I cannot help but wonder about the PARENTS of these children who are disciplined(!) for praying, however. When I was in junior high (grades 7-8), I was involved with some fisticuffs with another boy who tried to set me on fire. We BOTH were brought before the principal (this was a PUBLIC school, remember, in 1980), who proceeded to beat us both with a wooden stick about the legs and buttocks. I ran home INSTANTLY, and, in pain and horror, told my father what had happened. He hopped in his truck (he was a flooring contractor, and a lifelong working man) and sped off to my school, where, after brushing past the principal's secretary, he cleaned off the principal's desk with one huge hand, seized him by the tie and pulled him close to his face, and informed him that, were I EVER touched by him again, no cops would be called, and no lawyers. Instead, he would be made to eat the stick, and would then be made to HURT, really badly. The message was delivered with all the language an Italian ex-Sailor and construction worker could manage. Shortly thereafter, the principal resigned.
Do these parents nowadays even confront the idiotic school administrators anymore? Were it MY son, I can assure you that the conversation betwixt myself and the principal would not only result in no discipline being brought, but a serious realignment of his/her outlook on life.
Good for you Long Cut, In my days my dad went in to the principal's office to transfer me from a pe class to a study hall because I was working out 3-4 hours a day after school and needed more study time. I was afraid he would hurt the principal but I saw them later walking down to the gym to change my schedule. (The principal later came to the track meets to help support the coach.)
What I don't understand is how teachers can "miss" bullying activities all over campus and still "catch" these kids praying. There must be no conservative teachers left.