No prom for student protesters (Check the Superintendent-with-a-backbone's statement)

WFAA ^ | April 1, 2006 | Brad Watson

[Jedidah]

Mayra Hernandez and Lesly Hernandez planned to look pretty for the Ennis High School senior prom on Saturday night.

But they won't be going because they joined a protest.

"We all bought dresses, accessories, and we rented a limo and all that," Mayra said. "Now all that money is just going to waste."

Thousands of North Texas students skipped classes this week to demonstrate against the immigration bill now being considered by the U.S. Congress.

About 130 Ennis ISD students—from sixth graders to seniors—joined in Thursday, despite a school district warning that any student participating would be suspended until Monday, including the prom.

The district suspended Aracely Garcia, even though her mother excused her from school for the demonstration. "We shouldn't get suspended—and especially not from prom—just because he thinks we shouldn't protest over something we believe is right," Aracely said.

Mayra's sister-in-law, Noemi Garza, urged the school district to let the suspended students attend the prom. "They are trying to punish these kids with something that they've been looking forward to," Garza said. "These girls will never have another chance."

But as parents and school staff set up decorations for Saturday's event, the Ennis ISD held firm.

School officials declined interviews with News 8, but Superintendent Mike Harper told the Ennis Daily News, "one of the greatest gifts we give to immigrants and their families is a free public education, and it shows extraordinarily poor judgment for those who have received that gift to walk out on it."

If they can't go, the suspended seniors said they will walk in protest Saturday night outside KJT Auditorium, where the prom takes place.

[The Brush]

Agreed. If a kid has their parent's permission to be absent, that should be the end of it from the school's perspective. The superintendent has the right idea, but he overstepped his authority in that case.

The child wasn't absent, she showed up for a demonstration. Perhaps if the parent agreed to pay for what the school spent on her child's education that day they can excuse the absence. The prom is still out though.

[inquest]

"Full of syllables and feelings, signifying nothing." My apologies to Shakespeare, but I couldn't resist.

LOL, I bet he'd approve.

[Petronski]

"We shouldn't get suspended—and especially not from prom—just because he thinks we shouldn't protest over something we believe is right," Aracely said.

She's not a natural scholar...

[AprilfromTexas]

After sending an email of support for Supt Harper over the weekend I received this response today:

Your letter of support for our superintendent Mike
Harper was outstanding. He is under fire by those who
advocate tolerance beyond reason and he needs all the
support he can get.

I am writing to ask your permission to reprint your
letter in my newspaper.

If that meets with your approval, please let me know
as soon as you can.

Very best regards,
Sandy Manning
Editor
Ennis Daily News

[AprilfromTexas]

Sounds like Mike Harper could use some support.

[Jedidah]

I got the same e-mail, and I promptly gave permission for the Ennis Daily News to use my letter. I hope lots of Freepers sent e-mails of support for Supt. Harper.

[AprilfromTexas]

me too. thanks again for posting the article.

[Syberyenta]

I sent him a letter. Thanks for posting this.

Spare the Rod Ping!