Thursday, September 2, 2010

What is a Mother Supposed To Do???

Danger PlacardImage via Wikipedia I never did this before. I never asked for help so openly, never demanded attention. I am the quiet/shy type. But not today, Not anymore. And you'll understand why. But first of all, please understand that now, when I am writing this, I am feeling over-emotional. I will write, maybe, inflamable words. Well, I hope to be able to write at all, so many feeling are playing the hora in my gut that it is difficult for me to swallow, let alone think. I am asking beforehand for forgiveness if I'll offend somebody with this post. This is NOT my intention and I speak from the bottom of a mother's heart.
So, the story goes like this: yesterday evening I was summoned by one of the mothers to an urgent meeting c0ncerning the welfare of our kids. In the beginning I thought it will be about the kindergarten's teacher, there are some issues going on with her and the parents want her out. But that's another story, for another time...The shocking news we were presented with say that the kids will have a new teacher's helper on Fridays. Nothing spectacular, you'll say...The problem is that this particular person was all over the media a few months ago because she had TUBERCULOSIS and she infected eight or nine kids from the kindergartens she worked in!!!!! Four kids, I think, are still hospitalized and are being treated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And before you say anything, please google the disease and read about it. I did it last night and wasn't able to take it out from my head since...
It still seems surrealistic, I mean, no sane person from the City Council or Ministry of Education could send her back to work with kids! And I don't care if somebody says that she's been treated ot things like this, I am not ready to take any chances. I now I am subjective but I don't think it is fair. A child is so vulnerable, they don't even now how to protect themselves. They will hug and kiss her and cuddle her because this is what kids do...And she had tuberculosis, for God's sake! I don't say, throw her to the lions, no way, I'm just saying the persons responsible for her must find her another workplace. I don't even know if she is supposed to work with kids...God, I think I am going mad...
Of course we wrote a letter to the City Council and said in it that no kids will pass the kindergarten's gate on Friday and they promised us they "will take into consideration our request", you know the drill. But what bothers me, really-really bothers me is the fact that we are faced with such a situation. I mean, O.K., I could take Maya to another kindergarten, but what about the principle? The fact that we didn't have an official version of the story, that we had to hear from somedoby that told somebody that the teacher's helper had such a disease. I think it would be our right to know, for our children's sake and decide what to do accordingly. What worries me is the fact that the City Councildid this behind our back, and only God know what other things are lurking there! Are they allowed to do such a thing? Forget about the fact that Maya's new theacher's gives the impression of an alien from outer space. By the way, Maya doesn'r even now who her teacher is, because she didn't present herself in front of the kids. Tho other Israeli born parents say also tha her Hebrew is gramatically incorrect. Come on, I said , give the lady a chance! At least stupidity and ignorance are not contagious, are they?
So, what would you do, as a parent, would you be in my place? Please, I need your opinions and support!
I want to believe that I am not alone. That my words have power, that I am listened to. My daughter Maya and I need your advice and strenght, we need you by our side.
What would you do in this situation?
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10 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, first of all, I am very grateful that all my kids received the BCG shots in Hungary/Armenia (and you can be sure I'll make sure they get their boosters in time!)

The question is, was she simply treated, or the sentence she HAD TB is correct?, as in it's past tense? If she was cured, and she is confirmed not to be contagious, than she should be allowed to work with children, and anything to the contrary would pretty much be the usual witch hunt. If she is like Typhoid Mary, she should be removed not only from gans but from the general population. :(

Quixotic said...

What a horrible situation to be put in.

Me, personally? I would take Maya out. It doesn't address the whole matter of principle, but as Mums our main priority is for our own children first, then the bigger picture.

Even if she doesn't have tuberculosis currently, she has shown that she is irresponsible enough to continue to work with children when she has a serious (life-threatening) easily-communicable disease.

I would be making complaints to the centre, the governing bodies, Councils etc., whoever you can think of, and encouraging the other mothers to do so as well. Perhaps if the centre doesn't have any children through the gates they will realise the severity?

Plus it sounds like you have problems with Maya's existing teacher, and frankly, if the centre are going to allow this sort of thing, Maya is better off in another centre.

Don't stand for it, follow your instincts and protect your child.

Angelj052@gmail.com said...

How terrible for you, and it is unfair for the school to put you n such a position.

Quixotic said everything that is in my heart.; I agree with her i00 per cent.

Alone in Holy Land said...

First of all, thank you guys for taking the time to read my post.I also think that Quixotic hit the nail in the head with her comment. We wrote letters and we threatened with sabotaging the center on Fridays. I understood from the mums' delegation to the City Council that they are looking into the situation and, at least this Friday the helper won't come to the kindergarten. But as I said before, it is also a problem of principles...
Still don't know what I am going to do.
x
Ramona

J.T.Littman said...
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J.T.Littman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J.T.Littman said...

For now, keep the girl at home until it is safe and you can put her into kindergarten.

Counting Coconuts said...

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I nodded in agreement with everything Quixotic wrote. First and foremost is Maya's well being - get her out!

This may be a ridiculous suggestion, but is there anyway you can homeschool her until you find another center? The crooked politics and secret maneuverings within education departments (in any country) are reason 1,001 why we are choosing to homeschool our son.

I completely understand and agree with your frustration - you have every right to feel as you do! Please let us know how things progress.

Mari-Ann

Miri said...

With no doubt, I would take her out of this place. Sorry for not being too optimistic, but this is one of the reasons I would never send my children to any public kindergarten or school, at least not in Israel. Do you have maybe a private place in Ashdod? I think i've heard of the Montessori kindergarten there, could it be? Good luck with your decision...

Alone in Holy Land said...

I think one of my next posts will be about homeschooling vs fprmal educational frame.
last year becuase she was a home sick a lot that is what I've done, kind of homeschooled her. Took her out the kindy in the end...