What can I do about....

[Ice-Maiden]

My son came home from school today & says he's got a detention next Monday for failing to produce some English homework. This was given out just prior to the half-term break, but we were away on holiday. Nothing was said until today, and he has to write an essay about a book which the class read in his absence. I can't find any details of the story on the internet, and don't feel that he's been given enough time to read the book and do this work before Monday morning. Has this teacher the right to demand the detention? My son tried explaining the situation to her, but she was very off-hand with him, and says either the detention goes ahead - or he produces the work!

[EngTeach]

I posted the first answer last night, but it did not appear. :(
I believe the time frame is unreasonable, and detention might be a abit harsh. That being said, as a teacher I do agree that he should do the work. I do not know the protocol in your son's school, but he/you should have obtained the work he would miss while having an extended break. It is difficult to always give advance work b/c there are a lot of factors that go into the planning and delivering of lessons.

How much school did he miss? If the class was able to start and finish a book of some length, it seems as if he might have missed quite a few days.

In the states, it is technically illegal to take students out for family travel. Though it is done all the time. I never penalize the students b/c children have no controll over the decisions made by their parents regarding their attendance in school.

If you know the title maybe I can help????
I would write the teacher a note and ask her to call you ASAP so you can discuss the matter. When you do speak, explain that you support the idea of his being held responsible Blah, Blah, blah, but the you would like a little more time. Ask her how you can improve home/school communication, etc. (We love that crap!!) If this does not work, go to her superior. He should not be held to a punishment b/c his parents took him out of school for holiday. He had no control over it.

[aims1202]

when i read your question i thought your son was about 14! i cant believe a 9 yr old can even get detention and for this, it isnt right. if i were you i would talk to his teacher as it seems very harsh. he should do the work but should be given the time he needs to do it.

[hussy]

agree with aims ice maiden ffs hes only 9 getting detention for not producing homework????????????
mabee my daughter is at the same school????? they are very strict but if i am honest my daughter loves to go out and play doing homework is not the done thing with her and her friends so it has come to her going homework club every tuesday now which she hates but knows why she has to go. i believe you are very sound and its probably not the norm for him not to do his homework so i think it is a bit over the top to give him detention. speak to his teacher if you are not happy, i would. xx

[Ice-Maiden]

Hussy - wanna chat?

[hussy]

yes please xx

[Ice-Maiden]

You there sweetie? Sounds like you're REALYY down in the dumps

[hussy]

i am but you get stupid beetchies giving it charlie potatoes because they sitting next to a computer, just give me 2 mins with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmm

[Ice-Maiden]

grin - x

[hussy]

everything you have posted aims i have agreed with!!!
would love a chat with you sometime. xxx

[Ice-Maiden]

The book's called Welcome to the Real Worl. I've now found a little bit about one of the main characters, Rosa - but more has to be writen about the bully, Andrew Greenwood. Thanks so much to you all - and I shall be trying to speak to the teacher concerned, in the morning.

[Ice-Maiden]

Thanks English teacher - but Bednobs & Beryllium - ME in detention?? I don't think so! Yesterday I learnt that one or two other children hadn't done this homework either - for whatever reasons, but they were at school. They'd all been given a week to do it in, but that was after WE'D gone away for 8 full days. One of these children told her mother that the teacher had shouted: "You make me sick!", and walked off - therefore making her mother so irate that she told her own child NOT to do it. I don't know if this really happened or not, but I have no reason to disbelieve this parent, & will certainly be contacting the said teacher asap.

[allanmabel]

under no circumstances let your son have a detention they are pointless fruitless exercises and cannot be enforced by law.send a note saying you will not tolerate your child being detained against your will and you will find they cannot do it.he is your child not theirs and they have no right to detain him!!!!

[allanmabel]

just send anote saying you do not want him to do detention and he wont have to.you are his mum and you have final say!!!

[aims1202]

hussy-thats nice to hear thanks,sure we can!

[Ice-Maiden]

Thank you to everyone who commented here. I spoke to the teacher concerned, and she admitted that she may've been a "little hasty". My son didn't have to do the detention, but because I feel that I should've checked about homework which might've needed to've be done whilst we were on holiday, we managed to get hold of the book, and the work was submitted anyway, so that my son hasn't fallen behind. I appreciate all your answers.