Part-Time Pundit

that's pretty crappy! My son just got back from Iraq and his debtors were supposed to forgive the debts until he got back. After being gone a year, his phone company was expecting him to pay all kinds of charges for reinstatement fees because after they suspended his accound for 3 months, they started charging him again. I can't believe that things aren't going more smoothly for families who have loved ones over there!

It's pretty sick the kind of treatment our soldiers get... no wonder less people sign up these days.

I have an idea, why don't we get the BlogBurst and our other affliate Blogging groups to do a one day burst on this including the phone numbers and email addresses. Perhaps enough surfers will be just as outraged as we are. It's something to think about.

While not terribly impressed with the 10-day suspension, I've reluctantly got to side with the school on this one.

http://www.murdoconline.net/archives/002298.html

I know that won't be a popular opinion, but I call 'em the way I see 'em.

Uh talking on cells at school is a no-no, I wouldn't care if he was talking to the pope. I think expelling him for the year is way too harsh but there obviously has to be a background on this kid for them to punish him that way.

He's a baby and a whiner. He can take the punishment.

MY RESPONSE: Because apparently the left is upset that kids still want to talk to their parents instead of be raised by the state...

OK, two things (this was on Fox radio earlier).

Kevin (student) did admit that he did act inappropriately when he became "beligerant" (don't know that I would have used that word) and began using profanity, BUT.....

The school has ADMITTED that they knew the phone call was from his mother, and that they KNEW she was deployed to Iraq.

Personally, this is more about the "zero tolerance" that schools have now. It's almost saying that chewing gum (if against the rules) will earn the same punishment as assault. What ever happened to people USING COMMON SENSE and saying "we're sorry about hanging up on your mother, but you did act badly, so it's 2 days in detention"?

Sorry, just not feeling this one. There were rules, he broke the rules, they followed through with consequences.

If the cell phone rule is wrong than the parents need to come together, become involved, and get it changed. For Everyone.

It was not too long ago that cells were not the norm. During Desert Storm should the family of soldiers been allowed to accept calls from parents overseas? Had the office page them? Sure, it would have been inconvenient, but if they supported the troops...

The best thing that can be done for students is to educate them, and have them leave the outside world at the door (as much as possible.)

Looks like she has been bombarded. This is what I get when trying to send Super Olivia an email...

Delivery unsuccessful: Mailbox has exceeded the limit

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----

The size of this mailbox has exceeded the mailbox limit

The problem is that the "official policy" of the ISD in this case (as I understand it), is that it's OK to have the cell phone, but not ok to just "chat". They are for emergencies only. From what I gather here, this was the first time there was a problem with this student and a cell phone, which either means that he just doesn't take calls (unlikely as he did take a call), or people know it's not OK to call him during school hours. He did inform the teacher that the phone call was from his mother who is in Iraq, but the teacher then TOOK the phone away from him. That's a no-no in my book. If the student will not hang up, you then call for the Vice Principal or Principal or some other member of the administration, you DO NOT take matters into your own hands and TAKE an object away from a student!

I did my time in the service at an age just over that little kid. And I didn't call whining to Mommy and tell my CO that excused me from policies. The kid's a little wimp and taking advantage of the situation. You people need to stop babying and overmothering young men.

Big deal, his mom is deployed. You know being deployed, even deployed to a dangerous region is not a first of a time thing. It's happened before. Jeezuz. She wasn't dying on the other end.

Smoke, why is it ok for an administration member to take the phone and not a teacher. Should a teacher need to grasp for someone else every time she enforces a rule. Perhaps sergeants or captains should not eneforce rules, but call for a JAG. Sheesh.

Lessee. The school had a very clear rule about cell phones. The student knew it. The mom should have known it. The student wanted to be the exception to the rule even though, probably, the school has a high population of kids with parents in Iraq since it serves a major military base. Student argues, throws tantrum, and cusses. Student asked to give up the phone for the day (which he isn't allowed to use anyway) and accept a three day suspension (which will let him come back Monday)...student tells principle to fuck off. Student gets a ten-day suspension for foul language.

Result...people across the country rush to the defense of the poor 17 year old brat.

sigh, whatever happened to the old idea of personal responsibility?

As a middle school teacher in a high risk area, I can tell you that schools have enough problems trying to enforce their rules without the entire country throwing up their arms and forming an opinion about a situation they no nothing about. Kevin broke a school rule -- one he says he was aware of -- and should have been made to pay the consequences without interference from the every Tom, Dick and Harry screaming about un-patriot like behavior. Schools have no gun and no drug policies -- should they be shamed into changing the consequences of these rules because a student has a parent in Iraq? It's my opinion that the real question should be why is his mom in Iraq in the first place? I'm assuming she's a single parent if his aunt is his guardian. Why is the government sending single parents to war? She should be based on US soil so she can be with her son -- not talking to him on a cell phone.

Stephanie: No. Why single parents are being sent to Iraq is NOT the question. and NO the US should not arrange for shore-basing for this lady. If she's not deployable, she needs to be OUT OF THE SERVICE.

Hi, I am one of Kevin's teachers. I sympathize with Kevin, if that was his mother that called. Unfortunately, nearly every student has a cell phone in class and half of our students here at Spencer have parents in the military. Many of those parents are in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have a hard enough time preparing them for life as an adult without my students answering cell phones in class, lunch or on campus, regardless of who it might be. I would think a reasonable adult could understand this. I support my administration and their decisions. If his mother wants to talk to Kevin during school hours she can call the office so we know it's a legitimate call. Kevin can be called into the office very quickly and efficiently.

To the best of my knowledge (which is better than the general public's in this situation), Kevin was disciplined because of his uncontrolled behavior afterwards, not because of his phone call. Kevin was suspended 3 days instead of 10. And, he was back in class today where I agree he is supposed to be. We all have situations from time to time that require special attention. Kevin, along with the rest of us, needs to make sure to keep a calm attitude and be constructive. That's what we're hoping to teach our students.

Sincerely, Kevin's Science Teacher

I have sent a follwing email to the following persons. I got responses (positive) only from 2 of them.

orutledge@mcsdga.net, state.board@doe.k12.ga.us, JWW99, amh@romega.com, jebostic@gapac.com, Berrysjoy, BBryant911, psn1100@bellsouth.net, lindazechmann@wayxcable.com, jphillips@mcsdga.net, aparham@mcsdga.net, wturner@mcsdga.net, dcooper@mcsdga.net, eharrsion@mcsdga.net, ktessin@mcsdga.net, blangston@mcsdga.net, mmeltzer@mcsdga.net, mingersoll@mcsdga.net, kgriggs@mscdga.net, eobleton@mcsdga.net, mlee@mcsdga.net, creynolds@mcsdga.net, lmassey@mcsdga.net, bjmcbride@mcsdga.net, bkendall@mcsdga.net, tdavis@mcsdga.net, polleys_marysue@colstate.edu, walker.j@mindspring.com, phugley@compuserve.com, jwells@knology.net, buckner.n@earthlink.net, whitesidef@mindspring.com, Wbs1980, joeroberson@knology.net, mmullinax@mcsdga.net, cpough@mcsdga.net, philip.schley@crhs.net, dparker@mcsdga.net, jeh@hatcherstubbs.com, kpjones@mcsdga.net, wcline@mcsdga.net

Hi

I both read and heard the news of the suspension of a student from Spencer High School both from the Internet and the television.

While I will not allow any kid to use profanity under any circumstances and difficulties that a person maybe, we all grownups have to realize what stress these kids are under when they are separated from their parents, and especially when you can't hug or easily talk to your dear ones. And to know that at the back your mind is a possibility that your dear one is in harm way out there in a foreign land. With all those reported roadside blasts happening almost everyday out there in Iraq, who knows who is the next possible victim.

So when you are desperately trying to make sure to hear the voice of your dear ones at any time, given a chance, you sometimes do not realize where you are when replying to those phone calls. You become mesmerized with the voice of your dear ones. And now comes somebody interrupting your link with your dear one. One can never predict what your reaction will be - defensive of course - that's the best one can think of.

Given these circumstances especially if the teacher knew where the call originated from, that teacher should have been more respectful to the needs of that student who was trying to foster and savour a link with his mum - mum who had to leave her dear ones at home to go to serve her country so that she may protect our freedom here at home. I do not believe the teacher did not realize where the call was from - especially if the teacher would have waited a few seconds to make out the origin of the call lets say by eavesdropping on the conversation.

I think the teacher who confronted the student lacks sensitivity training and should be immediately sent for one. For had he/she known how to handle such a situation, I feel the student would not have reacted the way he did. I can understand the pressures the teachers are under at most times. But sometimes it pays to give a few seconds to cool off (let's say count to hundred) before reacting to such situations including dragging the student to the office.

I am sure the school district has gotten a lot of unwarranted publicity and thereby exposing the school kids to unnecessary media attention from the whole nation. All this would not have happened had the staff concerned acted in an adult manner and as a friend and a mentor to students in your school. You all would never have heard from me in a million years. And that's my reason for suggesting extra sensitivity training for the staff concerned.

Please remember I am in no way condoning the behavior of the student in question. But all could have been avoided. We adults have to teach and guide our juniors in a proper and fashionable manner. When the news broke out my kids (I have 4 of them and all between the range of 17 - 23) were shocked at the way the school reacted. I sit with them on occasions and discuss matters of interest with them. Some times it pays to talk to your kids on matters of how parents and kids should interact among themselves.

Please treat this email in the same spirit as it sent out - a mere process of learning and finding out how the other side feels and reacts and and wants to be treated.

Thanking you all in spending some time with me.

Have a nice day and cheer up. Its not the end of the world.

hgi
NY

I think the unreal attitude is manifested throughout the school board.
This is from the treasurer. I think it speaks to how and why the staff acted as they did. Well, maybe it does!
Dear Mr. Petersen,
I am truly disgusted at your inattentiveness to the situation. Do you not
bother to continue reading the news after your knee-jerk reaction?

We have allowed Kevin to return to classes, provided he gives a full apology
to the officials involved and has agreed to wash their cars each weekend for
the remainder of the school year. He will also mow the grass on the school
grounds. I think you will agree this is a considerable savings to our
taxpayers.

Furthermore, we have exacted a promise from his mother that she will no
longer attempt to call her potty-mouthed son while he is at school. In order
to aid her in this attempt, we have sent her a clock set to our local time.
We have also delineated school hours on the clock face using an indelible
marker, next to which we have written "Don't call now!" All of our officials
agreed that this was prudent, as Sgt Bates seems unable to subtract 8 hours
from her current time. Additionally, we have removed the minute hand to
prevent Sgt Bates from calling at a quarter-past every hour.

Of course, had she been better in math she might have gotten a job in the
private sector and saved us all a lot of trouble.

Now, as to our selection of school officials, may I assume that you're
offering yourself for employment? I believe we may be in need of someone
who feels motivated to action based on the word of a talk-radio host milking
this story in an effort to boost his ratings at the expense of well-qualified
educators. I urge you to contact our hiring office immediately; we need
someone ready to sprinkle pink powder on vomit wherever it occurs, and you
seem uniquely qualified.

With regards,
D. Parker
dparker@mindspring.com

On Tue, 10 May 2005, Petersen, David wrote:

> Dear Del Parker,
> http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/11575912.htm
> I sincerely hope that you and your fellow board members have a plan where by this travesity of justice can be undone.
> I find it very hard to believe that any school which is located so closely to, and affiliated with, a military base, would not be aware of the tremendous sacrifice being given by the personnel assigned to that base and the sacrifice being borne by their dependants.
> I find it hard to believe that there was an adult, let alone a school staff member, who acted with such a callous lack of forethought.
> Do you not screen and select your management staff better than this?
> Or is this evidence of a bigger and more systemic problem in your school district?
> I am sure there are very many service personnel in your district who will be watching to see how you remedy this situation.
> I think you need to apologize to the young man, his mother and to the school population as a whole for putting them in a command structure which is devoid of good judgement.
> I'm sure you are aware that a very large number of people, all across the United States, are watching to see what you do to rectify this situation.
> I sincerely wish you God Speed and good insight.
> It is obvious that the latter is lacking in your appointments.
> Thank you.
> Yours truly,
> Dave Petersen

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