My mom called me this morning all distraught and upset.
A little background: My mom has been involved in daycare/preschool in some capacity (teacher, owner, director) for over 30 years. She knows the rules and regulations better than anyone I know. This year she cut way back on her hours and responsibilities to focus on her catering business, but she still works at the Catholic school (she's been there about 5 years) as the preschool director/mentor.
She called this morning to tell me the principal of the school told her yesterday that she (the principal) SMACKED a 4yo preschooler in the FACE! Not on accident, either- an intentional smack in the face b/c she was "frustrated" with the child. My mom and the teacher are the only ones who know. I know why my mom is upset about it, but I don't know why she's saying, "I don't know what to do." Um...you call whoever it is you need to call- whatever the protocol is, and you do it NOW! She and the teacher typed up the report of the entire incident (I am guessing the teacher hasn't informed the parent, and maybe the kid didn't say anything b/c it hadn't come up at school this morning). They have everything ready to go, they just haven't done anything yet.
Last I talked to my mom, she was waiting to talk to the Pastor of the school. Still, I ask- WHY!? NO ONE in a school setting- teacher, principal- NO ONE should strike a child. What is so hard about that? She told the secretary that if she didn't hear from the Pastor by 3PM she was contacting to the superintendant of their Archdiocese.
I told her she better do it and do it quickly and then they need to figure out who tells the parent. If I found out that someone smacked DS in the face at school, and found out about it a couple days later while those who knew tried to figure out how to handle it I'd be FUMING. The sh&t would hit the fan!
I'm very disappointed in my mom right now, too. I know she'll do the right thing, but I just don't know why she is so worried about protecting the principal in the process. She's been saying the woman has no business in that position since the day she got it. Ugh...