Ripon High cheerleaders suspended over Britney Spears routine

Modesto Bee ^ | November 15, 2007

[Sopater]

Six of eight Ripon High School cheerleaders were suspended from school for two days over a cheer performed at a football game. The girls danced to a Britney Spears song and lifted their skirts at the end to spell out the school's nickname, Indians. Superintendent Leo Zuber said he couldn't discuss the issue because of confidentiality requirements on disciplinary matters. Parents can appeal suspensions, and Zuber acknowledged he has received one. He said he will investigate whether proper procedures were followed and whether suspensions were warranted. Bee staff writer Inga Miller contributed to this report.

[waimea.man]

And they didn’t have any reservations.

[DoughtyOne]

What the kids did that you have mentioned I disagree with as well. As a parent and a leader though, you have to realize that you can’t hold kids responsible for doing unacceptable things when you have acted in a manner that makes a mountain out of a molehill. IMO the school leaders turned these events into a death spiral. When the teachers acted in an unacceptable manner, the kids resorted to the same type of behavior.

“I know what you did wasn’t offensive, but you didn’t check with me first so I’m throwing you off the field.”

Frankly, I’d have flipped the son of a B off too, and my language would have probably have mirrored what the kids did.

[cinives]

LOL and smoke a peace pipe

[DoughtyOne]

Throwing a kid out of an event is not just two hours detention is it. It was the last home game of the year and these teachers need to mellow out.

[weegee]

Did they wear undershorts or did they go “Britney”?

[Dacula]

The BAD part of this is that they will ALL grow up and vote for democrats!

[Fledermaus]

How many times did they use “like” and “you know” when talking?

[FoxInSocks]

Frankly, I’d have flipped the son of a B off too, and my language would have probably have mirrored what the kids did.

Seems rather childish. You could join the kids on their deserved suspensions.

Throwing a kid out of an event is not just two hours detention is it.

It's also not the most draconian punishment ever meted out. Big deal, they missed half a game. It wasn't even close -- Ripon won, 59-12. Their cheering obviously wasn't the linchpin of the Indians' victory.

It was the last home game of the year and these teachers need to mellow out.

Last game, first game, in the hallway, it doesn't really matter. Disrespectful and disobedient behavior should be addressed, not ignored. The cheerleaders might learn something about personal responsibility, but I doubt it -- not with Brittany Spears as a role model.

All that said, perhaps their cheer/dance didn't initially warrant expulsion from the field. I think that's a separate issue.

[trimom]

Maybe if your grades are too low, you don’t belong in the AP class and for sure, you may need to give up some extracurriculars.

Cheerleading didn’t used to include shaking one’s booty to a bump and grind.

[DoughtyOne]

This was one of my favorites...

hobbsfarm said:

They may think the whole crowd was going crazy with enthusiasm for their routine, but I was sitting in the crowds and there was a lot of surprise and disappointment mingled in w/ those screaming students and parents. Those beautiful girls represent Ripon High School, and have a lot of freedom when it comes to the way they provocatively move their bodies already. The coaches have to draw the line somewhere. They knowingly and secretively performed unauthorized moves. Not only that, but many of us witnessed their complete disrespect for their authorities including cussing and inappropriate sign language. If these girls think it's okay to disrespect those in authority over them like that and then create a campaign to defend their poor behavior, then I wonder how they will keep their job if they treat their bosses that way. I fully support Ripon High's Vice Principal, Cheer Coach, and Principal. They are doing an excellent job. ~Stephanie Hobbs

November 15, 2007 - 3:03pm

I almost break down and cry when I hear of surprise and disappointment expressed on this level.  Excuse me while I blow my nose.  Sniff, Sniff...  I'll continue now... sob... Reading how much leway these girls already had to provactavely move their bodies, I harden my heart towards any extracuricular moves that might be expressed fifty yards form the nearest mind at risk.  Eyes are dry and I'm ready to judge now.  And so when I read of the knowingly and secretively performed unauthorized moves, I know they were evil personified.  Oooo, these girls really did it now!!!  One could almost envision the hedonistic writhing and the evil body sweat generated on pearly white bare skin... if we weren't able to view the video of the simple showing of red English characters on the white material that covered it.

Sheesh, some school officials have almost as thin a skin as some members of the general public.

What these girls did was of no consequence.  When school officials tried punish them, they objected.  And when they objected the school officials went even more balistic.  And when they did, the girls went balistic too.

Public education leadership at it's best...

[Cedric]

I married a cheerleader and sometimes she is very, very naughty, indeed!

[Enterprise]

Innocent!

[DoughtyOne]

All that said, perhaps their cheer/dance didn't initially warrant expulsion from the field. I think that's a separate issue.

Well, I respect that moment of candor. Here is one line I wrote in another post I made moments ago. See if ti makes sense to you.

What these girls did was of no consequence. When school officials tried punish them, they objected. And when they objected the school officials went even more balistic. And when they did, the girls went balistic too.

[Redcloak]

The title’s in error. If it were really a “Britney Spears” routine, the girls would have forgotten their knickers.

[DoughtyOne]

Okay I’ll ask you. Do you expel her from the playing field when she is?

See there folks, you have it from a man that knows when and how to discipline a cheerleader appropriately.

LOL

[Cedric]

Yes, discipline is the key!

[DoughtyOne]

LOL, the world is safer... I’m sure of it.

You two take care. All the best, D1.

[FoxInSocks]

What these girls did was of no consequence. When school officials tried punish them, they objected.

The initial actions may have been inconsequential, but the defiant response was not. Perhaps the cheerleaders should have tactfully appealed to someone that supported them -- if they could find such a person. Cussing and carrying on certainly was not going to help their cause.

And when they objected the school officials went even more balistic. And when they did, the girls went balistic too.

Two wrongs don't make a right, I guess. No one is asking for militaristic discipline, but the teenagers should have some respect for authority.

[DoughtyOne]

I would not support parents getting involved in this, so asking for a second opinion might not have been the best idea. If another school official had been nearby, I’m not even sure that would have been a winner, conflicts of responsibility, undercutting a colleague and all.

The only option left would be for the girls to silently walk up to the stands and sit down, or leave the stadium area.

I don't see those as a fair options at all. The girls were put in a no-win situation by a school official.

Perhaps what they did called for some detention the next week, but it was absurd for them to be treated that way at the field with no option.

That's how I see it. I appreciate your response.

[FoxInSocks]

At least we can civilly agree to disagree. : )