Fellow Parents: Help, Problems with Principal !?

Question

This is a complicated situation so bear with me. My 12 year old daughter is on her school's student council. It has raised $5,000 for a well in Africa. 2 weeks ago she came home and told me that the teacher who oversees the student council told them to stop fundraising for the well so as to not get in the way of the Turf Club -a group of parents, not students, who want to raise $400,000 to put in artificial turf in the schoolyard. I wrote a letter to the Turf Club telling them of my disgust in their actions. They threatened me back saying that my daughter and I were trying to discredit them. I spoke with the principal, who turns out to be on the Turf Club! She ordered me, 'as the principal' to 'cease and desist this attack'.Now,everyone except for my daughter and the other children are denying anything happened! The school trustee said 'forget about it'.What message does this send the kids? Now my child is afraid of being kicked off student's council. What can I do? This is so unjust!

I was very diplomatic in my letter stating how I felt this would effect the children in the long run. The fact that they felt threatened shows that they are guilty and don't want me to pursue this further.
This turf is to raise property value, I believe. Hence, the defensive attitude. If this intereference with the children's fund raising never happened, then wouldn't the principal and the teachers want to sit down and talk with the children to clarify things? Instead they are frightening the children by threatening one of them and her parent.

Answer 1

3 on your side honey! Call local news stations, email cnn, get as much public attention on this as possible! How sick to hear about this...start a website or something to get people to write letters to the school board....I'll do it! You know, for $100 they could throw out some grass seed or something....what a joke. You know, I would continue to raise the money for the well and when you and your daughter accomplish it you can tell everyone about these selfish people. She's not the boss of you! She can't tell you what to do, your not a student at her school! Get supporters behind you on this and go forward! Good luck!

Answer 2

I understand your frustration because this really seems like misplaced priorities. However, what was the tone of your letter to the Turf Club? Was is threatening and hostile? Was it inappropriate? Sometimes it is easy to go overboard in defense of our children and you were trying to protect your daughter's project.
I am assuming that you live in the United States as it would be unlikely for a school anywhere else to spend so much money on artificial turf. Can I assume that the turf is for the use of sports teams? If so you could be up against the whole community.
My advice - lower your aggression level and try again, in writing, to assert the importance of the well project. Explain how it is important for the children to learn compassion and citizenship. If you once again get a negative response, try writing to your local media and get them interested in the story. They usually love that sort of thing - but really watch your temper and how you come across or you will get labeled a trouble maker.

Answer 3

i agre with everyone here, especially belle. take it to the board meeting. if that gets you nowhere, go to the local tv station or radio. it may not seem like a big deal to some but its the principle of it. the school may need turf but there is no reason it should interfere with this fundraiser. it is a worthy cause and it teaches the kids about humanity. do they really believe they're going to lose that much turf money from this anyway? this is appalling. the only one being discredited here is you. stand your ground. best of luck.

Answer 4

Take it as public as possible! If they are denying that anything happened, it means that they're afraid for the truth to be known. Document ALL your contact with these people, as they don't seem to be particularly honest. If your daughter is kicked off the student council as reprisal for this, contact a lawyer.

I am as disgusted as you are - there is absolutely no reason that parents should be competing against kids. Give your daughter a hug and congratulate her for me. It is awesome that 12 year old kids have accomplished so much. Good luck!

Answer 5

You need to bring this to the attention of the school board. I cant believe that they are raising that much money so that the school can get turf. They should be using that money to help people that really need help.

Answer 6

IF the superintendent is not willing to discuss the issue take to a public meeting in front of the school board, these elected officials have a responsibility to everyone so go to them in a public forum, or write to your local paper.
Multiple groups have the right to raise funds, it seems like every school group raises funds for one thing or another
Good luck

Answer 7

I would go to the administration who is over the school and tell them u r situation. Some schools are out for others than they are for the ones who want to make a difference.

Answer 8

DEAR
PLEASE READ THIS AND PLEASE FOLLOW IT TO THE TEE NO BACKING DOWN OK (1ST) IF THE PRINCIPAL'S GIVEN YOU TROUBLE GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD BRING BOTH IN FRONT OF IT WITH THE TEACHERS CONSING THE PROBLEMS? IF THIS DOES NOT WORK (2ND) ALSO BRING A REALLY GOOD LAWYER WITH YOU FOR YOUR BACK UP YOU MIGHT NEED HIM AND ARE HER (3RD) TELL THE LAWYER WHAT IS GOING ON AND HAVE EVERY THING WROTE DOWN AND IN ORDER TOO ALL NOTES LETTER ETC COPY,S YOU MIGHT NEED THEM THEY ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THIS MATTER OK TAKE CARE GOOD LUCK I HOPE I HELP THIS IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IT JUST IS NOT RIGHT OK.