NationStates Jolt Archive

A really disturbing thing happened to my five year old nephew at school last Wednesday. During recess, the school apparently locks the bathrooms so that no mischief can go on. Well, my nephew got a sudden bout of diarrhea, and couldn't access the washroom, so ended up messing himself. He was mortified. It's hard to get an accurate understanding of what happened after this, since he really doesn't want to discuss it, but he came home three hours later, completely filthy inside his clothes. My sister-in-law called the school, and the teacher wiggled out of all responsibility by saying, "I wasn't there when it happened, and didn't know he'd messed himself." We know my nephew didn't draw attention to the fact, but come on now...who the hell would, AND how could you possibly miss it anyway? THREE HOURS AND A BUS RIDE and no one noticed? I don't think so.

I'm really, really upset about this. There is no way his teacher didn't 'notice' the smell...and I'm sure the other kids were drawing her attention to the fact. So she made him sit there for three hours, didn't call his parents, and then sent him home like that? To what? Humiliate him more? I'm beyond outraged. My sister-in-law, however, has been fighting with this school for three years, and they ignore her complaints. I find this particular situation to be abusive, and I can't stand the thought of not doing something about it...but I'm not sure what. I'm not sure it's MY place to storm into that school and freak out...well it has to wait anyway since the kids are on Spring Break.

So what can I do? My in-laws are intimidated by the people at the school, and sick of being ignored. But this never should have happened...imagine if this was your child. I know I'd be in there like a wild woman if it were my child...but it's not.

What the fuck? I'd go to the school and bawl the shit out of the faculty.

Move him to another school.

My Nephew is 5 too:eek: :eek: :eek: !!!

Send the teacher a cardboard box filled with shit. Make sure the return address is some other faculty member. That way they blame each other. Divide and conquer! Be without mercy.

What the fuck? I'd go to the school and bawl the shit out of the faculty.
I know! Intellectually, I can understand my sister-in-law's reluctance. She and her family come from a country that was paralyzed by fear under a military dictatorship, and they have serious issues with questioning authority. Plus, she DID complain, and was blown of. She really doesn't feel like there is anything more she can do...but intellectual understanding doesn't negate my need to protect my family. I am beyond furious. I'm going to have to reread my professional code of conduct, and see how I can address this, since I'm a teacher, and can't slag my 'colleagues' too much. But I want to step in...I'm just not sure if I should. My sister-in-law is giving me mixed signals in that regard, so I'm not sure if she wants me to or not.

Move him to another school.
Ay, they already moved their other kids from an even WORSE school (where a girl in my nieces class was raped in the bathroom by another student). Plus, the school won't let them move him until the year is complete anyway, because of the funding formula.

try to find out what happened. if they still stall, then go ahead and pay a surprise vist the school during recess with your lawyer and see if the restrooms are locked. if so, then you have a case.

public humiliation, Health hazzard, no adult supervision... (if they stick to their "I didn't know" exscuse) you can toss in some emotional duress and probably get big bucks from the school.

Move him to another school.
Yeah and tell the local media and if there's a parents board or something tell them.

try to find out what happened. if they still stall, then go ahead and pay a surprise vist the school during recess with your lawyer and see if the restrooms are locked. if so, then you have a case.

public humiliation, Health hazzard, no adult supervision... (if they stick to their "I didn't know" exscuse) you can toss in some emotional duress and probably get big bucks from the school.
School in Canada are more protected from litigation than they are in the US.

I know! Intellectually, I can understand my sister-in-law's reluctance. She and her family come from a country that was paralyzed by fear under a military dictatorship, and they have serious issues with questioning authority. Plus, she DID complain, and was blown of. She really doesn't feel like there is anything more she can do...but intellectual understanding doesn't negate my need to protect my family. I am beyond furious. I'm going to have to reread my professional code of conduct, and see how I can address this, since I'm a teacher, and can't slag my 'colleagues' too much. But I want to step in...I'm just not sure if I should. My sister-in-law is giving me mixed signals in that regard, so I'm not sure if she wants me to or not.

Ah, I understand completely. Well, here's hoping something can be done about this.

School in Canada are more protected from litigation than they are in the US.
but if what you heard was true, wouldn't that fall under abuse (sitting in feceses for 3 hrs) or negeglence (not noticing that a student was sitting in feceses for 3 hrs) what if the child was injured... that is rather dangerous for the students.

I would go up there and pitch a fit, it's unacceptable to lock the bathrooms at all.

of course my kids have "D" (that's our code for it) almost all the time, so they need bathroom access all the time.

even if they didn't though, going to the bathroom is something everyone needs to do when they gotta.

That is terrible. That should never happen, especially at that age!

First, I would write a strong letter to the Principal, the Teacher, and the Superintendent/School board. I would also send something about the incident to the provincial Education Department (or whatever, I'm not that familiar with the Canadian educational system).

Also, I would go to the next school board meeting and demand to be heard. No amount of "Mischief" could possibly justify closing the bathrooms.

Also, I would write about it to the local paper.

That is terrible. That should never happen, especially at that age!

First, I would write a strong letter to the Principal, the Teacher, and the Superintendent/School board. I would also send something about the incident to the provincial Education Department (or whatever, I'm not that familiar with the Canadian educational system).

Also, I would go to the next school board meeting and demand to be heard. No amount of "Mischief" could possibly justify closing the bathrooms.

Also, I would write about it to the local paper.

I'd do all of the above, and I'd totally screw with the faculty. TP'ing their houses, putting fish bait in their air conditioning vents, and slashing their tires.

Hey, if they do shit like that, they have it coming.

Yeah and tell the local media and if there's a parents board or something tell them.
I've just been checking with my union rep, and as a teacher I have to tread lightly. When school is back in, I'll contact the teacher directly, and then request a meeting with her and her administrators. Hopefully a week will be long enough to cool me down to the point where I can approach this in a rational way.

School in Canada are more protected from litigation than they are in the US.
Possibly, but this is a sanitary issue, a health issue, a supervisory issue, as well as an issue of the child's emotional well-being. To have allowed this is unacceptable. Are they going to claim that it was simply impossible for the teacher to call for help from some other teacher or administrative staff so that one adult could stay with the class while the other adult took your nephew to the bathroom to clean up and call his parents for some fresh clothes? So instead they just let him and the room become contaminated with feces and thought nothing of it? Nonsense. Things like this are classic abusive punishments and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Even if you don't have a suit, you do have a complaint, and you should make it -- loudly. Maybe it's time to help his parents confront their fear of authority by getting that teacher disciplined.

I hate to hear that-he must have been humiliated.
I hope he didnt earn a nickname.

Good thing he is five- hopefully, the other kids werent able to notice or isolate it to him and he gets away with it-no ridicule from his peers.

The teacher and aides MUST have known. The kids are in their care-they had to have noticed a dramatic change in your nephew's behavior. They must have noticed the smell, the stained clothing, etc...

If they didnt, then what kind of job are they doing?

If it were my child, I would be up to the school to sort it out face to face. Responsible adults would be held responsible. I'm not talking about compensation, I am talking about teachers/satff being well aware that my kid has an aware, concerned parent that reacts immediately.

Aside from the obvious lack of compassion for a child's comfort,ego, etc... What about the sanitary issues? Do we want other children to come into contact with the many contaminated surfaces?

Its a disgusting story- There should be adeqaute supervision that would allow children to relieve themselves properly. Clean,available bathroom facilities are a right these days, not a luxury.
If there was a bathroom available and a child had an accident & wet/soiled themselves, any compassionate adult could have gotten him to the nurse office, provided some clean up and called a parent or guardian to either bring him home-because he's probably ill, or bring him clean clothes and take the dirty ones home.
And this could be done without drawing any undue attention to the child.

Fuck people that ignore other people that could be easily helped or comforted.



And Sin- unless you're a guardian, you might be wasting your time. If the scumbag teacher already weasled out making believe she didnt know, she'll be happy to decline any inquiry from you on the grounds she doesnt have to.

Good luck. And I hope your nephew gets through the next few days without any of the other kids remembering this and it fades from his memory.

My aunt and her husband are Federal Investigators for USIS so I'd let them go in and handle it, although if all else failed, I'd go in there myself and raise a storm. Hell hath no fury like an angry, 6'10 Italian.

Hell hath no fury like an angry, 6'10 Italian.

Or a currently-short Scotch-Irish-Native American. :p

A really disturbing thing happened to my five year old nephew at school last Wednesday. During recess, the school apparently locks the bathrooms so that no mischief can go on. Well, my nephew got a sudden bout of diarrhea, and couldn't access the washroom, so ended up messing himself. He was mortified. It's hard to get an accurate understanding of what happened after this, since he really doesn't want to discuss it, but he came home three hours later, completely filthy inside his clothes. My sister-in-law called the school, and the teacher wiggled out of all responsibility by saying, "I wasn't there when it happened, and didn't know he'd messed himself." We know my nephew didn't draw attention to the fact, but come on now...who the hell would, AND how could you possibly miss it anyway? THREE HOURS AND A BUS RIDE and no one noticed? I don't think so.

I'm really, really upset about this. There is no way his teacher didn't 'notice' the smell...and I'm sure the other kids were drawing her attention to the fact. So she made him sit there for three hours, didn't call his parents, and then sent him home like that? To what? Humiliate him more? I'm beyond outraged. My sister-in-law, however, has been fighting with this school for three years, and they ignore her complaints. I find this particular situation to be abusive, and I can't stand the thought of not doing something about it...but I'm not sure what. I'm not sure it's MY place to storm into that school and freak out...well it has to wait anyway since the kids are on Spring Break.

So what can I do? My in-laws are intimidated by the people at the school, and sick of being ignored. But this never should have happened...imagine if this was your child. I know I'd be in there like a wild woman if it were my child...but it's not.

What school locks the bathroom during recess? That makes no amount of sense. Don't they realize that mischief can happen when the bathrooms are unlocked?

I'd sue the school.

but if what you heard was true, wouldn't that fall under abuse (sitting in feceses for 3 hrs) or negeglence (not noticing that a student was sitting in feceses for 3 hrs) what if the child was injured... that is rather dangerous for the students.
Oh absolutely. Teachers are in loco parentus, which means they have the same responsibilities towards their students as parents do. I also question the legality of locking the bathroom doors. And my nephew does not want to go back...can you blame him? But the thought of a lawsuit would scare my in-laws even more.

Possibly, but this is a sanitary issue, a health issue, a supervisory issue, as well as an issue of the child's emotional well-being. To have allowed this is unacceptable. Are they going to claim that it was simply impossible for the teacher to call for help from some other teacher or administrative staff so that one adult could stay with the class while the other adult took your nephew to the bathroom to clean up and call his parents for some fresh clothes? So instead they just let him and the room become contaminated with feces and thought nothing of it? Nonsense. Things like this are classic abusive punishments and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Even if you don't have a suit, you do have a complaint, and you should make it -- loudly. Maybe it's time to help his parents confront their fear of authority by getting that teacher disciplined.
That's exactly what I thought...this is something they used to do 50 years ago to kids...or to native kids in the Residential schools to humiliate them. It should never happen in this day and age.

School in Canada are more protected from litigation than they are in the US.

So no legal recourse? That's messed up (no pun intended)! I'm sure you still get get them on something though. Nothing is litigation proof..

Oh absolutely. Teachers are in loco parentus, which means they have the same responsibilities towards their students as parents do. I also question the legality of locking the bathroom doors. And my nephew does not want to go back...can you blame him? But the thought of a lawsuit would scare my in-laws even more.
you need to give them the courage to go through and to use the system. even if it's just to consult with a lawyer with their options.

sounds like your nephew is scarred by what happened (what 5-year old wouldn't be) and if nothing changes, what happens to the next child?

convince them (your in-laws) to take some form of action or to allow you to act in their stead (to get the ball rolling)

the best person here on NS to give advice would be Cat Tribe.

Invest in a lawyer. That will get the school to sit up a take notice. Call the mayor call the governor. Call the news channels. Tell everyone.

And Sin- unless you're a guardian, you might be wasting your time. If the scumbag teacher already weasled out making believe she didnt know, she'll be happy to decline any inquiry from you on the grounds she doesnt have to. And again, I have to wish that I was ALREADY a lawyer...because I think you're right. I may have to 'step in' via my sister-in-law (right the letters that may never get sent etc.)

Good luck. And I hope your nephew gets through the next few days without any of the other kids remembering this and it fades from his memory.
Thanks for your well-wishes...I certainly share them.

I'm not sure a lawsuit is in your nephew's best interests, unless there is some pattern of neglect or abuse. It would be a long,drawn out affair with more frustration than reward. The school employees would likely treat the boy with a subconscious indifference-he'd be aware.

Is another school an option? At 5-is he in kindergarten, first grade? I dont know your system.

So no legal recourse? That's messed up (no pun intended)! I'm sure you still get get them on something though. Nothing is litigation proof..
No...just a lot more draining on the resources of those bringing the suit against the school board. But I'm not willing to let it drop.

I think my idea is best still.

Nothing tastes like revenge like opening a giant box of human feces.

Invest in a lawyer. That will get the school to sit up a take notice. Call the mayor call the governor. Call the news channels. Tell everyone.
Yes, but consider the social implication of 'telling everyone'. It's bad enough my nephew will probably have this talked about at school...imagine how he'd feel if everyone in the whole damn neighbourhood knew. He's been traumatised enough.

However, I will speak to the teacher, and her administrators, and if nothing is done, I will send a letter to the school board, and the Minister of Education. That should do the trick.

I think my idea is best still.

Nothing tastes like revenge like opening a giant box of human feces.
Don't know about Canadian laws, but for the US, that's transporting Biowaste in an inadiquate container. and don't forget, the person's dna is in there....

I think my idea is best still.

Nothing tastes like revenge like opening a giant box of human feces.
Hmmmm. Tastes?

No...just a lot more draining on the resources of those bringing the suit against the school board. But I'm not willing to let it drop.

Don't! If ya did, I'd have to harass you for not standing up on your principals. :D

I still find it hard to believe they actually locked the bathrooms.

Yes, but consider the social implication of 'telling everyone'. It's bad enough my nephew will probably have this talked about at school...imagine how he'd feel if everyone in the whole damn neighbourhood knew. He's been traumatised enough.
most of the time when you call the local news and such here and there is a child involved they are pretty good at keeping the specifics out of it (name, age, gender)

They would just say "a child at the school, was unable to go to the bathroom because the doors are locked during recess" and then use hypothetical stuff to make the rest of the story, asking the teachers "what if a child had to vomit?", "what about children who have stomache flu?"

you can request that his name be kept out of that type of thing and most of the time they will comply.

Now is the time to deal with this swiftly and effectively. Getting into a heated-attention drawing rigamorole is only going to make things worse for the boy. Parents will discuss it in their homes and kids will overhear and then their attention will be on the boy that pooped in his pants.
He'll get a nickanme of some needling and now is the time that could be a basis for his future demeanor. You dont want him to turn into the sullen,pimply loner, underachieving and keeping to himself. A lot of kids have something happen early in their career that steers them into that type of path.

It has to be no big deal in fornt of this boy- he cant hear about complaints and plans to act against this injustice and get washed up in the issue.

I don't have any nephews or nieces, but I rather suspect the shcool would simply tell you, in effect, to butt out. Most schools seem to focus on the parents rather than the extended family.

most of the time when you call the local news and such here and there is a child involved they are pretty good at keeping the specifics out of it (name, age, gender)

They would just say "a child at the school, was unable to go to the bathroom because the doors are locked during recess" and then use hypothetical stuff to make the rest of the story, asking the teachers "what if a child had to vomit?", "what about children who have stomache flu?"

you can request that his name be kept out of that type of thing and most of the time they will comply.

Thing is though, we're dealing with Canadian Law. Sin, do you know what the press rules are like in a situation like this?

most of the time when you call the local news and such here and there is a child involved they are pretty good at keeping the specifics out of it (name, age, gender)

That detail had slipped my mind. You're right...they wouldn't publish his info necessarily. And it is certainly an option if the Minister himself does not respond to the issue.

It has to be no big deal in fornt of this boy- he cant hear about complaints and plans to act against this injustice and get washed up in the issue.
That's how I feel about it. He never needs to know that a complaint process has been launched.

That detail had slipped my mind. You're right...they wouldn't publish his info necessarily. And it is certainly an option if the Minister himself does not respond to the issue.

If I may ask, what party is the Minister of Education from?

I don't have any nephews or nieces, but I rather suspect the shcool would simply tell you, in effect, to butt out. Most schools seem to focus on the parents rather than the extended family.
They can tell me to butt out all they want. It isn't going to work.

Thing is though, we're dealing with Canadian Law. Sin, do you know what the press rules are like in a situation like this?
The child can be named unless they are involved in a legal action.

The child can be named unless they are involved in a legal action.

And in this case, he would legally be involved in a legal action wouldn't he?

That detail had slipped my mind. You're right...they wouldn't publish his info necessarily. And it is certainly an option if the Minister himself does not respond to the issue.here in Hawaii, one of our local news stations created a feature called "Action Line" basically, when you have no other option, call them and not only will they research options for you, they will put your problem up on the news. many a problem mired in "red Tape" got mysteriously freed when stories of delays and exscuses started airing. soon, the threat of "Action Line" was enough to get the ball rolling for many procedures that would've taken months or even years of "Red Tape."

They can tell me to butt out all they want. It isn't going to work.
Hehehe! I rather suspected not. :D

Another thing to consider is what we 'want' out of this...what actions would satisfy us. A friend suggests this:

well, what would action be? the first point of action is letting the parents know that their concerns are being taken serious... that was not done adequately. second point of action is to change school policy and allow children the opportunity to go to the bathroom. That, I am assuming was also not done. Third... issue an apology for a wrong that occured and make the child feel welcome.

If I may ask, what party is the Minister of Education from?
Progressive Conservative. How come?

And in this case, he would legally be involved in a legal action wouldn't he?
Not unless the family decided to take it to court. But media attention is a last resort.

Progressive Conservative. How come?

Was just curious :)

Was just curious :)

I bet. :p

Please don't do anything rash. Give the school a chance to apologise.

Not unless the family decided to take it to court. But media attention is a last resort.

I agree that you want to avoid the press if at all possible. They'll eat everything up alive and spit it out again. Try to handle it within the system if at all possible.

I believe you are doing the right thing by going to the teacher and the administrators. Do that first then take it from there if things aren't done satisfactorially.

I bet. :p

Seriously I was. With the coalition, I wasn't sure who got what post! I am interested in canadian politics. Heck, I'm thinking about taking a canadian political course next semester if its offered.

here in Hawaii, one of our local news stations created a feature called "Action Line" basically, when you have no other option, call them and not only will they research options for you, they will put your problem up on the news. many a problem mired in "red Tape" got mysteriously freed when stories of delays and exscuses started airing. soon, the threat of "Action Line" was enough to get the ball rolling for many procedures that would've taken months or even years of "Red Tape."

reporters could be good to ferret out some more details- It could lead to finding out there have been other circumstances where children were neglected.

This is outright neglect-wether they knew he had a problem or they didnt.

How could you have care and custody of children and NOT notice this condition?

If you really werent aware it happened, then you're ignorant and careless and arent doing your job.

If you did know and let it go because you didnt want to deal with it-thats reprehensible and you shouldnt be dealing with children.

5 year olds OFTEN need assistance in these areas and people that care for them are expected to notice and deal with appropriately.

I'm curious if they would have helped him out correctly if he dumped a milk in his lap at lunchtime.

Drat! No canadian Politics course next semester :(

Please don't do anything rash. Give the school a chance to apologise.
That would be in everyone's best interests. And having their policy of locked bathrooms recinded. From experience, however, this could turn into a real fight if they dig their heels in and refuse to take responsibility.

It's common.

This group fights it.

http://www.childadvocate.org/1b.htm

Seriously I was. With the coalition, I wasn't sure who got what post! I am interested in canadian politics. Heck, I'm thinking about taking a canadian political course next semester if its offered.
Well, here's a mini-lesson:)

Education is a provincial responsibility, with the exception of First Nations schools, which are federally run. So the Minister of Education is provincialy appointed, and the PCs are currently in power in Alberta.

That would be in everyone's best interests. And having their policy of locked bathrooms recinded. From experience, however, this could turn into a real fight if they dig their heels in and refuse to take responsibility.

And then you take it higher up the ladder. The School Board, the city government, the provinical government, perhaps all the way to Ottawa.

Don't know about Canadian laws, but for the US, that's transporting Biowaste in an inadiquate container. and don't forget, the person's dna is in there....

It'd be worth it just to know that they're gonna do a DNA test just cuz they got some shit.

Might want to use someone else's shit. Go to a public bathroom and fish some out. Shouldn't be too hard. Find a greasy burger joint and use the stalls there, there should be plenty of ripe ones, prosecution-free!

Tastes?

and how!

And then you take it higher up the ladder. The School Board, the city government, the provinical government, perhaps all the way to Ottawa.
Ottawa would bitch slap me back to the province:)

Admin - School Board - Minister of Education - Member of Legislative Assembly - Premier

A really disturbing thing happened to my five year old nephew at school last Wednesday. During recess, the school apparently locks the bathrooms so that no mischief can go on. Well, my nephew got a sudden bout of diarrhea, and couldn't access the washroom, so ended up messing himself. He was mortified. It's hard to get an accurate understanding of what happened after this, since he really doesn't want to discuss it, but he came home three hours later, completely filthy inside his clothes. My sister-in-law called the school, and the teacher wiggled out of all responsibility by saying, "I wasn't there when it happened, and didn't know he'd messed himself." We know my nephew didn't draw attention to the fact, but come on now...who the hell would, AND how could you possibly miss it anyway? THREE HOURS AND A BUS RIDE and no one noticed? I don't think so.

I'm really, really upset about this. There is no way his teacher didn't 'notice' the smell...and I'm sure the other kids were drawing her attention to the fact. So she made him sit there for three hours, didn't call his parents, and then sent him home like that? To what? Humiliate him more? I'm beyond outraged. My sister-in-law, however, has been fighting with this school for three years, and they ignore her complaints. I find this particular situation to be abusive, and I can't stand the thought of not doing something about it...but I'm not sure what. I'm not sure it's MY place to storm into that school and freak out...well it has to wait anyway since the kids are on Spring Break.

So what can I do? My in-laws are intimidated by the people at the school, and sick of being ignored. But this never should have happened...imagine if this was your child. I know I'd be in there like a wild woman if it were my child...but it's not.

I'd suggest making a formal complaint to the committee, talking to the PTA, having the backup of other parents will help enormously, especially if it threatens to become something more than just a few irate parents, and more something that makes the local news. No one should have to endure this kind of abusive treatment, regardless of how young or old, and what the school did was nothing short of criminal. Everyone in this day and age has a right to bathroom facilities, and to keep the bathroom locked without telling the kids what to do if they need to use the facilities is disgusting. Seriously, you'd take better care of an animal.

Think about making it public. You don't have to mention the fact that your nephew messed himself, the poor kid's embarrassed enough without having THAT made public, but the fact that the school did not allow free access to bathrooms is bad enough, might shake them up a bit

Ottawa would bitch slap me back to the province:)

Admin - School Board - Minister of Education - Member of Legislative Assembly - Premier

If the school did dig their heels in, perhaps it could be helpful to contact a local MP. Politicians love bad things and good stories. And they would pay for some good publicity.

If the school did dig their heels in, perhaps it could be helpful to contact a local MP. Politicians love bad things and good stories. And they would pay for some good publicity.
Yes, but it would have to be an MLA, not an MP, because education is a provincial responsibility. And I agree. Though I would really doubt that the Minister of Education would ignore the issue.

Well, here's a mini-lesson:)

Education is a provincial responsibility, with the exception of First Nations schools, which are federally run. So the Minister of Education is provincialy appointed, and the PCs are currently in power in Alberta.

I thank you for the information. I wish the States ran the schools here instead of the federal government.

Yes, but it would have to be an MLA, not an MP, because education is a provincial responsibility. And I agree. Though I would really doubt that the Minister of Education would ignore the issue.

Erg...whatever, you Canadians confuse me. :)

Anyway, you ge the point.

That is terrible. That should never happen, especially at that age!

First, I would write a strong letter to the Principal, the Teacher, and the Superintendent/School board. I would also send something about the incident to the provincial Education Department (or whatever, I'm not that familiar with the Canadian educational system).

Also, I would go to the next school board meeting and demand to be heard. No amount of "Mischief" could possibly justify closing the bathrooms.

Also, I would write about it to the local paper.
I agree with the above, but I would first talk directly and calmly with the teacher, then principal, then superintendent, then if you're in a small enough district the board. The key is clamly...DO NOT get emotional. Just keep going up the ladder.

There is a question. Could this possibly have happened on the bus or shortly after? Kids are not always the best witness. In any case, you need to know if it's true that the restrooms are locked. I've never seen a public restroom with a lock. In other words, make sure you have the facts.

There is a question. Could this possibly have happened on the bus or shortly after? Kids are not always the best witness.
It couldn't possibly have happened on the 20 minute bus ride. His clothes were dry and stuck to him. They had to put him in the shower just to get them off.


In any case, you need to know if it's true that the restrooms are locked. I've never seen a public restroom with a lock. Schools are not completely public property, and I've worked in a number of schools where odd things were done to the washrooms. In one, the doors were removed so teachers could see in (but not into the stalls). In another, the school itself was locked to prevent students from getting back in during recess, which also effectively barred them from the washrooms. But yes, I will be looking into this.

In other words, make sure you have the facts.It only dimishes your complaint to work with anything but.

So what can I do? My in-laws are intimidated by the people at the school, and sick of being ignored. But this never should have happened...imagine if this was your child. I know I'd be in there like a wild woman if it were my child...but it's not.

Take it to the School Governers and if they take no notice go to the NSPCC (If Canada has such a thing) and Complain that he is being Ignored and forced sit in his own mess, that should couse the school to take notice. However if that does'nt work you could try going to the police complaining that "an institute of Education for young children is being Negligent"

I have no experience in this field but if the school was Ignoring me I would take the following steps to insure a safe learning enviroment for children.

If you want to stop short of the violence they deserve, and a lawsuit seems too difficult and uncertain... why not call your local TV news? I find that most local stations love to do minor "exposés" of the ridiculous policies of local schools and businesses... things that other parents may find disturbing.

At any rate, it's easy enough to call them, and since this is apparently a matter of policy (the bathrooms ARE locked) the news will have something tangible to report.

I would go to the school and yell at everybody. If they didn't do anything, maybe I'd put him in another school (or, you know, encourage his mother to do that).

A really disturbing thing happened to my five year old nephew at school last Wednesday. During recess, the school apparently locks the bathrooms so that no mischief can go on. Well, my nephew got a sudden bout of diarrhea, and couldn't access the washroom, so ended up messing himself. He was mortified. It's hard to get an accurate understanding of what happened after this, since he really doesn't want to discuss it, but he came home three hours later, completely filthy inside his clothes. My sister-in-law called the school, and the teacher wiggled out of all responsibility by saying, "I wasn't there when it happened, and didn't know he'd messed himself." We know my nephew didn't draw attention to the fact, but come on now...who the hell would, AND how could you possibly miss it anyway? THREE HOURS AND A BUS RIDE and no one noticed? I don't think so.

I'm really, really upset about this. There is no way his teacher didn't 'notice' the smell...and I'm sure the other kids were drawing her attention to the fact. So she made him sit there for three hours, didn't call his parents, and then sent him home like that? To what? Humiliate him more? I'm beyond outraged. My sister-in-law, however, has been fighting with this school for three years, and they ignore her complaints. I find this particular situation to be abusive, and I can't stand the thought of not doing something about it...but I'm not sure what. I'm not sure it's MY place to storm into that school and freak out...well it has to wait anyway since the kids are on Spring Break.

So what can I do? My in-laws are intimidated by the people at the school, and sick of being ignored. But this never should have happened...imagine if this was your child. I know I'd be in there like a wild woman if it were my child...but it's not.

I'd suggest - preferably after getting the parents to take the kid out of the school - buying one fake barf/fake feces per bathroom door they got and putting it there. Take a picture of the school corridors in front of the doors and send the image to all the parents explaining why, anonimously, without mentioning who was the kid. Tell them they'd better have something done or take their kids out of there, lest they want something among those lines to happen to their kids. Send the mail to the school, this time with your name on it, and tell the principal what you did and what caused it. Send it to the teacher also, making a point of telling her that she's likely very, very screwed, and that that move cost her her career. Also mention that since you told no lies or insults, you're not liable against any law, but they might be if you decide not to be merciful. If the parents decide against taking the kid out of school, tell them you might stop your nice campaign to bankrupt it if they reverse the policy, and if the principal and teacher both apologize to the kid. If they say it'll undermine their authority, ask them if they'd rather lose their jobs. If the parents do take the kid out, wait a while and show the kid that you stood up for him and avenged him by screwing the school.

A curiosity: What dictatorship did they flee?

I think I'll leave what I'd do up to your fertile imaginations.

Here's a hint though: I'd have a new story to tell. :p

I don't know the law in Canada, but I would think it should be similar.

There are mandated numbers of bathrooms to be up to building code. If these bathrooms are locked, there can be legal consequences.

My local school has had a few of these cases recently, and has been ruled against. Bathrooms cannot be locked.

Wow...those teachers are idiots. That is so wrong. Contact the local newspaper. Add in some sugared up facts, you'll get a story, and the school will have its ass handed to it. Then come with a lawyer another day, and if the bathrooms are still locked, you've got a case. (Don't lie to the lawyer, though).

What the fuck? I'd go to the school and bawl the shit out of the faculty.
Me tooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

reform them with a shotgun