I am writing with concern for what is going to happen to some of the elementary students attending Cuba Elementary School this week. The day students returned to school after winter break, they came home with letters informing parents that the majority of students were in need of school supplies. Understandable. However, the letter ended with the threat that any student who came unprepared to school on Monday, January 7th, would receive detention every day until their supplies were “restocked.”

    Am I the only parent bothered by this? I am bothered by it and I am able to afford to restock my children’s supplies (I have three students attending the school). Unfortunately, we live in a county where the majority of families are low income and/or receiving government assistance. How many parents can afford to completely restock their students’ supplies so soon after Christmas? More importantly, why will the school be punishing the kids for something that is out of their control?
    I am a supporter of education (I will be getting my BA in Secondary Education this year and I have four years of substitute teaching and student teaching experience), and I know the struggles many districts face with budget cuts and low teacher salaries. This is a nationwide problem. I understand that teachers wish they could afford to supply their own classrooms and have any and all materials available to their students; most parents wish they could do the same when it comes to providing for their kids and their education.
    My kids will go to school next week with no worries about receiving detention, but how many others will? My heart goes out to those students while it turns to frustration and some anger towards the administrators who think it’s okay to punish these kids when they’ve done nothing wrong. Schools have no business using children and the threat of punishment to manipulate parents. Manipulation, threats, and forced purchases have no place in the education system.
    I urge parents who cannot afford to “restock” their students’ supplies at this time to send a note back to the school that reads, “Please excuse my child from detention, as it does not support their education or their self-esteem.” I’d also send a letter in to the school and/or superintendent, expressing your concern over the matter. But perhaps I’m the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?
Sincerely,
Lindsay Britton
Cuba