A sixth-grader in Sammamish, Washington was expelled from school for giving her teacher a poisoned cookie.
The pupil, from Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School in Sammamish, sprayed the store-bought cookie with dog repellent at home before school, and then replaced it in the box before giving it to the teacher yesterday afternoonAn eight-year-old boy in Mount Clemens, Michigan has been ordered into a sex-offender program:
Authorities said the boy fondled a 7-year-old girl and touched three other 7-year-old girls inappropriately outside their clothing while the children watched "Mary Poppins" at a Mount Clemens school in May.If the 8-year-old is properly treated, he can escape the fate of the Seattle high-school principal who was "reassigned" after harassing an assistant principal
In the sexual harassment allegations against Odoemene, Williams claimed he repeatedly declared his love for her despite her rebuffs, called her at home and suggested they go to Hawaii together.Three counselors at a different Seattle high-school were disciplined for making improper changes to student grades, permitting failing students to graduate:
Strict application of the district's 2.0 GPA requirement for graduation could have meant that more than one-fourth of Franklin's students would not graduate, Raymond said.Which is par for the course, as the number of Washington state high school students who graduate in four years is shrinking
A state report says about 66 percent of Washington students in the class of 2002 graduated four years after starting high school -- a much lower rate than had been reported earlier.The Washington teachers' union is suing to prevent a pay increase (?!) -- but only because they want a bigger pay increase
But the education quagmire will only get worse, because a state judge declared Colorado's new school voucher law unconstitutional
Opponents of the voucher plan, which budget officials estimated would ultimately take $90 million a year out of the participating districts, argue that the loss of that money and the departure of so many students would undermine the public schools.When such a large number of clients are expected to opt out of any institution, it's a clue that the institution deserves to be undermined. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at December 05, 2003 07:00 AM
Wait. Let's not forget the important things teachers do:
A Bethel school music teacher's decision to replace "Christmas" with "winter" in an upcoming concert carol has caused a flap over religious sensitivity this holiday season.
At Clover Creek Elementary, music teacher Mark Denison changed the lyrics in Dale Wood's "Carol from an Irish Cabin" to read: "The harsh wind blows down from the mountains, and blows a white winter to me."
http://www.tribnet.com/news/story/4484636p-4463057c.html
Posted by: jimg on December 5, 2003 02:44 PMHow can you possibly "undermine" schools by reducing the number of students in them, and the funds allocated to educate them? Isn't it a wash?
What a crock.
Posted by: Sage on December 5, 2003 04:38 PMHere's another piece of educational idiocy making the rounds:
Girl Expelled From School - For Possession of Advil
and another:
More PC Lunacy - Language Police at University of Virginia
RE: Christmas vs. Winter carols and concerts
If a question arises concerning songs, phrases, or decorations that refer to Christmas or Christian symbols, I think that students and parents should be asked to provide input and suggestions, and in case of an unresolved issue, should agree to vote on decisions.
I think most people would not be so offended if they felt included in the decision-making; much of the offense comes from automatically
"assuming" everyone should accept certain cultural traditions without considering alternatives.
I think teachers and school staff could still accommodate a balance of both secular and nonsecular traditions, depending on suggestions and preferences expressed by parents and students.
If everyone feels included or represented in some manner, there is less reason to object to the equal inclusion of others with different preferences. Otherwise, it is just as unfair to exclude those who *prefer* traditional "Christmas" culture as it is to impose on those who do not.
Emily Nghiem
Houston, Texas