I am a parent of a deaf son, he attends Lake Forest Elementary School. My son had started a pattern of behavior that sent alarm bells off. He has always loved school, but recently had been feigning sickness. He also would cry at very little things, and apologize for absolutely nothing, but only during the week.
So I decided to go and visit the school. It should be noted that the Alachua teacher's union contract states that a parent must give 24 hour notice and receive consent from their child's teacher in order to visit the school.
The first day went fairly smooth, although I noticed during lunch time that the kids are continually yelled at, and must receive permission to go to the bathroom. This permission is only given if there is only one to two other children of that gender already in the bathroom. I saw two children that obviously had to go, that were told to wait. It now made since that my son would continually ask permission to go to the bathroom at home and would not go until permission was granted.
I wish I could say that was the worst of what I learned. It isn't. The next day, I sent my son to school but had to pick him up early for a doctor's appointment. While in the office signing my son out, this is what I heard and observed. A little girl from a kindergarten class was in the office, a worker in the office came up to this little girl and told her at least three times that they were going to get her a baby bottle. The little girl was not crying in fact during this whole incident I heard nothing from this child including no crying. I spoke up, and said no one should speak to a child this way. I was told "you don't understand". I continued to sign my son out, when movement caught my eye. This same office worker had grabbed this little girl by the arm and was now dragging her across the floor to a office. The little girl was not crying, had not even spoken a word. I spoke up once again, and stated that the office worker shouldn't be doing that, that it was child abuse. There were at least 4 office workers, including the school nurse, plus the assistant principal witness to this. No one but me said a word. The office worker ignored me. If this wasn't enough, the assistant principal asked to speak to me in the principal's office. He proceeded to tell me that it wasn't child abuse, my response was that if I had done the exact same thing, it would be. He responded once again, it isn't child abuse. My response to that, we had nothing left to say to each other.
I proceeded immediately upon getting my son, to the district office and reported this. I also contacted the abuse hot line.
Parents of students in Alachua county please be aware of this.

Why didn't the office worker just ask the child to follow him/her to the office they wanted her to go into? Was she unwilling to follow? It sounds like they might need to review some of their policies (such as bathroom breaks) and make some changes.

Unfortunately this happens in our schools everyday. I have seen it at my sons school as well. One day I out of the blue went to see him for lunch and they had him eating by himself b/c another little boy couldn't stop talking to him and could never manage to eat his lunch. I think I lost it that day..seeing my son ate all his lunch and wasn't the problem the other child was. As a parent of a child in school I would tell everyone to visit randomly and often. You don't have to announce it they just prefer it if you did. Be involved as much as possible and trust no one 100% with your child in the school system!!! So sad but these days so true...

Boy does this drum up some opinions, thoughts, ideas, events.

Keeping to the point, if you are not a child's parent then you should offer the softest discipline. Yes, talk to the child honestly, instructively, keeping them in the loop about a punishment or even just what to expect. Children act out or are completely unresponsive otherwise. Because they are feeling belittled and patronized.

Shame on them for not feeling the need to explain their actions to another parent.

My personality would have raised a serious fuss not just by drilling the adults for answers but also trying to get the girls name or ask her what was going on.

There is no law against a parent going to a school, seeing such an even and getting answers through respectful conversation. Again, I personally would not have left with out a clear understanding of what was going on. That principal could say whatever he wanted, but unless it was along the lines of a solid explanation I would feel threatened, mostly for my child.

Honestly there are more horrible things in the world going on to and with children...but in my eyes wrongful behavior at any level, is still wrongful behavior.

My husband laughs, I can't watch those darn news reports or watch those shows with issues involving kids...a piece of me goes to them... I tell him, if it isn't fluffy clouds, rainbows and gum drops, then wait till I leave the room. I don't need a reminder of what I already know (and fight against).

Some answers to questions that I know the answers to.
I don't know why the office worker didn't just ask the little girl to follow her. Like I said the little girl never spoke, nor did she even cry. (up until the dragging that is, I'm not sure after that, I was in shock)

As for a parent visiting the school without prior consent and notice. This is clearly written into the teacher's union contract, and the Alachua School District adheres to this policy, according to what the district has told me. While it may not be a law, the district cannot break the contract.

Freyja, our personalities actually sound similiar. The school employees know me well, as does the district. As for getting answers, I got the standard answer, it cannot be discussed due to the child's privacy. For the same reason, her name would not be divulged. I have great fear for my child attending this school now, and as a result I am now attending school with him.

One thing I might ask of any parent, ask your child if someone is saying things to him or her that isn't very nice. aka.. they are stupid, they are a baby, etc. Ask if they get yelled at, or grabbed by the arm. You might be very surprised at the answer. I truly hope the kids respond with a no, but from what I have seen and heard it's commonplace.

Final note: What I think scares me the most, is if this was done right in front of a visitor, what is going on when no one from the outside is watching?

You know, I always ask the kids if they have had a good day. But, honestly, I have never asked them if anyone (as far as grown-ups go) is mean to them. I think I'll ask them tonight. Sounds like a good subject for a family discussion.

I have to say this scares me. I am glad you stood up for that little girl at the school and asked questions. Also, since they did not answered them it was best to report them.
Things have changed in schools, but after hearing that story they have not changed enough. I could not believe it when my husband told me that one of his teachers used to spank him from dragging his feet. I agree, teachers have to discipline without screams, bulling, or any kind of corporal punishement (including draggin).

Like rgcg985 said..what goes on when no one is looking. Not to mention some schools if not all of them have the policy that parents and teachers should not be friends. I have been told this by many in the school so it has to be true. They won't admit to this but the staff will tell you if you are actually a friend of theirs. That is how I found out. They want secrets kept at the school and not to be revealed to parents. I was told by someone that a little boy who is clearly disabled was being called ugly by staff. It goes on EVERYDAY!! So please talk about everything with your children. Trust no one!!!