Posted by socialdeviantjeff on February 9, 2004, at 2:52:33
In reply to Grrr... Can't link to it... » socialdeviantjeff, posted by Racer on February 7, 2004, at 23:27:19
I think you're right on many levels, racer. Sounds like you've had a rough time of it too and my thoughts are with you.
When I was kicked out of the school, if anyone had asked me specifics about what the teachers or kids were diong I'm sure I would have said something. It can be confusing as a child, I wasn't even sure if those behaviors were appropriate or not. The only thing I was sure of was that I was the only one they were doing it to. I thought I was being punished because I couldn't write cursive. Of course after I learned that what happened was wrong, I was to afraid to talk and eventually repressed (at least consciously) most of it.
The school kept my parents in the dark. They would call the scool, and the school would tell them I was doing fine. I didn't tell them what happened until about three years ago when my daughter started school. I still can't tell them the complete truth. They were hugely shocked when I told them what I did. Someday I hope to tell them everything, but I'm not ready for that and I don't think they are. In fact, even my closest confidants have only ever heard a fraction of it. The anonimity of the net does help me speak about it a little more freely.
I'd love to go after them, if I could. I think renting out those classroooms as cheap office space (especially for pdocs and therapists) would be good poetic justice.
The school my daughter goes to is a private one. I's a great school though. she's happy and has friends there and her teachers are very open. I can sit in class and I do from time to time, unannounced. The kid loves that.
For anyone else reading this who want to keep their kids from harm, I only have one thin to say: GET INVOLVED AND STAY INVOLVED no matter how hard it can be sometimes. Most good parents are involved, as mine were. They just didn't know the right questions to ask and were mislead by people; supposed professionals they were supposed to be able to trust.
Above the usual parental questions, drop in at school. If the school objects, gently remind them of the economics of tax dollar (if public) or revenue and head counts. Get your hands dirty. FInd out who their friends are. Take complaints of bullying seriously. Check with every possible licencing and business agency for complaints or red flags on the teachers, administrators or school. Fantasy play with dolls or animals (playing school) works well too, especially if the child is reticent to talk.
But I digress. Racer, thanks for trying to find the article. Guess I'll do sme poking around and see what comes up.
poster:socialdeviantjeff
thread:308985
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040131/msgs/311141.html