Teacher/student line..??

I am a teacher for 7th and 8th graders in a Catholic school. I do have some pretty close bonds with some of my students(like they consider my a role model and the "vent" to me... inside of school of course.) I am on maternity leave because I had my baby (obviously). One of my students has absolutely horrible parents, they do everything to her but the cops don't believe it, she called me today and said that she thinks she has a concussion because of an event that happened at school and that her parents don't care, she was really upset and crying, she wanted me to take her to the doctor and take care of her. Personally I want to help her, but I dont know if that is crossing the line of student/teacher relationship. What do you think.

Teacher/student line..??
Whether or not you choose to take action, you should definitely notify the police and/or social services. This could qualify as child neglect or abuse (if extreme). As for taking action, I would. Since this student clearly looks up to you as a role model, it would mean everything to her, especially given her position, to help her out. We need more teachers like you, teacher who go beyond the classroom!





~Zara Sahana
Reply:I am also a teacher. I think that if you really do have a close bond with this young girl you should help her. It is not overstepping the line, especially if her parents are being abusive. Hopefully the best will work out for her and you can get her the help she needs!
Reply:Well i really always wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up in child abuse law and have been studying it in my free time. If you think the child maybe seriously hurt you can call the parents and tell them your takeing the child to the hospital. If the parents say anything you can say that you are entrusting me with yor child during school hours and she is my responsibilty and I thought best to help her was to go to the hospital. Children like this left uncareed for grow up to be criminals, EMO(no offense intended on emo's), and sometimes commit suicide. So for the safety of the child do it.


Also if the parents say that you kidnapped the child can testify against them.
Reply:First, call your principal and determine what is "crossing the line".





If the cops don't believe you, take it to the next level and contact the District attorney or the State attorney. While the DA's office will still want to maintain good relationships with the cops, they will be obligated to make an investigation. The state attorney really doesn't give a %^%26amp;* about the local cops and may even think it would be fun to nail one to the side of the barn, just to keep the others straight. Reporting abuse is not crossing the lines at all, that I do believe you are obligated by law to do.
Reply:take her right away and if she really does and they yell at u for doing it hey u saved her life cause ur the only one who cares so just go ahaead and do it
Reply:Well, if she is being abused or neglected it would be wrong if you did nothing about it. I say you help the poor girl.
Reply:If you have to ask if you're about to cross the line, then chances are, you're about to cross the line.





From what you have said, it sounds like you have developed an unprofessional relationship with this student. There is no reason whatsoever for her to be calling you to complain about her parents--you are her teacher, not her friend.





If you believe that she really does require medical attention, have her call 911. If the incident happened at school, she was likely seen by the school nurse who determined that the student was not at risk of developing a concussion. If the nurse had evidence to the contrary, she would have called an ambulance. It is not your responsibility to take her to a doctor or to "take care of her" yourself. Again, you are her teacher--not her doctor, nurse, or parent.





If you suspect abuse or neglect, you are required by law to report it to the city police, the county sheriff's department, or DHR so that the appropriate actions can be taken. If you have reported your suspicions to the police before, it is possible that an investigation was conducted and that it was determined that the student was being less than truthful. If she really is being neglected or abused, there will be evidence of this, and police/child protective services will pull her out of the home.





If you are worried about having charges filed against you or being sued, you should know that the rule of thumb is: If a reasonable person would have taken the same actions that you did, you are "safe."





Be sure to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Filling out a form that you give to someone else is not enough. You should retain copies of everything that you sign, and it would be wise to keep notes about every meeting you have with the student and/or her parents as well as every phone conversation. Be sure to note specific dates and times.





BOTTOM LINE: I think you're being manipulated by this student. If she were really being neglected, there would be irrefutable evidence and the police and child protective services would be required to take action. You should start working immediately to restore the appropriate student/teacher relationship. Calling you at home and inviting herself into your home so that you can "take care of her" is unacceptable.
Reply:I would say if the girls health is in danger you should take her to the hospital. That is child abuse. A mother should surely take her child to the hospital if they have a suspected concussion.





Or better yet call the cops and explain the situation and give them her address. I'm sure they can do more for her than you could. No offense.





By the way, your avatar is ADORABLE!
Reply:Wow. I'm sorry to say that I'm only 14 in 9th but i can tell you a story,


this girl at my school was in 8th grade and she lived with a single mom, who was an alcoholic but had police friends and never got in trouble for her actions. We had one amazing teacher who we all looked up to and respected and vented too. One day during winter break the girl called the teacher and said while sled riding she thought she broke her arm. The teacher called the principle and they arranged for a trust able parent, to the girls friend, to take her to the hospital. She did brake her arm. And went three days like that. With only ice. She was finally taken out of her home and lives with her new family! ( the teachers sister).


I know i didn't give you a real answer BUT i hope i might have helped. Good luck. And FYI i think you NEED to help.
Reply:Isn't there a law, that says that teachers are legally obligated to report stuff like that? It wouldn't be crossing the line, you need to call social services. Good luck :)
Reply:Well , you are in a position that requires you to take action if a child is being hurt...have you tried to contact social services...if this girl needs help, you should do something...i know you have your own family to take care of right now but you should at least call child services and have them talk to the girl at school so her parents wont find out...i would feel really bad for her too..What i dont get is ,,how is it that her parents "dont care for her" are you sure she is being truthful? have you talked to her parents..? You might want to speak to the principal of your school and ask him/her what they would do in the situation.. do her parents pay tuition for her to attend this school? ask the girl as many questions as you can and contact social services and tell them everything that she told you......good luck...
Reply:You should help if you can.
Reply:You should look at the laws for teachers in your state and see what they say. You can drive your student (in Texas) but the district would rather you not to because if anything happens you would be liable.


Just look at the laws or call the principle and ask if it would be okay.





I feel so bad for the poor girl!


Tell her we hope she feels better!
Reply:Help her, definitely. It would be wrong not to.
Reply:IFS SHES BEIN ABUSED DEN I TINK U SHUD TEL THE AUTHORITIES BECAUSE DEN THEY WUD TAKE HR OFF CUSTODY N IT WUD B BETTER FOR HER N HER HEALTH. N DAT WUD B VRY NICE OF U IF U WUD TAKE CARE OF HR N DAT WUD NOT GO 2 FAR WITH THE TEACHER N STUDENT RELATIONSHIP UR JUST TRYING 2 HELP HR NOT DU ANYTING ELSE.





DAEDAE
Reply:Well u dont want to get in trouble for a taking a child from her home without her parents knowin.If its not late where u are at get a close friend or a person her age and act as your taking them to dinner but really get the child help