WINSLOW, Maine (AP) - Standing in her for her daughter, Danielle Pelletier spent one hour in detention at Winslow High School. The 39-year-old mother from Vassalboro reported to Room 24 on Friday afternoon, taking the punishment meted out for her daughter's unexcused absence.

Pelletier said she sought to serve the detention herself beause she was the one who elected to pull her daughter out of class for a hair-styling appointment a half hour before the school day ended.

Pelletier, a hospital nurse, also said she wanted to protest what she felt was an unjust policy.

"The whole point of this is this shouldn't be happening," she said. "I should be able to come to school and take (my daughter) out when I need to."

School administrators defended their actions, saying the need for an excused absence is spelled out by state law. Pelletier's reason for missing school did not fall under the established criteria, which include personal illness, medical appointments, religious holiday observance, family emergencies, and pre-approved personal or educational purposes.

Principal Douglas Carville said the school showed a proper level of flexibility in its disciplinary policy by allowing the mother, rather than the daughter, to serve the detention.

The detention was a new experience for Pelletier, who said she had never had to serve one when she attended Winslow High School more than two decades ago.

linky

The hair appointment couldn't wait till school was over? A doctor/dentist appointment I can understand..... Some people.....

While I think govt should get out of education anyway...



I couldn't agree with this more...

HA I love my fellow Mainers!!! We are such an odd and unique bunch of people.

I actually kind of agree with her, a parent should be able to pull a child out of school if they want to. Although this may not be the most productive use of time, it is her child and she shouldn't have to provide the school with an excuse to take her daughter out of school at any time for any reason.

I don't see much of a problem with this; parents should be able to take their children out of school anytime they want without punishing the child. However, parents should also use some common sense with their reasoning.

I remember twice when my mother took me out of school for a hair appointment; once was to set my hair for my grandpa's funeral the other was for a perm ( as I have very delicate hair, it took about 5 hours and the salon closed at 5 pm so I had to get out of school early).

As a mother of two boys, I've had my share of problems with the bureaucracy at my children's schools. However, in this case, I have to disagree with you on this. I think education is more important that a hair appointment. You can get your hair cut and curled after school.

I should be able to pull my son from class for a doctor's appointment or a family emergency. Just to get a hair cut doesn't cut it.

This mother showed her child a poor example. Taking a child out of class for a frivolous reason is ridiculous. School and the lessons we learn there are a precursor to adult life. Now I know why businesses have such a difficult time finding responsible employees. If I told my boss I had to leave early to get my hair cut--what do you think he'd tell me?

Should have said it was "personal" or she was "sick" That is how I get out of school a little early... stupid people!

I don't know HowdyDoo, I think Girty provided a good example of why it may be necessary to pull somebody out of class for a hair appointment. Besides she missed the last half hour of classes if I recall my time a in high school about 90% of time I wasn't learning anything anyway, I was either quietly studying, hitting on the girl next to me or listening to a teacher ramble on about some theory or topic I had easily mastered a few weeks earlier. I agree education is important and you should always use discretion on when or how often you pull your child out of school. If this was a habitual occurence than some kind of punishment should be warranted but every now and then I don't think it's that big of a deal.

I still stick by my thoughts on this, Original...a hair appointment is no reason to take a kid out of school, at any time of the day.

I will agree that to punish the child for something the mother did should have been thought out a little more by the school. But what else could they do? If they made an exception in this case, then they'd be set up for a multitude of problems. Next time little Johnny wants his tongue pierced, Mom takes him out of school early--then what? Susie needs new clothes--does mom have the right to get her out of school for that? Who draws the line?

I'm glad the mother sat in for her child--but will that mother always "sit in" for her daughter for the rest of her life? Some life lessons are hard, but they are lessons just the same.

I guess it was different when I was in school, kids used to get out for all kinds of reasons. Vacations with theirs and even other student's families was a very common reason to not be in school. Girls would leave school early to go shopping with their mothers. Kids would get out early on fridays all the time to get a jump start on the weekend with their dads. Granted, I went to a very small school and maybe things are different there.

Same here girty....

One time that stands out in my mind was the late sixties and there was a major snow storm predicted for Chicago. Living in the south we didn't get to see a lot of snow, so my Mother pulled us out of school to fly up and stay with my cousins. We got snowed in and couldn't get back for almost a week.

I went to school in Central New York in the 70's & 80's--seems that this was frowned upon there, too. We could only be absent for illness and family emergencies.

I'm now in Kentucky, and I get hell from the school for forgetting to send in an absence excuse even though I called and told them that my kid was sick!

They take things pretty seriously here in KY--probably because their schools are getting such a bad rap. (I believe I got a much better education in NY than my kids are getting here, though.)

There is also a big issue of students being taken from schools by the wrong people. I just saw on tv where a woman abducted a boy from school (saying she was his father's cousin), taking him to his stepmother, who strangled, burned and buried him. Schools have to take attendance seriously in this day and age--its a liability issue and a safety issue.

I believe my kid's education is a serious matter. Taking that education lightly can only hinder them.

There is also a big issue of students being taken from schools by the wrong people. I just saw on tv where a woman abducted a boy from school (saying she was his father's cousin), taking him to his stepmother, who strangled, burned and buried him. Schools have to take attendance seriously in this day and age--its a liability issue and a safety issue.


My God, that is f*cked up. Can you find a link for that?

I have to agree as well Girty, I used to get excused from school all the time for various frivolous reasons. Sometimes the experiences that you have outside of the classroom can be more beneficial or important that just another afternoon behind a desk. We can't discount how important the school of life can be to the proper development of the adolescent mind. What may seem unnecessary or frivolous to us may have been very important to this family, perhaps this was the only time the mother could spend with her daughter all week and they felt that time together was important.

I'm thinking it was an American Justice episode.

That is a serious issue these days, but back then it didn't happen very often.

And, if I hadn't been a good student I'm sure it would have been an entirely different matter.

That might be so, but the school doesn't see it that way. And it's the child that will suffer for it.

You make a good point there; school admin. might be more understanding toward a straight A student than one who struggles with his/her studies regarding an unplanned absence.

give me a break a hair appointment? All your doing is reenforcing the fact that physical looks are more important than knowledge, whick is fine if you only want your child to live that way, but not fine if you want them to have a life that isn't mediocre.

This is so stupid. I think she should be able to get out of school for a hair appointment. It's like, my mom accidentaly locked herself out of the house, so she took my brother out to get it open. DETENTION! people give the stupidest reasons for detentions! Such as stuff on my profile. Besides, oooo half an hour early! diss! That is the worst kid ever!

Who cares what it's for...... it's her daughter'd grade and school..... she can miss school if she wants..... my mom can pick me up anytime I want....... no buts about it......

I've been a student and a parent. Why not wait to get more perspective on the matter before doing the cry-baby stuff. Life is tough. You have to play by the rules (or go to jail). Get used to it.

Yeah yeah, whatever. School is important, but if I want to take my kid out of class I will. It doesn't matter, because neither one of us would be doing detention. Me or my kid.

Thats a great lesson for your kid, just be careful because your reap what you sow.

This is silly...

...So salons only open during school hours now?

Pah.