Two things...
Madeline's post tugs at my heart because I can really identify with her
concern for emotionally starved children. And...usually they come rushing up
to you - throw their arms around you - do we push them away?
Another side of this issue is regarding - not being along with students. I
had organized a very successful program with 5th graders where we met once a
week after school and they wrote (under my supervision and with my help) a
web page called KidSpeak. My stipulation was (and still is) that I would
need to have a parent volunteer present so that I would not be alone with
these students on a weekly basis. I volunteered my time and the page and the
program was very successful. Then I was unable to get a parent to volunteer
so I had to drop the program. The students still ask when are we going to
start again? I didn't advertise my concern about meeting alone with students
as the reason for requiring another adult (they would also need to have
passed our screening process). It seemed sufficient that I would need the
support of another adult for support in other areas as well.
I may be worrying needlessly but playing it out in my mind brought me to a
conclusion that had the potential for various scenarios that made me
uncomfortable. Unfortunately, these are the times we live in.
Kathy Mladenich
Library Technician
Artondale Elementary School
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Library Web Page:
http://www.peninsula.wednet.edu/school/artondale_library/default.htm
School: mladenich@peninsula.wednet.edu
Home: klibrary@harbornet.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Madeline L. Buchanan" <mlbuchanan1@charter.net>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 5:56 AM
Subject: Re: Fraternizing with minors
> Isn't it sad that we can no longer hug a child? My policy is that if the
> child hugs me first, especially a kindergartener or first grader, I hug
them
> back. I do not initiate any time of affection. However it's hands off
for
> any child older than that.
>
> These children are crying out for love. Many of them are at school from
> 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the before or after school programs or other
> day care. When do they have time to be with adults (their parents or
> guardian) if they get home at 6:30, dinner must be prepared and homework
> done before bedtime which should be around 8:00-9:00?
>
> It is up to the professional to show good judgement but let the child
> initiate the hug first. Usually when one child hugs you, you have 5 or 6
> crowded around to do the same.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Madeline L. Buchanan
> Library Media Specialist
> W. J. Christian School (K-8)
> Birmingham, AL
> Voice: (205) 231-5277
> Fax: (205) 231-5279
> Email: mlbuchanan1@charter.net
> http://mlbuchan.home.hiwaay.net
> http://www.wwisp.com/~wjcs/
>
> "The imagination should be allowed a certain
> amount of time to browse around."
> --Thomas Merton
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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