Principal 'paddling' first grader for damaging computer

[Suger Mag]

Oh hell no... no way would someone hit my child in front of me...

https://www.insideedition.com/flori...ht-on-video-paddling-6-year-old-student-66655
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/us/student-paddled-florida-central-elementary-school.html
I confess I am shocked that corperal punishment is still being used in schools... according to one artilce it is still legal in 19 states... although in this particular county where the incident happened it is not allowed...

"Corporal punishment in schools is legal in 19 states in the U.S. including Florida. according to Probinsky, 20 of the state’s 67 counties allow corporal punishment, but it is not allowed in Hendry County where this happened."

https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/05/04/disturbing-video-florida-school-principal-paddles-young-girl/

 

[Kitty 34]

I saw that yesterday. I'm surprised that corporal punishment is still allowed.

I was actually more shocked that the whole thing was being filmed by apparently the Mother.

 

[Suger Mag]

I saw that yesterday. I'm surprised that corporal punishment is still allowed.

I was actually more shocked that the whole thing was being filmed by apparently his Mother.

I was too... I gather besides being 'shocked'...there was a language barrier and also fear about citizenship status that prevented the mother from intervening in the moment.

I could not stand by while someone hit my child... punishment or no punishment... sadly i prolly would have ended my butt in jail over my reaction...

 

[MamaMermaid]

Very upsetting!

 

[monsterkitty]

I saw that yesterday. I'm surprised that corporal punishment is still allowed.

I was actually more shocked that the whole thing was being filmed by apparently his Mother.

The first article the mom says she was not told that her daughter was going to be paddled. She also said she froze in fear.

I read an article last week about this and the mom also said that while she froze in fear, she hit record so that it would never happen to another student again. She said when she pulled her phone out when the principal pulled out the paddle, she was told to put it away. She secretly had to record.

I wonder what the principal and person helping her thought this was going to accomplish. Did they get the results the wanted?

As a teacher I would be fired and in jail if I saw an administrator or anyone do this to a child.

 

[White Cat]

Good!!!

 

[C&Jx2]

I don’t even know where to start. Sure the mom might have feared reprecussion in regards to her illegal status, but she went to the news? I don’t understand that thought process. But I’m not in her position so I’m trying really hard not to judge.

BUT, I would never be able to stand there and watch that. She’s the parent, and her responsibily and right as a parent trumps the school‘s. She should have said, “not happening”, and left.

 

[kdonnel]

What sort of damage was done to the computer? I can't imagine schools holding students responsible for accidental damage. And it can be really hard to prove the damage was anything other than accidental.

In a meeting my wife learned that Gwinnett County Public Schools have lost $34,000,000 in computers. They were sent home with students in March of last year and never returned.

It has just been a budget hit due to Covid, no students have been paddled.

 

[Pink Partridge]

That is flat out assault.

The mother is not a legal citizen, and I am sure the principal knew that. And took full advantage to abuse that little girl. Then she called the little girl a brat. (How professional). Again, knowing the mother would fear deportation if she intervened.

I bet that principal thought: Who is going to believe a non-English speaking illegal immigrant? The principal even says in a taunting voice to go ahead and call the police.

I am so happy the mother recorded it. Nobody would have ever believed her otherwise. That principal was very confident treating both mother and child poorly.

 

[TippyThomas]

Good!!!

Come on, Art. You really are trying too hard here.

 

[mefordis]

I'd be going down there with a paddle of my own. You know, to even things out.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Also, who calls a parent and says "Bring $50 to the school for computer damage"?

You wouldn't get away with that with most parents. Send me an invoice. But, again, you can really threaten people when they are undocumented. They are full of fear. This principal looks like she enjoyed instilling fear.

Also, why doesn't the school have insurance on their computers? Where did the principal come up with $50? That should be investigated too. How many times has she done this and where did that money (I'm sure cash) go?

The girl is 6 years old. Did she scratch the screen by mistake?

 

[MIGrandma]

I’m sure I’m in the minority on this but I’m still a firm believer in spank/paddling. Not leaving marks of course but “spare the rod, spoil the child.”

 

[wenrob]

The first article the mom says she was not told that her daughter was going to be paddled. She also said she froze in fear.

I read an article last week about this and the mom also said that while she froze in fear, she hit record so that it would never happen to another student again. She said when she pulled her phone out when the principal pulled out the paddle, she was told to put it away. She secretly had to record.

I wonder what the principal and person helping her thought this was going to accomplish. Did they get the results the wanted?

As a teacher I would be fired and in jail if I saw an administrator or anyone do this to a child.

I was paddled in the first grade. This girl kept talking to me and I asked her to please stop. The teacher paddled *me* because I was “talking.” I was an extremely shy and introverted kid. What I learned was that trying to do the right thing will get you in trouble, teachers were mean and scary and not to be trusted. I also had an English teacher smack me across the head for pronouncing a word wrong. My husband was put in a box daily for the duration of class because he “wasn’t paying attention.”

I could go on and on about the abuse teachers doled out to us in the 70s and 80s and it was just accepted. Some wear that like a badge of pride. Made them “tough” but I can tell you at 53 they are things that stick with me to this day. I’m hyper vigilant when it comes to my kids and school (thankfully with the exception of one or two they’ve had great teachers). There is NO WAY I could stand there and watch someone hit my kid. I would lose my crap and probably end up in jail.

 

[wenrob]

I’m sure I’m in the minority on this but I’m still a firm believer in spank/paddling. Not leaving marks of course but “spare the rod, spoil the child.”

This is not you tapping your kid’s butt. This is a stranger assaulting your child and using intimidation to get away with it. It’s an unacceptable abuse of authority.

 

[TippyThomas]

This is not you tapping your kid’s butt. This is a stranger assaulting your child and using intimidation to get away with it. It’s an unacceptable abuse of authority.

I think if most actually witnessed what these paddlings truly were they'd hopefully have a different opinion.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I’m sure I’m in the minority on this but I’m still a firm believer in spank/paddling. Not leaving marks of course but “spare the rod, spoil the child.”

You don't think that left a mark?

 

[Pink Partridge]

This is not you tapping your kid’s butt. This is a stranger assaulting your child and using intimidation to get away with it."

While calling your kid a brat, and mocking for her to go ahead and call the police. As well as explaining how she would hit her all of the time if she was her daughter.

This woman should never be allowed around children again. And I hope she is shamed for the rest of her life.

 

[smilie]

Nope, nope, nope! If I saw anyone doing that to my child, they'd instantly regret it. This is abuse, not just physical, emotional as well!

 

[SarahC97]

Many studies have shown that physical punishment — including spanking, hitting and other means of causing pain — can lead to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury and mental health problems for children -- I can't believe this is still an acceptable practice in some places. I can't even imagine how this child must feel returning to school -- it's heartbreaking.