Legal Question in Family Law in New York

When after school activities end, who is responsible for child?

My question is one that asks who is in authority over a child once a school activity has ended? The case in opoint is this; I gave my son permission to leave school property after soccer practice. The principal of the school saw him returning to school (which is a private school associated with our church) with pizza and said he was not allowed to leave school property, even with my permission. He was returning to school to attend a church sponsored youth gathering that was to begin before I could get him there, had he come home after soccer practice.

What I am trying to find out is if there are legal issues of liability in New york that would make school officials responsible for a child's care even if a written note is given by the parents releasing them of this duty?

By the way, my son is very responsible, 13 years of age, and the area of his school and church is a upper middle class suburb. Hardly a place where walking a couple blocks to a pizza shop is very dangerous.


Asked on 10/14/97, 1:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Harold M. Weiner Coles & Weiner, P.C.

who is responsible for child

You are ALWAYS responsible for your 13 year old. But, as the Principal stands in loco parentis, that is, in your stead,while the child is at school, he or she has some say in things when they are occurring on school property, whether or not it is a school activity. I suggest you make peace with him and see just what he wants as assurance from you that your son really has permission to do something....a mere note will not suffice; guess what....children have been known to submit ones their friends sign "in lieu of parents".

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Answered on 10/28/97, 7:22 am


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