My child got detention for walking out

[Anonymous]

I told her part of civil disobedience is accepting consequences for actions. But part of me is curious whether I can override the school's discipline here? I'm kind of pissed off at the school for not giving an alternative outlet for kids to express themselves. So, I'm torn as I really want to make my displeasure to the school known and make it clear I don't recognize their authority to discipline my child in this matter. I consider the detention to be unlawful detainment. Any suggestions?

(Under normal circumstances I wouldn't do anything like this, but I take great offense at LCPS suppressing student walkouts).

[Anonymous]

Most school systems tacitly allowed. What grade?

[Anonymous]

Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most school systems tacitly allowed. What grade?

7th.

[Anonymous]

The protests today mean more if students are disciplined.

Most colleges are accepting of it. Don't fight your kid's battles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

Yeah, I'm torn between the lessons. On the one hand, yeah, civil disobedience has consequences. On the other hand, I genuinely don't recognize the authority of the school to detain my child for this. Maybe not a hill worth dying on.

[Anonymous]

Unlawful detainment? Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I told her part of civil disobedience is accepting consequences for actions. But part of me is curious whether I can override the school's discipline here? I'm kind of pissed off at the school for not giving an alternative outlet for kids to express themselves. So, I'm torn as I really want to make my displeasure to the school known and make it clear I don't recognize their authority to discipline my child in this matter. I consider the detention to be unlawful detainment. Any suggestions?

(Under normal circumstances I wouldn't do anything like this, but I take great offense at LCPS suppressing student walkouts).

I don't get it. Are you saying that school administrations should pick and choose over what issues kids should be allowed to violate the rules to support?

If another child supports the Constitutional protection of gun rights, and decides to walk out over it next week, should the school punish her and not your child?

[Anonymous]

Yup, I would just tell the kid that the cause was worth the detention and let him/her serve. I do think the school is shitty for giving them detention though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The protests today mean more if students are disciplined.

Most colleges are accepting of it. Don't fight your kid's battles.

I guess I don't see this as fighting her battle. I have a bone to pick with the system itself.

[Anonymous]

Check this out:
https://www.thenation.com/article/student-protesters-you-have-first-amendment-rights/

The pull-out quote for you is this:
“The punishment, however, must not exceed the normal punishment for an unexcused absence or leaving the building without authorization. That is to say, schools are not allowed to give a harsher punishment because students are making a political statement.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

Yeah, I'm torn between the lessons. On the one hand, yeah, civil disobedience has consequences. On the other hand, I genuinely don't recognize the authority of the school to detain my child for this. Maybe not a hill worth dying on.

What do you mean "for this"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

+1. Plus, "I walked out and got detention" will be a way cooler story someday than "I walked out and then my mom made a fuss so that I wouldn't have to deal with the consequences".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it a one day detention? Just let the kid serve it proudly. Get home work done. Like you said, civil disobedience has consequences and that is okay. Your kid did the right thing and he or she knows that.

Yeah, I'm torn between the lessons. On the one hand, yeah, civil disobedience has consequences. On the other hand, I genuinely don't recognize the authority of the school to detain my child for this. Maybe not a hill worth dying on.

Why don't you recognize their authority? Because she walked out for a good reason that you agreed with? What if she had walked out for a reason you didn't agree with, or started protesting daily or something?

I would think she'd serve this detention as a badge of honor, and you ought to help her see it that way. If you ALSO want to send a strongly-worded statement to the administration expressing your disappointment and anget that they didn't accommodate the walkout or offer an alternative, that's a good plan, too.