Martinsville High School Student Chokes to Death at School (Teacher prevented 911 call)

WISH Channel 8 TV ^ | 3/10/06

[wintertime]

Government schools at their worst......

I must agree with Amelia on this one. We don't know the whole story.

Hopefully,,,,,as a result of this tragedy all teachers will learn CPR and first aid.

Hopefully,,,,as a result of this tragedy all student will learn CPR and first aid as well.

[OldFriend]

Even abandoned 911 calls are recorded.

This is just the saddest story and removes any last vestige of respect the kids might have for their teacher.

[OldFriend]

Whatever the cause of death, this story regarding the teacher shutting the cell phone, is inexcusable.

[ArmyTeach]

Thank you for your reply! Because the curriculum is flexible doesn't mean that students can do what they want. Before the school year begins the entering student has an interview with his teacher where appropriate behaviors are clearly explained and the child understands that he won't be allowed to stay in their school if behavior becomes a problem. All this is done not harshly, although it sounds like it, but very lovingly. The children's work is set out for them in their personal folder each week and they are expected to complete it, but they can set their own time. Because the part of the lessons are flexible and individualized, each child can work at his own level. There is weekly communication between the teacher and the parent concerning the child's work and progress.
Someone with more knowledge about Montessori can chime in and correct me. I just know that I'm impressed.

[SerpentDove]

>>I don't want to be rude, so I am apologizing for this in advance.

I don't buy your story. Perhaps there is more to the story, perhaps you left out some important detail inadvertently, but I do not believe a first grader was suspended for the chain on a Tweety-Bird key chain.

I am not calling you a liar, but without a reliable source I can not believe your story. <<

Apology accepted.

[dpa5923]

Sorry guy,

But your story was not even close.

Reminds me of the little first grade girl who was kicked out of school for a weapons violation. She brought a chain to school, and chains are not allowed.

Actually, it was the tiny chain on her Tweety Bird keychain, but a weapon is a weapon is a weapon: zero tolerance.

Actually, it was a sixth grader, the chain was 10 inches long and was used to attach keys to her wallet. The fact she chose to place a Tweety Bird key ring to the chain does not make it a Tweety Bird Key chain.

Although I love Freerepublic, I hate when people distort a story to try and make a point.

Should the girl with the 10 inch chain have been suspended for 10 days even though she, along with all the other students in her class, warned not to bring chains to school?

Open to debate.

Was this girl a first grader who brought a little Tweety Bird keychain to class and was suspended for it?

Nope, not even close.

[Blue Jays]

Hi dpa5923-

Two photographs of the actual TweetyBird wallet, chain, and keyring were pinged to you above, complete with "Ashley" inscriptions in black marker. Are you inclined to identify any or all of these three items as weapons?

~ Blue Jays ~

[SerpentDove]

>>Sorry guy, But your story was not even close. (snip) Actually, it was a sixth grader, the chain was 10 inches long and was used to attach keys to her wallet. The fact she chose to place a Tweety Bird key ring to the chain does not make it a Tweety Bird Key chain. Although I love Freerepublic, I hate when people distort a story to try and make a point.<< Let's tell the truth here. Although I missed details, relying on my aging memory alone, my point remains. The girt brought a chain, attached to her tweety Bird keychain, to help her hold the keys on her keychain. The fact that she was a sixth grader rather than a first grader is irrelevant. So what? I make no apology with my overall point, which is that any time the letter of the law is applied with no regard to what common sense dictates, bad things are prone to happen. Do you honestly think this is a weapon? Do you? Do you? If you do, let me say with no uncertainty, without fear of contradiction: that is absolutely asinine and stupidity to the "nth" power. Another truth: although you tried to make some lame disclaimer at the outset, you have called me a liar, and further underscored that accusation with the post above. I am no liar, and your accusation is not appreciated. I resent it very much. I have no respect for people such as yourself, who assault the integrity of others for no good reason, just to win an argument. You have accused me of intentionally distorting facts for the purpose of making my point. That is a false charge, and I will accept your genuine apology if you ever summons the character necessary to make it. Any time someone prefaces something by saying, "I'm not trying to be rude, but"...(or some variation)...you can bet your bottom dollar that the next thing they say will be rude. You are a very rude person, if this thread is any example. You may respond to this if you wish, but I have more important pursuits. I will not be posting to you any more on this issue. Good day.

[SerpentDove]

Paragraphs this time:

>>Sorry guy, But your story was not even close.

(snip)

Actually, it was a sixth grader, the chain was 10 inches long and was used to attach keys to her wallet. The fact she chose to place a Tweety Bird key ring to the chain does not make it a Tweety Bird Key chain.

Although I love Freerepublic, I hate when people distort a story to try and make a point.<<
---
Let's tell the truth here. Although I missed details, relying on my aging memory alone, my point remains.

The girl brought a chain, attached to her tweety Bird keychain, to help her hold the keys on her keychain. The fact that she was a sixth grader rather than a first grader is irrelevant. So what?

I make no apology with my overall point, which is that any time the letter of the law is applied with no regard to what common sense dictates, bad things are prone to happen.

Do you honestly think this is a weapon? Do you? Do you? Yes or no?

If you do, let me say with no uncertainty, without fear of contradiction: that is absolutely asinine and stupidity to the "nth" power.

Another truth: although you tried to make some lame disclaimer at the outset, you have called me a liar, and further underscored that accusation with the post above.

I am no liar, and your accusation is not appreciated. I resent it very much. I have no respect for people such as yourself, who assault the integrity of others for no good reason, just to win an argument.

You have accused me of intentionally distorting facts for the purpose of making my point. That is a false charge, and I will accept your genuine apology if you ever summons the character necessary to make it.

Any time someone prefaces something by saying, "I'm not trying to be rude, but"...(or some variation)...you can bet your bottom dollar that the next thing they say will be rude. You are a very rude person, if this thread is any example.

You may respond to this if you wish, but I have more important pursuits. I will not be posting to you any more on this issue, or reading anything further from you.

Good day.

---

[SerpentDove]

See # 268.

Honestly, they come out of the woodwork every time, don't they?

[Amelia]

Thanks...and I agree that all teachers should be CPR & first aid certified.

[dpa5923]

No, I am not ready to call these weapons, but the facts are not what SerpentDove claimed they were. He or she intentionally implied that a small child brought a small key chain to school and was suspended for it in an attempt to bolster his or her claims that public school officials are incompetent.

The sixth grader brought a ten inch chain to school. Depending on the manner in which it was use, it could be a weapon and I agree the school should ban 10 inch chains.

Was it a weapon? Not in of itself.

Could it be used as a weapon? Sure.

Was a 10 day suspension warranted? Arguable.

Are the facts even close to what SerpentDove presented? No.

[dpa5923]

The details of your story are significant. A first grader is less likely to use a chain as a weapon than a sixth grader. A ten inch chain is a helluva lot different than a TweetyBird key chain.

Your point does not remain. It would show a complete inability to use any common sense to suspend a first grader for bring a key chain to school (your initial point) but rational adults can argue that a 10 inch chain can be used as a weapon, particularly by a streetwise sixth grader.

I don't consider a 10 inch chain a weapon in and of itself. I do understand that a 10 inch chain can be used as a weapon and would agree with a school that ban students from bringing a 10 inch chain to school.

You however are being rude. By accepting a conditional apology (mine based on the condition your story was correct) you are implying that your story was correct. It was not. Major points (the age of the child, the actual item brought to school) were completely wrong. You could have swallowed your pride and simply said, “Well, my memory isn't what it use to be.” or some such drivel, but instead you attempt to defend your story even though it is clearly wrong.

I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but rational debate is based on facts not some distorted memory. I was even willing to let it slide but you feel obligated to defend your bruised honor.

I intentional stated I was not calling you a liar to provide you an opportunity to correct any errors you made. But even after your story is shown to be a gross distortion, you defend the error. Why? Just admit the facts of the story are not what you remembered and you posted inaccurate information.

Or tell me, do you consider a 1st and 6th grader the same thing and a 10 inch chain the same as the tiny chain on her Tweety Bird keychain?

[DC Ripper]

Again you call Serpentdave a liar. You are pathetic. Give it up.

These could be used as weapons, and the decision wasn't stupid? I guess you and I have different definitions of "stupid." What most people call stupid, you call justice.

[DC Ripper]

Explain how that chain in the picture could be used as a weapon.

Would they slip it into sombody's milk at lunch time and hope they choke on it? Really, how could it possibly be a wepon? Tie a razor blade to the end of it? Explain.

[Tarzan Stripes]

Do you think that chain could be used as a weapon? DC asked and I don't see your answer. I would be curious myself .

I don't see how it could, myself.

[dpa5923]

The stupidity of the decision is not being debated. I never claimed the suspension was justice.

SerpentDove (SD) first claim was that this particular case involved a 1st grader. It didn't. It was a sixth grader. If you do not know the difference in discipline problems between 1st and 6th graders consider yourself blessed. 6th graders are a world more difficult to control which, by itself changes the dynamics of the story. No longer is the victim an innocent 6 or 7 year old, but rather a bit more unruly 11 to 12 year old.

SD second claim was that the chain was a tiny (her word) chain on the end of a TweetyBird keychain. It was not. It was a 10 inch chain that had keys attached to it. Is this a potential weapon? It could be and I could see why a school would prohibit such items. But, again, the facts are not what SD claimed they were.

But rather than admit her errors, she accepted a conditional apology of which the conditions were never met. She provided inaccurate information. I called her on it and now her feelings are hurt and you are jumping to her defense.

Tell me, was SD description accurate?

Was the child a first grader?

Was the child suspended for bring a tiny TweetyBird keychain to school?

Or am I correct?

Was there more to this story or some information missing?

I am not suggesting that this suspension was warranted or correct, just acknowledging that SD did not provide accurate details.

[dpa5923]

Keys could be attached to one end and the chain swung to strike another student, so it could be a weapon, just like a pencil could be or rock or a stick.

But that is not the point. Read my posts on this thread, particularly 277. Hopefully that will clear this up.

[DC Ripper]

I think you are dead wrong on this one, with all due respect. It is an absurd decision, period. You can try to have your pissing match with Serp all day, but he/she explained very well what he/she wrote.

You are smearing SD unjustly as a liar or a prevaricator of truth. Not true. Not on this thread at least. For that, you should apologize.

IMHO

[dpa5923]

Ripper,

Read post 277 and 278.