kcjodih
Gold Member
- 3,408
Background - My 12 yo DS had track and field at school last Friday. They must participate in 2 track events, 2 field events and one more of their choosing for a total of 5. They then had two longer track events today (why such a break I don't know) of the 1500 m and 3000 m. These two were also optional and get low participation.
About a month ago he was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter's Disease which is a knee pain causing tenderness, swelling and pain just below the knee above the shin bone and is common in pre-teen boys who are growing quickly and are very active. After a few weeks of on and off pain we finally got him in to the doctor's. Treatment is just rest and ice and time - could be months or a couple of years. More common in boys but I had it too from the age of 11-13.
So back to track and field day - even with this pain he chose to participate in 5 events and was thrilled (as were we) to win first place in all 5 - long jump, triple jump, 200 m, 400 m, and 800 m. He also participated today in the 1500 and won this as well. 6 events, 6 first place ribbons.
First place winners then go on to the district races against 8 other schools in a couple of weeks. Winners are not allowed to participate in more than 3 due to time constraints. Last year he won 4 at school - all track: 200, 400, 800 and 1500 and also won first place at district for the three he chose of 200, 400, and 800.
I was at the event on Friday because they had asked for my help timing the races. There the coordinator told me if he was in pain to please let him know he does NOT have to participate. I stated the only thing that really seems to hurt is the jumping but he insists he wants to try. She stated she hoped that wouldn't injure his knee and chances on the track events since those are his stronger areas. Then he goes and wins in everything
Yesterday he told me that he wanted to do the long jump (since his total distance jumping was so much more than the next person), the 400 and 800. I expressed my concern about the long jump but said he could do whatever he felt he'd like to since he earned those spots. He mentioned the coordinator said she'd have to talk to me since she knew I was concerned about the long jump.
Today he comes home saying that she put him in the long jump (what happened to speaking with me?) the 200 and the 400. Not the 800 he wanted - he doesn't want the 200. When he questioned this she got an attitude, told him he was supposed to have written down what he wanted..um hello he's 12 and obviously didn't hear or chose not to hear because he doesn't recall this at all and obviously would have done so to ensure the events of his choosing. He never had to write a note last year, why now?
She's now saying he's probably out of luck and she'll have to 'think' about it because she's offered it to the third place winner - who's a friend of hers son (the second place winner can't run because he also won 4 events and had to choose). Um hello...he won first place by 11 seconds over the second and subsequent racers! Why wouldn't you want or allow him to race this? It's obviously his strongest event!
I've sent an email to her asking that she put him in the event of his choosing and I'm waiting for a reply. I didn't state in my email to her my opinion but my opinion is he worked hard with a sore knee, EARNED those ribbons, and should be able to choose the three he'd like to advance in! Why should forgetting to write a note jeoprodize his chances? As for already offering it to the third place winner, that child is still participating in two events - one he came first in and one that he came second in but the first chose another event so it's not like he's not going to get to go...and besides he didn't earn it, my son did! AND it was only completed today, the district races are on June 15th. It's not like we take it away from him weeks down the road just before the event.
My question to my fellow cheffers, and please be honest I won't be offended , is am I right to feel the way I'm feeling or is it my Mother Bear coming out ?
About a month ago he was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter's Disease which is a knee pain causing tenderness, swelling and pain just below the knee above the shin bone and is common in pre-teen boys who are growing quickly and are very active. After a few weeks of on and off pain we finally got him in to the doctor's. Treatment is just rest and ice and time - could be months or a couple of years. More common in boys but I had it too from the age of 11-13.
So back to track and field day - even with this pain he chose to participate in 5 events and was thrilled (as were we) to win first place in all 5 - long jump, triple jump, 200 m, 400 m, and 800 m. He also participated today in the 1500 and won this as well. 6 events, 6 first place ribbons.
First place winners then go on to the district races against 8 other schools in a couple of weeks. Winners are not allowed to participate in more than 3 due to time constraints. Last year he won 4 at school - all track: 200, 400, 800 and 1500 and also won first place at district for the three he chose of 200, 400, and 800.
I was at the event on Friday because they had asked for my help timing the races. There the coordinator told me if he was in pain to please let him know he does NOT have to participate. I stated the only thing that really seems to hurt is the jumping but he insists he wants to try. She stated she hoped that wouldn't injure his knee and chances on the track events since those are his stronger areas. Then he goes and wins in everything
Yesterday he told me that he wanted to do the long jump (since his total distance jumping was so much more than the next person), the 400 and 800. I expressed my concern about the long jump but said he could do whatever he felt he'd like to since he earned those spots. He mentioned the coordinator said she'd have to talk to me since she knew I was concerned about the long jump.
Today he comes home saying that she put him in the long jump (what happened to speaking with me?) the 200 and the 400. Not the 800 he wanted - he doesn't want the 200. When he questioned this she got an attitude, told him he was supposed to have written down what he wanted..um hello he's 12 and obviously didn't hear or chose not to hear because he doesn't recall this at all and obviously would have done so to ensure the events of his choosing. He never had to write a note last year, why now?
She's now saying he's probably out of luck and she'll have to 'think' about it because she's offered it to the third place winner - who's a friend of hers son (the second place winner can't run because he also won 4 events and had to choose). Um hello...he won first place by 11 seconds over the second and subsequent racers! Why wouldn't you want or allow him to race this? It's obviously his strongest event!
I've sent an email to her asking that she put him in the event of his choosing and I'm waiting for a reply. I didn't state in my email to her my opinion but my opinion is he worked hard with a sore knee, EARNED those ribbons, and should be able to choose the three he'd like to advance in! Why should forgetting to write a note jeoprodize his chances? As for already offering it to the third place winner, that child is still participating in two events - one he came first in and one that he came second in but the first chose another event so it's not like he's not going to get to go...and besides he didn't earn it, my son did! AND it was only completed today, the district races are on June 15th. It's not like we take it away from him weeks down the road just before the event.
My question to my fellow cheffers, and please be honest I won't be offended , is am I right to feel the way I'm feeling or is it my Mother Bear coming out ?