Terry Looper
Posted on 11/04/2005 3:03:19 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
Terry Looper
Corporal punishment hasn't been used at Cascade High School for more than a decade, according to the principal. Meanwhile, paddling "has its place" at Shelbyville Central High School, the principal said this week, but he doesn't do it and the only instances of paddling there have been in the vocational part of the school. Cascade Principal Terry Looper and Central Principal Don Embry spoke about corporal punishment on Wednesday and Thursday on a condition that it be made clear: They're not commenting on what's alleged at Community High School.
"Child abuse" is what a Smyrna doctor wrote as her diagnosis for a Community High School boy whose parents say bruising on his backside is a result of paddling by the school's vice principal. Neither principal was asked about Community High School. What's done at the other high schools was sought for perspective. Corporal punishment "has its place when used properly, when used under the guidelines and policy of the Board of Education," Embry said. "However, I personally choose not to administer corporal punishment. "We try to find other ways to work with students to deal with problems that do not involve corporal punishment," he said.
Other "corrective measures" at Central include detention hall during and after school and suspension, the later being used if, for example, a student brings marijuana to school. But then, other issues are raised, parents are brought in and legal issues may have to be addressed. A student disciplinary board hearing might be convened at the school system's central office, a measure that Embry and Looper both mentioned as an avenue for the administration of discipline in schools. Truancy and leaving a classroom without permission were two examples Embry named as examples of infractions that resulted in paddling in recent years.
Embry doesn't like to administer corporal punishment out of "personal choice," he said. Still, he acknowledges there are various factors affecting decisions on whether paddling should be used. "You have to look at the age of the student," Embry said. "Many times when they get to high school age, paddling is ineffective." He also recognizes that out-of-school suspension can be counterproductive. The suspension rate is going to affect attendance and that's a factor examined by the new federal law, No Child Left Behind, which judges schools on how effective they are in teaching students. Nevertheless, Embry says that may not be an issue with paddling.
"I would equate in-school suspension to corporal punishment," Embry said. If a child breaks school rules in such a way as to warrant out-of-school suspension, then the attendance rate is affected and that may influence a school's rating under the federal law. Embry elaborated, "Regular send-home suspension is a result of an infraction that's greater than what's to be punished by corporal punishment." Fighting in school is an infraction that could lead to suspension out of school, he said. Truancy is an offense that leads to in-school suspension. "We feel like we've got a well-run school, not to say we don't have problems," Embry said. "We do a tremendous amount of counseling with students."
Some parents endorse use of corporal punishment, he said. Those who write letters saying they don't want it used have that request honored. "The last time I paddled a child was in 1996," Embry said, recalling when he was a vice principal. At Cascade, Looper had a little trouble remembering the last time he administered corporal punishment. It was probably shortly after he became the principal at Cascade more than a decade ago. He does remember having paddled before that, "Way back, years ago when I was teaching in the classroom." But years ago, Looper brought his faculty together to develop a plan for discipline. "We worked real hard as faculty and staff on a discipline plan and we just don't have it [corporal punishment] in our plan," Looper said.
The plan includes a flow chart that outlines what happens at different stages of the plan to correct behavior. It includes what might be called a contract with the student so they know what's expected. Progress is monitored and parents are included at various points. The academic discipline plan was developed and has been redeveloped over the years, but it's all followed one decision by Looper himself. "I just decided we wouldn't do it," he said.
For these principals to even make these kinds of comments AT ALL while the case is ongoing is indicative of the politics in Bedford County. Both men should make NO comment at all until the case is resolved. They appear to be trying to deflect any investigation or criticism away from their schools.
Child Abuse , bruises on backside? Is it child abuse when a student gets bruises on backside from football or baseball?
What about abusing ones right to an education?
Such discipline is good if it is reasonable, administered in front of another teacher as a witness.
It is wrong of it is unreasonable, done in private without a witness, or in front of peers.
Paddle those who earn it.
For Students who come from homes where corporal punishment is never used: Welcome to the World. It bites you if you get to far out of line. Learn to deal with the world as it is ( much wisdom in this slogan).
If you have to paddle kids in HS, it is way too late.
Then again, anyone who sends a kid to a school where the principle cannot expel a kid is a fool.
If there's any paddling to be done, I'll do it.
My children's teachers are a very smart lot and have a ton of disciplinary tools and tricks that don't involve corporal punishment.
(or at least don't leave any marks!)
Where are these people?
What is going on at Cascade High School?
When did it happen?
And......
Why am I even asking?
Not to worry!
This kid will be probably be dead of something before he
is old enough to graduate.
The heart of a child is full of iniquity. You must drive it from him using the rod of correction.
Read your Bible, it's in there.
Check your concordance. I don't have time right now.
In the future, I'll execute your kid through the parameters of the law. And, I don't own a house.
Where are these people?
What is going on at Cascade High School?
When did it happen?
And......
Why am I even asking?
1. Administrators at different schools in the Bedford County, TN School District.
2. Bedford County, TN -- about 55 miles southeast of Nashville, TN -- County Seat = Shelbyville, TN
3. Cascade High School is run by the individual pictured at the beginning of this article. Terry Looper is a real character. Should be interviewed extensively by the media to see what he believes about education and how he believes discipline should be administered and how the school is functioning since he took over after Hal Skelton left (Skelton was VERY strict and the school ran smoothly).
4. I don't know. WHY are you asking?
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you beat him with the rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
Either the above is true or God is a liar. Looper doesn't have a clue and many others in our society don't don't either.
Sounds like a plan.
As it happens I have one in mind tonight.
Private message me!
No need exists to private message you. If you don't control your child and he pulls the appropriate stunt per the law, (s)he will be executed. No apologies. Story after story exists of children who were never disciplined who end up murdering someone. When they do, the law in Texas provides for correction.
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