An eighth grader from Mascoutah, Illinois was given two days of detention for hugging her friends. She was a "repeat offender" of the schools zero tolerance policy regarding forms of public displays of affection.
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I would have been expelled from school if foolish rules and their moronic enforcement such as this were in place when I was a student.
This is another classic case of zero tolerance gone awry. Like you, I'd have most likely been expelled too. We pay school administrators much more than teachers, but allow them to blindly enforce ludicrous interpretations of rules without requiring them to use their brains to actually think about whether those rules should even exist.
Not all displays of affection are sexual in nature as this clearly points out. The first thought that came to my mind is that Superintendent Sam McGowen is trying to punish others because he didn't receive adequate affection when he was growing up. He says that this penalty is fair. I say that having him sit through two detentions is fair too. While he's there, he should contemplate how stupid his interpretation of this rule is.
But golly gee whiz, everybody, some other kid might have his or her tender little feelings hurt when he or she realizes that some people get hugs while others don't. We can't damage poor little Johnny and Janey Nohugs' self-esteem by forcing them to see healthy human beings around them. Golly whillikers!
how do people this idiotic get into positions of power and influence over children? I'm not a big fan of suing, but I hope some lawyer takes her case pro bono just to get them to admit that they are idiots.
The student handbook said, "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."
This is a grade school? It constantly amazes me how often Zero Tolerance sexualizes children in the name of protection. There was a time that a kiss between two youngsters was considered cute, charming. Now it sexual abuse. Pshaw.