Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Mr. Tucker's Paddle... and there is no boat!


So what do you think about our Indiana schools?

Long story short, when the girls first went to school out here in Indiana they told us that their principal had showed them the "paddle" in case they misbehaved. I thought for sure it was a joke and that it was to scare the little kiddos. 2009 right?

Well it turns out that no, the paddle is used for discipline. Of course this isn't for passing a note in class, it is for bigger things. The school's policy is to call home and inform the parent that their child misbehaved at this level and ask the parent if they would like their child to be paddled or suspended. One teacher told me that most parents choose the paddle.

Another interesting thing, this is the book that came home for reading homework today.....a little Noah's Ark action "In came the animals two by two.." said the first page

I am withholding my opinion for now because I want to know yours! Come one tell me what you think!

10 comments:

The Farrell Family said...

Are you seriously kidding me? I am dying! A paddle?! That can't be legal!

Katie McCaul said...

I can't believe they use a paddle. That seems like you are a little further away!

Sarah said...

You have got to be kidding me! I cannot believe that is serious. And as far as the whole Noah's Ark thing....maybe that's how the dinosaurs really became extinct! hahaha...and I thought you couldn't discuss religious things in school? :)

Lindsay and Mike said...

Interesting...very interesting! Guess you better move back to Utah! :)

Harmony said...

I can't believe that! Would you rather have your kid suspended or beat by a stranger?? I'd rather have them suspended, but maybe that's just me. As far as Noah goes, good for them.

Bertasso Family said...

Yes, sad but true, many parents opt for the paddle. Why? It's a lot easier than taking off work or finding someone to take care of your suspended kid during the day! Not saying it's right... Not sure about that Noah book. Guess those were the best rhyming words they could think of! I am a little surprised they sent that for homework...then again, maybe not.

Jennifer Pelo Rawlings said...

I was going to say what Sarah said about the dinosaurs. I think that's what they are saying.

The paddle thing is a little shocking. I would take the suspension I'm pretty sure. I don't think you will have to worry about it though with your kids.

Kelli Proctor said...

Leave the spanking to the parents in my opinion! That paddle looks brutle! Ummmm....I think you guys need to move back before it gets too ugly! CRAZY!

Big Boy said...

Some might be shocked to know that as a kid through about 8th grade I had a horrible temper. I once was sent home in 1st grade for beating up a 2nd grader for making fun of me. I finally started to learn my lesson in 3rd grade when I was warned after about my 10th fight if I got into one more fight I would get paddled. I fought, I got paddled, it got my attention. Nothing else to that point had worked (I had been in the same school, same principal since kindergarten, they all knew me). Nothing else had worked to that point. I didn't get into my next fight until end of 5th grade (after we had moved to a different state) and all I got was timeouts for each fight. I didn't stop fighting until about the end of my 8th grade year, so yeah. My opinion is if nothing else gets the attention, literally you better not spare the rod. So in my experience, I would say this: if it was one of my daughters, I would take care of it. If it was one of my sons, give 'em hell. Little boys with tempers...been there, done that, and nothing seemed to get my attention like a good ol' ass-whoopin'. But that's just my opinion. I remember the experience very clearly, and funny, I'm a contributing member of society. I would definitley only let my boys get spanked. Men are pigs, boy are little piggies, and I'm sure they somehow would deserve it.

Hunter Haven said...

In the 5th & 6th grade I was taller than almost every boy in the school. Needless to say many of those boys teased me terribly ... the rest of the boys just wanted to catch me to kiss me, but that's another comment for another day.
Anyway, it got so bad that my Marine Dad taught me a couple of clever punches to be able to hold my own against those mean boys. It worked great, but landed me in the principal's office a time or two or maybe even three or four.
Yes, the famous paddle was on his desk, but this is where I started my diplomacy career and certainly learned how to express myself and even win the principal over EVERYTIME! I just said, "Mr. Christensen, I think it is very interesting how there is two ways to spell principal & principle. It's easy to remember that the man who runs a school is the one spelled with 'pal' at the end, because I know you really want to be the students' pal. Right?" I"m happy to say it worked like a charm and started a GREAT relationship with my first school administrator.
If all principals could be of good character and judgement, I think "on-the-spot" discipline is a good thing. It sure worked well in the 1960's for me & my friends. Our current school system's watered-down afraid of offening someone version of administrating sure as heck does NOT work. Just look at what our society has become since the 1960's!
Thank you, I'll now step down off my soapbox.