By Sally Smith, Serra Mesa

Jose Gonzales has been a lawyer for the San Diego Unified School District for many years, knows school law and policy inside out and always honors the truth. If he tells you something, you can believe it. If perchance he is wrong, he will tell you so. So much for the excellent reputation of Jose Gonzales. If you have doubts about the behavior of one of your high school (!) kid's coaches, talk to your Board representative and/or pull your kid off the team until you are satisfied that he or she is safe and happy. Personally, I don't think athletic team practices should be open to over-protective or worried or combatively gung-ho parents. Parents aren't in classrooms and team practices are part of the school day. Surely you will figure out what's going on by talking directly to your student.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
July 18, 2008 3:07 pm

There was a lawsuit a few years ago against a coach in San Diego who designed a football practice session that allowed two boys to physically harm a boy who had angered them by complaining that he had been bullied. The school defended the coach! Clearly, closed practices are not in the interest of students. In another case, a Helix High parent complained about a coach, and the school had him thrown in jail to shut him up. After a week's investigation, the district attorney said the parent had done nothing wrong. Shame on the school for leaving the man in jail for a week based on false allegations. Schools and their lawyers are wrong to protect employees who harm students.

Posted by Maura Larkins | reply to this comment
July 19, 2008 10:28 pm

Let me correct Ms. Zimmerman's comment that "parents aren't in the classrooms." They should be, and I promise you, teachers' skills would improve. I have observed many classes and parents may do so by giving 24 hours notice to the teacher. As for assuming that parents who choose to observe sports practices are "over-protective and combatively gung-ho parents", note how many students have been victimized in the past year by teachers and coaches who abused their positions of trust. Check out badbadteachers.com. You should know that all parents must sign a CIF Code of Ethics. Coaches control who makes the team and who doesn't - students do not speak up when it means they will suffer the consequences such as being kicked off the team.

Posted by Sally Smith | reply to this comment
July 20, 2008 9:19 am

Why am I not surprised that Ms. Smith has "observed many classes?" I imagine her visiting classrooms of high school-age kids serves to wake everyone up to a developing problem. I don't believe "many students" are "victimized" by teachers and coaches who abuse their positions of trust, nor have I ever heard of the website you mention." I do know that board of education members don't sanction faculty or staff improprieties. Surely the CIF Code of Ethics does not demand your silence, though it may permit coaches to control team rosters. If something cruel or unusual is going on, it's the obligation of any witness (as well as "victim") to speak up so that responsible adults can know what's happening. Parents need to explain to their kids why this is so important, how it prevents intimidation and retaliation. Fearful silence also carries consequences.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
July 20, 2008 2:55 pm

The former trustee advises speaking to your Board representative and then proceeds to express her view that such persons must be over-protective or combatively gung-ho parents. Her other suggestion - "pull your kid off the team" - is an equally appalling comment. Now with that kind of response from a former trustee, how many folks are left with warm and fuzzy feelings that the Trustees will listen to valid concerns? I want to know what kind of coaches do not want parents or others viewing their interactions with students. Is this "closed Practices" in writing or do coaches get to make their own policies regarding students?

Posted by Tony Hopkins | reply to this comment
July 20, 2008 3:59 pm

Ms. Smith: As a 'soccer dad' I have never had any problem accessing the high school athletic field during practice at my children's school. (PLHS) Granted soccer doesn't carry the same testosterone laden reputation as does the other football. However, I just watch; I never open my mouth or second guess the coach. I suspect that closed practice is done for a reason: meddling parents. Serra HS has a stadium type field. There's no reason a parent couldn't have a seat at the top of the stadium or watch through the fence from the parking lot and observe their child during practice. As Ms. Zimmerman says, take your child off the team if you have concerns. Or better yet, get to know the coach.

Posted by Frank Fitz | reply to this comment
July 20, 2008 4:38 pm

There should be a District Policy. There should never be only one adult(coach) at a closed practice. Closed practice should be open to principles and school councilors. The District should have a hot line to report abuse by teachers or coaches.

Posted by rb in pt loma | reply to this comment
July 21, 2008 7:23 am

Mr. Hopkins, I am not minimizing Ms. Smith's concerns. She sounds genuinely worried about something that she won't say flat-out concerning her high school student's team and coach. Instead of being direct, however, she casts doubt on the integrity of a good school district lawyer, nameless coaches and teachers and directs us to a website of teacher/student horror stories. I'm encouraging her to talk to her Board representative who is the liaison-of-last-reso between school bureaucracies and a concerned parent. If she perceives abusiveness, it's her obligation to speak up, not just watch practices. Personally, I think there is a greater good than remaining on an athletic team whose coach is, by one's own standard, out of line or unfair. Ideally, decisions to quit a team belong to the high school student: ideally, parents only help their kid list and weigh the pros and cons of such a choice.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
July 21, 2008 9:04 am

Mr. Hopkins, I am not minimizing Ms. Smith's concerns. She sounds genuinely worried about something that she won't say flat-out concerning her high school student's team and coach. Instead of being direct, however, she casts doubt on the integrity of a good school district lawyer, nameless coaches and teachers and directs us to a website of teacher/student horror stories. I'm encouraging her to talk to her Board representative who is the liaison-of-last-reso between school bureaucracies and a concerned parent. If she perceives abusiveness, it's her obligation to speak up, not just watch practices. Personally, I think there is a greater good than remaining on an athletic team whose coach is, by one's own standard, out of line or unfair. Ideally, decisions to quit a team belong to the high school student: ideally, parents only help their kid list and weigh the pros and cons of such a choice.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
July 21, 2008 9:04 am

1. Teachers reported in Union Tribune for abusing students include Jessica Ashley Kahal, Gary Wilcox, Frank Palumbo, Jeff Wenhan and John Christopher Holler in past 2 years 2. CIF Code of Ethics sets out rules for students, coaches, parents, spectators which should be sufficient guidelines. As Mr. Fitz exemplifies, he quietly enjoys observing his children at practices - one of the joys in my life too. 3. On SDUSD website, sandi.net - Facts for Parents Page 19 Parents' Rights - Classroom Observing. Parents have the right to visit their child's classroom to observe activities. As for rushing to the defense of the adults, I have a problem with that. The focus should be on the students, whether 5 or 15. I think the children need protection - just read the newspaper.

Posted by Chris B | reply to this comment
July 21, 2008 5:43 pm

I think we have come full circle. Sadly, there are high school kids who could use sheltering from their over-protective, worried or combatively gung-ho parents -- though it is politically incorrect to say so and there is no guidebook on how to accomplish that end. Trying to help a parent who sees evil-doers in every other teacher or coach is almost impossible, but that is why principals, school lawyers and school board members exist: to listen, to inquire and to seek redress when it is indicated. It is also why private schools and home-schooling exist: they are reasonable alternatives for families who are uncomfortable in the public system.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
July 21, 2008 10:01 pm

I am disappointed in Ms. Z's intitial response. Actually parents are in classrooms at SD Unifieds more succesfull schools. Just check out Mount Everest Academy for example. As my children's advocate and protector I have never had a coach limit my access to team practice. I didn't interject my opinions I just watched my kids work and play. I did speak to a coach when I witnessed her roughly grab a child, shake said child and let her know that if she ever did that to my kids there would be significant ramifications. My only other concerns were when my son wrestled at PLHS and the coaches advocated some pretty severe dietary controls to keep the kids underweight. I have real objection to that type of "coaching" at a time when a child's body needs all the fuel it can get.

Posted by Soulpatch | reply to this comment
July 22, 2008 6:15 am

I am disappointed in Ms. Z's intitial response. Actually parents are in classrooms at SD Unifieds more succesfull schools. Just check out Mount Everest Academy for example. As my children's advocate and protector I have never had a coach limit my access to team practice. I didn't interject my opinions I just watched my kids work and play. I did speak to a coach when I witnessed her roughly grab a child, shake said child and let her know that if she ever did that to my kids there would be significant ramifications. My only other concerns were when my son wrestled at PLHS and the coaches advocated some pretty severe dietary controls to keep the kids underweight. I have real objection to that type of "coaching" at a time when a child's body needs all the fuel it can get.

Posted by Soulpatch | reply to this comment
July 22, 2008 6:15 am

Zimmerman is a perfect example of what is wrong with public schools. At my child's school, there is a parent in class every single day. You see, we parents believe in assisting in the education of our children and we believe that it sets a good example to participate alongside them and encourage them. It's also fun for the parent and it helps the teacher. Everybody wins. Zimmerman? You lose.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
July 22, 2008 11:12 am

Let's be clear: I am talking here about the high school experience. Parents in the high school classroom "every single day?" I have witnessed this, and believe it is humiliating for the student, unless every parent "participates" in this way, which most do not. I would have to ask, why is this necessary? Shouldn't parents help their kids learn to fly solo at some point? It doesn't mean abandoning them; it means giving them confidence that you believe he or she can manage at-school-life independently. Parents do have a "right" to "visit " all schools -- and I am an advocate for parent participation in K-12 principal selection, for example -- but I would argue that parents at high school are really needed as tutors, readers, chaperones, guest lecturers or artists, boosters, fundraisers or members of the school site council which is essential to school management.

Posted by Frances' Last Word | reply to this comment
July 22, 2008 1:46 pm

Ms. Zimmerman has not come full circle. She is running in circles. The issue is closed practices. I am not a lawyer but it occurred to me as I read the posted exchanges: what happens when a coach is accused of abusive behavior (whether yanking a child or sexual abuse of a teenager) and in the subsequent investigation it is revealed the coach had closed practices. Then it is revealed that a parent raised concerns about closed practices but the San Diego Unified School District took no action. For the protection of both adults and students, there should not be closed practices.Ms Zimmerman ran off in all directions but the resulting information from answers was interesting.

Posted by Frank Garcia | reply to this comment
July 22, 2008 5:42 pm

In reading these comments, it is apparent that Mrs. Zimmerman does not like anyone who challenges in any way a public school, San Diego Unified School District in particular. Glad to know I'm not the only person she does not like who speaks out about public schools. Considering the amount of inappropriate behavior by high school teachers towards high school kids, this idea "oversheltering" seems like a good idea. I would call it good parenting to know what goes on in my kid's school. And I do have a public high school student. Last year, I had to "overshelter" him because the school did not take action when he was threatened by a fellow student with a knife. I also doubt Mrs. Zimmerman will ever have a "last word."

Posted by Kelly Donivan | reply to this comment
July 25, 2008 11:38 am

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