Cris, I would be just as concerned about your daughter spreading germs as catching them. Children can be carriers of diseases without actually coming down with them (one of my nieces is a carrier for strep - never gets it but certainly shares it). It's plain not sanitary. Just because she's not gotten ill yet doesn't mean she won't, especially with everything that's going around right now. As the parent of an elementary aged child who does get ill, I would be bothered by a child sucking her thumb and then taking it out of her mouth to pass papers, throw balls, etc. Who knows? Perhaps another parent has expressed that very concern to the teacher.

Having said that, if you've truly decided this is your Waterloo, I would ask to meet with both teachers first OR meet with them and the assistant principal. Say what you need to say and let the teachers explain themselves. Ask the PE teacher about pulling your daughter's thumb out of her mouth. (I can't imagine doing such a thing, but then again, I teach high school.) Then, wait to see what happens.

As for people who feel the need to share their opinions with you when you and your DD are out and about, they're rude, even if they think they're imparting wisdom you need to hear.

Charisse

ETA: I understand needing to be an advocate for your child, and I'd be irked if I'd asked the teacher to do something and was ignored. (Heck, as a teacher, I'm irked when I ask parents to follow through on something and I'm ignored.) You say your daughter's eight years old. Is she in third grade? Perhaps this is an opportunity to work with her on when it is and is not appropriate to suck her thumb - home and car are both OK, but maybe school isn't. She may not see or hear teasing going on, but that doesn't mean her teachers aren't running interference for her. Just a thought.

Edited 2 times by MathTeach1 Oct 25 09 6:27 PM.