After dad's murder, grieving boy's bloodshot eyes get him suspended

[dementedeeyore]

Check out the video:
http://faultlineusa.blogspot.com/2010/09/worst-school-system-in-us.html

California may be considering the full legalization of marijuana, but in Texas, a student was recently suspended from school for having red eyes.  In Trophy Club, Texas, 16-year-old Kyler Robertson chose to attend classes just two days after his father was stabbed to death. His mother had urged the grief-stricken boy to stay home, according to a report on the local Fox News station, but Kyler said he wanted the comfort of his friends.

Administrators at Byron Nelson High School didn’t let the boy stay on campus for long. Because of his irritated eyes and, they claimed, the smell of marijuana on his clothes, school officials said they suspected Kyler of using marijuana and sent him home Tuesday with a three-day suspension. The school said it would lift the suspension within two hours if Kyler passed a drug test — which he did. (More on Healthland: Find out why some state sheriffs want to know what drugs you’re taking)

Kyler’s mother says she had notified school officials and her son’s teachers about her husband’s murder.

Drug use at school can certainly cause problems– but zero-tolerance policies like Byron Nelson’s aren’t the solution. They tend to be ineffective– or even counterproductive. Research shows that students who feel closely connected to a school community are less likely to have drug problems, and zero-tolerance policies have been found to reduce school connectedness.

Worse, Byron Nelson’s policy seems to controvert the notion of innocent until proven guilty — and the idea that people should be treated with common sense and decency. (One has to wonder, too, whether it’s worth sullying a student’s academic record because he might have smoked pot two days after his father was stabbed to death.)

If the school had been concerned for his safety, it seems to me that a trip to the hospital would have been their best bet. If his emotional health were the problem, being sent to a school counselor’s office might be advised. Or maybe someone could have given the kid a hug and the chance to talk to a trusted teacher.

The next Trophy Club kid who loses a parent probably won’t be seeking solace at school, but at least the local stoners won’t reject him for showing normal signs of sadness.


Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/14/whos-high-a-school-suspends-a-student-for-bloodshot-eyes/?hpt=T2#ixzz0zXW1sjiD

http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/14/whos-high-a-school-suspends-a-student-for-bloodshot-eyes/?hpt=T2

[irishkat]

Yeah, I read this.  Zero tolerence is way stupid.  That's when stupid shit like this happens.  Poor kid 

[Bella]

[ZoMyGoddess!]

Teachers aren't legally allowed to hug their students, so a hug is out of the question. At least that's what I have been told.

This is a sad story. Here, all you can do is drug test them, you can't kick them out of school or suspend them before the results of the drug test. Here, if a kid falls asleep in class you can request a drug test.
It's pretty ridiculous. 

[dementedeeyore]

But my thing with it is that it doesn't say anywhere that he was acting intoxicated. I mean, bloodshot eyes, really? Why couldn't they just pull him into a counselor's office and speak to him one on one about what might or might not be going on in his life? Maybe then do a drug test if suspicion persists. Can they do those little stick tests on the spot for an indication? I mean, in a case like this?

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=dementedeeyore link=topic=26956.msg1714657#msg1714657 date=1284497831]
Drug use at school can certainly cause problems– but zero-tolerance policies like Byron Nelson’s aren’t the solution. They tend to be ineffective– or even counterproductive. Research shows that students who feel closely connected to a school community are less likely to have drug problems, and zero-tolerance policies have been found to reduce school connectedness.

Worse, Byron Nelson’s policy seems to controvert the notion of innocent until proven guilty — and the idea that people should be treated with common sense and decency. (One has to wonder, too, whether it’s worth sullying a student’s academic record because he might have smoked pot two days after his father was stabbed to death.)
[/quote]
Holy shit is this person spot on.


[quote author=ZoMyGoddess! link=topic=26956.msg1714685#msg1714685 date=1284500153]
Teachers aren't legally allowed to hug their students, so a hug is out of the question. At least that's what I have been told.

This is a sad story. Here, all you can do is drug test them, you can't kick them out of school or suspend them before the results of the drug test. Here, if a kid falls asleep in class you can request a drug test.
It's pretty ridiculous.  
[/quote]
What if they're crying and hug you?

And I see how that sleep thing may seem ridiculous, but when a policy like that is used by people with discretion and common sense it won't end up seeming retarded.

[Bella]

[quote author=ZoMyGoddess! link=topic=26956.msg1714685#msg1714685 date=1284500153]
Teachers aren't legally allowed to hug their students, so a hug is out of the question. At least that's what I have been told.

This is a sad story. Here, all you can do is drug test them, you can't kick them out of school or suspend them before the results of the drug test. Here, if a kid falls asleep in class you can request a drug test.
It's pretty ridiculous. 
[/quote]


:x SUCH bullshit. I can understand why, with pervy people in the world and all. But, ffs. I got spanked with a damn board in school for getting a B on a reading test.  :roll:

Now no spanking, no hugging.    What kind of children are we going to crank out?  

Shame on the people that suspended this grieving student, as well.  :-(

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=GothaBella link=topic=26956.msg1714701#msg1714701 date=1284501474]

:x SUCH bullshit. I can understand why, with pervy people in the world and all. But, ffs. I got spanked with a damn board in school for getting a B on a reading test.  :roll:

Now no spanking, no hugging.    What kind of children are we going to crank out? 

Shame on the people that suspended this grieving student, as well.  :-(
[/quote]
Seriously. Even if he did smoke, who gives a shit?

[Tikaraa]

Wow...  that poor kid.  I can only imagine what he is going through.  When your already emotionally damaged even small things can be the straw that broke the camel's back. 

My junior year of highschool my mother had to have open heart surgery.  I was living away from home at the time so had to take 2 weeks out of school to be with her.  I found out when I got back that my boyfriend at the time had been messing around with one of my roommates.  That in itself was almost enough to make me not want to deal with the crap but hell...  that was so mild compared to what this kid is going through.  You would think considering his situation they would of taken different steps to handle their suspicions rather to punish before finding out if their assumptions are right or wrong.

@ Gotha -- I remember my grandmother spanking me in the first grade because I kept forgetting how to read/say the words in my reading book (Those silly see Spot run types.)  I kept forgetting how to read the girls name and would get caught up in the word "all" constantly.  She thought I was being lazy and that was the way to fix it.

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=Tikaraa link=topic=26956.msg1714712#msg1714712 date=1284505785]
Wow...  that poor kid.  I can only imagine what he is going through.  When your already emotionally damaged even small things can be the straw that broke the camel's back. 

My junior year of highschool my mother had to have open heart surgery.  I was living away from home at the time so had to take 2 weeks out of school to be with her.  I found out when I got back that my boyfriend at the time had been messing around with one of my roommates.  That in itself was almost enough to make me not want to deal with the crap but hell...  that was so mild compared to what this kid is going through.  You would think considering his situation they would of taken different steps to handle their suspicions rather to punish before finding out if their assumptions are right or wrong.

@ Gotha -- I remember my grandmother spanking me in the first grade because I kept forgetting how to read/say the words in my reading book (Those silly see Spot run types.)  I kept forgetting how to read the girls name and would get caught up in the word "all" constantly.  She thought I was being lazy and that was the way to fix it.
[/quote]
Your writing looks pretty good to me.

[Tikaraa]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=26956.msg1714715#msg1714715 date=1284506144]
Your writing looks pretty good to me.
[/quote]

Doubt it's due to being spanked though.  Being pushed and having someone stay behind me to make sure I didn't just toss my work aside definitely helped.  We moved away from her when I was in the second grade and by then I had a good grasp on reading and actually loved it.  I pretty much just ate books up and the library was one of my favorite places.  But my math grades suffered terribly because my mom didn't stay behind me the way my grandmother did and as someone that hated math I did as little as possible to pass.  Then comes highschool and I had to take Algebra twice and once I hit college I was in really bad shape.

But no I definitely don't believe that spanking a child is bad.  As long as that sort of physical punishment is done in moderation. (No beating)  My sister lets her kids run around and do as they please making any guests uncomfortable in her house so they avoid visiting as much as possible.  Her 3 year old girl will have a tantrum if you don't open a pack of gummies for her right away when she brings them to you and once you do get them open she will dump them on the floor in a rage.  The way she solves it is to throw those away and open another pack for her.  I can only imagine how she is going to act when she starts pre-school and kinder.

[Bella]

[quote author=Tikaraa link=topic=26956.msg1714712#msg1714712 date=1284505785]

@ Gotha -- I remember my grandmother spanking me in the first grade because I kept forgetting how to read/say the words in my reading book (Those silly see Spot run types.)  I kept forgetting how to read the girls name and would get caught up in the word "all" constantly.  She thought I was being lazy and that was the way to fix it.
[/quote]


They should have made it more interesting for us. 

[Tikaraa]

[quote author=GothaBella link=topic=26956.msg1714743#msg1714743 date=1284508171]

They should have made it more interesting for us. 



[/quote]
ROFL!  My grandmother would of so been screaming about the Devil's work and start a book burning in our front yard!
At least I would of had an excuse for not being able to read haha!

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=26956.msg1714696#msg1714696 date=1284501226]
Holy shit is this person spot on.

What if they're crying and hug you?


[/quote]

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/103252/4yearold_suspended_for_hugging_teachers.html?cat=2 5

School officials from the La Vega school district in the state of Texas recently suspended a four-year-old boy for hugging a teacher's aide.

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=26956.msg1714828#msg1714828 date=1284513859]
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/103252/4yearold_suspended_for_hugging_teachers.html?cat=2 5

School officials from the La Vega school district in the state of Texas recently suspended a four-year-old boy for hugging a teacher's aide.
[/quote]
Well, Texas has officially jumped the shark.

[dementedeeyore]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=26956.msg1714828#msg1714828 date=1284513859]
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/103252/4yearold_suspended_for_hugging_teachers.html?cat=2 5

School officials from the La Vega school district in the state of Texas recently suspended a four-year-old boy for hugging a teacher's aide.
[/quote]
I remember that. It was back in 2006 or so. That town is a little up the interstate from me and that was all over the news. What the hell is the matter with people? He was just a little boy!

[dementedeeyore]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=26956.msg1714845#msg1714845 date=1284514887]
Well, Texas has officially jumped the shark.
[/quote]

:hitwitrock:
Hey!!! Some of us down here still kick ass. I don't know why I'm arguing; I hate it here.

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=dementedeeyore link=topic=26956.msg1714847#msg1714847 date=1284515029]
:hitwitrock:
Hey!!! Some of us down here still kick ass. I don't know why I'm arguing; I hate it here.
[/quote]
And it's hot too. :2eyesbleed:

[Bella]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=26956.msg1714828#msg1714828 date=1284513859]
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/103252/4yearold_suspended_for_hugging_teachers.html?cat=2 5

School officials from the La Vega school district in the state of Texas recently suspended a four-year-old boy for hugging a teacher's aide.
[/quote]



My son would have been OUT. In kindergarten, he hugged the teacher, the students, and the male and female crossing guards
That article just blows my mind. WTF is wrong to being kind to others, and showing you really care?  Especially at that age?



To keep on topic:
If anything, this kid should have gotten an award for going to school after his father was murdered-his mother as well.
If my husband was murdered, my kids wouldn't be in school for a while. Despite the possibility that I might end up in jail, as per today's rules.

[dementedeeyore]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=26956.msg1714854#msg1714854 date=1284515876]
And it's hot too. :2eyesbleed:
[/quote]

 Stupid hot.

[dementedeeyore]

[quote author=GothaBella link=topic=26956.msg1714861#msg1714861 date=1284516471]


My son would have been OUT. In kindergarten, he hugged the teacher, the students, and the male and female crossing guards
That article just blows my mind. WTF is wrong to being kind to others, and showing you really care?  Especially at that age?



To keep on topic:
If anything, this kid should have gotten an award for going to school after his father was murdered-his mother as well.
If my husband was murdered, my kids wouldn't be in school for a while. Despite the possibility that I might end up in jail, as per today's rules.
[/quote]

I know what you mean. My kids were out for a whole week when their grandfather died. We just needed the family time. I can't imagine going back so soon, but lord knows it's different for everyone.

[Bella]

[quote author=dementedeeyore link=topic=26956.msg1714865#msg1714865 date=1284516896]
I know what you mean. My kids were out for a whole week when their grandfather died. We just needed the family time. I can't imagine going back so soon, but lord knows it's different for everyone.
[/quote]


It IS different for everyone. From my perspective, that mom is a strong woman. No way I would be doing that. I am overly sensitive, and I would want to protect myself as well as my kids.


On a side note  now my husband and I are talking about the differences that have happened between both of us, and our kids.  Colecovision > PS3.


  How about outhouses > everything else??  :lol:  It WAS a simpler life.

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=GothaBella link=topic=26956.msg1714861#msg1714861 date=1284516471]


My son would have been OUT. In kindergarten, he hugged the teacher, the students, and the male and female crossing guards
That article just blows my mind. WTF is wrong to being kind to others, and showing you really care?  Especially at that age?



To keep on topic:
If anything, this kid should have gotten an award for going to school after his father was murdered-his mother as well.
If my husband was murdered, my kids wouldn't be in school for a while. Despite the possibility that I might end up in jail, as per today's rules.
[/quote]

Kari went back to school the day after her dad died. She wanted to go and I couldn't see any reason to stop her.

[sogs]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=26956.msg1714875#msg1714875 date=1284517469]
Kari went back to school the day after her dad died. She wanted to go and I couldn't see any reason to stop her.
[/quote]

The kid did the same... the reason not to was because some  asshats in power will suspend you for grieving and having allergies.

After this I know if I have kids I dont want them in school here.

[Bella]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=26956.msg1714875#msg1714875 date=1284517469]
Kari went back to school the day after her dad died. She wanted to go and I couldn't see any reason to stop her.
[/quote]



That was probably good for Kari. You KNEW that, and it probably WAS best for her.

Me? No.

I missed two days of school because Charlotte's Web pretty much crippled me. omfg, the sound of Wilbur's voice calling for Charlotte is how I felt about my dad being gone.    I still [s]can't[/s] won't watch it. I would imagine the new one would be horrifying to me.