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Moomin, it sounds like your DD is completely sane, and unfortunately possessed of the (apparently mistaken) idea that she ought to be treated like a human being and listened to. Schools, in general, and many (most) adults are not accustomed to the idea of children as fully functional people with valid opinions and points of view who deserve to be listened to and treated with respect. Yes she has to learn to behave respectfully to, and clearly there are some problems there, but I would not want to squash her the way school clearly expect/need to either. If they would not treat an adult that way they should treat your DD that way.

Sorry the day didn't go smoother.

I do like the part where the principal actually came. And then even more the part where her own teacher and the principal ignored her, while she was able to blow off steam at a third party. That actually sounds ideal. It's great she saw that if she throws a fit it will be taken seriously but also great that after acknowledging it they moved on with their day (and didn't reward her either by calling her dad to come get her).

I wonder what your DD would suggest for what the teacher should do with her rather than a time-out type chair, for when she is disruptive?

Seems like the teacher and principal handled the first day well (well minus the naughty chair idea). It does seem good that the teacher has lots of experience, probably has seen various other kids with behavioral issues over the years. Hopefully once they get over the initial shock of having a difficult student maybe they will have patience and see it as a challenge.

Great that your DD basically enjoyed her first day. The desire to be allowed to attend could be a great motivator for her to learn appropriate ways to express herself.

I see that they placed your DD with a teacher who believes in name and shame.

It's good for veteran teaches to have a student once in awhile who makes them question what it is exactly that they're doing.

It was not the greatest start but I don't think it was the worst start either. She was able to rejoin her class and that is a good sign.

Mk13, that reminds me of DD at every school visit we did!

The bad girl chair etc would for me mean a meeting discussing their discipline philosophy and plan because, and I'm sorry but as a mom and teacher I can't fathom it, WTF?! Honestly my kid would be out of there. And my husband would probably be reading them the riot act. There's just so much (as in counter to all child development and educational research) wrong with that! She did expect to be treated like a person I am glad she seems to be able to bounce back from that.

Honestly even today I am still just shocked and horrified at the "bad girl chair". Obviously your dd shouldn't have thrown the chair but wow. And, esp. as a Spanish teacher, I would so love to read your dd's letter, and to see the expression on the adult's faces when they read it. I hope today goes better for her.

I have to say that this made me laugh, and I admire your ability to maintain a sense of humor in a difficult situation. I would really love to meet your dd.

Honestly--"no soy una chica mala" just brought tears to my eyes. Your poor dd. A teacher who does not respond well to that would have a heart of stone. I really hope she has a better day today.

And that is also very heartening in its way.

"It's not your fault, it's your challenge" is what we say at our house about behavior that's outside the norm. One still has to try to follow the social rules, but it's SO important to acknowledge repeatedly that one is not a bad person even if these lessons aren't easy.

DeeDee

Oh moomin... I don't even have words. I feel like you might get lucky, once or twice, over the course of your daughter's education and get a teacher who is a match for her. But I doubt this is the year!

Her letter just kills me, btw!

Ella no es una chica mala.


I'm glad that SHE knows this, too. I certainly hope that she has a better day, Moomin.

I have to agree that it DOES sound like a Ramona Quimby day.