Not really related to CF. . .but something we can relate to. . .and maybe help

October 24, 2002

I have a good friend who I think is battling depression, but won't

admit it to herself. She just lost her mom to cancer and they were

VERY close.

Now, she is dealing with a situation with her son at school. Without

giving out details, and concerned for her mental state, can someone

advise me about parent's rights for their kids at school. Can they

insist they be taken out of a certain teacher's class and put in

another.

This child has always been a straight " A " student, in the honor

program for math. This year, his parents just received a note (a week

and a half before the grading period ends) that he is getting all

" D's " except one grade. From everything I have learned from her, it

seems there is a personality conflict between student and teacher.

One day he went to the teacher and asked for help and she replied, " Go

and do your work " . What teacher would do that? Since then, he has

been reluctant to ask for help.

He has had straight " A's " for five years. . .and now " D's " . .

..something is wrong there! The grades are not for tests, because she

doesn't believe in tests. She told the parents that she sent home

papers that were graded, but they did not receive them. She says she

doesn't keep a copy for herself of the papers she has the kids work

on. Does that make sense. I know this kid. . .he is an honest, hard

working kid. It sounds like the papers may have never existed and she

is trying to cover for herself.

She has made this child stay inside 15 times from recess this year to

work on school work. His parents have asked that she not keep him in

for recess, but instead send the work home with him, but she has not

listened. He needs his recess to burn off steam and " regroup " for the

second half of the day! The parents have talked to the teacher on

several occasions, but nothing has changed.

One of the times he had to stay in, it was a group project being

worked on by several kids, but he was the only one she made stay

inside from recess.

I'm sure glad this isn't my child. . .I would blow up on her! What

are the parent's/student's rights? Is there a resource out there to

help figure that out? Can anyone direct me on this? The mom is

really having a tough time coping right now.

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