A red card for not having a reading book???

[yummum120]

DS year 2 normally brings home reading books on a Monday. This Monday he never had any reading books in his bag. Today he's been going on about finding his reading books and I just said they must be in school and not to worry as I will speak to the teacher tomorrow. Just before bed he told me he got a Red card today for having his reading books. Is that acceptable for the teacher to give him a red card because he didn't bring his books or AIBU to think it's absolutely ridiculous teaching practice. Especially since he never even bought any books home Monday evening.

Thank you Pastsellbydate I have never liked this house point system.
I think it all needs reviewing. The head teacher is going to have fun with me. The last time I had a meeting, it was regarding the big maths my son was not progressing on. Since then big maths approach is under review.

I asked them this morning as I know they are not at home, I checked on Monday. The teacher has no record of the books issued, she did assume somebody else may have picked them up and said she would issue him with new books today.

Oh dear - yep - this sounds like a tired, stressed teacher and there are 6 more weeks of term.

Try and be sympathetic and although it's annoying, keep a closer eye on the books sent home/ remind about returning books in these remaining weeks.

I think it's just one of those things yummum120 - it is annoying to have books continuously going missing and it sounds like this teacher was too quick to jump to conclusions/ express their frustration.

It's a mistake. Your DC will survive. But - it's the kind of thing that happens in school all the time and they need to recognize it and devise a better system. Maybe rewards for returning books/ homework on time (reinforcing positive behavior) rather than punishing children for mistakes.

The school sets up policies like this, explains the rules to the dcs and then they don't follow through. My dcs have figured out teachers often fail to follow through, often overreact and dish out irrational punishments to some kids and they don't follow procedure, I suppose that's life but their respect for authority has shifted to seeing the whole thing as a game that has to be played.

BlackJack:

I agree it is a game/ system children have to play/ navigate.

However, in the process, they learn some worrying things:

Those in power over you can treat you badly with no repercussions
Never admit your mistake/ apologize
It's always someone else's fault

Don't get me wrong, I love the English - so much so I married one - but I do find all of this very symptomatic of the English 'disease'.

I've had colleagues really mess things up but utterly refuse to admit fault

I've seen colleagues take sickies just because they fancied a day off

I'm constantly searching the office for missing items from my desk and now have to lock it just to keep hold of my scissors/ stapler.

I've seen colleagues blatantly pilfer from the office, full well knowing if I say something my life at work will be hell.

I've seen senior people in the organisation treat juniors appallingly and those same juniors (who complained at the time) go on to do just the same when they're promoted into the senior ranks.

On one level BlackJack - yep it's good training for working life in England - but on the other - what kind of ill seeds are we sewing for our children's future (cheating/ lying/ skiving/ stealing all seen as o.k. if done in a small way)

Yep and they learn teachers never admit when they're wrong and HT will always publicly support their staff but my children have also learned when you call out a teacher's poor behaviour, whether they admit it or not, the teacher knows the child will not put up with it, consequently the teacher will stop. And that is the desired outcome. Maybe not the desired process but sometimes it's the only way.

I've found that since I've spoken my mind to the teacher, and my first point of call for anything has always been the teacher first, The teacher is making life harder for my son. I'm fed up of the teacher not listening to my concerns and taking them seriously, so hence I felt this needed to be discussed with the head. Anyway I'm hoping its been sorted. Also It has been good to read everyone's opinion.

The teachers will just deny it and change the story to their defence. Everyone will say the child got confused and has told me a different story. Unfortunately it's just one of those things that some parents have to deal with. Now that it's all out in the open it makes me feel a lot better.

yummum120

I think it is scary to complain and as you said - it can affect the teacher's relationship with you & your child.

However, I think it is necessary to complain.

Not complaining sends the message - it's o.k./ it doesn't matter/ I don't care what you do to my child.

...and that's dangerous long term.