Parents of school-age children, here's a situation...?

Our school had a school-wide fun run on Friday. My friend's 5-year-old (kindergarten) daughter couldn't find her teacher at the end of the fun run, which happened to be at the very end of the school day. The teacher also seemed to have confusion about where she was supposed to pick up her class. So the daughter sat down on the playground and cried until someone found her. She was paged over the loudspeaker 2-3 times but stayed put, crying on the playground. My friend is irate with the school over this and demanded to see the principal and have a letter read to the PTA and teachers about the situation.

My son is the same age. He has a different teacher. His teacher gathered up the class after the fun run and took them to the front where they get picked up. Not one child was confused. Not one child was left behind.

Now, who's at fault? The PTA who was in charge of the fun run? The principal? The entire school? The child who was not resourceful enough to realize that her name was being called over the loudspeaker?

I asked my kindergarten age son what he would do if he couldn't find his teacher on the big school field and there were lots of students around at the end of the school day, and without hesitation, he said he'd go to the office and have them call for his teacher or his mom.

Is it this parent's fault because she did not teach her daughter any resourcefulness? I'm just curious as to what people think.

Mom of 5- Welcome Max!2012-10-01T16:20:19Z

Favorite Answer

The child should have known what to do, but it's mostly the teacher's fault...she should have found out where to pick up her class, done a head count, and looked for any missing kids!

I don't think your friend should make a big deal out of it...she should just make sure her daughter knows what to do next time she's lost.

:)

31

Starsfan142012-10-01T13:04:58Z

The child is 5 not 10. This is not the fault of the child or the parents. Some young children naturally freeze in such a situation. Even if the parents tried to teach this child what to do does not mean it would happen, especially at the age of 5.

I would say it is the fault of the teacher for poor planning and then those around her for not going into action to locate this child quickly.

I know had I been working at that school we would have tried to use the loudspeaker but at the same time had the teacher go looking for her. Another adult could had taken care of the teachers duties temporarily. These types of things happen and the best schools with the best staff quickly adapt to deal with them.

62

LoveMyMommyLife2012-10-01T13:06:44Z

I'd call it a combinations of the teacher and child's fault - if someone really needs to be blamed.

The teacher should of known what was going on.
The teacher should of explained things clearly.
The teacher should of explained what to do, if separated from the group.
The teacher should have found an older child, or assistant teacher to the watch the class while they looked for said child.

The child should of been listening to instructions..
The child should of been following the class.
The child should have gone to get a teacher and/or other trusted adult (which I suppose IS the parents fault for not teaching their child what to do in these kind of situations)
The child should of listened to the speaker.

Ultimately I would blame the teacher.

62

?2012-10-01T13:03:39Z

I agree with you partially. As a parent you should always teach your children what to do if xxx happened.
They should know. BUT the 5yr olds are kind of hard pass judgment on. They are still very young and the teacher has the responsibility to always know where her children are. Especially kinder. I would not blame the PTA on this, I would however see it as the teacher's fault. They are her responsibility. And regardless of what happened she should have asked for help/volunteers if she was unable to handle the event on her own. If she was confused in any way she should have asked or told her children before allowing them to go on, where to meet up at.

62

?2012-10-01T13:58:05Z

The teacher should have been more organized.
However, the child should be taught that when her name is called over the speaker phone she should go to the office... or as your boy would do GO TO THE OFFICE AND HAVE SOMEONE CALLED!!!

I completely agree with you!

30
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