Banned on campus: Boys talking to girls

WorldNetDaily ^ | 4-30-03 | Unknown

[Houmatt]

Virtually every student who has ever attended school has heard the phrase, "No talking in class."

Now, an elementary school in southern Oregon has taken that proscription a step further, by banning all conversation between boys and girls.

The silent fury began last week when 6th-grade teacher Mary Bond at Peterson Elementary School noticed students showing public signs of affection during lunch recess, reports the Klamath Falls Herald and News.

So, to prevent nature from running its course, she banned all discourse between boys and girls, at least temporarily.

"It was not a disciplinary measure," principal Jim Smith told the paper. "It was a preventative measure."

But two 12-year-old students didn't see it that way. Sarah Manes and Hannah Guerrero viewed the ban as an assault on their freedom of speech, especially when they were outside of class at recess.

"Hannah called Sarah and said, 'We gotta do something,''' Sarah's mother Esther Manes said.

So, the girls did what many Americans do when they feel they're rights are being trampled on – they organized a protest.

A total of nine classmates gathered outside the school this week, picket signs in hand, to let school officials know they weren't about to pipe down.

"The girls got a big response," said Esther Manes. "Parents were asking questions. I am so proud of my daughter. The hardest part was to walk into that school after protesting like that. She stood up for herself. I think she learned something important."

Once students and faculty arrived on campus Monday, the picketers handed a letter of complaint to the principal.

Smith says no disciplinary action would be taken against the protesters, and he's willing to hear any complaints from students and parents.

"They have every right to protest," he said.

[SamAdams76]

Something tells me that Mary Bond is single.

[Ford Fairlane]

Why are 12 year olds still in the 6th grade?

[Bigg Red]

I am so proud of my daughter


What a clymer! It's pretty disgusting that this teacher had to do something about displays of affection between girls and boys that are only 11 and 12. (My opinion is they should be schooled separately starting at this age.) I wonder how much effort this girl puts into her studies. Not much, I'll bet.

[Dan from Michigan]

Because most 12 year olds are in 6th grade. I was 12 in 6th grade, and I was one of the younger ones since I didn't turn 12 until the 2nd semester.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

How old do you suggest 6th graders should be?

[Dan from Michigan]

It's pretty disgusting that this teacher had to do something about displays of affection between girls and boys that are only 11 and 12.

It's common. It happened all the time when I was in school, and I was out in the country.

[jlogajan]

(My opinion is they should be schooled separately starting at this age.)

Good lord, I attended a Catholic school from grades one through senior high. It was co-educational. Apparently the Pope isn't as hung up about sex as you are.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Now, an elementary school in southern Oregon has taken that proscription a step further, by banning all conversation between boys and girls.

With all due respect, Bigg Red, doesn't this seem a bit extreme? It sounds like a 'prescription' dreamed up by the 'girls' at NOW.

[okie01]

"Why are 12 year olds still in the 6th grade?"

Because their birthday is during the school year, rather than the summer.

In other words, most kids will turn 12 sometime during their 6th grade year.

[LocalYokel]

So, the girls did what many Americans do when they feel they're rights are being trampled on – ...

I thought she was going to say "They called a lawyer". Whew!

[AFPhys]

I mostly agree with Bigg here... but I'm even more extreme.

I strongly would support the concept of putting all these kids in a closet from age 13-15 ... there is no sense even trying to teach them anything about school subjects at that time. Some will learn a whole lot during these ages, but you definitely can not teach them.

We would be much further along educationally if we made up those years by schooling the 3-5 year olds...

[pave palestine]

Because it's April.

[Leftymasher]

We don't even know what the "displays of affection" were, it could have been something innocuous like hugging or pecks on the cheek. If it was something like a bunch of making out, then this might have been right, but neither do we know if the teacher tried anything else first.

[DBtoo]

11 years is the normal age for 6th grade, but some kids turn 12 during 6th grade.

[Nowhere Man]

Why are 12 year olds still in the 6th grade?

I was 12 in 6th grade, I didn't start 1st grade until I was 7, I was held back a year. It's a shame though that schools are getting so PC that they resort to crap like this. Yeah, there will always be friction between boys and girls, heck, I've been the butt of jokes most of the time and even very occasional taunter myself but this is too far. At that age, boys and girls start to recognize one another.

[DBtoo]

When I was in 6th grade the girls hung around with the girls and the boys with the boys. Secret crushes would sometimes develop but it never went any further.

Hell, I didn't really start liking boys till I was around 16 or 17. I was more interested in hanging out with my friends and getting into mischief, talking in class, writing notes in class.....

[yonif]

I was 12 in 6th grade too.

[yonif]

I was 12 in 6th grade too.

[stylin19a]

You got it. 11 & 12 is about right for 6th grade. I was 11 in 6th grade.
I seem to recall that when it's spring, spring fever occurs. Anything can happen when 11 & 12 year olds are on the cusp of puberty.
Something should have been done but I think this measure was a little drastic.