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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Today a student came up to me to report that a student was poking other children on the school bus with a needle. (The needle was the kind that is used by diabetics to check their blood sugar levels.) He was using the same dirty needle to poke other children with.
I went to the pricipal to report this but she was not at school yet. I then went to the assistant pricipal's office. He told me to write a disciplinary report on the young guy and that he would get to it later.
His order upset me because to me he should have called the young boy in right away. I then went to the main office and told the secretary that I thought that this deserved immediate attention.
I later went to the principal to suggest to her that the parents of the victims needed to be contacted.
All in all, the young perpetrator only got suspended from school for three days.
Am I crazy to think that not enough was done in this situation. I can only think about if someone poked my child with a dirty needle. I would be outraged.
The OCD in me keeps telling me that I handled the whole thing wrong. I am also afraid that the assistant principal will hold something against me because I went above his head.
Posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 20:14:15
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Posted by alexandra_k on August 19, 2005, at 20:55:59
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Uh, I have to say that in this day and age...
Poking people with dirty needles is just not on.
Really.
Its not a joking matter
And the kids should know that.
Seriously know that.Dunno if its just over here...
But meningicocle (no idea how to spell that)
Is a bit of a problem...
The kids are told an awful lot about sharing drink bottles etc etc
And with hiv and hep etc etc
It really isn't a joking matter
And I would have expected it to be dealt with quickly.
And harshly...But...
What do I know??
Heh heh
I know I'd be pissed...
Posted by linkadge on August 19, 2005, at 21:16:47
In reply to Re: poking student on a bus with a needle » lynn970, posted by alexandra_k on August 19, 2005, at 20:55:59
You were right, that is unacceptable and diserves immediate attention. Goodness knows that is a easy way to spread deadly diseases. I don't have OCD and I would act on that too.
Likadge
Posted by thuso on August 19, 2005, at 22:08:34
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
> Today a student came up to me to report that a student was poking other children on the school bus with a needle. (The needle was the kind that is used by diabetics to check their blood sugar levels.) He was using the same dirty needle to poke other children with.
>
> I went to the pricipal to report this but she was not at school yet. I then went to the assistant pricipal's office. He told me to write a disciplinary report on the young guy and that he would get to it later.
>
> His order upset me because to me he should have called the young boy in right away. I then went to the main office and told the secretary that I thought that this deserved immediate attention.
>
> I later went to the principal to suggest to her that the parents of the victims needed to be contacted.
>
> All in all, the young perpetrator only got suspended from school for three days.
>
> Am I crazy to think that not enough was done in this situation. I can only think about if someone poked my child with a dirty needle. I would be outraged.
>
> The OCD in me keeps telling me that I handled the whole thing wrong. I am also afraid that the assistant principal will hold something against me because I went above his head.
>I'd also go tell the school nurse. She/he'll understand the severity of this situation. You'll probably get a lot farther with the nurse telling the parents then you will with a principle. Just a suggestion.
Posted by lynn970 on August 20, 2005, at 9:54:53
In reply to Re: poking student on a bus with a needle » lynn970, posted by thuso on August 19, 2005, at 22:08:34
Posted by Poet on August 20, 2005, at 11:50:26
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Hi Lynn,
I just saw your post and wanted you to know that you did the absolute right thing.
The parents of the victims should be told. I'm surprised that they haven't called the school because their kids told them what happened.
I had two diabetic cats and still had to dispose of the needles in a sharps container and turn it in at the pharmacy when it was full. And those needles were pretty clean. Who knows where the kid got the one he used.
Good for you to try to do something about this. It's not OCD, it's common sense, something that the principal seems to lack.
Poet
Posted by lynn970 on August 20, 2005, at 12:44:28
In reply to Re: poking student on a bus with a needle » lynn970, posted by Poet on August 20, 2005, at 11:50:26
A student that rides the same bus as the perpetrator told me that most of the children who were stuck with a needle were in kindergarden, first, and second grade.
My concern is that the children do not come forward because they are afraid to tell.
I remember when I used to get picked on, I was afraid to tell my mom.
I pray that no one was infected with a deadly disease.
I am disgusted because the perpetrator was not expelled from school.
Posted by Sarah T. on August 20, 2005, at 22:04:35
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Oh, that's terrible! I'd call the police. I'd document the fact that you tried to go through the proper channels, to no avail, so you were forced to contact the police. This isn't just a school matter. It could be a public health issue.
Posted by Sebastian on August 21, 2005, at 11:28:32
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Don't worry about it and think that you are right. I would be worried about catching some thing.
Posted by lynn970 on August 22, 2005, at 16:09:12
A mother came to school today to tald to the pricipal. She was very upset that the boy only got 3 day suspension.
I am not sure if every parent(s) was contacted.
The central office will find out about this. *yes!
Posted by JenStar on August 23, 2005, at 23:11:04
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
I think you handled it appropriately! I would be enraged too -- what the kid was doing was scary, mean and potentially hazardous -- he could pass on any blood-borne illnesses that he or another student had. I hate to think of things like hepatitis or AIDS (I'm sure the kids don't have it!), but you never know. In any case, it shows that the kid doing it is extremely disturbed.
I'm glad that you stood your ground and made a point of it. I agree that they should have done more.
It's possible that the assistant P. will be or is mad at you, but even so, you did the right thing. If he is mad, so be it -- at least you're taking safety seriously!
Do you think it's worth reporting to the school board or police or anything? Do the kids need medical tests to be sure nothing "gross" was communicated thru the needle?
JenStar
Posted by lynn970 on August 24, 2005, at 15:46:47
In reply to Re: poking student on a bus with a needle » lynn970, posted by JenStar on August 23, 2005, at 23:11:04
Thanks for the reply. I feel much better now. The Assistant Superintendent received a phone call from an "anonymous" teacher, letting them know what is going on.
I do think that the Assistan P is mad at me. Like you said, "O well."
Posted by Dominique on August 24, 2005, at 21:26:09
In reply to poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by lynn970 on August 19, 2005, at 18:41:34
Who the heck cares what the asst P thinks, he/she may be so stuck on themselves in the position or so scared of the consequences that they aren't budging. Good for you. NO, great for you to stand up for those students. There should be more teachers out there like you. But, again, with the accountability on teachers these days, there probably are more, but they are overlooked.
I agree that a school nurse or health clinic should be contacted also in order for medical testing to take place. But, dependant upon what the previous kid had, if it drew blood, or where the needle came from; it may be a while before any type of bacterial/viral infection shows up if any. Don't ever hold back b/c a principal doesn't like you (or so you believe), I believe that like other state employees, it is your duty for you to take action when no one else will.
Smiles
Posted by lynn970 on August 24, 2005, at 21:31:38
In reply to Re: poking student on a bus with a needle, posted by Dominique on August 24, 2005, at 21:26:09
This is the end of the thread.
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