The new dangerous game is sweeping my child's school. Help!?

Question

In their elementary school, they try to see how far they can dangle spit over each other's faces. Eventually, they drop saliva on like at least 10 or 15 people a day. Teachers find it hillarious and don't do anything... Board members take it as a joke. What can we do?

Answer 1

If you think that's bad you wouldn't have liked what we used to dangle over each other's faces

Answer 2

Sorry Rona, I disagree with you on this one. First, I doubt the teachers find it "hilarious". It's more likely that they are just concerned with far more serious issues.. Second, if you are really concerned that spreading germs this way is "dangerous" then I suggest you read some of the studies that have been done on the lack of hand washing by people of ALL ages. Now that is something that scares me! And last, but definitely not least, children are exposed to so many things that are horrible, terrifying, and more gut wrenching than the risks that kids assume by AGREEING to spit on each other. The choking game is happening in virtually every elementary school in North America - kids die from this (have you talked to your kids about how dangerous this is?). Kids sniffing various household things, thinking that it's not the same as doing drugs because it's in your own kitchen cupboard so it can't be that bad, right? Or how about child poverty? That little 6 year old girl who doesn't own any socks or get breakfast on school days, would have a weaker immune system and thereby be susceptible to getting and spreading more viruses. Environmental toxins, child abuse, homelessness, parents neglecting to vaccinate their children, lack of affordable medical/dental care, etc., etc., etc...

Look, it sounds like you have a lot of energy and passion which you could direct into making children's lives safer. There are so many issues affecting children which genuinely are frightening, please, these are the issues which need parents to be upset about. Yes, the spitting game is gross, and may pose some risk for kids - but not even as much risk as your child faces every day just by drinking out of the school water fountain!

Answer 3

Just how many teachers are finding this hilarious? I will relay a little life story to you....My son has been suspended from school 7 times this year. Two of those times were for SPITTING. One of the times he spit on a little girl who is severely allergic to peanuts (they were in the lunch room at the time) and the principal explained to my son that IF he had had peanut butter or some other peanut product in his mouth, that little girl would have gotten very sick and maybe even had to go to the hospital. Granted, he has some other big issues to work out, and my hubby and I are trying to get him as much help as possible. Did I mention my little guy is 5 yo and in kindergarten? As far as the suspensions go, the school told me that suspending my son WAS NOT in as much to teach him a lesson, it was more to protect the other students. If my sons elementary school feels so strongly about the dangers of spitting as to suspend a 5 year old, shouldn't parents feel as strong? I agree with the advice to get other parents in on the deal. Make up petitions, and speak publicly to the other parents. Write a detailed letter to the schools newspaper, and to the local paper as well. Make a HUGE fuss, and something will get done.

Answer 4

That's disgusting! If teachers or the board won't take it seriously, I would suggest finding other parents who feel the same way you do. Send a letter from all of you letting the school board know that if something isn't done to prevent this game, you will all be initiating a lawsuit for assault against the parents of the children who participate, and against the school district for not protecting the children they are responsible for. Just writing the letter should be enough to motivate them, but be prepared to follow through if it's ignored. Some attorneys will draft a letter for you, and it'll only cost you about 1/2-1 hour x their hourly rate. Good luck with this nasty problem!

Answer 5

You would think that since teachers get paid basically on student attendance that they would be a little more concerned about the spread of illness through this. Gross!!! And it's cold and flu season!!! Get some research together on the spread of germs through saliva and present it to the school. If that doesn't work you could ask for a write up in your local newspaper. Some parents may not know about it and would be appalled if they did know. I mean gross. In what world do adults sit and laugh about kids spitting on each other?

Answer 6

Find out how many other parents feel the same way you do. I agree with you at least- and I can't see the whole story unfold. If you find enough support from other parents, start a group (or start a petition) and bring it to the attention of the principal. If that doesn't work, bring it up with the school board. Now if the school board still refuses to listen to the parents, inform the local news. (Fox does a lot of little investigating stuff). The city will crack under pressure from the media.

Answer 7

OH MY! Try contacting your local health unit, maybe they can do something to help you. With all the bacterial and viral infections that already get passed on through normal contact it's bad enough, but add in those that are worse like TB and meningitis, and yes there are even children who have contracted STDs as early as birth..... You're right, this is dangerous, and hopefully the people that would deal with outbreaks of these things will take the problem more seriously. Going with the health unit should be a good start, even if they just give you advice that might work or send you elsewhere.

Answer 8

How disgusting! I can't believe that teachers are laughing about this and that the school board thinks this is a joke. I would raise a stink about this one. Call your local Health Dept. or arm yourself with some research and information on saliva transmitted diseases. Go back to the teachers and school board with your information and write out a formal complaint. If that doesn't work, call your local TV station and tell them about your efforts and your knowledgeable research. You may even have to hire an attorney. God's speed to you!

Answer 9

Teachers find it hilarious? I think it's time you wrote the school board and the health and safety board and demand that something be done to quell this filthy nasty habit. Make a BIG stink, the bigger the better. Tell them you are going to sue them (and do it) for not keeping your child "safe" from diseases like HIV and Hepatitis and other things by allowing this practice to go on.

That is gross and I would have the police in that school if no one else bothered to listen and have these people up on criminal charges for negligence.

Put this all in writing, address it to the principal and school board and health department and tell them these students should implement suspension for this behaviour so it's taken seriously and failing that, if they don't do anything you will press criminal charges for failing to ensure your child's safety while under their care.

I don't know where you live but your teachers sound like total morons. They would never be able to get away with inaction like that up here. Their a-sses would be on the line big time.

Answer 10

I agree, dangerous in the way that swapping body fluids can be even when we are talking about children. These days you just don't know what people are carrying around. Even if we aren't talking bubonic plague type stuff, it is still important to teach kids that this isn't ok. All sorts of communicable diseases can be passed this way and not to mention it is highly disgusting.
I agree with talking to other parents or taking it to your school board or better yet, the next PTA meeting at your child's school.

Good luck! :)

Answer 11

That is deplorable. Get as many adults together as you can and confront the school board. It is not funny, cute or harmless and it needs to be stopped right now. My guess is that these teachers are the same adults who will scold you for having raised a "problem" child later in life. Best of luck.