In Special Cases of Custody
In certain cases, children may be prevented from having contact with another person, such as a family member or even a parent. Though these cases are difficult, they are other times when it is necessary to have proper documentation on file with your child's school.
This becomes particularly difficult in cases of contested divorce or other court proceedings. If a parent loses their rights to see their child, the school should be notified in writing with a letter from the court. Without that documentation, schools do not have the authority to prevent a parent from seeing their child, regardless of the status of the parents' marriage. Often times, angry parents try to bar their spouse from seeing the children due to personal incompatibility. However, schools are not courtrooms and cannot enforce decisions made by one parent or another when both have equal terms of custody. Rather, it is essential for everyone's safety that all custody decisions are formalized in writing.
In cases where members of the school staff have made the decision that a child may be in serious physical or emotional danger from a parent or caregiver, they will involve outside agencies dedicated to the welfare of children. At these times, the staff are mandated to report their concerns to the proper authorities who will then make their own custodial determinations based on their particular state and locals requirements. The school does not make these decisions after their initial reference.
About Jennifer Cummings
Ms. Cummings has a B.A.in psychology, and a M.Ed. in special education from Framingham State College in Massachusetts. She has been an elementary teacher in Massachusetts for almost 10 years, serving both regular education and special education students. She has taught grades 1,4, and 5.
"I believe that families' involvement in their child's education is one of the key ingredients to creating a successful school experience for children. Keeping parents informed about school-related issues helps parents and teachers work together for the best possible outcomes for their children. Learning together makes learning fun - for everyone!" - Jennifer Cummings. Contact her at A Note from the Teacher .
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