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Calling teachers/substitute teachers- need help with what to do!

AlilivAliliv member
in Parenting

So, we live in a very small community and the school that I substitute teach the most at has only 50 kids K - 12.   My babysitter from last night is one of these students.    She was divulging info. on other students and apparently one of her friends (they had a falling out, though) has recently started doing cocaine and ecstasy at parties (and is contact with a dealer, and is acting otherwise weird) - The babysitter just kind of a did a rolling eyes kind of a thing.   I have a couple of options here:   #1.  ignore the info.   #2. Talk to the parents of student.  #3.   Talk to the principal of the school so that the girl can be monitored at school and get some parent involvement that way.    I really feel obligated to do more than just sit on the info.   It could be just "a story,"  but it also may not be.    I'm not sure why the babysitter gave me that kind of info. unless it was the "tell an adult in order to help my friend" sort of thing.    She indicated that the mother of the girl saw texts to the dealer, but the girl was able to convince her that that wasn't what the texts were about....   What should I do?

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Re: Calling teachers/substitute teachers- need help with what to do!

  • firefightersgalfirefightersgal member

    That is a tough call.  I don't think I'd be able to sit back and ignore it, but I'm not sure where I'd take it.

    Good luck. 

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  • AlilivAliliv member
    imagefirefightersgal:

    That is a tough call.  I don't think I'd be able to sit back and ignore it, but I'm not sure where I'd take it.

    Good luck. 

    I know!  It's hard - especially because this is a very small community, and this girl also is a regular babysitter for friends of mine......eeekkkk!

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  • Suzie~shellSuzie~shell
    I feel for you. I couldn't "do nothing" either. What are your responsibilities? Are you a mandated reporter? Could you talk to a school social worker or counselor about whom to report to?
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  • cnybride2becnybride2be
    do you know the supposed drug users parents?  in a community so small that k-12 has only 50 kids, i imagine you might know who they are?  you might see them regularly?  or your friend who uses her as a babysitter knows the parents...and if there are only 50 kids k-12 and other high school students are sharing the info. so freely, i imagine everyone will soon know.  maybe her parents shouldn't be the last to hear (even if it is a rumor).
    Patty Matt 4/7/05 and Sean 12/14/06 image
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  • AlilivAliliv member

    There is no school social worker/counselor and I am not a mandated reporter.   Just a teacher (or rather subsitute teacher....which, I guess makes me obligated to say something - or at feel obligated).   The school has 1 principal and about 6 teachers on staff with about 3 support staff (educational assistants, librarian...).

    I do know her parents (everyone knows everyone).    I'm not sure how to approach the parents with this - the Mom flies off the handle pretty easily and does the "my kids are angels" routines and completely trusts her kids and what they say (which can be a good thing, but as parents we also have to wake up and smell the coffee).   I'm really hoping this is merely a rumour, but I have a feeling this isn't (but, really who am I to say?).   If kind of fits the path this girl has been on.   Her parents have been letting her go to high school parties since she was 11/12....

     I work on Friday, so I think I'll talk to the principal and see what she says....

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  • cnybride2becnybride2be
    but is it a school issue (talking to the principal).  i guess it is if her drug use is being done at school...no school counselor? 
    Patty Matt 4/7/05 and Sean 12/14/06 image
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  • AlilivAliliv member

    imagecnybride2be:
    but is it a school issue (talking to the principal).  i guess it is if her drug use is being done at school...no school counselor? 

    No school counselor (there is a division counselor but that's 2 hours away adn they only come when requested by principal).  It's not a school issue in the sense that the drugs are being done at school to my knowledge.    Which is why I'm not sure what to do.    I thought that if I talked to the principal (who is also the special education coordinator of the school), she would have a good idea of what to do or what not to do, what to watch for.   Apparently, the teachers have already noted that this girl's behavior is out of wack for the past couple of months (well, at least according to staff room gossip...). 

    ETA:  Are you thinking I shouldn't talk to the principal and that I should take it to the parents directly?    Or, maybe just ignore what could be idle gossip?   

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