Was I treated unfairly?

O.K. so heres the scoop: I was texting a friend at the start of class and for the first time ever, I was seen. My history teacher told me to give him the phone and I told him to hold on while I turned it off. Then I started taking out the battery so if they did get through my pin they couldn't do shit(and my sim card could be put into my other phone). So while I began to take out the battery he decides to grab it, we go at it for about 10 seconds as he tries to pry my property from me. I finally hand it over and he kicks me out so I tell him hes got issues. Then he said if I didn't like it I could take it up with Nelson or Russel(Vice and Principal) but I've told them about the bullshit in that school for the past two years(it was a cool school 'till they took over) so I said "No, they suck nuts." and he told me that I would get in more trouble. When I was talking to Nelson as he suspended me I told him the wording they used was wrong, they said that I told him "They suck fucking dick." and I didn't, but I signed the form anyway cuz I didn't really want to tell him I said he sucked nuts. Now I'm suspended for two days and my p.o. might send me to jail or give me extra community service(I already have 18 hours or so). Do you think they had the right to be so freaky about this? Or do you think I'm in the wrong and its my bad?

 

Little Of Both, Man. Sorry To Hear That, But You Know By Now The Way It Goes At School...The Teach Shouldn't Have Grabbed Your Phone, That Was Wrong. But You Shouldn't Have Sounded Off About The Vice And Principal, Whether They Flubbed Your Words Or Not.

 

Thats true, I shouldn't have said anything... But have you read One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest? I feel like McMurphy in so many ways, I just can't keep my damn mouth shut and one day it'll bite me in the ass.

 

LOL. I Know Exactly What You Mean.

 

Are you kidding? I'm the only person who thinks I'm innocent? Wow thats unexpected.

 

I think you're innocent. I don't care that they have new rules in school or that they think kids don't have rights. You DO. That was your phone, he had no right to take it.
I don't care what you said. You had every right to cuss him out.

These days it seems if you're young and in school you don't have any rights, period. That sucks.

 

Well, first, I'll say this. I find that with all people I deal with that it helps to always use a tone that commands authority and respect, and never to use profane language unless I am making a direct reference to something someone else has said. If you can come across as the mature well mannered, intelligent, level headed guy, you generally get your way more often.

It also helps if you can blow them away with a vocabulary that belies wisdom beyond your years. That said, I never back down, unless absolutely necessary, or I know that I am wrong. I would have never have let go of the phone; I would have maintained a tight grip and looked him in the eyes and said, Sir, think about what you're doing. And I would have likely added something about contacting my lawyer and charging him with assault. You are to ask me, in a manner that is just as polite and courteous as you would use with one of your peers, or one of your superiors. And had he been abrasive already verbally, I would have commented on how I did not appreciate his attitude, and the complete lack of respect for himself and others he was exhibiting.

I'm 15 years old (I'm sorry I was paranoid and said I was 10 years older than I am in reality when I signed up), but by using this sort of approach, I have successfully become emancipated, granting me legal responsibility for myself, and am living by myself.

But I completely agree that he was entirely out of line, and it should be him, not you, that should have suffered consequences. The few times that I have had chronic "issues" with teachers, I have gone to appropriate authorities, and in one case, the teacher was assigned to another school, in another case, she was forced into early retirement, another case simply had to undergo evaluation by a Psychiatrist to deem mental stability.

Usually when this occurs, I am temporarily expelled, but when I go to sufficient measures(keeping in mind, I had both of my parent's backing at this time at these times, and my uncle pays any lawyer fees I sustain) I am allowed to write exams and pass the year based entirely on the exams. So I have gotten as much as the last 4 months off school, plus not having to do any of the assignments, and I usually get high nineties on my exams. (I admit, one would think that as I do this to school after school, people would catch on, but, what can I say. I'm currently on leave,"preparing for exams" once more. And this time I don't even have to switch schools. ) This happened twice at public school, and this is the second time with private schools.

Another bonus to being able to put on airs to command respect is that, well, it works anywhere. So, as I meet people on the street, they trust me fairly quickly, introduce me to other people, who have more connections, who get me in with their sources for shit, and I just climb the ladder. I'm not currently employed, but my current monthly income is about 1.5 grand. And damn near doubling monthly. (I should prolly mention that I am just given 500 dollars a month for expences from my uncle, so I have that to work with, and my rent is also paid by him)

I don't mean to sound like I'm boasting, in all of this, and I'm sure that there must be other factors, but I'd say this method has worked remarkably well for me. I'm sorry for the long post, and I didn't mean to steal the thread, but that's what I think, and why I think it.

 

So did you go to youth court and plea your case, or what? How did the community service and potential Jail time come into play?

 

Does the school have the right to take cell phones from students?

· When is cell phone use by students appropriate?

· Do cell phones encourage drug dealing and gang-related activity?

· How much of class time needs to be wasted when a student’s cell phone is stolen?

· Should students be able to call their parents during class and have them listen in on the teacher’s reprimands to the class?

· Should camera phones be allowed?

· Should students be required to leave phones at home during state-mandated testing (makes cheating easier)?

· Have there really been emergencies in which a student’s cell phone has been the savior?

There is no doubt that the cell phone is a wonderful convenience, but it has become a disruption to the educational environment. Parents and educators must work together to establish policies that are fair to all concerned, that address the issues that cell phone use have brought to the classroom.

GET A LAWYER he had no right touching you. Phones are used to prevent and help assist in case of shooting, Though this is on college campuses and not high school.

on the other hand. Your Schools policy will trump the above since all phones are to be turned off!! Your in school now and thats the bottom line.

 

Simple Answer...........You go To School To Learn..O.K.....


You Leave Your Social Life At The Entrance To The School...O.K..


You Spend Your School Day....Furthering Your Education....Not Your Social Life.....O.K.


Not Texting One Of Your Silly Girl Friends To Ask Them What They Think Of Some Spunky Boy In The Class Above You..


Then At The End Of Your School Day......You Pick Up Your Phone........And Carry On With Your Social Life......


Pretty Simple Really........


Cheers Glen....

 

I take it there's a history with you and them? 2 days seems a little steep and the teacher definitely should've let you empty the phone first. but school's shitty anyway. sucks man.

 

not my Quote personally glen.. from,

http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/cell_phones_and_the_classroom


· Have there really been emergencies in which a student’s cell phone has been the savior?

I agree with you glen but they sell bullet proof backpacks now..

 

Well May I Subtly Suggest.........You Put Your ...Miserable......Boney.......Lilly-White Ass On The Next Plane To Australia.........................Where I Live ......The School Students Walk "Barefoot" To The Bus-Stop...........And The Only Hint Of "Terrorism" Comes From Reading The Overseas News Reports.......



Cheers Glen...

 

This note impressed me quite a bit, especially coming from a 15-year-old. I started to realize a few years back that I've led a pretty sheltered life. People generally treated me pretty reasonably - until I got to my mid-40's, at which point I got all kinds of nasty treatment, and I had no skills for dealing with it. Now I have a lot more of those skills, and what you said here shows that you've learned those skills already, at a much younger age. I wish I had known what you do when I was your age, but better late than never.

I will say however that your approach strikes me as overly confrontational. This may just be my own bias, though, because I'm growing out of a pattern of being over-compliant, myself. But if it had been me (of course I probably wouldn't have been texting in class anyway, because of my compliant personality) I would not have resisted when the teacher tried to take away my phone, but after the incident was past I would have looked for ways of getting authorities to deal with the teacher's behavior. This way it avoids the confrontation and potential reactions due to flared tempers, but still deals with the issue as should be done. And sometimes, even though it might hurt my ego, I think the best thing is to take what comes and not resist. I think you need to consciously choose your battles based on your assessment of how much you could gain or lose by either acting or not acting.

But damiennotloc, I would be interested in your opinion about this. I'm frankly a bit amazed at the idea of an emancipated 15-year-old - also I wonder why you would choose emancipation, considering your parents and uncle appear to be so understanding and supportive.

But I don't want to steal the thread by straying off-topic...

 

Never
no
not sure
maybe
yes
no
I don't know

 

I don't think you did was necessarily ok...but it was def not deserving of suspension.

 

Do you feel justified? What's done is done, enjoy your vacation.

 

I do, but I'm grounded... My mom isn't smart like she used to be.

 

they definitely shouldn't have suspended you in my opinion. saying a mildly, and i mean really mildly bad word shouldn't have gotten you suspended, that's just fucked up. but... you did kind of verbally fight with the teacher a little bit, and i've found that some teachers hate that. when they feel the slightest bit offended or that they have less power over their students, they become extremely mad and do anything they can to get their power back. next time (if there is a next time), my advice would be to not do or say anything, because they can't blame you for anything if there is absolutely nothing to blame you for.

also, do you have a a bad history with that teacher? that also might be the reason, he or she may have just finally gotten fed up with you and did this because of that reason.

anyway, hope you feel better. enjoy your suspension... i would personally love a break from school but yeah, i feel for ya... i would also hate not seeing my friends & being grounded.