Negative environment causes parents to keep children out of classes

NEW GLASGOW - Parents have raised concerns about what they consider a negative environment in a class at Temperance Street Elementary School.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous to protect the identity of her child, contacted The News and said parents of students in that class were keeping their children out of school until the issue is addressed to their satisfaction.
"We're not asking for her (the teacher) to be fired," the mother said. "If we could just have some sort of mediation."
The parent said the class is "a very negative environment" and the teacher they have concerns about is "a very strong character, a strong personality."
The parent said she did try to bring the concerns to the teacher but said she was told by the teacher that "she doesn't feel that she has to talk to me about it."
The parent said they, parents of the students in the class in question, had a meeting on Monday night at the Ward 1 rec centre to discuss the issue and decided to keep their children out of class on Tuesday.
"At the meeting last night, everybody had the same complaint…It's a sad situation, they're not learning anything at home," the mother said.
The parent said they will continue to keep students out of class until "we know what the school board's going to do."
The board is working on the issue, said Chignecto Central Regional School Board communications manager Carolyn Pierce.
"We are aware that some parents' have raised some concerns. We have been working on these concerns and thought we have been making progress. We are somewhat disappointed with the response. We will continue working on this. We take parents concerns very seriously, we need more time to work on that."
Pierce said keeping the students out of class is "unusual" and classes will proceed as normal with the missing students marked absent.
"We have a process in place for addressing parental concerns. Usually they bring them to the teacher or principal and it's addressed at the school level."
At this point the CCRSB can't say more.
"It's difficult, it's not appropriate to discuss the details of the issue," Pierce said. "Because it is so early into this, there's not too much we can say about this."

seriously?: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:32:07

I can't believe what I'm reading. From what I have heard this teacher is strict, and doesn't like repeating herself. The students don't like her. So the parents are keeping thier children home from school...wow. What's going to happen for the next 6 years of junior/senior high school? When you have 7 or more teachers, there's bound to me a few negative environments ...will these parents tell thier kids to not go to those classes? There's no law saying that your teacher has to be liked...and from what I remember in high school a lot of them were far from favorites. These kids have to learn now that even when you don't like someone in authority, you have to stick it out, do your work and pass, it's what's exspected. These parents are sending a bad message to these kids. They'll remember this in grade nine when they don't like the english teacher b/c she won't take thier bull...and tell mommy and daddy it's a negative environment, and want them to get rid of teacher too.

Submit a Comment

Frustrated!: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:32:06

Why does this paper continue to publish irresponsible articles? The editor is so embarrassed of the so called reporting that he won't even tell the public who wrote them anymore! If you won't sign your name to it, is it really worth anyone reading? The News is a JOKE! It's more like a sounding post for the disgruntled masses of the county who can't be taken seriously anywhere else than an actual valid news organization!

concern: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:58

Parents did go to the principal and teacher, some parents also went to the principals supervisor.Temperance school has always had low expectations and concerns with the learning envirnoment but this year has been the worst with this grade 6 teacher. This is a shame because the children are losing all around. And to touch on what CCRSB said the children do very little in the class.

Fred: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:58

Hi there Pictou County,

I was born and brought up in Stellarton and it si stll home to me. This issue with the teacher is serious to me when the parents get together and decide to keep there kids out of school then there is a real problem here. When the teacher dismissed the parent when that parent wanted to discuss the issue then there is something wrong. The parent should have gone straight to the Principal and if there was no success there then move to the next level. The parents should have all got togetther as a group and showed up on someones doorstep. Maybe the Teacher does not like teaching there and her heart is not in it. I would get to the bottom of it as soon as possible because this could manifest into real big problem if theis teacher is dis interested, doesnot like teaching there or maybe she realized she just does not like teaching. Who knows, good luck to those parents and lets hope this gets resolved soon for the kids sake.

JO JO: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:51

I believe the problem is not with the teacher but with un behaved children who are supported in the wrong direction!

Parent: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:51

What did the teacher do? Or is it just about her attitude?

parent: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:43

First of all I would like to say that I myself have a child in this class and i do not haave a problem with the teacher in question. My child comes home does his/hers homework when there is homework to be done.This teacher addresses the problems or concerns that I have,therefore i will not be keeping my child out of school for any reason. Keeping your child out of school for x many of days is ridiculous think of all the class time they will be missing not to mention homework. Children are there to learn so let them get the education that they need.....

Sally: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:42

I'm interested to learn what kind of negative environment these parents are referring to. Do they just not like the teacher and are taking these drastic actions against her? Or are the children actually at risk of becoming brain-washed?

Acadia: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:39

I remember being verbally and emoitionally tormented by a teacher who was very negative and just down right mean way back in the early 80s. You could say she also had a strong personality and character.

I'm all for this. Don't let your kids get bullied by a teacher.

Theresa: - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:36

The parents have been taking this issue to the principal and the school board. The principal's hands are tied because of the school board, and the school board hasn't done anything but place another teacher in the classroom, and that does not solve the problem. The teacher in question is still in the classroom and the children are still afraid and not learning anything. They aren't missing out by being home. It's time the school board pu the children first, and not some teacher's union contract.