Illinois middle school bans public displays of affection; parents urge change
updated 8:57 p.m. CT, Tues., Nov. 6, 2007 MASCOUTAH, Ill. - 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.”
Parents urge change in policy 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.
Just another stupid story. They should be able to kill each other playing dodgeball with the teams being pro-choice versus pro-life and then hug and be friends again after its all over. Oh yeah, all while praying if they so desire.
At my grade school/middle school when I went there they frowned down upon PDA, but didn't do anything. Apparently nowadays you can't even high-five your buddy in the halls. They also, tried to implement no talking in the halls, but that failed. I used to hear all the complaints from my players when I coached 7th, and 8th grade soccer for the school. So, I went and talked to one of my old teachers about it, who has been there for years, and even she said it's ridiculous. Grade school must just blow these days. You can't give high-fives, play tag, throw snowballs, play king-of-the-hill, I bet you can't even play Boys vs. Girls.....
joelamosobadiah wrote:Just another stupid story. They should be able to kill each other playing dodgeball with the teams being pro-choice versus pro-life and then hug and be friends again after its all over. Oh yeah, all while praying if they so desire.
And don't forget, neither team loses the game. They are all winners.
I am the Reaper of Men, The Chaser of Souls, The Weaver of Nightmares, I am The Heart of Darkness. I now, and ever will be, The Purity of Evil.
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