Is this detention (Year 7) unreasonable?

[HelenMALL2]

Ok, first of all thank you for taking time to read and answer.

Here is my problem. My son has been off for 2 1/2 weeks after having his appendix removed. Before his surgery he withdrew a book from the school library. It was due back on a Wednesday. He was absent that Wednesday
and returned to school on Thursday. On Friday he was called into the library. He'd forgotten about his book. He tells me he now has a 20 minute detention on Monday and a 20 minute detention on Tuesday. On Monday for not returning the book when he was absent, which is totally unfair. His detention on Tuesday is justified as it's the rules but surely the school can apply common sense. It was his first day back from a long absence. I'm wondering what to do as I don't think at the least the Monday detention is fair.
Please help

I must say I think you're being remarkably good-natured about it. I'd be cross, and would be asking for clarification, as it's totally unreasonable to punish a child (technically) for having been ill.

(And I never complain to school!!!!)

I find it odd that neither you nor your son sought clarification, but that he just did the detention.
The school,probably has a set approach to detentions, but are very likely to understand that he was off sick and respond to his individual circumstances. However, they can only do that, if you point out what they are. You could have done it or your son could have done it. To not do it seems to have done no one any favours here. I'm sure the school would have shown understanding about his circumstances. Tbh I really wouldn't complain now....the situation needed pointing out before he did the detention.
I agree that there are times when it is best not to get involved, and there are times when punishments are derived and children have to take them. This however does not seem to be one of them and your son needs to learn that there are also times when someone needs to speak up,to point out information that the person in power, may not be aware of. They are not aware of extenuating circumstances and cannot be blamed for giving a detention if they are not told of them. It isn't always good to go for a quiet life and remain silent. Knowing when to speak up and when to stay quiet is important and I think your son needs to learn this, and you need to show him the difference between the 2.
As you say,nit is over and done with now. He is left feeling a bit cross about it and I expect you are too.....these feelings could have been avoided with a simple email or conversation. I expect the librarian would be upset of think the boy did a detention he didn't deserve...but she will never know.

Dd had a similar unfair detention recently. She was on a residential school trip for a week. While away the cookery teacher gave the kids who were still at school (99% of the cookery class) an ingredients list for the week dd returned.

So dd and the other girl from cookery on the trip didnt know and didnt take the ingredients. They got a detention.

Dd is furious. I told her she either sucks it up and does it or she sees her form tutor. Part of me thinks she could have asked her form if she needed ingredients.....but they don't actually cook every week so I don't think it crossed her mind.

I agree secondary school kids need to sort it out themselves. I'll support her by suggesting what she can do to sort it.

He went back on the 10th, he should have returned it then. Surely he had friends that had visited him and could take it?!