So I went to pick up V from the after school program yesterday, to find he didn't have his coat. Now..we are in WINTER and there is SNOW on the ground..so obviously he NEEDS a coat. This isn't the first time this has happened this winter.
Again, I took my coat off, put it on him, and took him out to the car. There is no way, I am letting my 5 yr old out in freezing temps without a coat.
So so let me explain how this all went down..the before and after school program which is run by a park district, is held in the lunch room of the school. So he didn't need the coat to go from school to the afterschool program. The janitor locks the doors so that he can clean and the kids can't roam the halls. Makes sense, I agree. But here is where it gets tricky. The coats get hung from under the cubbies. So if there is a coat left behind, it is easily seen. I would think a janitor or a teacher might see a winter coat hanging all by its lonesome and get a tad worried about its owner who would be 5 or 6. (not 10 or 15) Just so happens that this owner of that winter coat hanging all by its lonesome is 5. He will be 5 until May 4. He is one of the younger kids in the class. And has a helicopter Mom who is always reminding and making sure he has what he needs. So this morning the counselor to the before/after school program told me "it is his responsibility to remember his things". Right..I agree, because he is of course 15, and can stay home alone..oh RIGHT..that isn't the case, he CAN'T STAY HOME ALONE BECAUSE HE IS FIVE!!!! *deep breath* (you know I didn't say anything right? Because it is a huge fear of mine that he will be abused if I would say something like that. After all she is one that is looking after him and can make his life miserable if she chooses..and honestly...I am not sure V would tell me if she was.)
I didn't email his teacher last night, because honestly, I knew I couldn't be nice. I emailed her this morning asking "What I can do so this doesn't happen again". Because this was the second time..when there is snow on the ground..and he is MY responsibility..and even though I am at work, I want to do what I can do to make the situation better and that he always has a coat esp if there is snow on the ground. And no response. None. Ok, if you don't have an answer, tell me that. But don't ignore me when I am already all worked up.
So tell me...any suggestions on how to help V remember his things? I know he needs to be responsible, after all, he remembered his lunch box, water bottle, back pack, snow pants, and boots...just need suggestions to be sure he can remember it all. (I am honestly proud he remembers so much already..but need to be proactive)
Would you be irritated at the situation?
Have you ever felt your kids might be in danger if you speak up?
Im pretty sure it's the kindergarten teachers responsibility to make sure he has his coat. Even if he's going to the lunchroom, the teacher should make sure that every child has their coat when they walk through the door. It might be his "responsibility" but he's 5! Children that age can be held responsible - they're still learning.
ReplyDeleteI would be upset also. I would just say talk to the teacher when you're less upset and hopefully you can work something out!
That should say "CAN'T be held responsible", not can.
ReplyDelete