Principal apologizes for smoking at school ("I'm sorry" over intercom)

Interest Alert ^ | 3/25/05

[Spktyr]

Gotta disagree with you on this - my read is that he did it because he saw the principal being a hypocrite and wanted to call her on it. Having had to deal with a similar situation as a HS student (many moons ago), it just sounds like the author is slanting the story a bit.

[Minutemen]

I sentence you,Elaine Almagno, to 20 lashes with a wet noodle!

[Ruth A.]

lighting up on the grounds of Central High School, a violation both of Rhode Island state law and school district policy,

Signs are posted on the school grounds nowadays. The days of the smoke-filled teacher lounges are long gone. All staff has to go off campus to smoke. Heck, when I was in high school kids smoked just outside of the fence.

This would be an automatic suspension for students. The principal shouldn't get off with a public apology. The law no longer has teeth as the precedent has been set.

[politicket]

I think that when the child begins printing up a lot of flyers to hand out all over the school and posting the picture on the internet, then the child is looking for recognition. I should know, I used to be that way! ;-)

Yes, the adult was wrong, even though it is a RIDICULOUSLY STUPID law (and I'm a life-long non-smoker who HATES the smell of cigarette smoke).

My greatest concern is this assinine "counseling" that the boy now has to go through. Where do the schools get of thinking that they have the right to "counsel".

I like the school that my children go to. It's run by a benevolent dictator (actually two), my wife and I. Homeschooling is the future...

[Spktyr]

Or the child knows or feels that higher authority (school board) isn't going to pay any attention to their complaints. We had this problem in LA; we ended up having to do the same thing to get the board to even listen to us.

[eno_]

I think this kid should respect his elders.

Cart before the horse, doncha think?

Respect is earned. What did these thuggish unionized poltroons do to earn respect?

[grundle]

Here's the kid's website:

http://centralscoop.tripod.com/article1.htm

[paltz]

First of all the child took a photo of the teacher and placed it on a website w/o the teacher's permission. Second of all the child was suspended when he refused to remove the photo(insubordination) Regardless of hipocrisy, are you seriously condoning students to snap pictures of faculty unknowingly at posting them on websites?...that's nonsense. Part of "bullying" in schools, in fact, is to do what this child did and take photos of others unknowingly at embarrass them on websites, while refusing to remove these photos. There's a larger issue here than just lighting up.

[politicket]

If you're speaking of LAUSD then I know EXACTLY what you're speaking about.

I was involved with a group of parents who fought them on the "Blue Ribbon Task Force on HIV/AIDS Education" back in the late 80's.

This "task force" was made up ENTIRELY of sodomites.

[politicket]

Everyone should read this kid's website. It is very clear that his parents need to give him an "attitude adjustment". He is VERY dishonoring and has a haughty attitude.

Again, the teacher was wrong under the law, but the boy is going to be a complete jerk in the adult world if his parents don't step in.

Here's a link to the website: Website

[Joey Silvera]

What and who else is this kid sneaking around taking pictures of?

[politicket]

Here's a direct quote from the kid's website:

The main reason I set out to expose Ms.Almagno's illegal activities, is because certain events have led me to believe that our "beloved" principal is prejudiced towards people of hispanic descent, as well as her lackey, Mr.Hunt.

Still feel the same way?

[Joey Silvera]

SEVEN pictures?!? Kid needs to get popped in the mouth a couple of times, I'm sorry

[stinkerpot65]

He is VERY dishonoring and has a haughty attitude.

I find it shocking that a teenager would be "dishonoring" and "haughty". Next thing you know they'll be listening to rock music, drag racing, and claim to know more than their parents!

[vabeachrepub]

Please help me out with something - is it the kid's website or the school's?

[GLDNGUN]

Because children are not adults and need to respect their elders. Her smoking is NONE of his business.

BUNK. Like the law or not, she is violating it. Again, how can she tell her students to obey the rules and punish them if they don't, then step outside and light up, in violation of the law. Breaking the law is bad enough, but do it on school grounds where she IS the authority is grounds for dismissal. Again, I applaud the kid for taking action against a law breaker on school grounds.

[politicket]

I find it shocking that a teenager would be "dishonoring" and "haughty". Next thing you know they'll be listening to rock music, drag racing, and claim to know more than their parents!

I'm truly sorry that you feel that way. I know many, many teenagers who treat their parents will biblical respect, and seek to honor God in their actions. Do they sin? Yes, we all do! But they're not hell-bent on absolute rebellion.

These are homeschooled kids that I'm referring to. They are not being raised in the trash bin of public indoctrination centers.

[NittanyLion]

Regardless of the kid's motivation, the principal broke the law and then abused her position of authority to punish the one who exposed her. That quote doesn't change the situation at all.

[cjshapi]

Her smoking on school property was against the law. Her age and position should entitle her to some respect but she was wrong in this case.

[KidGlock]

Here is the picture.

The kid is a real criminal here for taking them isn't he?