Posted on 04/01/2006 7:12:17 PM PST by Jedidah
Mayra Hernandez and Lesly Hernandez planned to look pretty for the Ennis High School senior prom on Saturday night.
But they won't be going because they joined a protest.
"We all bought dresses, accessories, and we rented a limo and all that," Mayra said. "Now all that money is just going to waste."
Thousands of North Texas students skipped classes this week to demonstrate against the immigration bill now being considered by the U.S. Congress.
About 130 Ennis ISD students—from sixth graders to seniors—joined in Thursday, despite a school district warning that any student participating would be suspended until Monday, including the prom.
The district suspended Aracely Garcia, even though her mother excused her from school for the demonstration. "We shouldn't get suspended—and especially not from prom—just because he thinks we shouldn't protest over something we believe is right," Aracely said.
Mayra's sister-in-law, Noemi Garza, urged the school district to let the suspended students attend the prom. "They are trying to punish these kids with something that they've been looking forward to," Garza said. "These girls will never have another chance."
But as parents and school staff set up decorations for Saturday's event, the Ennis ISD held firm.
School officials declined interviews with News 8, but Superintendent Mike Harper told the Ennis Daily News, "one of the greatest gifts we give to immigrants and their families is a free public education, and it shows extraordinarily poor judgment for those who have received that gift to walk out on it."
If they can't go, the suspended seniors said they will walk in protest Saturday night outside KJT Auditorium, where the prom takes place.
" . . . one of the greatest gifts we give to immigrants and their families is a free public education, and it shows extraordinarily poor judgment for those who have received that gift to walk out on it."
Applauding.....Good job Superintendent.
"Yes, we know just how you feel." -American taxpayer
I think he deserves a standing ovation.. BRAVO!
susie
Ouch, you summed up my thoughts quite succinctly...
If you think missing the prom is bad, you should have seen what they did to the pro America students waving the US flag.....
Congratulations to Superintendant Harper. This will be a good lesson in taking responsibility for ones actions.
Is there a standing ovation "smilee" emoticon?
or
perhaps a US Flag waiving emoticon?
Yes, but I'm an idiot and don't know how to post it.
I wanted to e-mail Supt. Harper and tell him how much I appreciate his good sense, but the Ennis ISD website seems to be down. Wonder if it's been flooded with people who feel the same :)
I am shocked! Congrats to the Supt. and district for standing up. Now if they could only order water cannons for any protesters who show up at prom...
If anybody later posts an e-mail address, I'll also pass along my thanks.
Great quote from Superintendent Harper...
It should be quoted by ALL of the Superintendents and Principals in the nation.
Oh...and how classy of the students to protest AT the prom...so they can attempt to ruin the dance for the rest of the school.
Excellent!
If they didn't realize it already, these students have learned that actions have consequences.
They can all wear their fancy duds and go party in Mexico!
Since they won't be able to get back we won't have to finance their "education" any more.
Well done Superintendent! It's nice to see an administrator with backbone in these days of corrupt public school admins...
Isn't that the way punishment is supposed to work?
Oh...and how classy of the students to protest AT the prom...so they can attempt to ruin the dance for the rest of the school.
My thoughts exactly. Why do Superintendents have no insight to this is beyond me. they should use some other forum to use this and not something that is going to egnite more problems. Oh well that is the schools problems.
well played chap
Good. Refreshing to see a School Official with backbone.. we need more to follow suit.. mega ditto for our weak Pols.
Hmm. I guess it wasn't as important as you think, if it wasn't important enough for you to give up your prom. If the thing that you were protesting over is such a strong belief of yours, you should be more than ready to say "adios" to the prom.
"One of the greatest gifts we give to immigrants and their families is a free public education, and it shows extraordinarily poor judgment for those who have received that gift to walk out on it." - Mike Harper, Superintendent, Ennis ISD
"As an educational leader, I am powerfully committed to collaboratively promote the successful learning of all students at Skyline High School, while simultaneously optimizing humaneness and respect for all, staff and students alike." - Tom Stumpf, Principal, Skyline High School
Along with the suspensions the parents should be fined for what it costs to educate their little darlings for one day. Let the parents demonstrate some financial responsibilities for their children's demonstration
That's damned near incomprehensible.
ROFLMAO! Well done!
Time out from the FReepathon thread to read this!
You'll be glad you did!
Well, that's what happens when you BREAK THE RULES, a lesson obviously never passed on to you by your PARENTS.
ROTFLMAO!
Regrettably, you're right!
Thanks. He just heard from this taxpaying American.
So you called his bluff and found out he was holding aces. Welcome to the real world, kiddies.
Imagine if their parents threatened to send them to bed without dinner!
There's a lawsuit coming.
Good job Superindendent Harper!
I'll take Door Number 1, Monty.
Thanks for link, fired off congrats.
Well Done!!!
IF they truly believe what they did was right, they should be willing to pay the consequences. Who said doing what one believes is right means you won't face hardship?
Fact is most of those students didn't think it through, they reacted thinking they'd experience no consequence. Nor did they even protest as a result of careful examination of the issue. Either they did it to skip school, because they thought it would be "cool, or because they were pushed into it. Maybe by parents, maybe by other friends that know no better, very likely by the people that organized these rallies that have a different agenda then these kids are probably aware of.
Regardless, they made a choice and now this is a consequence of that choice. Suck it up, think before you act next time, and be sure you really believe in what you are doing and are willing to face the consequences. I have no pity for people that at very least show an inability to accept responsibility, and that is what the kids whining about this are doing.
They showed a disrespect to this country, to it's Constitution, to the taxpayers that finance their education. Next time protest on your own time, use an AMERICAN flag, and learn what the facts are instead of yelling propaganda.
Thanks for the e-mail address. I sent Mr. Harper an e-mail congratulating him on teaching these students a valuable life lesson: break the rules, accept the consequences.
since the big parade was on the weekend BEFORE their walk out, they intentionally took school days off for something they could of done on the weekend!!! screw-em...
Well, boo hoo. What a bunch of brats. Have a nice walk.
I would expect no less from these asshats.
Mike Harper for Congress!!!
http://www.ennis.k12.tx.us/Administration/centraloffice.htm
This is Tom's PC brain...lodged in Tom's colon.
Good for Mr. Ennis! He stood up for all kids, and for what is right.
"Oh...and how classy of the students to protest AT the prom...so they can attempt to ruin the dance for the rest of the school."
Not much chance of that. More than "Look at the protesters in prom dresses - snicker, snicker".
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