Students Suspended For Wearing Shirts With American Flags(USMC Shirts also)

TheDenverChannel.com ^ | April 6, 2006

[bulldozer]

DENVER -- Several students at Shaw Heights Middle School have been disciplined for wearing shirts that depict the American flag, an act that is in direct violation of the public school's recent ban on all flags, depictions of flags, or flag colors on student clothing.

One student said he was suspended for wearing a DARE program shirt with a flag behind the logo. Another student, Katie Golgart, said she was suspended for wearing a Marine Corps shirt.

"I'm gonna going to school and wear another Marine shirt just to show that I support my brother and what he does," Haas said.

The students' parents are behind them 100 percent and are willing to fight the schools' ban, saying that it's a fight that they are going to win.

"I did let her (the principal) know that I would fight her on this because I knew I was right. And that's exactly what it is. We are right to wear our flag. We are right for my daughter to wear her United States Marine Corps shirt to support the Marines -- future, present and past," said Eric Golgart, who is the son of a U.S. Marine.

Elizabeth Haas, told reporters that she was told to turn her Marine Corps shirt inside out and when she did and then turned it back the right way, she was suspended. Haas, an 11-year-old sixth grader, said that she wears a USMC shirt every day to support her brother, who is in the Corps, and she wasn't aware of the ban until she was suspended.

All of the students who were suspended said they had a connection to the military -- either they have a family member now serving or someone in the family had once served.

[Echo Talon]

Where is the ACLU?

[EagleUSA]

If there ever was an example of HOW SICK liberal academia is, here it is. If I had to educate my two kids over again, they would not set foot in a government school, no matter what it took to make that happen.

The leftist, liberal communist agenda of the government school system is a traitorous disgrace to America.

[John Filson]

Interesting kids. Good for them! Now enroll them in marksmanship programs.

[CowboyJay]

"Where is the ACLU?"

Defending our Nation's enemies, both foreign and domestic.

[rockrr]

I got sent home from school in the eighth grade for wearing a tee shirt bearing a beer maker's logo. Times change!

What kind of a world do we have that considers it an act of defiance to wear your country's flag?!

[Tiberius109]

Yea, where is the ACLU ..Lets write to them ?
This country has gone to hell , I swear it has.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Colorado Attorney General, John Suthers, is preparing to take the Principal, Myla Shepherd, mshepherd@echalk.adams50.org, at Shaw Heights Middle School to court for violating state law.

From the Caplis & Silverman Show on 630 KHOW.

Students showing their pride not allowed at school!

Elizabeth Haas

Katie Gohlgart

Katie & Tim Kerstiens

The Shirt that got Anthony Medina suspended

TANCREDO LETTER SENT TO SHAW HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MYLA SHEPHERD

Dear Principal Shepherd,

I was astonished to learn that officials at Shaw Heights recently threatened an honor student with disciplinary action for wearing a red sweater, a white T-shirt, and blue jeans. The student was apparently reprimanded for violating the newly formulated dress code banning "clothing that makes a political statement," purportedly because of the color combination she chose.

To say that it is disturbing to see school administrators spending their time and limited resources scrutinizing the color combinations of students' clothes in search of hidden political messages would be an understatement. As a former educator, I am frankly shocked by how far afield the public education apparatus appears to have wandered.

When teachers like Jay Bennish and Ward Churchill transform our classrooms into personal platforms to disseminate delusional and nihilistic propaganda, the education establishment seems too paralyzed to respond. Yet when students take the initiative to passively express pro-American sentiments by, for example, sewing a stars-and-stripes flag patch on a backpack (or choosing a red, white, and blue outfit, evidently) school administrators are quick to discipline, punish, regulate and suppress.

I believe this kind of double standard sends the wrong message to students, and I hope that you and other administrators who have recently implemented these kinds of misguided policies will seriously consider rescinding them.

Sincerely,

Tom Tancredo
Member of Congress

LETTER SENT HOME TO PARENTS FROM PRINCIPAL MYLA SHEPHERD OF SHAW HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS

April 7, 2006

Dear Parents and Guardians:

During the week of March 27th, students were observed exhibiting behavior that was interfering with instruction. This behavior appeared to be directly related to students’ attire. Our goal at Shaw Heights Middle School is to provide a safe learning environment for our children/students. The neutral dress code that was implemented as a result of widespread student behavior has been very beneficial. Thank you for your support in helping us keep a safe and orderly learning environment at Shaw Heights Middle School by having your child adhere to our neutral dress code. We appreciate your cooperation.

On Friday, March 31 we sent home a letter detailing the neutral dress code, specifically asking that students not wear the following: clothing that makes a political statement, camouflage clothing, and banners, flags or bandanas of any type.

I would like to clarify the dress code, as there seems to be confusion about colors of clothing. Students may wear all colors – red, white, blue, green, etc. They may wear combinations of colors – red, white, blue, green, etc. They simply may not wear attire that displays a flag. We will continue to monitor student behavior and as the situation improves we will consider returning to our original dress code.

As the weather gets warmer, we want to remind you and your child about our dress code that specifies three-inch wide shoulder straps, shirts that cover midriffs, skirts and shorts that are mid-thigh in length

We remain diligent in maintaining a safe learning environment for all children. The “Falcon Four” helps maintain that focus through respect, responsibility, integrity and pride at all times.

I hope your family enjoys a wonderful Spring Break. I look forward to seeing our students return on Monday, April 17, and to the rest of a great school year.

Sincerely,

Myla Shepherd,
Principal Shaw Heights Middle School

[Lancey Howard]

Homeschool BUMP!
Parents, if they love their children, MUST extract them from government schools like the Shaw Heights Middle School.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Where is the ACLU?

"C.R.S. 27-2-108.5 reads, "The right to display reasonably the flag of the United States shall not be infringed with respect to the display: (a) On an individual's person; (b) Anywhere on an individual's personal or real property."

"The American Civil Liberties Union is also sounding off on the issue.
"The Colorado statute, however, applies only to American flags, which raises another constitutional issue. The Constitution prohibits what the case law calls 'viewpoint discrimination.'"

You can guess the rest...

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Several students at Shaw Heights Middle School have been disciplined for wearing shirts that depict the American flag, an act that is in direct violation of the public school's recent ban on all flags, depictions of flags, or flag colors on student clothing.

Maybe it's time the parents stood outside this school wearing t-shirts with the American flag on them. I'd love to see the faces of these administrators.

[supercat]

Parents, if they love their children, MUST extract them from government schools like the Shaw Heights Middle School.

Parents would have to judge things for themselves, but I would think that there could be some benefit for well-prepared students to get a taste of what leftists are up to. They'll get far more of an "education" from first-hand experience than they could get from third-hand reports, especially since the truth is often so unbelievable.

[Trteamer]

PING!!

[dufekin]

The American flag is for burning, desecration, and disdain becaues it is morally wrong (in the eyes of the enemies of the United States) to respect, honor, or fly the flag. The universal application of foreign jurisprudence gives the Mexican custom deference with respect to the Mexican flag in the United States.

[VeniVidiVici]

You can guess the rest...

Once again the ACLU shows their true colors - red, white and green.

I'd say they are sideshow freaks in this one. Colorado statute says they can't ban the American flag which means that school administrators can ban the Mexican flag under the safety/detriment, blah, blah, rules they make up.

[Tiberius109]

I just wrote a nasty email to the phoney bastards at ACLU

[Jumper]

T-E-N-U-R-E... Tenured teachers is the problem. Same in Civil Service. Tenure an employee and then try to get rid of them. Tenured Teachers can do what they damn well please there is nothing anyone can or will do to enfore laws, regulations or standards.

It is great that parents are willing to fight this legal fight since the adminstrators and politicians will not spend the money - this should be done as a class action against the individuals involved in the Administration and not the Schools to send a statement that could well resonate at the level of the Supreme Court. We could cut the Tenure crap once and for in allowing bad school employees to get by with crimes against society.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"The Constitution prohibits what the case law calls 'viewpoint discrimination.'"

But those sorry bastards wouldn't raise a finger against leftist indoctrination that permeates many public universities.

[TigersEye]

The leftists seem to think that the iron is hot and it's time to strike.

The fact that a display of national pride and loyalty is met with hostility should make it clear there are big problems there. The fact that teachers and administrators see those displays as the problem shows how deep the problem is.

Gooberment skools are child abusers.

[RightWingAtheist]

Do you have a link? The hypocrisy of the ACLU is just sickening.

[Texas_Jarhead]

At the article source...

[AFreeBird]

Elizabeth Haas, told reporters that she was told to turn her Marine Corps shirt inside out and when she did and then turned it back the right way, she was suspended. Haas, an 11-year-old sixth grader, said that she wears a USMC shirt every day to support her brother, who is in the Corps, and she wasn't aware of the ban until she was suspended.

Please excuse my language, and if the mods want to remove it fine, but I'm gonna say it anyway:

This SHIT has GOT TO STOP!!!

[Texas_Jarhead]

Whoops.. I thought you meant for the quotes. If you wanted a link for the ACLU all I have is this for their website: http://www.aclu-co.org/.

[rwilson99]

I would be losing my mind if I were a parent in this situation.

My children would have the following instructions.

1. Wear patriotic clothing every day during the ban.
2. Get suspended
3. Show up the next day with the same clothes and peacefully go to class.
4. Let the police get called to remove you from campus.
5. Repeat until administrators get some sense.

A sit in might be appropriate too.

[ArrogantBustard]

Elizabeth Haas, ... said that she wears a USMC shirt every day to support her brother, who is in the Corps, and she wasn't aware of the ban until she was suspended.

Bravo, Miss Haas. Keep the Faith.

[Travis McGee]

[freema]

My daughter wears a green "Marine" sweatshirt and carries a USMC backpack EVERYDAY to school. I promise you- they wouldn't dare................... I am so damn proud of these girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USMC Ping List FReepmail if you want on or off this list

[usmcobra]

You know I was going to suggest that you throw some rocks in that Back pack so she'd know what it is like to be a Marine.



But then I remembered how many pounds my son's book bag weighted.

I never carried that much weight to school.

But then again I had to walk barefoot through 25 miles of snow and glass while hopping on one leg blindfolded to get to school.

[Doctor Raoul]

Why spend another penny on public schools? This is proof that the inmates are running the asylum and it is not worth it.

[Loud Mime]

We will have to fight these people soon.....our way. Screw the courts.

[Doctor Raoul]

But then again I had to walk barefoot through 25 miles of snow and glass while hopping on one leg blindfolded to get to school

Up hill both ways...

[Windsong]

Send them to Private schools. Homeschooling will barely teach them what they need to know.

[usmcobra]

Chased by man-eating alligators as well.

The schools give out Those D.A.R.E. t-shirts to those children that pass that class, in other words the school system is telling these children they cannot wear what the school gave them to wear.

[devolve]

[potlatch]

Happy2BMe wrote me tonight and sent a picture of a large white flag! I asked him if he had seen this gif. Haven't had a reply yet!

[Travis McGee]

I don't know if the Jorge Arbusto Casa Blanca would look more realistic with a white flag, or a Mexican flag?

[freema]

LOL!!

I don't tell too many people, but she could beat up all the boys when she was two and isn't afraid of any Marine she's met yet. And I can even dress her up sometimes!! She isn't afraid of them because she falls in love with 'em all!!!

[Travis McGee]

C 28

[potlatch]

Yep, that's it. Thanks Travis.

[CodeToad]

#28 - Outstanding!

[Liberator]

"Where is the ACLU?"

Aren't they lined up for a firing squad?

My bad. That was just a dream.

[M0sby]

Hey Freema!
I didn't know about your list!
Better add me! (see tagline)...

My son ALSO carries a USMC backpack to school everyday...straight from Camp Commando, Kuwait! IT IS AWESOME! Has his name embroidered on it and everything!!!
(he is only in kindergarten though!)

[Lancey Howard]

Send them to Private schools. Homeschooling will barely teach them what they need to know.

I agree that a good private school is the best alternative to the rancid government schools, but that can be an expensive proposition for many people. And with the Democrat Party in the pockets of the greedy teachers unions, it doesn't look like there will be any relief (ie., vouchers) for caring parents anytime soon.

Homeschooling is the next best alternative.

[JCEccles]

Where is the ACLU?

They're preoccupied with shutting down speech they don't approve of (pro-life demonstrations, public criticism of darwinism, voluntary public prayer etc).

[philetus]

Its time for this crap to stop.
This is The United States of America.
A school can not stop you from displaying the Flag of the country on a shirt.
Screw the pandering, whiney,chickensh!t,traitorous,wimps.

[Thud]

Does anyone remember the fuss over pants with American flags sewn on their seats? The one with reaction somehow similar to Islamics screaming about "mistreatment" of Korans? The fuss made by the same people objecting to this new ban on American flags somewhere less insulting on clothing?

There is no right way to address the issue of American flags on clothing.

[TrogdortheBurninator]

They don't care about beer labels anymore. Beer, Playboy, Maxim, weed, commies: they're all fine to have on your shirt. It's only the CONTROVERSIAL stuff, like American flags. Riiight. I think there's something wrong with this picture.

[Emmet Fitzhume]

Here are some points of contact for the local media machine. They have ties to The Rocky Mountain News:

http://denver.yourhub.com/The_Staff.aspx