Omastar
11-07-2007, 06:55 PM
http://www.yahoo.com/s/730150 (Video)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071106/ap_on_fe_st/odd_detention_for_hugging_2 (Article)
"MASCOUTAH, Ill. - Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter. The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.
"I feel it is crazy," said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.
"I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend," she said.
Megan's mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces weren't even real hugs — just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.
"It's hilarious to the point of ridicule," Coulter said. "I'm still dumbfounded that she's having to do this."
District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.
It states: "Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved."
Coulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.
"We don't agree with it, but I certainly don't want her to get in more trouble," Coulter said.
The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.
"I'm just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn't be punishing us for hugs," Megan said."
This is what really irks me: 'It states: "Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved."'
Poor taste? Yes, if you're jamming your tongue down someone's throat and copping a feel, then I'd say confine that to your private lives. However, a hug? Get real, guys. Just get real. These little tinpot school officials need to GET OFF the power trip and start using some JUDGMENT of their own. Wait, sorry, if they had judgment that would indicate free will which would mean they wouldn't be working at a public school, earning $11,000 a year like the pissants they are.
And of course the superintendent is going to side with the local school clergy: they're all in a union anyway, and have to stick together to reaffirm the "zero tolerance" mantra or whatever hollow crap schools are pushing nowadays.
What a load. Public school failed me, and it's failing everyone else. Never rely on the state or the feds to give your kids a proper education in an environment that doesn't STIFLE their development.
Way to go, guys. You suggested to a 13 year old that affection is some dark art, not allowable in any degree in any public venue. What is this, the Church of England? Go to hell.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071106/ap_on_fe_st/odd_detention_for_hugging_2 (Article)
"MASCOUTAH, Ill. - Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter. The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.
"I feel it is crazy," said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.
"I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend," she said.
Megan's mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces weren't even real hugs — just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.
"It's hilarious to the point of ridicule," Coulter said. "I'm still dumbfounded that she's having to do this."
District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.
It states: "Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved."
Coulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.
"We don't agree with it, but I certainly don't want her to get in more trouble," Coulter said.
The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.
"I'm just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn't be punishing us for hugs," Megan said."
This is what really irks me: 'It states: "Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved."'
Poor taste? Yes, if you're jamming your tongue down someone's throat and copping a feel, then I'd say confine that to your private lives. However, a hug? Get real, guys. Just get real. These little tinpot school officials need to GET OFF the power trip and start using some JUDGMENT of their own. Wait, sorry, if they had judgment that would indicate free will which would mean they wouldn't be working at a public school, earning $11,000 a year like the pissants they are.
And of course the superintendent is going to side with the local school clergy: they're all in a union anyway, and have to stick together to reaffirm the "zero tolerance" mantra or whatever hollow crap schools are pushing nowadays.
What a load. Public school failed me, and it's failing everyone else. Never rely on the state or the feds to give your kids a proper education in an environment that doesn't STIFLE their development.
Way to go, guys. You suggested to a 13 year old that affection is some dark art, not allowable in any degree in any public venue. What is this, the Church of England? Go to hell.