Denied Field Day for hallway horseplay—is this fair

[Anonymous]

At the middle school level this is an appropriate consequence. Even if the boys were not actually fighting and just "horsing around" it is dangerous to do that in a school hallway (dangerous to the boys and to anyone who might enter the hallway) and explicitly against school rules. Plus they were warned.

If these were elementary school kids AND they were actually playing, not fighting, I think it would be a bit harsh. But by MS these kids should know better plus the risks are bigger because they are physically bigger. Very easy for them or a bystander to be seriously injured with that sort of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not fair at all.

It's just boys being boys. All they did was hit and body slam. That's fine for boys.

Your statements "it's just boys being boys" and "that's fine for boys" are both incredibly problematic.

Both statements excuse harmful behavior, lower expectations for boys, and reinforce gender stereotypes that hurt everyone.

You are sending the message that boys can’t control themselves, which is both untrue and unfair to boys. When adults shrug off harmful behavior, boys learn that accountability and empathy are optional, as well as that boundaries don’t apply to them

You're also reinforcing gender stereotypes that boys are naturally rough, aggressive, or impulsive and that gender determines character.

NP. Babe? The PP was being sarcastic, and making a point.

Really? That sarcasm isn't clear at all.

There is an abundance of parents who truly believe the "boys will be boys" sentiment, so if the PP was intending to be sarcastic, it was poorly executed and as clear as mud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got caught horseplaying in the hallway with his friend today (just pushing and hitting each other trying to body slam each other ). The school didn't suspended them, but they are now allowed to attend Field Day..
How is it fair to take away Field Day for this? Would you care if this happened to your kid?
When I talk to the principal she said the boys were given prior warnings about it.

lucky he only lost field day and was not suspended for touching another child. You should have a a talk to your kid about putting hands on other kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's because of the prior warnings, OP. It's fair.

Me again. Unless the prior warnings, and this episode, happened on days when outdoor recess or free play in the gym was not possible, in which case it goes against what we know about child development, and how some kids really need to move their bodies to calm down.

This smells like a troll post to me. In any event, I don't think the need to move their bodies encompasses the need to hit and bodyslam others. I believe losing field day is an appropriate consequence.

[Anonymous]

Let’s be honest. If this parent really pushes back, the school will cave.

I do not believe Sandburg would cave. I teach at an FCPS middle school. Taking away field day is a very common consequence at the middle schools, and I have seen field day taken away for much less, like too many unexcused tardies, skipping a class, or disrespect.

[Anonymous]

There is a fat chance that this is the first time they have been spoken to about horse playing. This is probably the 200th time.

Yes, I think it sucks that they had field day taken away from them. But you know, punishments usually suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fair because they'd probably do it at Field Day too.

It is not okay to put hands on other people at school.

You as a parent need to uphold this rule.

Loss of Field Day is better than middle school suspension.

At this time of the year, one might argue that loss of field day is worse than an middle school suspension.
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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are they doing instead of field day? This sounds more like ISS— how serious was the horseplay?

Most likely staying the classroom, the referral code says LOP Loss of School Privileges or Participation .

It was bad enough that it was documented, OP. Think about that. Talk to your child. I hope you give him consequences at home, too. It sounds like a lot more than "horseplay". I freaking can't stand a certain type of #boymom

Exactly this.

There is a difference between #boymoms and moms of boys. Moms of boys are great. #boymoms are horrors to society.

I mean, I'm on your side, but you also sound quite fixated with your repeated use of the hash tag moniker. It's tiresome and you aren't making the point you think you are.

I'm the first person that used #boymom and everybody here knows exactly the type of parent I am talking about when I use that expression. The fact that you are somehow offended by it tells me everything I need to know about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are they doing instead of field day? This sounds more like ISS— how serious was the horseplay?

Most likely staying the classroom, the referral code says LOP Loss of School Privileges or Participation .

It was bad enough that it was documented, OP. Think about that. Talk to your child. I hope you give him consequences at home, too. It sounds like a lot more than "horseplay". I freaking can't stand a certain type of #boymom

Exactly this.

There is a difference between #boymoms and moms of boys. Moms of boys are great. #boymoms are horrors to society.

I mean, I'm on your side, but you also sound quite fixated with your repeated use of the hash tag moniker. It's tiresome and you aren't making the point you think you are.

I'm the first person that used #boymom and everybody here knows exactly the type of parent I am talking about when I use that expression. The fact that you are somehow offended by it tells me everything I need to know about you.

The PP you are answering is too dumb to follow along and realize that you posted about #boymoms and then someone else had the audacity to agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s ridiculous but very of typical treatment of boys in our FCPS. To include punishment of no recess which is against FCPS own rules.

But he didn’t lose recess he lost field day, which is in addition to recess. So when somebody misbehaves, how would you punish them just let them do whatever they want

[Anonymous]

This means they have been real jerks, repeatedly, and normal in-house consequences have been exhausted. If you'd given consequences at home that he cared about, this likely would not have happened.

There are lots and lots of boys at the school who managed to be eligible for Field Day, and I guarantee MANY of them are extremely physical and hyperactive. They just aren't being punks, ignoring teachers, and endangering others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's because of the prior warnings, OP. It's fair.

Me again. Unless the prior warnings, and this episode, happened on days when outdoor recess or free play in the gym was not possible, in which case it goes against what we know about child development, and how some kids really need to move their bodies to calm down.

Moving your body and getting the sillies out is one thing but body slimming people and putting hands on other people as another thing and that’s not OK. And no offense, but you shouldn’t have to have multiple warnings not to touch other people that’s something your parents should’ve taught you before you ever went to school so if you kid is acting out body slamming people in school that that’s on you maybe you should’ve did something years ago.

[Anonymous]

Totally fair and absolutely needed consequences. Kids get bigger and stronger as they get older. When I was in HS, two boys were "horseplaying" in the hall. One swung their backpack at the other (back when we had books), the kid ducked and I woke up on the floor unable to see straight.

That was in a podunk town in the 90's. Imagine if that had happened now, in a FFX County HS. OP, do want your energetic boy to have a juvenile assault record? Appreciate that it was ONLY field taken away and do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would care that my kid is out of control and trying to body slam another kid in the school hallway!

This, very fair. Teach your kid to be have and self control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be slightly more sympathetic to the “don’t take away field day!!/they have to move their bodies!!!” shrieking if it came with any recommendations for better consequences. Since there aren’t any suggestions it just looks like weak excuses for bad behavior.

In my day (Catholic school but after the rulers went out of fashion…) after spending the day doing menial labor indoors — likely cleaning gym equipment at this stage in the school year— the boys would have been sent outside after field day to pick up every dropped popsicle stick/pull all the trashes/ collect all tje sweaty pinnies. But the nuns thought public shame would help lessons stick I am sure that is not what the “Make them move their bodies!” team wants?

This is a parenting issue, not teacher issue. Parents failed to teach their kids how to behave in school.