Why would a teacher say that?

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

My son woke up sick this morning and had a borderline fever. He proceeded to drag his feet but also mentioned that his teacher said he would get a zero even if he was sick on an assignment due today. I dragged him in and told the teacher that her class is probably going to get infected because of her statement. She denied ever saying it. Why would a student who WANTS to stay home make a stupid statement. Other students stated the same punishment as I was taking him out of class. I made my point and let her know it really wasn't her place to decide if a student isn't sick. BTW, I was taking him home after her class, which was second period. I took him immediately after administration knew what she hadn't said.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I really take issue when teachers say things like that. I have no problem e-mailing teachers of students that I am sending home to let them know, and asking them to excuse them for whatever assignment or test that the student is taking that day. Now, I don't do this with all of them, only those that express concern over assignments, tests, projects, or after school activities. I let the student know to let me know if there is a problem, and so far I haven't had any problems . The teachers have been very understanding. I know I don't want sick kids in classrooms..

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I went to clarify this first thing this morning. It was in front of the K teacher, so of course it went back to admin. I was told to send my son home, which I replied that my assessment this morning was to keep him home, but the teacher overstepped my assessment. They are sticking to her statement even though students are stating she said it. Seven more months, seven more months.

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Teachers seem to be getting "ballsy" lately. I had one all but refuse a student back to her room last week after I said I WASN'T calling home as the kiddo wasn't showing any s/s of illness. Kiddo said they vomited in the bathroom. Teacher never saw it as they conveniently made it to the bathroom but she had too many plans over the weekend to have vomiting involved. Kid sat in my office for 45 minutes and showed no s/s of illness. Was about to send them back to class (with admin approval) when dad walked in. Teacher had texted him that student was sick and needed to go home. I've never been so mad at a teacher in my life.

Thanksgiving break needs to come. STAT.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Wow. Just wow. Pretty sure that violates a school policy (excused absences may be made up with the same amount of time?) Remind me is this a private or charter school?

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Specializes in kids.
57 minutes ago, KeeperOfTheIceRN said:

Teachers seem to be getting "ballsy" lately. I had one all but refuse a student back to her room last week after I said I WASN'T calling home as the kiddo wasn't showing any s/s of illness. Kiddo said they vomited in the bathroom. Teacher never saw it as they conveniently made it to the bathroom but she had too many plans over the weekend to have vomiting involved. Kid sat in my office for 45 minutes and showed no s/s of illness. Was about to send them back to class (with admin approval) when dad walked in. Teacher had texted him that student was sick and needed to go home. I've never been so mad at a teacher in my life.

Thanksgiving break needs to come. STAT.

The old #bigfoot vomit rears its ugly head....

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

I have no doubts the teacher did say that, but now when actually confronted with it, she backed down, thinking that nobody would call her out on it, and she probably used it as a scare tactic for kids that say they are "sick" but really are not. It totally sucks that the legit sick students get caught in this trap, and have to suffer.

Like others have said, I usually have the opposite problem at work: teachers want the kid sent home for anything (including the fake vomit!).

Hang in there!

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15 minutes ago, NutmeggeRN said:

The old #bigfoot vomit rears its ugly head....

I'm telling ya ?

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Specializes in School Nurse.

In college I dragged my fever ridden body to anatomy lab because of a zero absence policy. I was about to throw up and asked to be excused. TA said as I was rushing out - "I can't excuse this absence."

I saw her a few days later and she told me not to worry, I looked like death warmed over.

However, I risked getting others sick by this policy. Unfortunately the fakers cause the actual ill people to be guilty by association.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I had a similar issue. My child was hurt in gym due to the teacher's negligence. The teacher admitted that to me but then tried to lower her grade since she could not participate. Marched right in and discussed it in front of the principal. They think we are not involved in our children's lives enough to care what they say. My little parrot repeats everything!!!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
1 hour ago, ruby_jane said:

Wow. Just wow. Pretty sure that violates a school policy (excused absences may be made up with the same amount of time?) Remind me is this a private or charter school?

Private. What burns me is that admin blew it off. I mean, why would a 13 year old student drag himself into school unless he feared this? I am livid. So close to rolling out early and let them know what they are missing with us gone.

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

Teacher tells student that since she is 18 she can just stroll on down to the nurse and get medicine.

No doctors order, no actual medicine, both of which are required by our district.

I love educators. But c'mon. You are masters educated people. Act like it.

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