Eighth grader penalized for missing school, singing at Bush Event

WRTV ^ | 05/16/2003 | www.wrtv.com

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

This is my first post, bear with me. ...a student's absence can be excused for an illness, a family death, or an educational experience...Singing in a choir for the president of the United States, as Westfield Middle School eight grager, Brianna Tull, learned, dosen't count...was told she couldn't earn crdit for homewrok, tests and quizzes given that day

[ladylib]

Here's a new article. In it, the mother wonders why we even have school administrators. Good question. If they can't exercise some judgment, what's their purpose?

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/7/043763-1407-009.html

[prisoner6]

Tull, who missed school Tuesday to sing with the Indianapolis Children's Choir during President Bush's appearance at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, was told she couldn't earn credit for homework and quizzes given that day.

Read the original article. She wouldn't get credit as I posted above. That would have a bearing on her final grade so it WOULD make a difference.

Ok, so maybe she gets a "B" instead of an "A" you might say. Well, that might keep her off the honor roll or affect her chances for a scholarship or other educational reward later.

And it's not just for her. Who know he how many other kids scholasitic records have been/may be affected by this bonehead superintendent and the poorly thought out school policy? IMO it's best to expose this stuff, rouse the rabble and make them aware of the kind of people we daily and on good faith entrust with the education of our children.

Worse yet how much of our TAX MONEY is misused by PAYING these indiots!

prisoner6

[visualops]

publik skewls

I've been saying that for a while, I showed my kids your post to prove I wasn't the only one lol

[prisoner6]

Thanks, got it and I see sandy posted Keen's backpedeling. Mrs Tull DID hit it when she questioned the need for administrators if there is NO latitude in policy. LOL! Goog one, Mrs T!

I do Like the idea another FReeper posted earlier in this thread. W should send a hand written excuse tot he school if for no other reason than to see how they would react.

Wouldn't it be cool - and appropriate - if the parents demanded the note because of it's obvious historical value to the school and it's history, be framed and preserved in a prominent place! Somewhere Keen and any of the other boneheads who agree with him would have to see it each day!

prisoner6

[Paul Ross]

Hello Dr. Keen,
I understand that you find no educational value in an 8 year old student's opportunity to personally encounter the President of the United States. I trust that by now your stupendous blunder has been fully revealed to you and I will not belabor that issue.

Not only did she have the experience of a lifetime in meeting the president, but she will gain priceless insight into the working of the liberal mind as well. You allowed your personal dislike for our president over rule reason and did so in a sadly childish way. Brianna has learned much from you.

Every single person here who has actually DEFENDED the school, must have blinders on. They should be more aware that there have been no reprecussions to the liberals who gave permission slips and EXTRA credit to students to leave school and join 'anti-war' rallies.

[visualops]

Curious as to where on the upper West Side?
I lived at 74th and Amsterdam for several years beginning in the mid-late 1970's. The building had formerly been a hotel, I believe. Across the street was a little grocery store that had been there for many many years. There were some old boxes on top shelves that looked to be 20 years old. The place was informally known as "Dominic's", the name of the old guy that owned it.

[ladylib]

I would love it if the President wrote a note politely asking that the girl be excused.

The original goes to the girl, the carbon copy goes to the boneheads.

[pubmom]

You have got to be kidding!!!!????

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

Thank you brothers and sisters, we've got them a quaking and shaking, keep sending e-mails to Monsieur Keen

BTTT...we're almost there for Briana

[baseballfanjm]

"Going to see the president is certainly an experience, but what did the child learn from that?"

Well, I believe it's safe to say that she doesn't learn much more at this school.

[Teacher317]

Keen said he then received at least six phone calls and 150 e-mails about the decision.

Well, now just WHO could have done all that?!?!? Some Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?? ;^)

[ninenot]

My father punched him in the face.

THIS POST has made my entire weekend!!!

Thanks.

BTW, what ever happened to that most exquisite method of reprimanding jerks??

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

150 e-mails and six phone calls? Me thinks the math may be a little fuzzy

[reg45]

Getting a chance to meet the President of the United States is not an educational value?

It is only of educational value if the President is a Democrat.</sarcasm>

[ReagansShinyHair]

In my district, students can get an excuses absense for ANYTHING. Parents fill out an "independent study" form, I give them however many days of work they need, and they have to return all the completed work. I have to assign 6 hours of work for each day, and the students need to complete all of it to get credit.

[reg45]

"We're in school for 180 days to provide an education," Keen said. "Going to see the president is certainly an experience, but what did the child learn from that?"

After all it's not like going to Washington to provide "special intern services" to a Kennedy or a Clinton. That would qualify as an "educational experience".

[wordsofearnest]

When I was in school back in the day. The entire school got out to watch Ike's funeral train go through our town and we got out to listen to Bobby Kennedy make an impromptu speech on Main Street during the 1968 Indiana primary.

[usslsm51]

If it had been for Bill Clinton, the kid would have received triple credit in every class. This is politics by an NEA member and nothing more. Another reason for private school attendance.

[supercat]

Unbelievable. The superintendent must believe that students can only learn when sitting within the confines of the school building.

Well, the bureaucrats only get paid while the students are within the school building, and it's only fair that the bureaucrats get paid any time there's any learning going on, right? So if there's no payment there must be no learning.

[stands2reason]

I am impressed...a 200+ reply post and a successful 24 hour Freep to boot on your first time out. You are definitely Rookie of the Year.

This is like winning an Oscar with your first screenplay...the hard part is, what're you gonna do for a follow-up? ;-)