Child hurt by another child- what are our rights?

[Anonymous]

DC was pushed from behind by another child and was taken to the clinic- ripped clothes and bleeding. What are our rights on what we can expect from the school? How high can we take this? isn't there a basic safety component? these are young ES kids..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was pushed from behind by another child and was taken to the clinic- ripped clothes and bleeding. What are our rights on what we can expect from the school? How high can we take this? isn't there a basic safety component? these are young ES kids..

Not enough information. Was it deliberate and done in anger? Or exuberance from rough-housing on the playground?

In the first case, I suppose the school could discipline the other child or notify the other child's parents. On the second, well, accidents happen.

As you say, these are young ES kids. You sound expectant of something dramatic to happen, which probably won't.

[Anonymous]

Nothing should be done. Unless there was gross negligence from the school, they have no liability. Furthermore, the parents probably do not have any liability.

Things happen in school. Bleeding is not a big deal. If you sued you would have problems showing significant damages (if no medical care, I can not imagine enough to justify taking legal action).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing should be done. Unless there was gross negligence from the school, they have no liability. Furthermore, the parents probably do not have any liability.

Things happen in school. Bleeding is not a big deal. If you sued you would have problems showing significant damages (if no medical care, I can not imagine enough to justify taking legal action).

NP: Who said anything about litigation? WTH?!?!

[Anonymous]

OP here- I'm not talking about suing so that's really not a consideration.. yes it was done on purpose - not rough housing.. I did loo up fcps has basic student rights including safety- whcih includes not being pushed.. so fyi to those who said nothing.

[Anonymous]

In first grade my child was pushed in PE. His nose was still bleeding at the end of the day and his teacher reported that she had to send him back to the nurse 3 x for more bandaids (when she was in touch on an unrelated topic). I received no phone call or any explanation. He is a 6th grader now and still has a scar on his knee. This was MCPS but I would not expect much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm not talking about suing so that's really not a consideration.. yes it was done on purpose - not rough housing.. I did loo up fcps has basic student rights including safety- whcih includes not being pushed.. so fyi to those who said nothing.

Well, this might be a good exercise for you if you decide you have to pursue this:

What do YOU want done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm not talking about suing so that's really not a consideration.. yes it was done on purpose - not rough housing.. I did loo up fcps has basic student rights including safety- whcih includes not being pushed.. so fyi to those who said nothing.

OP - here are my thoughts - take a deep breathe and think about what you really want to happen to the other kid for what appears to be a one-time incident. No, your child should not have been pushed, but unless this is a pattern, I'm not sure why you'd want to proceed much further with this other than to speak with the teacher and administrators and let them know you will be on the look out to make sure this behavior does not continue.

I mean, are we talking K or 1st graders here? I just can't imagine why you'd want to really punish a kid for a one-time offense like this.

Young kids sometimes act impulsively. It happens all the time. The teachers should be made aware of it and should try to encourage kind behavior to one another. They should also make sure your child doesn't sit with the other kid for at least a while, but what more are you looking for? I mean, what if it was your child who pushed a kid? How would you want your child to be punished for a one time thing?

[Anonymous]

OP here- well, my child would have not pushed on purpose and if by accident would have apologized (which this kid did not do) I know this kid and he's a mean kid that is *constantly* in trouble in class. So- no big surprise to find out this kid did this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was pushed from behind by another child and was taken to the clinic- ripped clothes and bleeding. What are our rights on what we can expect from the school? How high can we take this? isn't there a basic safety component? these are young ES kids..

What can you expect from the school - nothing unless you ask for it.

I would start with talking to the teacher to understand what happened. I would probe - have incidents similar to this occurred before. What are you doing to ensure it does not happen again? If they blow you off, escalate.

You can also bring it up to the PTA and see if you can get it as an agenda topic to see if there is a larger issue that people are not talking about or doing something systematically to address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- well, my child would have not pushed on purpose and if by accident would have apologized (which this kid did not do) I know this kid and he's a mean kid that is *constantly* in trouble in class. So- no big surprise to find out this kid did this.

You sound like you already dislike the child (even before this incident)?

I just find it troubling that you are labeling - what 5-6-7 year olds - as "mean kids".

Please show some empathy...and no, I don't have any children who are labelled as the "mean kids". But there are 2 kids in my son's K class that have that label. I know these kids personally and I've spoken to their parents. While both of the kids have made mistakes, they aren't bad kids and they don't have bad parents. Trust me, they were shocked to find out that their child pinched/pushed/whatever.

The appropriate action is to speak with the teacher and make sure this doesn't happen again. But a one time push? Please. Let it go. Even if you think your child would never do such a thing, I think it is very likely that at some point in your child's future, you will want him/her to be given the benefit of the doubt and a second chance. Try to remember that and let go of your anger and judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC was pushed from behind by another child and was taken to the clinic- ripped clothes and bleeding. What are our rights on what we can expect from the school? How high can we take this? isn't there a basic safety component? these are young ES kids..

What can you expect from the school - nothing unless you ask for it.

I would start with talking to the teacher to understand what happened. I would probe - have incidents similar to this occurred before. What are you doing to ensure it does not happen again? If they blow you off, escalate.

You can also bring it up to the PTA and see if you can get it as an agenda topic to see if there is a larger issue that people are not talking about or doing something systematically to address.

You want to bring up to the PTA that a child pushed another kid ONCE? Are you kidding me?

Yes, please - go ahead and label a little kid as the "mean kid" for the entire school. That is appropriate adult behavior. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? We are talking about young children here...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- well, my child would have not pushed on purpose and if by accident would have apologized (which this kid did not do) I know this kid and he's a mean kid that is *constantly* in trouble in class. So- no big surprise to find out this kid did this.

I think I speak for other PPs when I reiterate the question: What do YOU EXPECT to happen? Clearly you have some expectation, the way you're prattling on so hysterically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was pushed from behind by another child and was taken to the clinic- ripped clothes and bleeding. What are our rights on what we can expect from the school? How high can we take this? isn't there a basic safety component? these are young ES kids..

This post is so not what I thought it would be. I guess because I work with at risk youth, I thought this would be about a child who was seriously harms (shot, raped, stabbed).

I'm wondering if the clothes were ripped because your child fell down with a small push at the school. Does bleeding mean a nose bleed? Skinned knee?

How high can you take this....I'm sure the Supreme Court is standing by to hear Hysterical Mother vs. John Doe (1st Grader)

Thanks for laugh, this was really great. At least you can take pride in knowing that nothing serious has ever happened to you - if you think THIS is something to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- well, my child would have not pushed on purpose and if by accident would have apologized (which this kid did not do) I know this kid and he's a mean kid that is *constantly* in trouble in class. So- no big surprise to find out this kid did this.

You may someday have to eat your words.