Im trying to not jump to conclusions.....

Originally Posted by Dixie_Darlin

So I spoke with the prinicipal this morning. I told him how upset I was about all this. He told me that this wasn't a PTA funded or sponsored trip. That's when I went off.

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Then the permission slip should have said "I allow little Johnny to attend the skate party although no one I know will be watching him. The people at the skating rink will be responsible although I don't know their qualifications, if any. Furthermore, I realize that in case of emergency, the people in charge have no way to get in touch with me."

I'm so glad your little guy called you when those big kids were picking on him. Otherwise, you might not have known what was really going on until much later.

Way to go explaining things to the principle. I cannot believe someone in charge of children, someone who has to at least read a newspaper now and then, could be so unaware of the possible dangers to our children. Or, that the teachers would just simply leave. Who does this type of thing?

Please let us know what more happens.

Originally Posted by Dixie_Darlin

So I spoke with the prinicipal this morning. I told him how upset I was about all this. He told me that this wasn't a PTA funded or sponsored trip. That's when I went off. Had myself or ANY of the parents known that, we would NOT have allowed our kids to go. It wasn't clearly stated or explained that they were leaving it up to the skating staff to watch our children. I then asked about the contact info in case someone got hurt. He told me that the manager of the rink had HIS cell phone number...NOT good enough. They would have to call him, then he would have to go to the school, get the info then to the rink. VERY irresponsible!

Then I told him "What would happen if little "Billy's" dad wasnt allowed to see him and had heard he was going to be skating because a friend's son goes to the same school, and he went up to the rink, and picked him up and they were in Michigan at Midnight? Little "Billy" isn't gonna tell anyone he's not supposed to see his dad. He's happy to see him." I then asked him "Can YOU sleep at night knowing YOU allowed that to happen because YOU were neglegent? I know I can't". He just got quiet. Complete silence for about 15 seconds. He then
said "You know what, You're right. I didnt think about that". OMG!

I told him "HOW COULD YOU NOT THINK ABOUT THAT!? YOU'RE THE PRINCIPAL! OUR children are in YOUR care! These things happen EVERY day!"

I was livid! He then went on to say thank god my son has a cell phone and enough sense to call me. I DARED him to say anything about him carrying a cell to school. But he didn't. Also, the R'Club staff this morning said she had about 10 other parents who said they were going to the principal this morning. Im happy to know that R'Club had NOTHING to do with this trip and when they do have field trips they are WELL supervised!

Im still contacting the school board on this. I can NOT let this go. I had a VERY hard time sleeping last night.

I do have to say I am VERY proud of my son for calling me. It give me peace of mind knowing he knows when something isn't right and he's comfortable enough to come to me.

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thank you for calling your principal. i'm a teacher as many of you know and this would NEVER EVER EVER happen here. you were completely correct in contacting the principal - you still need to contact the people who booked the busses to take the kids to the rink, the police, and the school board. do not let this go. this principal should be on a probationary contract. they HAVE to be living in the 70s......sheesh

god, px to that last post....

if this is how much common sense the principal has about today's world - does the school even have any emergency plans in place??? like evacuations/lockdowns?

Originally Posted by Renovia

thank you for calling your principal. i'm a teacher as many of you know and this would NEVER EVER EVER happen here. you were completely correct in contacting the principal - you still need to contact the people who booked the busses to take the kids to the rink, the police, and the school board. do not let this go. this principal should be on a probationary contract. they HAVE to be living in the 70s......sheesh

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I grew up in the 70s and they didn't do this kind of idiocy then. He left the school district open to lawsuits and as a tax payer, I would be upset at his irresponsibility. As a parent, I would be ready for a lynching party.

Originally Posted by Sadie's Mom

You have every right to be upset. But, try to calm down a bit so you can think clearly about this. You'll need to keep cool when you chat with the schoolboard. BTW, Give 'em hell.

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Agreed! There has got to be some repercussions, even of the smallest kind, by letting small children alone, anywhere. Obviously, one of them was bullying your little boy...which should not, and might not have happened if there were members of the school staff there...the first of many reasons to get the attention of the school board! Glad to see you're going above the principals head...even if he realizes the mistake now, you can't undo the past. Thank goodness no one was kidnapped or worse...

definitely talk to your superintendent...i'm sure that there will be MAJOR repercussions.

I was kidnapped 2 times as a child, and reading this nauseated me. I can't believe they left children of that age at an ice skating rink. Ugh! Pedofiles hang out in places like that just waiting for the opportunity to snag a child that looks vulnerable. What the hell???

The fact that the teachers and the principal were there and left shows complete negligence! Where the hell do you store your brain when you make a decision to leave children unattended anywhere in public? What is so important that you have all have to check out on your RESPONSIBILITY at your designated time? I'm so upset for you! We're all lucky nothing serious happened as a result of their selfishness and idiocy. It makes me sick every time I hear about a child missing.

I really hope this incident sends a strong message to anyone responsible at that school. There are people out there who need to take responsibility for this and learn the hard way to NEVER be so careless again. This was not an accident, this was complete and unexcusable stupidity!

Ok, another update...

I called the school board this morning to speak with the district superintendant. He was in a meeting so I spoke with his admin. She said that this was a HUGE concern and would look into it. About 20 mins later she called me back saying she spoke with the principal and "understood my concerns and any further events like this will be planned better".... NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!
I would bet a million dollars that she district super hasn't and WONT hear a word about this!
I am in the process of emailing him personally to make sure he knows!
I'm also thinking of contacting the media! My ex-husband and current DH keep saying "You're gonna get ALOT of people in trouble. Are you sure you want to do this?" DAMN RIGHT I DO!

I also spoke with the R'club director today and she's heard alot of people are upset by this. In the permission slip it DOES state "Supervised Fun"....... BY WHO?!!! I still can't and won't stop until I get answers and something done about this!
Someone tried to point out today "Well when they go on field trips they are supervised by teachers".... HOW DO I KNOW THAT?!
I don't! I told Justice tonight, "No more school field trips. Only with R'Club" I know R'Club is VERY responsible with the kids. I have went with them to the skating rink, Christmas Parade, Picnics..... and there are a TON of chaperones and staff..

I will let you all know what happens when I send this email.

Dear Sir/Madam,

My son is Justice ********** who attends ***** Elementary. On 4-26-07 there was an early release day and parents were given the option to sign thier child/children up for a skating event at **** Skate. My ex-husband and I signed our son up to go.
Yesterday while he was at the skating rink, I recieved a phone call from my son around 2:30pm. He was scared, frantic and very upset. He informed me that there was no school staff/teachers there and was being harrassed by another student from a different school. He was too scared and upset to go to an employee of the skating rink. I did not have my vehicle so I was not able to pick him up so I called my mother to do so. She left work early and picked him up. In the 45 mins it took for her to get there, Justice called me several times from his Firefly cell phone. He was in the bathroom, crying and scared.
When my mother arrived there was a young man at the door. He did NOT ID her. He simply said "Are you here to pick up?" and nothing else. Just allowed her to walk in. This is a HUGE concern for me.
Anyone could have walked in and said they were there to pick up a child. For instance, what would happen if an estranged father/mother came to pick up a child w/o the other parents permission? I honestly don't see an elementary aged child refusing.
I has spoken with Mr. ******from *****(school) . He simply stated "This was not a school funded/sponsored event. It was sponsered by **** Skate" He did not seem genuinly concerned. Just stated he would take it into consideration. I then asked what would happen if a child was hurt? He told me "The skating rink has my cell phone number. They would call me and I would get the information for them. We're not allowed to give them the info". I was very upset about that.
I then attempted to contact Mr. Oscar ***and was told he was in a meeting. I spoke with who I am lead to believe was his admin. I expressed my concerns to her and she said she was going to "get to the bottom" of this.
About 20 mins later she returned my call stating she spoke with Mr. ***** and they understand my concerns and they will take better precautions next time.
I'm sorry, but as a parent, this was not good enough for me.
I felt and still do feel like this issue is not being address properly.
Why was there not a **** staff memeber at the skating rink who is allowed to have the students contact info and or information regarding who is or is not allowed to pick them up?
Very easily a child could have been abducted. I find absolutely no reason for this to happen.
My son is now scared to go on any type of school events in fear this may happen again.
The permission slips did not state anywhere that only the skating rink staff would be supervising, nor that they would not be IDing anyone.
Had I known this, my child wound NOT have attended this event.

I am hoping that in writing this I will get a response and a resolution to prevent something like this happening again or even worse, something happening to a child.
My family and several others are more then prepared to go to the media with this if it is not issued and resolved.
I do not mean to threaten, but these are our children. Our most prized possesions. Nothing can replace them. We have to protect them.


Thank You for your time.
Alycia *****
You can reach me at
727-320-****or
727-743-**** or
727-368-****

Sounds good! Make sure you keep a copy for yourself! It may be a better idea to hand write the letter and deliver them to the principal,superintendant and the school board chairman so they know you really mean business...legal wise. With email,they can just delete it and claim thery never got it. Either way...make sure you keep a copy!! I hope you get results!

Alycia I just caught this thread!! Holy cow what were they thinking??

Do you need some help kicking tail?? All you gotta do is say the word.......and buy the gas!!


I hope you get it all sorted out, I know if anyone can, it'll be you!! Go girl!

Originally Posted by maddensmom

Alycia I just caught this thread!! Holy cow what were they thinking??

Do you need some help kicking tail?? All you gotta do is say the word.......and buy the gas!!

I hope you get it all sorted out, I know if anyone can, it'll be you!! Go girl!

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C'mon down girl!

I sent the email yesterday and haven't heard anything yet. I'm going to give it until Monday, maybe Tuesday and if I don't hear anything I WILL be calling the news!

I has spoken with Mr. ******from *****(school) . He simply stated "This was not a school funded/sponsored event.

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Good letter! Just one suggestion, this sentence should be "I have spoken" with so and so.

Now, go and kick some major butt!

Originally Posted by Dixie_Darlin

I still can't and won't stop until I get answers and something done about this!

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Can I ask what exactly it is that you want 'done' about the situation? It's done and over and you can't turn back the clock.

What compensation are you seeking? The Principal already apologized and realized his error. The School Board spoke to him about it too and assured you that future trips will be supervised.

Don't get me wrong. I'm apaulled about this as everyone else and I was horrified to hear that they were just dropped off. But it seems to me that you have made your point with the school and school board and have been given an apology and a reassurance of it not happening again. There isn't much left other than trying to get people fired. Is that your goal?

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Can I ask what exactly it is that you want 'done' about the situation? It's done and over and you can't turn back the clock.

What compensation are you seeking? The Principal already apologized and realized his error. The School Board spoke to him about it too and assured you that future trips will be supervised.

Don't get me wrong. I'm apaulled about this as everyone else and I was horrified to hear that they were just dropped off. But it seems to me that you have made your point with the school and school board and have been given an apology and a reassurance of it not happening again. There isn't much left other than trying to get people fired. Is that your goal?

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If that's what it takes.... YES! This is total incompetency!
It was not the school board per se. It was the directors admin. If you had children, you wouldn't rest until something was done either.

Matter of fact, I got a call from the board super this afternoon. He had not heard anything about this until he recieved my email. Which upset me deeply.
He was unaware of NO supervision being provided besides just the staff at the skating rink. His secretary did not even tell him! It was not recorded anywhere that I had called.
Matter of fact, the secretary is a former co-worker of the principal and did not even call him!!!!
Upon recieving my email, the super/director spoke with the principal and was told by him I never called or expressed concern!
By this time, I am OUTRAGED! I told him I could prove he DID hear from me because he called all 2 of my phones and left a message while I was in the shower. He then asked if he could call me back.
About an hour later he did.
The principal was put on disciplinary probation for all this!
They are going to issue an apology letter on Monday to ALL of the parents explaining what happened and how they are going to make SURE it doesn't happen again. Also, there were two other children who DID have something happen to them while at the skating rink.
One little girl sprained her ankle VERY badly and was found by her father crying in the bathroom because she didn't know who to go to.... she is 7.
Another little boy slipped out of the door when no one was looking and went over to McDonald's next door. He was found there by his mother.... he is 9.
Thankfully, the little boy called his mother from the payphone and told her no one was watching anyone and he didn't feel safe. McDonald's has a safe child sign out front and he remembered that he could ALWAYS go there if he was in trouble...
I'm not sure what is going to happen from here on out. I can tell you this, MY son will NOT be going on ANY school arranged field trips. This was Justice's decision.
He said he would go with R'Club, but not with the school because he KNOWS R'Club staff keep a very tight run ship on field trips.

Alycia, the more you tell us about this jerk, he deserves to be taken out of that position. His lying and covering up is just more ammunition for him to go. He was just really darn lucky that no one was lost or injured so severely to be life threatening. I'm so glad you were able to get to the proper people. Way to go

Alycia- i applaud you for standing firm and not backing down on this issue! I would have done the same thing if i were in your shoes! I think your email was very appropriate and to the point and i think you were right in every way to not just let this issue fall by the way side- but instead to hold these individuals in charge of these prescious,prescious children accountable for their actions. Good job honey!!! And also- good job teaching little Justice about safety and what to do if he finds himself alone- many parents do not think to teach their kids that and as a result, things happen. I'm soo glad he had a way to contact you when he felt unsafe. You've tought him well- you should be proud

Based on what I've heard so far, I feel the Principal should be fired. He seems to have shown little concern in her first discussion with them, and his response only seems like an effort to calm her down for his sake.

He knows what happened is wrong, not because it's wrong, but because he has to deal with it now. His actions are only a reaction to the parents, and not a stand on behalf of the kids. No person like that should have the position of responsibility for children that he does.

OMG!!! Alycia, I am just reading all of this.I would want the jerk fired also.That is a bunch of bull you know what!!It is HIS job to make sure there are chaperons on ANY and ALL of the field trips!!!OMG!!!