Parent: daughter asked to re-do assignment after writing about Jesus

wect ^ | 3/18/14 | Kasey Cunningham

[barmag25]

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A parent is speaking out after she said her daughter's teacher rejected a rough draft of her paper. The subject, her hero, Jesus.

Heather Watts said her daughter attends second grade at Cerro Gordo Elementary School in Columbus County. Watts said the teacher asked her 8-year-old daughter Ryleigh, "can't you write about something different?"

"I think she should have freedom to write about what she wants to write about," the disgruntled mother said. "If she wants to write about Jesus, she should write about Jesus."

Watts said this question is threatening her daughter's First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

A statement from the school denies the incident:

"After speaking with both the teacher and the principal, we have learned that students were not restricted from writing on any topic of their choosing. Columbus County Schools encourages student expression in all aspects of our educational program. We also have an open-door policy, and encourage our parents and guardians to contact or visit their child's school to address any concerns."

[barmag25]

After meeting with her daughter’s principal and teacher, Watts said the issue has not been resolved and Ryleigh is still being asked to write about something different.

[Chickensoup]

Any parent who still has children in the public system is doing their child a great disservice.

[A_Former_Democrat]

This “teacher” needs to be fired.

And if not, then all Christian parents in the district ought to demand it

[Pontiac]

Considering how the girl is being treated by the teacher maybe she should write about a martyred saint.

[Vinylly]

Apparently somebody is lying. The daughter should say,’no, I’m not going to’.

[Mastador1]

The problem probably comes from the teachers inability to relate to Christ, so she knows she would be unable to grade the paper. Now had the little girl chosen to write about Satan or say a porn star, the teacher would probably have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"After speaking with both the teacher and the principal, we have learned that students were not restricted from writing on any topic of their choosing. Columbus County Schools encourages student expression in all aspects of our educational program."

What a typically evasive, mealy mouthed, obfuscating answer that is.

Of course students weren't restricted from writing on any topic. THAT'S what the assignment was.

It is about what the teacher said to the kid when she turned in her outline for the assignment. The teacher probably lied her arse off to the principal.

[Rome2000]

Maybe the "Parent" should get a clue and get his/her kid out of publik skool.

Sending a child to public school in most states is akin to child abuse.

[barmag25]

The last sentence in the article tells the whole story.

[Vendome]

Jesus is the original do over...

Patton was a re-run

[ForYourChildren]

Jesus not wanted in the schools. Go figure.

[FixitGuy]

Ask folks with from history would they most Jesus would come very high on the list.

Obama???????

[FixitGuy]

Ask folks with whom from history would they most enjoy having a meal and conversation. Jesus would come very high on the list.

Obama???????

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Watts said the teacher asked her 8-year-old daughter Ryleigh, "can't you write about something different?"

"No ma'am."

[workerbee]

I wonder if this is a situation of a (young?) teacher worried about someone accusing HER of some sort of religious bias by allowing the reference; i.e., she doesn't have a problem with it personally but has misunderstood the rules with regard to "teaching religion." Since the school doesn't seem to be arguing about it, the last paragraph of this article is somewhat confusing.

My girls have all referred to Jesus or our faith in various school projects with no issues.

[gunsequalfreedom]

After meeting with her daughter’s principal and teacher, Watts said the issue has not been resolved and Ryleigh is still being asked to write about something different.

There answer is obviously thanks for the suggestion but I will be writing about what I want to write about.

Is this one really so hard for the parents to figure out.

[gunsequalfreedom]

The problem probably comes from the teachers inability to relate to Christ, so she knows she would be unable to grade the paper.

That's BS. The subject of the composition is not going to affect a teacher's ability to grade for composition.

[Pollster1]

I would accept the teacher's stupid decision and then teach the daughter how the Bible tells her to understand that act of oppression.

Matthew 5:11 - "Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake"

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

John 15:18 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

1 John 3:13 - Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you . . . and many other passages

When life gives you lemons, why not use that as an opportunity to teach the lesson that God's enemies are trying to suppress. It would be indescribably adorable to see this teacher's reaction when she learns that a little 8 y/o girl is using her as an example during recess to show that the Bible is true and that Christians really are persecuted for being God's people.

[Mygirlsmom]

"can't you write about something different?"

Yes, I could, but I won't.

Whenever I worked the concession booth at high school sporting events, (selling Skittles and Gatorade to chillens- gasp!!!) to each kid who asked, "Can I get a ....."(hot dog, candy bar, etc.) I would reply, "I don't know - can you?"