Posted on 04/01/2006 7:12:17 PM PST by 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 studentsfrom sixth graders to seniorsjoined 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 suspendedand especially not from promjust 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.
Isn't that the way punishment is supposed to work?
Oh...and how classy of the students to protest AT the prom...so they can attempt to ruin the dance for the rest of the school.
My thoughts exactly. Why do Superintendents have no insight to this is beyond me. they should use some other forum to use this and not something that is going to egnite more problems. Oh well that is the schools problems.
well played chap
Good. Refreshing to see a School Official with backbone.. we need more to follow suit.. mega ditto for our weak Pols.
Hmm. I guess it wasn't as important as you think, if it wasn't important enough for you to give up your prom. If the thing that you were protesting over is such a strong belief of yours, you should be more than ready to say "adios" to the prom.
"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." - Mike Harper, Superintendent, Ennis ISD
"As an educational leader, I am powerfully committed to collaboratively promote the successful learning of all students at Skyline High School, while simultaneously optimizing humaneness and respect for all, staff and students alike." - Tom Stumpf, Principal, Skyline High School
Along with the suspensions the parents should be fined for what it costs to educate their little darlings for one day. Let the parents demonstrate some financial responsibilities for their children's demonstration
That's damned near incomprehensible.
ROFLMAO! Well done!
Time out from the FReepathon thread to read this!
You'll be glad you did!
Well, that's what happens when you BREAK THE RULES, a lesson obviously never passed on to you by your PARENTS.
ROTFLMAO!
Regrettably, you're right!
Thanks. He just heard from this taxpaying American.
So you called his bluff and found out he was holding aces. Welcome to the real world, kiddies.
Imagine if their parents threatened to send them to bed without dinner!
There's a lawsuit coming.
Good job Superindendent Harper!
I'll take Door Number 1, Monty.
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