Substitute teacher at DD's MS asks "Why?" when she says she needs to go to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

My middle school instituted a phone box in each class. It was AMAZING how few students had to go to the bathroom during class after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My middle school instituted a phone box in each class. It was AMAZING how few students had to go to the bathroom during class after that.

is like they are in jail.

[Anonymous]

This again???

Most teachers (subs or not) do not ask a child "why" s/he needs to go to the bathroom. Frankly, it is TMI and we don't to know since some of our students will tell us loudly. Yuck. And, in fact, most of us are in signaling classrooms these days anyway so the opportunity doesn't even arise.

If your child is being asked "why" then I would take it as an indicator that she is or has been off task in class and now is looking for continued attention in new directions. It also is extremely probable that the teacher recognizes that she is or has used the bathroom visit as an opportunity to stay off task.

You should inquire further with your child, OP, before taking this on because I suspect that the problem is either your perception or your child's behavior. But if you feel that you MUST make this your issue and that your child MUST regularly (not once a month) take frequent bathroom breaks during the day, then send your child's Team Lead teacher an email. Tell the lead how you want your child's requests treated in the future. We will inform our team and, yes, congratulations, you will be THAT parent.

[Anonymous]

I had a teacher who wouldn't allow bathroom breaks in HS. I've always needed to pee frequently. It was torture. If DD was treated the same way I would speak up. Teaching is hard but that doesn't mean you get to treat kids like the aren't human. I ended up leaving HS senior year and doing dual enrollment at community college instead to get away from shit like this.

[Anonymous]

I presume she answered "To use the bathroom". What did he say then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By MS kids can hold it. Your DD probabaly asks each day. It is what a 40 minute class?

NP But you do know it isn't good for you to hold it. When you have your period you gotta go. Teachers should be more aware.

[Anonymous]

It's a shame she's in middle school, because she should look him in the eye and say "because I'm bleeding profusely from my vagina and am about to soil the desk chair" . I realize at that age they would all rather die than admit they have periods, but I'm all about turning the embarrassment back around.

Other than that, I'd reach out to the principal or other administrator. Subs are not vetted as well as you might think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My middle school instituted a phone box in each class. It was AMAZING how few students had to go to the bathroom during class after that.

What does this mean? Instituted a phone box??

[Anonymous]

Unless the class is a block scheduling type class of 90 minutes or more the simple solution for this child is to use the bathroom before and/or after the class and avoid the guy's questionable response entirely.

That said, I have worked in public schools in a support staff capacity for many years and trust me when I say there are definitely creepy, inappropriate teachers and substitutes... rare, but they do exist. As a parent I would never ignore my child if they told me about something creepy. I would investigate. Parents have a lot of power in this situation. Another staff person could report creepy sub behavior and nothing would probably be done about it (sub shortages) but if parents report it something might be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school instituted a phone box in each class. It was AMAZING how few students had to go to the bathroom during class after that.

What does this mean? Instituted a phone box??

A box or holder in the classroom where students have to put their phones during class. It's pretty common in schools these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school instituted a phone box in each class. It was AMAZING how few students had to go to the bathroom during class after that.

What does this mean? Instituted a phone box??

A box or holder in the classroom where students have to put their phones during class. It's pretty common in schools these days.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

It's none of his business. You should tell the principal, if your daughter is ok with it. Another option is for you to contact that sub and tell him how inappropriate it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out teachers are very stressed. They have too many students. They have too many requirements foisted upon them by you parents via the district and the state legislature. Teachers have to take time off to do all this PD. They also take time off because they get sick too often (you know, parents ignoring advice and sending sick kids to school, treating the place like their personal daycare center?)

If you don't want inexperienced subs teaching your kids, then I suggest that you stop rolling out the welcome mat in Northern Virginia and/or you prepare to pay a lot more in taxes because teachers are severely understaffed.

- signed, public school teacher in a Northern Virginia school

And your personal resentment means that the members of your union should refuse to permit kids to pee.

You should be sued under the ADA and EAA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless the class is a block scheduling type class of 90 minutes or more the simple solution for this child is to use the bathroom before and/or after the class and avoid the guy's questionable response entirely.

That said, I have worked in public schools in a support staff capacity for many years and trust me when I say there are definitely creepy, inappropriate teachers and substitutes... rare, but they do exist. As a parent I would never ignore my child if they told me about something creepy. I would investigate. Parents have a lot of power in this situation. Another staff person could report creepy sub behavior and nothing would probably be done about it (sub shortages) but if parents report it something might be done.

At TC Williams HS in Alexandria, the kids are prohibited from using the bathrooms just before, during, and just after class-change times. So that isn't an option.

This is entirely illegal and I hope someone takes legal action against any teacher, personally, who prevents a student from going to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

At TC Williams HS in Alexandria, the kids are prohibited from using the bathrooms just before, during, and just after class-change times. So that isn't an option.

This is entirely illegal and I hope someone takes legal action against any teacher, personally, who prevents a student from going to the bathroom.

Trying to understand this--because it doesn't make sense to me. Do you mean they can only go during class? If they cannot use the bathroom during class change time, then they must have to go during class. Is this correct? Or am I misinterpreting what you wrote?