Can a Virginia private withhold report cards for missing books?

[Anonymous]

We received this email from our Nova private 4 days before school is out. Can they withhold report cards for not turning books in or turning incomplete materials in? We paid several hundred dollars at the beginning of the year in book fees. I understand turning in hard copy books, but paper history and Bible cards? Most of my sons are lost. Does your school have a policy like this? Is this legal? Thanks!

Dear Parents,

To receive your student's report card on the last day of school, June 9, please return all Bible and history cards along with school text books by Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Thank you for your help. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

--
XXXXXXXXX
Director of Admissions

[Anonymous]

Of course. If they are lost, then you will need to pay to replace them.

[Anonymous]

You certainly need to pay for the lost items before receiving a report card.

[Anonymous]

What???

[Anonymous]

Who would tell them that they can't do that? Private schools can do pretty much anything that isn't discriminatory, and religious schools (which this must be since it talks about Bible cards) even have wide latitude to discriminate.

[Anonymous]

Teach your kids not to lose things

[Anonymous]

PP I think it's two different departments and it feels wrong that they are manipulating report cards with returning of books. You should receive the report card and then of course expect a bill for those religious cards (have no idea what they are) that are lost. Next year can you just deny playing with those cards?

[Anonymous]

Sure. It's a private school, they decide how to handle things.

[Anonymous]

They can, but it's bad policy and discourages kids from checking out books or using the materials provided. Most progressive schools (in the social not educational sense) don't do this.

As a parent, books are one thing but I'd be irritated to be responsible for something relatively disposable like scripture cards - unless they'd told us at the outset those would need to be returned. Flashcards and workbooks are consumables not reusables.

[Anonymous]

My college would withhold transcripts if there were unreturned library books or overdue fees unpaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP I think it's two different departments and it feels wrong that they are manipulating report cards with returning of books. You should receive the report card and then of course expect a bill for those religious cards (have no idea what they are) that are lost. Next year can you just deny playing with those cards?

OP, here. Above poster, you are right. It feels manipulative. That’s my issue with this. It’s never been the policy in prior years and it feels a bit like a money grab at the end of the year. There was a recent school function during school hours where students were asked to pay. My child hasn’t lost any books. We are missing 2 out 30 paper Bible cards. These Bible cards are flimsy paper and we’re given to my child in a used condition. And if I’ve already paid for our books at the beginning of the year, why am I paying again? This is not about a missing library book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My college would withhold transcripts if there were unreturned library books or overdue fees unpaid.

+1 ours too for anything- parking tickets, books, tuition, food, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP I think it's two different departments and it feels wrong that they are manipulating report cards with returning of books. You should receive the report card and then of course expect a bill for those religious cards (have no idea what they are) that are lost. Next year can you just deny playing with those cards?

OP, here. Above poster, you are right. It feels manipulative. That’s my issue with this. It’s never been the policy in prior years and it feels a bit like a money grab at the end of the year. There was a recent school function during school hours where students were asked to pay. My child hasn’t lost any books. We are missing 2 out 30 paper Bible cards. These Bible cards are flimsy paper and we’re given to my child in a used condition. And if I’ve already paid for our books at the beginning of the year, why am I paying again? This is not about a missing library book.

When you borrow anything in life you have an obligation to return it in as good or better condition than when you borrowed it. Teach your kid that lesson, not how to get angry when you don’t fulfill your obligations.

[Anonymous]

Next time put the Bible cards into sheet protectors in a binder. Then you won’t lose them. They make small binders for smaller cards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP I think it's two different departments and it feels wrong that they are manipulating report cards with returning of books. You should receive the report card and then of course expect a bill for those religious cards (have no idea what they are) that are lost. Next year can you just deny playing with those cards?

OP, here. Above poster, you are right. It feels manipulative. That’s my issue with this. It’s never been the policy in prior years and it feels a bit like a money grab at the end of the year. There was a recent school function during school hours where students were asked to pay. My child hasn’t lost any books. We are missing 2 out 30 paper Bible cards. These Bible cards are flimsy paper and we’re given to my child in a used condition. And if I’ve already paid for our books at the beginning of the year, why am I paying again? This is not about a missing library book.

When you borrow anything in life you have an obligation to return it in as good or better condition than when you borrowed it. Teach your kid that lesson, not how to get angry when you don’t fulfill your obligations.

OP, if you can afford private school, they assume you can also afford to replace the cards or repay for replacement.