Girls play game of strip volleyball

Philadelphia Daily News ^ | 7 November 2001 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

[Fintan]

FORT WORTH, Texas - Girl volleyball players at a Fort Worth middle school were asked by their coaches to play a game of "strip serve" volleyball, which school administrators criticized as inappropriate after some parents complained.

During the drill, held Sept. 21 at the Gene Pike Middle School gym, two girls took their shirts off and one girl may have taken off her shorts, district officials said.

Three female coaches supervised the 22 eighth-graders while they played the game, which required that team members take off shoes, socks, kneepads or hair accessories if a player missed a serve. After a few girls took it upon themselves to undress further, the drill was immediately stopped, administrators said.

The drill should have never been conducted, Northwest Independent School District Superintendent Keith Sockwell said on Monday.

"I thought it was the most stupid thing I ever heard. You just don't do things like that," he said.

An investigation began after several parents complained about the activity. Statements were taken from the players and the coaches, officials said.

The girls' written statements indicated that, for the most part, they were not upset about the game, Pike Principal Kyle Copp said. The coaches were "remorseful," he said.

The three coaches, whom the district declined to name, are still employed, Deputy Superintendent Ron Hibbs said. Some parents said that even though the coaches apologized to the players, they should have been punished.

"It's an appalling story," said the mother of a Pike volleyball player, who asked that her name not be used. "They got no reprimand for this that the kids could see. Nobody sees that there's consequences to bad choices."

Said another: "I think it was an error in judgment, and that's all it was - plain and simple."

[lepton]

That's just the point... Any parent with an ounce of sense wouldn't alow even the suggestion of "strip-anything," but only up to a certain line. The game was suggestive from the get-go. You think between the three of them the teachers didn't know that?

Could be. Hang-man doesn't turn me on.

[Teacher317]

inmrove = improve

[Travis McGee]

If only ONE parent had complained, loudly, the school administration would have blown him or her off as a paranid prude.

[beowolf]

What's the problem here? You have tenure

You answered your own question!-)

[Don Myers]

"Um, they are in eighth grade and like 13 years old."

To that poster, that might not matter.

[Cyber Liberty]

"I'm pro-abortion."

[Demidog]

Good for you.

[Don Myers]

"*Hanging my head in shame that I have to stick up for my fellow teachers in more and more stories like this one!*"

I suspect that is part of the problem. There is too much "sticking up" for your fellow teachers going on. Lets stick up for the students every so often.

[Teacher317]

While being responsible for using good judgement, any parent should remember that it is not always possible to predict what bizarre or ridiculous interpretation of an instruction a child will come up with...even 13 year old ones.

I agree 100%. I would've seen that one coming a mile away... but then again, I terrified of any potential improper conduct charges, being single, white, and male.

[Don Myers]

"They look like juniors in high school back in the 60's. "

And they act like college girls on a booze and sex party.

[Don Myers]

"And you’re an ass."

Even to a "dead," there are worse things to be.

[Sabertooth]

Yeah, well, the public opinion polls of Clinton were good for years, so that ought to tell you something about the quality of public opinion.

You got me there, I overstated my case. Most of the public, as evidenced by their belief in the Clintonian position against voucher schools, still believes that teachers in general are doing a good job. My experience in public schools suggest otherwise. So has been the experience of friends of mine who've moved to other districts "for the schools."

The kind of mistakes we're talking about with the coaches in question aren't well-intentioned errors in how to approach this or that kid in helping them grasp a particular lesson. Initiating a game of strip-volleyball goes far beyond the pale of acceptable mistakes. This game was far from innocent. If we can't fire them for this, who can we fire?

In your link, you suggested an end to tenure.

If we can't fire these three women, ending tenure will hardly matter.

[Teacher317]

I suspect that is part of the problem. There is too much "sticking up" for your fellow teachers going on. Lets stick up for the students every so often.

Once is too much? Well, maybe for some on this thread. =^)

Please remember that MOST teachers are selfless, generous, positive, and kind people who are rabid about protecting their children (which is our typical mentality... they are mine, in my heart and in my mind). Here's a more positive story I posted earlier today, for those who need a small piece of good news coming from public schools today.

[nothingnew]

Off the subject, but yer handle is GREAT!

FMCDH

[Teacher317]

These covert lesbo coaches did not just "accidentally" come up with the "innocent" game of taking off socks and hairbands.
They aimed naive 13 year old girls toward a cliff, blindfolded, and said "walk forward".

If that can be proven, I'll gladly withdraw my attempts at supporting the coaches in question.

[Cyber Liberty]

"To that poster, that might not matter."

How do you know that?

[Don Myers]

"Please remember that MOST teachers are selfless, generous, positive, and kind people who are rabid about protecting their children (which is our typical mentality... they are mine, in my heart and in my mind). "

There are many stories coming out these days about teachers who are not those things. Many of them are pedophiles and child molesters. That is a fact. If there are happenings of lesbians recruiting in the girl scouts, they are also in our school system. They go where they can recruit.

[Teacher317]

I terrified = I am terrified

Just trying to keep up with all the responses during my prep period!

[Don Myers]

"that might not matter"

How do I know it did matter? The statement was made about wanting pictures showing 13 year old girls disrobed. Obvious conclusion is.....