How would you handle this teacher situation? long, sorry.
MagicCityMomma
member
How should I address this issue with my DD's teacher. Should I approach the teacher, the AP or just let it go because I am overreacting.
DD goes to a public school that has a mandatory uniform policy. Basically its specific colored polo or collared shirts with khaki or navy bottoms (shorts, pants, jumpers or skirts). There is no specification as to length, but the pants must sit at the waist and not drag on the floor (no saggy pants). On Fridays the kids that pay $1 (as a 5th grade fundraiser) can wear jeans or denim bottoms and a t-shirt. Last week DD wore some denim shorts and a t-shirt. The shorts were a normal mid to upper thigh length. They had extra long pockets that stuck out the bottoms with sequins covering the parts that stuck out. The pockets were made extra long to stick out and the shorts are the same length as uniform shorts she's been wearing all year. In any event, last Friday the teacher took her down the hall to another classroom and in front of the other class asked that teacher if she thought my DD's shorts were appropriate and made her turn around to show the shorts in front of that class. My DD was completely embarrassed, but she said the other teacher said she "looked cute" and DD and her teacher headed back to class. I think it could have and should have been handled in a different manner and if the teacher thought DD looked inappropriate for school, why not send her to the office and let them handle it if there was some kind of dress code violation or call me to have me bring her a different pair or something.
ETA - I'm easily approachable and always at the school volunteering and I'm on the PTA board so it's not like the teacher never sees me and we have chatted frequently throughout the year.
Re: How would you handle this teacher situation? long, sorry.
I disagree with the other two responses. Those shorts sound cute! And if they are the same length as the uniform shorts then they are not too short. Having the pockets hang out is very "in" fashion - especially since they were decorated with sequins.
But the issue really is that the teacher did handle it wrong. I would definitely do/say something!
Could the teacher have handled this more professionally and discretely? Yes.
Do I think you should make a big deal about it? No. Not at this point in the year. There's nothing the teacher can do to remedy the situation now.
I agree that shorts with pockets that stick out of the legs are probably not the best choice in a school that is obviously concerned enough about dress code to adopt a uniform. Even if the shorts are actually pretty long, pockets sticking out from the bottom is a way of saying "look how short these shorts are!" The whole purpose of that style is to call attention to the length of the shorts and give the illusion that they're shorter than they actually are.
It seems like the length of the shorts isn't the problem at this school, since kids are allowed to wear shorts. What the school seems to be going for is a more conservative, "preppy" style of dress. Live and learn.
First as a step-mom of an 11 year old, shorts where the pockets show are not allowed. Even if they are long enough to be appropriate I agree with the PP that said the whole point of those sort of short is to suggest that they are short and skimpy. Probably would have been better to save these particular shorts for the beach. Sorry, a little OT, but I get so frustrated that so many bottoms are so short out there. My poor step daughter has the longest skinniest legs in the world and EVERYTHING seems to short on her
Second, as a teacher, if you do feel the need to discuss this with someone, please talk to the teacher first. Do NOT take this the wrong way ( I am NOT implying that your daughter lied about what happened), but sometimes a childs perception of what happened and the actual event are very differet. As a highly trained professional I get very offended when a parent takes a concern to someone "above" me. If you are that concerned please talk to the teacher first and get her side of the story. Chances are pretty good that she would be happy to discuss this issue with you.
Short shorts are not ok for school especially one with uniforms. The teacher was wrong to embarrass the student but assuming this never happened before and the year is almost over I would let it slide bc teachers talk and you do not want her to be know by teachers as the girl with in appropriate shorts with the PITA Mom even if you are right to complain.
Short shorts are not ok for school especially one with uniforms. The teacher was wrong to embarrass the student but assuming this never happened before and the year is almost over I would let it slide bc teachers talk and you do not want her to be know by teachers as the girl with in appropriate shorts with the PITA Mom even if you are right to complain.
Is it odd that this is what I got stuck on? I had no idea they made these and can't for the life of me imagine buying them. I HATE the pockets sticking out look.
As far as saying something to the teacher, I wouldn't. You have at most 2 weeks of school left? Just let it go and next time rethink her casual outfit. It was wrong the way she handled it, but not worth the fight right now. And I'll fight about lots of stuff!
Met 12-2008, Married 05-2010, TTC 08-2017
In all honesty, the shorts are not something I'd purchase. They are however, the same length as her other uniform shorts. As a matter of fact, they were a gift, given by her BFF (who has the same pair and whose mother is a teacher at the same school). We live in South Florida and its been in the upper 80's here. She has PE in the heat of the day, so shorts are what she prefers (as do the majority of the children in the school).
My concern was how it was handled, which was obviously wrong. It was fortunate that the other teacher stuck up for her and lessened her embarrassment by saying she was as "cute as a button" so I am thankful for that.
ETA: And to all you judgy pearl clutchers, Miami is probably not the place for you. I would also avoid the A & F stores, you might go into shock.
As a teacher, please don't go above the teacher and talk to the principal or someone else.
Go to her if you have an issue.
Oh so you're one of THOSE kind of people who get pissed when people don't agree.
You are right about one thing...there is no way in hell I would buy my child anything from AF. A distaste for cheap tacky looking crap on my child doesn't make me a pearl clutcher. It makes my child look like a child...which is a-ok with me.