DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1349
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 08:32 AM - Post#147661
Hello Gang,
I went to pick up my kiddo from school yesterday @ 2:50pm while we were in a clear weather corridor. I was told by the front desk staff that the children were in lockdown and they will not be released to their parents.
Oh NO NO NO.
I asked to speak to the principal. The principal reiterated the school's status. My retort is simple - I want my child. AISD does NOT have the right to retain my child for ANY REASON other then imminant, present mortal danger. Although yesterday's storm was intense it did not rise to that level. Finally, after consulting on the phone with the AISD mothership, the principal began to release kids.
This is not the proper AISD policy. When a parent shows up at the school regardless of the situation, the parents authority for the health and welfare of their child superceeds any responsibility by the school to maintain the health and safety of the student.
If the school retains the child, it is in fact exasserbating the risk and danger to both the child and parents (who may have other children in the vehicle).
In this case AISD does NOT know best. My parental rights trump the schools best intentions.
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Nutmeg
member
Posts: 50
Reg: 11-06-06
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04-04-12 09:23 AM - Post#147668
In response to DrivinTooFast
And so if you and a number of other parents have the same thought and show up at the school at approximately the same time, would it be fair to say that the distration of the school's staff to attend to you and the other "rescuing" parents create an unnecessary distraction to the hundreds of other children who are sheltered in the school?
Wouldn't there be a possibility that the crush of rescuing parents extend the time to pull out these students which could create an exposure for a second wave of storms?
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1321
Reg: 08-31-05
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04-04-12 09:36 AM - Post#147669
In response to DrivinTooFast
I appreciate the way AISD handled the situation yesterday. Was everything done perfectly - no, but I think they did the best they could during a very uncertain situation. None of those teachers/staff received extra pay for having to spend extra time with your child yesterday afternoon. I think gratefulness that the only thing you lost yesterday was a little time would be the more appropriate response.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1349
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 09:44 AM - Post#147671
In response to Nutmeg
When I showed up at 2:50 there were already 100+ parents waiting in the entry because AISD was not releasing. IF AISD had not prevented the release the flow of parents would have been much more orderly, organized and efficient.
I wasn't nessessarily "rescuing" my kid, but she is the rare and mythical " Student Walker" and would have been in the AISD school lockdown jail until who knows when. So yea, I guess I would call myself a jailbreak parent. If the storm would have come at 10:30am or 1pm, no My kiddo would have been in school giving AISD their $35 per diem from the State. At 3pm - Give me my kid.
It's a bad policy (if it even is a policy). I have no problem with the teachers, this is an administration policy/proceedure.
Edited by DrivinTooFast on 04-04-12 09:46 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Focus
member
Posts: 45
Reg: 09-07-10
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04-04-12 09:58 AM - Post#147673
In response to jogo
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Focus
member
Posts: 45
Reg: 09-07-10
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04-04-12 09:59 AM - Post#147674
In response to Nutmeg
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acs815
enthusiast
Posts: 227
Reg: 06-08-07
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04-04-12 11:30 AM - Post#147680
In response to DrivinTooFast
I don't believe is in an Allen ISD only policy. A friend of mine was unable to pick up her child from a Frisco school and another friend of mine bolted from her job in downtown Dallas to Forney to try to pick up her daughter up, but they also were already under lockdown so she went into the storm shelter at the school also. I heard that a school in Red Oak/Palmer area made (asked??) the parents go into the lockdown area as well and weren't releasing kids.
I'd be interested to know where the policy stems from.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1349
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 12:36 PM - Post#147688
In response to acs815
I really do not care if it is Allen ISD only. Policy does not trump parenting - period.
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1384
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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04-04-12 12:52 PM - Post#147690
In response to DrivinTooFast
A coworker of mine went to a Dallas school to pick up his daughter while they were on lockdown and they released her to him. Allen may have different rules.
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Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 758
Reg: 01-19-05
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04-04-12 02:20 PM - Post#147694
In response to vm7mm
As many tornadoes that we had yesterday, I (me personally) feel that my child probably would have been safer at the school if something did happen.
What if you picked your child up, got in your car and there is a tornado coming at you? what would you do?
I totally understand wanting to get your child - but I am sure as everyone else was - the teachers and staff were more then likely only doing what they were told to do for the safety of the kids.
Was your child hurt during this time? was your child mistreated? Did they take good care of your child while they where in lockdown? Did you call and tell them you where coming to get your child before you got there?
There is a lot of missed questions. Yesterday was a horrible day and lucky we didn't have a tornado in Allen and we are all safe.
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2707
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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04-04-12 03:41 PM - Post#147700
In response to DrivinTooFast
I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I agree with DTF. But then, our family homeschools so the kids are with me all the time.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it. 
Will work for shoes!  |
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1349
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 03:44 PM - Post#147701
In response to Lisatexmom
As many tornadoes that we had yesterday, I (me personally) feel that my child probably would have been safer at the school if something did happen.
What if you picked your child up, got in your car and there is a tornado coming at you? what would you do?
I totally understand wanting to get your child - but I am sure as everyone else was - the teachers and staff were more then likely only doing what they were told to do for the safety of the kids.
Was your child hurt during this time? was your child mistreated? Did they take good care of your child while they where in lockdown? Did you call and tell them you where coming to get your child before you got there?
There is a lot of missed questions. Yesterday was a horrible day and lucky we didn't have a tornado in Allen and we are all safe.
The what if game is a dangerous game. What if a F5-F6 ripped the school to shreds and your house 200 yards away was fine. We can play out any remotely possible scenario you want, but the bottom line is Parental rights supercede school policy even policy with the best intentions.
Beleive me I am not trivializing the danger that an F3+ tornado can pose. I spent many a day helping tornado victims and finding victims. The issue for me is my responsibility for the health and safety of my children and the ISD policy does not trump that primal parental right.
Edited by DrivinTooFast on 04-04-12 03:53 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1349
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 03:51 PM - Post#147702
In response to V-Girl
I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I agree with DTF. But then, our family homeschools so the kids are with me all the time.
It's OK to agree with me, only the finest people do. 
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Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 758
Reg: 01-19-05
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04-04-12 04:35 PM - Post#147703
In response to DrivinTooFast
The what if game is a dangerous game.
I Love the “what if” game - it is great for long car rides.
I did say that it was for me personally, I have never been in a tornado, never seen a tornado and never what to be in a tornado situation. Hopefully I never will.
I honestly, agree with you that being the guardian of your child you should be able to pick up your child whenever you feel it is necessary.
Always when Government, City or State get involved – it is like pulling teeth to get an answer for something that is as easy as 1 + 1 = 2.
I tried to find anything in the student handbook, I couldn’t find anything that said you could not pick up your child – unless I over looked it.
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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vrcplou
newbie
Posts: 6
Reg: 07-16-07
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04-04-12 07:18 PM - Post#147710
In response to DrivinTooFast
And what about those staff members who were helping all the parents? They are in the least safe part of the buildings while students are being sheltered in interior rooms for their safety during a tornado WARNING(when we are all supposed to seek safe shelter). Are the lives of staff not at all valuable? Most of them have children and families, too. All in all the staff did what they are trained to do. Unfortunately, there is no training for dealing with people that demand you change procedure to meet their needs. But I admit that had I seen the footage of these storms in real time, I would have been getting my kid, too.
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Focus
member
Posts: 45
Reg: 09-07-10
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04-04-12 08:25 PM - Post#147714
In response to Lisatexmom
The care and concern given to the student's within Allen ISD by the teachers, staff and even the administration is extremely underrated by some and it is so sad! Guess who hears these disrespectful comments...hmmm the children who then form an unfavorable opinion of those that care for them too from 8AM-3PM or even longer days in some cases. It is probably safe to say that 90% or more of the AISD staff IS a PARENT. The stress of the situation yesterday must have been heart wrenching for staff with concern for their own children and also with their concern for your child that was in their care at that time frame. I recall when the schools shut down due to icy roads last year that there was a lot of complaining in forums then too about how tired some parents were of there child being home and not at school. Safety was the one and only concern by every school district in the local area yesterday and that extended to the safety of the parents too - driving in conditions that would put them in danger too was probably trying to be prevented. If you have solutions please share - there will be a next time - we do live in TEXAS!
Edited by Focus on 04-04-12 09:08 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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nicole926
newbie
Posts: 6
Reg: 07-25-11
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04-04-12 10:20 PM - Post#147720
In response to Focus
My mom was able to pick my son up from his Allen ISD school at 2:50. She had to sign him out and they were just pulling kids out of their individual classrooms when their parent arrived. I think the timing of yesterday's storm really added to confusion regarding policies/procedures.
I probably would have been mad too if the school was trying to keep my child.
My sister-in-law, who's kids are at a different AISD school, decided to wait out the storm at the school with her kids. I think every campus had different situations.
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TRBell
enthusiast
Posts: 386
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 03-15-04
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04-05-12 04:19 AM - Post#147729
In response to nicole926
I am so tired of people who think the rules shouldn't apply to them! Instead of complaining about our teachers and staff going the extra mile yesterday to keep our kids safe maybe we should be thanking them! Our children were much safer hunkered down in the school than they would have been in a car trying to outrun a tornado. Have you not seen the footage of the tractor trailers being tossed around like toy cars? Isn't one of the first rules in tornado safety to get out of your car and find shelter?
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JasonKA
enthusiast
Posts: 173
Reg: 04-04-07
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04-05-12 08:41 AM - Post#147737
In response to TRBell
I am so tired of people who think the rules shouldn't apply to them! Instead of complaining about our teachers and staff going the extra mile yesterday to keep our kids safe maybe we should be thanking them! Our children were much safer hunkered down in the school than they would have been in a car trying to outrun a tornado. Have you not seen the footage of the tractor trailers being tossed around like toy cars? Isn't one of the first rules in tornado safety to get out of your car and find shelter?
Read the posts above. Noone has come up with any rule or policy that allows them to withold your child during a storm.
Who says the school is any safer than your own home? Tornados are very sporadic.
Ultimate responsibility for a child is the parent, not the school.
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MissingChico
enthusiast
Posts: 2228
Reg: 02-13-06
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04-05-12 09:56 AM - Post#147740
In response to JasonKA
This appears to be the classic self indulgent, the world revolves around me situation. These teachers had their own children being protected in other schools by teachers and staff. Imagine had they all had the same selfish, I'm better than all others in my community attitude and ran off to rescue their child. This place has really lost it's sense of community. The politics of the area that allow anything "government" to be interpreted as incompetent has really clouded the good judgement of many. I think this whole situation was handled quite well and I commend those who protected our kids. I'm glad no staff were injured while having to deal with this immature, self indulgent parent.
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