Teacher's bathroom note to students sparks outrage: 'That borders on cruel and inhumane'
A Memphis middle school teacher’s outrageous bathroom pass for her students has parents up in arms.
The note, which was posted on social media by Twitter user @iJaadee, is titled: “Mrs. White’s 8th Grade Admin/Bathroom/Water/Nurse Pass, according to The Mighty.
It goes on to say that each child is allowed to leave the classroom to use the bathroom, see the nurse, or get water only twice in an entire month.
Your child comes home and shows you this note her teacher had her sign at school.
What’s your reaction? pic.twitter.com/x6hG3HepZJ
— I changed my avi dont freak out🌻 (@iJaadee) August 30, 2018
Once the two boxes on the letter are signed by White, the children — as young as 13 — aren’t allowed to leave the classroom again for the rest of the month unless they have a doctor’s note.
The teacher, who is referred to only as Mrs. White, teaches at Aspire Hanley Middle School in Memphis, WATN-TV reports. She acknowledges in the note that she is being “petty” but says the teacher reserves the right to deny students the opportunity to visit the restroom, nurse, or get water during their lesson.
Twitter user @iJaadee posted a screenshot of the note online, along with the caption: “Your child comes home and shows you this note her teacher had her sign at school. What’s your reaction?”
Needless to say, people were furious over the teacher’s actions. Take a look at some of the responses below:
As a future teacher, this is horrible and not at all how to manage a classroom. I would be on the phone with the principal immediately and be having a long meeting with this teacher and the principal. She’s not allowed to deny a child water, bathroom breaks or access to the nurse
— Tay 📚☕️ (@teia_22) August 30, 2018
It’s so sick. Who could deny a child medical care when it’s right down the hall?
— I changed my avi dont freak out🌻 (@iJaadee) August 30, 2018
Okay. My first reaction was to shudder at the grammar—“I have went”. No excuse whatsoever for that. As for the rest of it, that borders on cruel and inhumane.
— Noralee C. Potts (@NoraleePotts) August 31, 2018
However, others were sympathetic to the teacher and how hard it is to control a classroom full of kids.
My god, people. Teacher makes a mistake in handling a situation that is obviously very frustrating for her and you folks are prepared to destroy her. The lawyers on this thread not acting very lawyerly takes the cake.
— 59 Days 'til WE VOTE BLUE (@susangarnett11) August 31, 2018
As a former teacher of almost 20 years, I get the teacher’s frustration with a few students who take advantage just to get out of class (most don’t). (1/2)
— Ana 🗽🌊 (@AnaSolitaria7) August 31, 2018
On Aug. 30, the school released a statement on its Facebook page about the bathroom pass, saying it “was inconsistent with our school’s actual policies, our mission, and our values.”
“Please know the safety and care of our students is always our first priority. It is important that students know we respect them and are responsive to their needs,” the statement read.
“To reinforce these values, we convened our full team today to review all relevant policies and procedures. We will continue to work with our teachers and staff to ensure all school policies and values are consistently maintained in each classroom.”
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