's a different story. I bet whoever did it thought it would just make the water taste funny.

Really?! If my child had done this at that age, I think I'd be seeking psychological help for them....not being flippant.