cigarettes and preschool, wwyd?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
cigarettes and preschool, wwyd?
8
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 3:00pm

First off, I want to say that this post is not meant to offend any smoker, these are just my opinions.

Ds goes to a developmental preschool, thru the school district. Some of the parents smoke on the school grounds. They pull into the parking lot w/ a cig in their mouth w/ their child in the car no less. And some of them smoke right up until they enter the school. Every other school in the district has a no smoking on school grounds policy, why doesn't the preschool? My son has asthma, and even if he didn't, I would not want him around smoke. Not to mention the children in his class who reak of cig. smoke smell b/c their parents choose to be idiots and poison their little lungs.

I mentioned something to one of his teachers, and she agreed with me, and said she would say something to the director. The director said that since its outside, she doesn't see it as a problem. Teacher said she would tell the director that I wanted to speak to her about it.

WWYD? Am I being crazy? Shouldn't all schools have a no smoking on school grounds policy? Not only to set a good example for the kids (the are nt kids at this school too), but to put their health first? Ds is not the only one with asthma there. What should I say to the director? I'm not so good with words.

TIA, Chrissy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 4:37pm

Update already.....Why do I always feel like I'm losing? The director called me, and after I told her my opinion, she said that she would talk to the exec. director, but she didn't think the policy would change. The preschool is not part of the public school district, they are just contracted by the district. Why can't the kids just be put first? Why am I being made to feel like I am wrong?? I'm upset and there isn't anything I can do about it. I'm not any kind of activist, but sometimes I wish I was.

Chrissy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 5:22pm

Good for you for speaking your mind. Maybe if you can talk to the other parents and get all of you to talk to her as a group you'll get farther.

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 9:53pm

I just found a website called no-smoke dot org.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 10:25am

Chrissy,


Hmmm. Is the director a smoker, I wonder?...


..and don't get me started about people smoking in the car with kids.


However, I am thinking that if the preschool is contracted by the district, shouldn't it be held to the same standards as the district? I think they should be, expecially if the district is fully or partly funding the preschool. Public money and all that.


You could contact the district directly and ask some questions on the matter.


You could also check if there are state or county no-smoking laws which prohibit smoking around playgrounds or other gathering plces for children, because you might get them on that one.


Just be careful to pick your battles and your

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 11:09am
That's what I'm worried about Paula. Hayden just started there in August, and Mason will be going there when he turns 3. I'm 99% sure the director does not smoke. She did make a comment to me on the phone that is still bothering me, and I wish I would have spoken up then. 20/20 hindsight, right? She said, "Well it must be hard for you when you go to walmart and things like that with people smoking outside." I SHOULD have said, that walmart is diffferent than preschool. Walmart was not made for my children to learn, grow, and be healthy and safe. I'm still peeved about her comment, and I really want to say something to her on Monday, but I'll probably lose my guts by then, KWIM?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 12:35pm

That walmart comment got me thinking.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 12:42pm

I have heard so many stories of horrible IEPs, dumb teachers, and unhelpful school districs. After Hayden's IEP, testing, and first months at school, I'm thinking, how lucky are we! Everything has been great. Now it feels like this is the beginning of the end, KWIM? LOL!

Chrissy

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Avatar for littleroses
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 1:45pm

As a former smoker, I do believe some laws have gone over the top. However, I also believe in being a courteous person and was a courteous smoker. I would never light up around children or in a public place with a lot of people. (I never smoked when pregnant or in my home etc.) I also find it appalling in this day and age that someone would smoke within the vicinity of their children. It was a different culture when I was growing up, very acceptable. My dad smoked in the living room, in the car and also his family and friends would too. But now...people know better and shouldn't do it around kids.

I really believe Paula has some sage advice for the social world. I am on the paranoid side and wouldn't want that to follow me around (or specifically, affect my dd). I've seen first hand the kind of services I was able to get for my dd being on their good side. It was like night and day. I can't say it was my doing, but once she got connected (and bonded with) the right people, they battled for her to get services she ordinarily would not have received. It sucks, but is a reality to consider when choosing those battles. Of course, it may be a serious enough battle for you due to his asthma so it is something to think about.