Posted on 03/31/2006 1:57:51 PM PST by Millee
More than two dozen students walked out of Skyline High School Friday morning to protest what they say is a ban that doesn't allow the American flag to be flown on school grounds.
Several students said that they were upset that Mexican flags can be waved around but that American flags couldn't. They said that school officials confiscated their American flags because it has become inflammatory because of recent immigration issues.
"When the immigration laws came out we noticed that a lot of Hispanics were waving Mexican flags and what we were thinking to ourselves is like, isn't the immigration law to stay in the country? You want to stay in America, correct? So I said, for every Mexican flag, you should have an American flag right next to it. So a few people went out and started waving American flags, and that's where everything bridged out," said Skyline student R.J. Fogal. "That's when they started telling us that we can't wave American flags, there's going to be no flags today, or everyone is going to be suspended -- whoever carries a flag."
"What we want to know is since when was it against the rules to have an American flag on a car, in a car, in your hands in a school?" said student William Cassity.
Skyline principal Tom Stumpf said that the school enacted a ban this week that prohibits students to display, wear or fly any flag -- American or Mexican.
"The (policy) evolved because the flags were being used, not as a symbol of cultural heritage, but the flags were being used as symbols of bigotry, a symbol of hostility. They were being used to inflame different groups and we're simply not going to tolerate that at Skyline High School," Stumpf said.
"My paramount obligation, my solemn obligation at Skyline High School, is to provide a safe and secure environment and with the flags being used as a catalyst to stir up the students, to stir up the environment, I cannot condone that ... One flag was thrown into the face of another group and another flag was being brandished in front of another group and it was done to raise emotions, and we don't want that. We want respect -- that's our main goal at Skyline High School," he said.
The school has a diverse population and some students say there have been tensions between different ethnic groups because of the national immigration debate.
"I think our whole society is on different sides of the immigration issue and I can't control that. All I'm asking from our students is respect -- respect for one another, treating each other as they themselves want to be treated, treating each other decently, civilly," Stumpf said.
He said the students have a right to rally and those who walked out of class on Friday would not be punished.
I'm guesssing it the principal's "less than brass ones".
Headline for this story could also have read: Cowardly Adminstration Fails to Do its Job Properly, Caves to Threat! They are--as typical--dodging the issue....if the students were behaving in a disruptive manner, then discipline the students forthat.; don't just ban the object.
"All I'm asking from our students is respect -- respect for one another, treating each other as they themselves want to be treated, treating each other decently, civilly," Stumpf said.
Yo, Stumpfy...Respect Be Earned.
Begging forgiveness for not reading entire thread before posting--I'm recovering from a nasty day of stomach upset and I didn't want to relapse into nauseousness!
I recall from a graduate course in education that American schools had nine times as many administrators per pupil as Scotland's, yet scored lower on tests. And the ratio is much higher now.
Lots of do-nothings taking up space.
Ever notice how racist the United Nations flag is? The view of the globe is from the northern hemisphere -- as if that is the viewpoint that anyone looking at the earth should have (from the "top").
It entirely denigrates the "south pole" (by implication, the "third world" view of the world), relegating it to a subservient, outer-rim position.
Hey, I'm just stirring the pot for them. I wonder how they could "PC" their own flag?
I purchased my first flag and put it up right after 911 with the intention to fly it from now on. A big 3x5 on a poll I painted bright red to catch the attention of my neighbors; all are immigrants who love to put down the USA every chance they get. Catch their attention it did, and non are happy to realize that it wasn't placed due to temporary insanity on my part. I love that this irritates them just as much as it catches my breath every time I see it.
On Veterans Day last year, my 10 year-old grandson stepped outside, stood in front of my home, visibly straightened his back and raised his hand in a salute while reciting his Pledge of Allegiance. This incident was all the more special since he never said a word about it; I didn't know he had done this until a few days later when I reviewed my security videos for that day. Luckily I had placed the cameras with audio at the front of my home or I would have missed his wonderfully clear and strong voice. My pride in him was overwhelming; even more so because he didn't bring it to my attention. He never has, this he did for himself.
Why don't they just cancel school for the rest of the year. All the kids are just leaving. This new generation seems to be the new 60's kids. Us 80's generation just stayed in school and followed the rules. I am glad to be in the middle of these two generations. They are one in the same. I agree with their thoughts, but can't they do it after school?
BTTT
I would refuse to attend a school that dared prohibit me flying the American Banner and there is not one person going to succeed without severe consequence. Young men and women have died defending that flag, and still do.
Those students need contact the ACLU on this one and petition the Governor to remove those school officials, or whip Stumph's arse.
What country is that? Sarc.
This is just not right...where's the diversity? No wonder these kids are upset. Sarc.
How about FReeping the school board on the 12th??? We need some recon on parking, etc.
I live less than two miles from this school.
I've sent an email to the principal and vice principal and all my friends.
If anyone hears of any activities planned in this regard, please email me.
If someone wants to be an American citizen, the rules are: first you have to love America and all it stands for, including love of the red, white and blue.
Carrying a Mexican flag and demanding the rights and privileges of American citizenship should be a disqualifier.
Skyline High School principal email:
stumpf_thomas@ stvrain.k12.co.us
Another stupid American who thinks political correctness comes before America's security. These young people are in a mess - their school leaders are idiots and traitors, It makes no difference to these traitors that the Mexican invaders are swarming all over America, poised to destroy all of us when our congress gives them citizenship and the vote.
It is frightening when the invaders tell us exactly how they are going to take over, and very few will listen because "We're such good Republicans. Anything W says is so wonderful."
Yes. To a point.
"My paramount obligation, my solemn obligation at Skyline High School, is to provide a safe and secure environment..."
To use a boxing analogy, high schools now represent a neutral corner, once the combatants step back into the real-world ring, the fight is on.
These American kids are on the vanguard.
Well, when I look at the reactions of the students to this south end of northbound donkey's ban on the American flag, I believe there is hope for the future.
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