alonzomourning23
06-04-2005, 08:17 PM
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2005/06/04/vassalboro_mom_takes_fall_for_daughter/
Standing in her for her daughter, Danielle Pelletier spent one hour in detention at Winslow High School.
The 39-year-old mother from Vassalboro reported to Room 24 on Friday afternoon, taking the punishment meted out for her daughter's unexcused absence.
Pelletier said she sought to serve the detention herself beause she was the one who elected to pull her daughter out of class for a hair-styling appointment a half hour before the school day ended.
Pelletier, a hospital nurse, also said she wanted to protest what she felt was an unjust policy.
"The whole point of this is this shouldn't be happening," she said. "I should be able to come to school and take (my daughter) out when I need to."
School administrators defended their actions, saying the need for an excused absence is spelled out by state law. Pelletier's reason for missing school did not fall under the established criteria, which include personal illness, medical appointments, religious holiday observance, family emergencies, and pre-approved personal or educational purposes.
Principal Douglas Carville said the school showed a proper level of flexibility in its disciplinary policy by allowing the mother, rather than the daughter, to serve the detention.
The detention was a new experience for Pelletier, who said she had never had to serve one when she attended Winslow High School more than two decades ago.
Standing in her for her daughter, Danielle Pelletier spent one hour in detention at Winslow High School.
The 39-year-old mother from Vassalboro reported to Room 24 on Friday afternoon, taking the punishment meted out for her daughter's unexcused absence.
Pelletier said she sought to serve the detention herself beause she was the one who elected to pull her daughter out of class for a hair-styling appointment a half hour before the school day ended.
Pelletier, a hospital nurse, also said she wanted to protest what she felt was an unjust policy.
"The whole point of this is this shouldn't be happening," she said. "I should be able to come to school and take (my daughter) out when I need to."
School administrators defended their actions, saying the need for an excused absence is spelled out by state law. Pelletier's reason for missing school did not fall under the established criteria, which include personal illness, medical appointments, religious holiday observance, family emergencies, and pre-approved personal or educational purposes.
Principal Douglas Carville said the school showed a proper level of flexibility in its disciplinary policy by allowing the mother, rather than the daughter, to serve the detention.
The detention was a new experience for Pelletier, who said she had never had to serve one when she attended Winslow High School more than two decades ago.