Bathroom at school: teacher said no

[Anonymous]

The teacher is fucked up. My daughter's teacher has a very liberal policy but I have also told her from day one that if she ever has a real emergency (like diarrhea) just get up and go and I will handle the consequences for her if she gets in trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. I'm really sorry that happened. She should know to say that it's an emergency if it is, though, especially if the schools policy is twice a day. I am a middle school teacher so it's a bit different, and sometimes students claim "emergency" when it's not. A teacher may say not right now and not know it's an emergency. I agree with the walking out if it's a true emergency.

I will never forget when I was in second grade and a classmate was denied going to the bathroom. She was wearing a dress and stockings, made a big triangle by spreading her legs and just peed all over the floor.

Im.a teacher,too, and I'm sorry it got to that, however the kids leave in droves by asking to go out, but it's to use their cell phone. It's hard to make a judgement call.

In 2nd grade?

Yes, they leave in droves in every grade. But no cell phone usage in elementary. At our school students have to sign in and out in addition to recording time in and time out. There's a digital clock by the notepad. Students were spending their time in the bathroom clogging up the toilets with paper towels, climbing on the sinks and toilets and throwing wet paper towels onto the ceiling until they stick. If it is an emergency then no one will tell them they can't go, but it definitely starts a chain reaction, and students have multiple opportunities to use the bathroom during the course of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

I think this sounds reasonable as long as you also do what PP mentioned and let them just go for a true emergency (vomiting, etc.)

PP here-of course I do! I've told my students (third graders) that if they have a vomiting emergency, they should grab a garbage can and head out the door. If it's a restroom emergency, they should let me know. Of course, like others have mentioned, once you let one go, everyone suddenly has to go. The same thing happens with the clinic. After one or two "emergencies", I have to put my foot down with the many opportunities my students have for using the restroom. If not, there's no point in even having a bathroom policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

I think this sounds reasonable as long as you also do what PP mentioned and let them just go for a true emergency (vomiting, etc.)

PP here-of course I do! I've told my students (third graders) that if they have a vomiting emergency, they should grab a garbage can and head out the door. If it's a restroom emergency, they should let me know. Of course, like others have mentioned, once you let one go, everyone suddenly has to go. The same thing happens with the clinic. After one or two "emergencies", I have to put my foot down with the many opportunities my students have for using the restroom. If not, there's no point in even having a bathroom policy.

Don't be surprised if you get a call from Child Protective Services. It was opined upthread that CPS should be called on teachers like you who have decided to draw the line "somewhere." And I suppose after all your years of teaching you are going to somehow claim to know the real requests from the frivolous me too requests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Sorry she has such a crappy teacher but I think you need to drive home the point that she sometimes in life will need to pick the least worst option which in this case is to pee yourself or risk getting yelled at.

Gee, thanks for the advice. You don't think I've done that already? It takes a lot of courage for a 9 year old girl, who has never been in trouble at school, to stand up and walk out while more than 25 classmates plus the teacher are watching. She asked more than once on both occasions where she peed her pants, if she could go to the bathroom and was told no every time. Just because she didn't use the secret password (EMERGENCY!) she was told to sit down.

OP, you should demand a meeting with the principal. The teacher is completely unfit. If the principal doesn't fix things, go to your board member. Keep going. It is ABUSIVE to force kids to pee themselves.

+1 This is child abuse. Signed, a counselor.

It sounds like it's time to take it to the principal and if they don't listen, then OSSE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I let anyone go to the bathroom when they ask but my new policy is they have to leave their cell phone on my desk when they leave. Many argue but I tell them they don't need a phone to use the bathroom. It's dramatically cut down on bathroom breaks. Students are told from day one of it's an emergency, like vomit, just walk out.

This is fair. And once they know to expect it then hopefully it cuts down on the arguing.

O/T, but curious about them being able to have phones during the day for non-bathroom time - do any teachers have a cell collection policy? They do at my DD's school - all phones have to be left at the front desk upon arrival at school and are returned at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to get the principal and counselor involved because that is appalling. If they don't take action I would write to the Superintendent and CC the principal.

And also maybe Child Protective Services.

Op you need to go to the principal now, not after your daughter is again humiliated. My parents threw a fit with the administration twice. Once because a teacher insulted my mother's religion in class, once because a male teacher made very inappropriate comments to me repeatedly. You need to nip this in the bud and not act like it isn't a big deal. I would tell the principal you want a meeting with the teacher in the room and that CPS is your next call.

[Anonymous]

CPS? Really? Child abuse? Talk to a kid with cigarette burns about whether this is child abuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

Not yet....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

Pick a partner? Why? It's the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CPS? Really? Child abuse? Talk to a kid with cigarette burns about whether this is child abuse.

Flawed logic. Just because there is something worse out there doesn't mean it isn't also child abuse.

I don't think CPS is necessary. The principal should be able to handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

Pick a partner? Why? It's the bathroom.

Not sure how old her kids are but my daughter is in K and they have to take a partner to go anywhere in the school. However, they have an in-class bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CPS? Really? Child abuse? Talk to a kid with cigarette burns about whether this is child abuse.

Stop complaining about that sprained ankle!!! At least its not a broken leg!!!

[Anonymous]

This thread is ridiculous. Cell phone use? Middle school policies? PLEASE.

I am a second grade teacher and I am appalled that this happened. I'm sorry for your daughter OP and for you. I'd march my butt to the principal ASAP. Not allowing a child to use the bathroom is terrible.

I'll admit that my first year teaching I used the water fountain as a reward; if the kids got a poor review from the recess monitor I didn't let them stop for water. That happened ONCE. ONE DAY before I had a parent saying "heck no"...we then got water every day. To not allow a child to use the bathroom or to create SUCH A FEARFUL ENVIRONMENT that she IS AFRAID TO ASK is messed up.

OP, please report this (without your daughter present). If the teacher reprimands your daughter for tattling, then take that to the counselor and principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You may want to to offer the teacher some suggestions. We have a restroom signal that students use during independent work times (they signal, I nod, and they pick a partner and go). I have two half hour periods during the day when I don't let my students use the bathroom--whole group reading and math lessons. There are also two 15-20 minute whole group mini-lesson/direction-giving periods for science and social studies. Students are allowed to go during the morning and afternoon warm-ups, independent work times/literacy and math stations, and before lunch and recess. I've never had a student have an accident with this restroom policy.

Pick a partner? Why? It's the bathroom.

I think all FCPS schools require students to go with a partner if there isn't a bathroom in the classroom.