Posted on 06/16/2009 12:36:51 PM PDT by rawhide
After the ceremonies my son found the diplomas in the common area distributed them to the rightful owners and they walked out the door......
We all can be guilty of that. My larger point is that if the mother and son signed an agreement forswearing whatever it defines as “disruptive” behavior - then the son commits an act of what the school believes to be “disruptive” - the mother’s actions in trying to override said agreement sends the wrong message to the son. In my view, that’s a big problem in our society - the lack of accountability.
I don't disagree. But clearly, there is a difference of opinion as to whether the behavior was a violation of the contract or not.
I wonder if the administrator who refused to give the kid his diploma (and thus caused his own disruption) would be willing to bet his job on the judgment of the courts on whether the contract was violated or not.
Further, since the administrator caused his own disruption, shouldn't he be disciplined by the school system? I certainly believe so. He caused more of a disruption than the kid did.
Neither of us was there, so we rely on the reported account that may or may not be accurate. So, who knows. I’m inclined to side with the school system, especially given the mother’s obvious vacuity in expression and her apparent willingness to abrogate terms of previous agreement with the school.
This situation reminds me of one we had in the Chicago area recently where a mother who was late to her son’s graduation raised a ruckus after not be admitted, despite knowing in advance that the doors would be closed for further admittance at a certain time. Again, lack of accountability. Where does it end?
Except it doesn't look like the mother is trying to "override" any agreement. Just because the mother and son signed an agreement prohibiting "disruptive" behavior does not necessarily give the school the power to arbitrarily decide what is "disruptive." The mother is not trying to override the agreement, she is simply arguing that her son's conduct did not violate the agreement. How does arguing against the arbitrary actions of government officials "send[] the wrong message to the son" or show a "lack of accountability"?
First, there is video of this incident, so we’re not just relying on the reported account. From the video, the kid’s behavior looks no worse than what you will see at any graduation ceremony. He blew a kiss, and pointed at his friends. It’s a celebration, the kid was happy/proud, and he showed it in an entirely nondisruptive manner.
Second, where are you getting that this mother wants to “abrogate terms of [a] previous agreement with the school”? Arguing that conduct does not violate an agreement IS NOT “abrogating” that agreement.
Actually he was blowing a kiss at 2 queers across the way,,,,,QUICK!! STAT!!! SHAKE A LEG!! FIND THIS KIDS DIPLOMA!!!! GET TO HIM TOUT SUITE!!!
I tend to side with the student and parent, especially given the nonsensical nature of public schools these days. Two words “Zero tolerance”. We know how silly the public schools have been around that issue.
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