Just ignore the problem and it will go away~that's the Canadian way

I got a call from the Principal last week after our 9 year old came home and told me about the death threat she and friends received stating that the issue had been dealt with.  The child in question would be monitored for a week.  The first two days she was not to be allowed to have recess in the school yard with the other children and would not be left unsupervised at any time.  Funny, I saw her walking down the hall alone with one other kid when I was volunteering at lunch on Friday.  Parents won't know any different so they apparently don't have to actually follow up with the consequences.  Since the identity of the child is protected we aren't supposed to know who it is even when our kids tell us.  I suppose we're supposed to pretend to not know.  In fact, in the past the kids have been told they aren't allowed to tell their parents when threats do occur in order to protect the identity of the accused.  That was the law.  Now they can tell us they've have had threats against them, but the school can't acknowledge where or from whom they came.  Only that they've been dealt with the the satisfaction of the school.

The Principal also assured me that the two children who claimed that there was a threat concerning a knife had since withdrawn their statements and said they didn't really know if she had said that after all.  That part of the incident was considered to not be true and accurate and therefore in no need of further action.  It was no longer considered as having had happened.  Only the use of cursing and "You'll pay for what you did tomorrow" would be taken seriously.  After all, cursing in a Catholic school is worse than a death threat that may or may not have occurred.

Furthermore, Mr. P. should speak with the counsellor about school procedure for his belief that said child should be searched each day before she is allowed to join the other kids at least for a couple of days.  The Principal told me that "This isn't New York City!" and "Thank God it's not!"  I told her I agreed with Mr. P.  The childs knapsack should be checked.  It's not like we're asking for a cavity search or anything!  Stick you're head in the sand give everyone a lollypop and hope the problem goes away.  It's the Canadian way.

The Principal questioned the two kids who heard the knife threat a second time.  She repeatedly kept asking them if they were sure they actually heard correctly.  Eventually she convinced them that they may not have actually heard what they thought they did. When at all possible manipulate children into you're way of thinking, it's the Canadian Educational Systems way.  Canadians aren't violent after all and do you seriously think that someone would threaten to bring a knife.  Let me repeat, this is Canada. Also, if you can make a problem disappear it means less paper work!

On top of all of this, the Principal said that the kid slinging threats said "4 of 4" wasn't nice to her.  The Principal needed to further look into this.  (Now it's my kids fault!)  I told the Principal I have no doubt the kid thinks this as I've told 4 in the past to go in the opposite direction when she sees her coming to avoid being bullied.  4 of 4 doesn't like this kid.  I always tell my kids to be polite but that they never have to take crap off a bully.  You don't have to be friends with everyone.  When at all possible turn the tables around to blame the children who are the victims.  It's definitely the Canadian way!

Tonight is the Parents Council Meeting.  I hope the Principal brings her Tylenol.  She's gonna need it. 

I think I'm too old for all of this.