Posted on 04/06/2006 6:34:59 AM PDT by Rick.Donaldson
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/loc...094003340.html
Tensions Prompt School To Alter Dress Code
Mike Hooker Reporting
CBS4) WESTMINSTER, Colo. The immigration debate and recent demonstrations over the issue have led to a change in the dress code for a middle school in Adams County.
Students at Shaw Heights Middle School are no longer allowed to wear anything that is patriotic, including camouflage pants, because they have become a political symbol for a version of patriotism, CBS4 reports.
"It upsets me that we cannot support our troops -- the military," said Kirsten Golgart, an eighth grader who was told she'd be suspended if she didn't change her clothes. "We can't support our country. If we're American, I think we should be proud to be an American."
A letter went home to parents last week that explained for student safety, no clothes were allowed with political messages or flags of any sort.
Myla Shepherd, the principal, said that tensions over the immigration issue were apparent when more than 20 students came to school wearing camouflage jackets and pants, apparently to show what they call their patriotism and American pride.
"We started seeing name calling," Shepherd said. "Safety is my first concern, so I'm going to do things to keep us from getting to a point where anybody is hurt or being suspended for fighting."
She said the dress code alteration diffused the tension immediately.
"I don't think that's a solution, though because you're punishing 400 students because the action of 100," said Eric Golgart, Kirsten's father.
He gathered signatures against the dress code, but the principal said that for safety, freedom of speech can be limited in schools, even as students get involved in the national immigration discussion.
In Longmont, the principal of Skyline High School banned all flags, including the American flag, because of tensions related to immigration reform.
Shaw Heights Middle School is located at 8780 Circle Dr. in Westminster, and it is part of Adams County School District 50.
(© MMVI CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
American flag stickers go for about .50 cents, perhaps those kids can get imaginative.
"Mike Hooker Reporting"
LOL!
having 3 little girls in school let me say that I am now in FULL SUPPORT OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would be so happy not to have to sort through and figure out what to wear every day-....
How long now have Progressives been hinting about getting the American flag out of the schools? They have their hook now. Perhaps they will replace it with the UN rag.
I wonder if the African-American students there are allowed to wear their usual green/red/black garb?
The kids should sue (a) the school board, (b) the members of the school board individually, (c) the superintendent, (d) the principal, (e) the teachers individually, (f) the teacher's union for violating their First Amendment rights, and each individual student who walked out of class who created the climate in which Americans are not allowed to be pro-American. They ought to seek damages of $1,000,000 or more from each individual, three times the amount of the school budget from the school board, and three times the annual dues paid by the teachers of the teachers' union. Let's see who blinks when that suit is filed. My guess is that the illegal, crim(in)aliens will simply leave town looking for another place where they can break the law with impunity.
p.s. Whatever happened to the Colorado of old in which the governor of the Colorado territory routinely issued wanted posters for bank robbers who were often crim(in)aliens from Mexico with bold print proclaiming: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!
How about the (usually liberal) argument that having dress codes in schools, "stifles the students' freedom to express their individuality?"
My kid would be attending school with a flag and I would personally let the principal know it is okay.
Mayeb this will boost the cause of school uniforms. The time and attention spent on regulating children's clothing is stupid, as are too many trash culture parents who send their girls to school dressed like Shakira, Britney and Beyonce and their sons dressed like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy.
"Well, kids aren't allowed freedom of speech all of a sudden by liberal schools. "
Not 'all of a sudden.' I've read several accounts of children getting in trouble for Christian t-shirts, bringing in a bible, drawing a picture of Jesus, etc. Fortunately, these incidents were fought in court and the students won.
I will guarantee you that if the students wanted to all bring in Mexican flags supporting the illegals or if they wanted to burn American flags in protest of the war in Iraq the school officials would give it their wholehearted appoval. In fact, they would probably be first in line.
American public schools are the chief engine of American socialism.
Adults are too intimidated by their peers to complain, so ...it's up to you! Kids - shut them down!
Gone with the Wind (liberals)
Believe it or not, the ACLU stood with the students on this as a right to Freedom of Speech.
How do I know this? I got it from Fox News, not SeeBS.
Straface, George
gstraface@echalk.adams50.org
Superintendent
mshepherd@echalk.adams50.org
Principal
Too damn bad.......someone doesn't take down the American Flag and tell the liberal administrators and teachers, that they can collect their next paycheck from the Peoples Republic of Mexico!
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