Mums, I would love to hear your thoughts. I've just had a confrontation with my child's school regarding excursions. My child went on an excursion earlier in the week, which I found out about AFTER it happened. A note was sent home last week, however my child did not get one. Now as we often know, majority of the time children forget to pass on notes so I grilled my child about it & was absolutely certain they didn't receive a note. I contacted the teacher via email querying this & the teacher confirmed there wasn't enough for every student. However she confirmed with the principal that a permission slip wasn't required as the excursion was a short distance from the school, no public transport was required, it was in school hours and related to the curriculum.
I confronted the principal who first accused my child of not bring a note home, then stated she didn't believe there wasn't enough notes printed, even though I had an email stating the teacher didn't have enough. (BTW, this was just a note advising the excursion, not a permission form). She then got quite defensive and said as part of our enrollment we signed an agreement that stated teachers can remove students from school premises without signed permission if it is apart of their cirriculum and public transport isn't required. And that the excursion was mention on the class blog.
I don't always get to check the class blog, and it was mentioned in as a one liner... No detail as what the excursion was about, just where they were going.
My husband and I see this as quite a big issue. If I went to the school early to pick up my child and they weren't there I would go off my brain.
Does you school have a similar policy? Does this sound right to you? And what would you do if this happened to your child? Am I over reacting?
I have since checked our parent handbook which states 'a permission slip will be sent home and needs to be signed and returned to confirm parents knowledge of the excursion.' The enrollment agreement states that 'we (the parents) support external activities such as excursions by ensuring an appropriate response is provided to school communications in relation to these by the dates indicated in each request.'
7 Replies
This is totally normal school policy. When you enrol you sign a consent for minor excursions. They only let you know as a courtesy.
It's only for longer excursions where transport is required that they get you sign a consent form.
Even when I worked in a school (and my son attended) for children with a disability this was procedure 8 years ago.
My kids school always send home a form if written permission isn't required it still states what is happening and when. I would be very annoyed how can you ensure you know your child is actually at school in an emergency.
Yes it sounds Normal for small, close excursions, but as it sounds it really bothers you, maybe let the principal know you're upset, You can probably put it iN Writing your child is not to leave school grounds without your permission except in emergenc, but then be prepared they may probably miss out on small class walks etc that haven't been pre planned / prepared as thoroughly as a big excursion needs to be.
I dont think ur over reacting at all. Id like to know when my child is leaving the school and what for. Thats disgusting
And as far as it being normal i didnt sign anything like that at the beginning if the year when my son started do thats far from nirmal.
Haha first world problems
This is wrong! And no child should not be off school grounds without parental concent.
The school has a duty of care and need not only send a note home but also ask for permission.
What if your child has a allegic reaction to a tree as they walk past it.
Or if your child gets separated &
the teacher doesn't notice until their lost.
Kids are quick
Or their parent needs to pick them up early.
Duty of care people.
This is a total breach of concent,
Plain & Simple.