FCPS 3rd grade teacher discipline

[Anonymous]

After first week of school, I found out that my 3rd grader‘s teacher has a discipline method that’s disturbing and uncomfortable for me. I’ve spoken to several moms in the same class who also confirmed with their kids and some were alarmed and some didn’t seem to care and I wanted a broader perspective on this platform.

When a child is talking or doing something when he’s not supposed to or not listening to the teacher, she’ll make him stand in the corner facing the wall with one arm raised with 1 finger up. 2nd time 2 fingers up, 3rd time 3 fingers, then apparently after the final time, she said she’ll call the parents. I can’t be sure exactly how long they have to stand with the arm up but the kids said their arms definitely hurt and it felt like 5 mins. Almost every kid in the class was called to do this in their first week! My friend looked this up and apparently this is actually against the VA state law under 22VAC40-141-150.

I’ve never heard of such punishment (this is the word the kids are calling it btw; this should already indicate that something’s not right here). Has anyone else heard or experienced this here in FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Any prolonged uncomfortable situation is illegal but the time out portion is not as long as age is not exceeded in minutes for elementary school. I would email the teacher about it, CC the principal, include the law, and ask that in the future your child not be asked to raise his hand during time out.

[Anonymous]

I approve of the sound of it and think you seem like a high-maintenance kind of parent who wants to shield their child from any unpleasant consequences. Standing in the corner is not a big deal, and five minutes of discomfort if a kid is acting out seems within the realm of reasonable to me. Maybe the consequences of acting out in class should be memorable and undesirable. Wait to see if it contributes to a better classroom environment. I don't think raising an arm for 5 minutes will cause actual harm to a child, so it's not at a level I would ever think to object to.

That said, if you are firmly against your child being punished in this way for misbehaving, you probably have the right to reach out to the teacher to discuss alternative discipline & if that doesn't satisfy you escalate the discussion to include the counselor or principal as well.

[Anonymous]

I’m concerned that the teacher needs to use so much discipline in the first week— can she not use better methods to control her class?

I’m a pediatrician, and that principal would be having an in person meeting with me the first time I heard about this.

[Anonymous]

Using the discipline the first week sets the tone for the year. Best way to do it. Much more disruptive trying to correct behaviors later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I approve of the sound of it and think you seem like a high-maintenance kind of parent who wants to shield their child from any unpleasant consequences. Standing in the corner is not a big deal, and five minutes of discomfort if a kid is acting out seems within the realm of reasonable to me. Maybe the consequences of acting out in class should be memorable and undesirable. Wait to see if it contributes to a better classroom environment. I don't think raising an arm for 5 minutes will cause actual harm to a child, so it's not at a level I would ever think to object to.

That said, if you are firmly against your child being punished in this way for misbehaving, you probably have the right to reach out to the teacher to discuss alternative discipline & if that doesn't satisfy you escalate the discussion to include the counselor or principal as well.

Doesn’t matter what you think about it, the hand raising part is illegal.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, Is the teacher older or one of the teachers brought in from overseas? No way that they were trained to do that in a public school system.

[Anonymous]

Even the standing in a corner part would not be allowed in LCPS where I work. We aren’t even allowed to use clip charts at my school, or take points away (like if students have Class Dojo, or sticker reward chart or whatever, we can only add, not remove.)

Teachers hands are really tied and this is why behavior is so bad.

[Anonymous]

That's insane. That teacher is building a prison system, not a classroom. I've taught for a long time, and it sounds like it is a teacher who doesn't know how to get the classroom and students on her side. Please bring this up with the principal. The teacher needs help to come up with new systems

[Anonymous]

I think it's fine. It's not what I would do (I find regular time outs to be just fine) but it's not hurting anyone and your kid can survive being uncomfortable for five minutes (um plus if a 3rd grader is saying it's five minutes I just about guarantee it's under two minutes).

But I will say that you thinking "punishment" is some horrible crime on it's face means you're one of these "gentle parents" whose kids run all over you. Kids need to learn how to behave. Tell your kid to behave and he won't have to stand in the corner with his arm up.

[Anonymous]

I would email the teacher and ask her to explain the consequence she is using and what infractions it is used for. Depending on her answer, I would email the principal. But no, as described this would not be okay with me.

[Anonymous]

oh poor baby has to raise their hand for 30 seconds boo hoo

[Anonymous]

Based on the kids' version, I'm conflicted about this.

I would set up a meeting with the teacher to hear her side of the story, then escalate it if need be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oh poor baby has to raise their hand for 30 seconds boo hoo

It’s public shaming. She might as well give them a dunce cap. The intent is to shame the child into behaving. That isn’t best practice and hasn’t been for a long time. It shows the teacher is very lacking in modern classroom management skills.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that this is also scary for the best-behaved and most sensitive kids who have to watch it. And frankly when ritualistic shaming happens during puberty, it can contribute to the ubiquitous disciplinary fetishes out there. That may be rare but it’s not something educators should contribute to.

I’m not a fan of losing recess but at least that doesn’t have the same humiliation vibes/physical discomfort