Toronto school bans students from playing with 'hard balls'

Global Toronto ^ | November 16, 2011

[Loyalist]

TORONTO – A Toronto school is no longer allowing children to play with most balls during recess.

Earl Beatty Public School sent a letter to student’s homes on Monday informing them of the decision to ban most balls from use on school grounds.

According to the letter, over the past few weeks, there have been “a few serious incidents of parents, staff and students being hit by a hard ball or nearly being hit by a hard ball” in the schoolyard.

There was no information as to injuries of people hit by hard balls.

The students are still allowed to play with “nerf balls or sponge balls.”

Transcript of the Letter:

Dear Parents/Guardians:

These past few weeks, we have had a few serious incidents, staff and students being hit by a hard ball or nearly being hit by a hard ball in our schoolyard. Despite attempts to control the use of soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and tennis balls and several requests to our students to be careful and mindful of bystanders, we have not been able to ensure the safety of all students and adults.

As a result, starting today, Monday, November 14, 2011, students are not going to be allowed to bring or play with any kind of hard ball to school. Any balls brought will be confiscated and may be retrieved by parents from the office. The only kind of ball allowed will be nerf balls or sponge balls.

We regret that we have had to resort to this measure. We hope that this move will make our schoolyard a safer place to be.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sound-Off

Do you think the school is right to ban kids from playing with "hard balls" while at school? Or does this not let kids enjoy their time playing at school? Let us know what you think on our Global Toronto Facebook page.

© Shaw Media Inc., 2011. All rights reserved.

Read it on Global News: Global Toronto | Toronto school bans students from playing with 'hard balls'

[Loyalist]

Playing hardball over a softball issue shows no balls.

[edpc]

Barney Frank is working with the district as a consultant, since he’s been hit in the face with balls numerous times.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Penn State should take a hint. ;)

[Politicalmom]

A TENNIS BALL!!??

That’s whacked.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Some balls are held for charity
And some for fancy dress
But when they're held for pleasure
They're the balls that I like best
My balls are always bouncing
To the left and to the right
It's my belief that my big balls
Should be held every night

[Buckeye McFrog]

Banning hard balls in Toronto?

Had no idea the School Superintendent used to coach
the Maple Leafs...

[Tenacious 1]

I would love to take this opportunity to bash a bunch of weak-kneed educators. But I suspect there were certain groups of youths that had made it a deliberate sport to “accidentally” hit a teach or recess monitor with a ball.

Points among peers was probably awarded by how authentic the accident looked and how close or how hard the ball hit said accidental target.

One way or another, because they are educators and are not allowed to use judgement, logic or problem solving skills (government workers), they must punish everyone.

[arderkrag]

In a related story, boys are banned from all recess activity.

[real saxophonist]

My first thought as well.

[billorites]

"A TENNIS BALL!!??"

I had tennis elbow once. No fun at all.

[cripplecreek]

Don't mind me. I'm just standing here with my hands in my pockets.

[februus]

All I can say to Toronto is - when they took away ours pucks as kids we used our metal lunch boxes for hockey practice.

Add to list of banned activities:

No Dirt clod wars.

No “skeeching” (hanging from moving car and bus bumpers during snowy weather.)

No “homemade” archery (the fire kind was best.)

No “homemade” C4 (three M-80’s tied together and wrapped in modelling clay.)

Oh, the joys of boyhood never to be seen again wherever the “meddlers” appear and takeover.

[TheOldLady]

Click the Pic               Thank you, JoeProBono

Gary Takes the Pigeon's Advice and Hurries Back to Harriet by FedEx
He Absolutely Has to Get There Overnight!

Follow the Exciting Adventures of Gary the Snail!

Donate Monthly
Sponsors will contribute $10
For each New Monthly Donor

[mmichaels1970]

These past few weeks, we have had a few serious incidents, staff and students being hit by a hard ball or nearly being hit by a hard ball in our schoolyard. Despite attempts to control the use of soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and tennis balls and several requests to our students to be careful and mindful of bystanders, we have not been able to ensure the safety of all students and adults.

I don't have a problem with this. If the kids don't want to listen, you take their toys away. Sounds "old school" to me.

[SkyDancer]

Put your eye out.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

This goes a long way to explain the total failure of the public school system to prepare boys for college. (2/3 of university undergraduates are now female — same sex as over 3/4 of elementary school teachers.)

[Oztrich Boy]

And I'll bet if francophone students wanted to play boule it would be allowed.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

The “kids” might listen to reason. Maybe these “kids” don’t like the “nanny” state.

[mmichaels1970]

The “kids” might listen to reason.

Possibly, but the school says they made repeated attempts to reason with the kids about being careful of bystanders.

Maybe these “kids” don’t like the “nanny” state.

More likely these "kids" like pegging people when they're not looking.

[tnlibertarian]

Chris Matthews is distraught over the news.