How do I stand against unlawful punishment in school?

Question

Today I got in massive trouble for the following email.

"Hi! I delivered the notes in your mailbox at 10:00 today, but the lady at the front desk was really lame and refused to time-stamp it. She said she was too busy, but all she was doing was completing a sudoku puzzle. She should be fired, by the way. Anyways, I still delivered them, and myself wrote a stickie note on it with time of delivery. Have a good day!"

Apparently, they pinned me on "disrespect/defiance".
The thing is, I had a huge project to turn into class, and I knew that I would be gone due to a dentist appointment. I told this to my teacher, and she said to turn it into the office with a time stamp, or else she would not take it. The email was to my teacher, and apparently she decided it was threatening and shared it with the counselors. I have been given saturday work detail. I feel I have been wronged. What steps are appropriate to take? Why was I nailed on opinion? What happened to free speech?

Answer 1

Because the tone of the email is rude and disrespectful.

It was opinion, but opinions are like assholes - everyone has one and sometimes you need to learn when to keep those opinions in your mind and let more appropriate comments flow on to paper, out of your mouth, or in email.

Answer 2

You need to look at the particular policies/procedures of your school district and make sure they were followed to the letter.

Your note was disrespectful regarding the sudoku maniac (even if the criticism was deserved, you shouldn't have mentioned firing her), but I don't see any threats whatsoever in your note.

There should be an appeals process, which you could pursue.

Answer 3

Part of what a school tries to accomplish is to help young adults grow up and make responsible choices in order to help them later in life. If you mouth off to a boss, he fires you. It is that simple. The lesson to learn from this incident is that your attitude and actions in sending the email were morally deficient. You exalted yourself and played the fool.


In the Bible, a "fool" does not have anything to do with intelligence. Instead, "fool" describes a person who lacks wisdom.

The following verses may be hard for you to read, but I think as you do, you will see how you made a poor choice and got yourself into trouble with your mouth. If you learn from this to show appropriate respect for supervisors/adults/management, that will be a valuable lesson.

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 10:13-15
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
(You did that.)
Proverbs 10:17-19


The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:14-16
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:22-24
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:19-21
(Do you friends speak disrespectfully of adults? Think about it. Are they influencing you? Or are you so used to doing that that you don't even recognize it? )

A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Proverbs 14:2-4
A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
Proverbs 14:15-17
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
Proverbs 14:16-18
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother (adult supervisor).
Proverbs 15:19-21
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Proverbs 17:9-11
(I hope you choose growing into a man of discernment through this. )

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:27-28
(This one really nails it. Look carefully at your manner of approach to the receptionist. See what you can learn about how you might have irritated her or were demanding or overly familiar with her. )

Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:10-12

"If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
Proverbs 30:31-32


Learn a lesson from this-- and apologize for mouthing off. If this is the only thing you learn this year, it will still be well worth it for your future.

Answer 4

Have your parents go to the school to talk to the teacher and principle. If that doesn't work you could consult an attorney but your parents will probably be able to help you.

I hate secretaries.

Answer 5

Because you were lame