Posted on 11/06/2007 5:04:37 PM PST by Coleus
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.
Where in Iran, exactly, is Mascoutah Middle School located, since it obviously practicing sharia law.
See, comrade, you were attempting to become a borgeoise instead of remaining a good member of the proletariat.
I was in school long before the PC police took over, but my kid suffered thru until 5th grade before we started homeschooling. I can tell you I had a much easier time - they didn’t try to control your thoughts back then.
Mother, I’m with you. The Giver teaches some very good moral lessons, as well as teaching the evil of a totalitarian society. Age 11/12 is the best time - kids of that age are starting to grapple with morality and some of the eternal questions of life. I read “Atlas Shrugged” at age 12, and it was a great age to do so.
Shoot, the Bible has some stories that are hairier than that, and we let the kids read the Bible.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
When I was in 6th grade, Mrs. Welch (a not too-hot 38-42 year old mom) had all of the boys give her a kiss on the cheek (the facial cheek, of course) under the mistletoe at Christmas time. I remember it fondly, if only for the adolescent joy of having kissed a WOMAN!
The male teacher wisely decided not to follow suit with the girls (this was in the later 70s).
What is going on. 10 years ago I wore a button as a hospice nurse that said everyone needs a hug. This is the biggest bunch of BS I’ve ever heard of. The Superintendent couldn’t reply because their side of the story hasn’t been told. No wonder people are so hateful today. I say if we see any middle or high school teams hugging when they win a game they should be expelled. Oh I forgot Alabama has two sets of standards
I went to Mascoutah Junior and Senior High. (I guess the Junior High is now called “Middle School”) It is a small farm town right next to Scott AFB and as a result has a good mix of students.
I will make sure that my parents raise a stink about this in town as this is ludicrous.
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