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[mutti]

If it's necessary to have cameras in your child's school 'to keep them safe', then it
is time to get them out NOW.
Bear

I never would have thought of it that way - great argument for the common masses.

[Rarick]

Actually the kids would be out of school the moment the metal detectors went in.  The outlawing of Buck knife and leatherman tools is downright unamerican............

[mutti]

(I found myself screaming "YARTHS" about 30 seconds ago)  Yes - This might not be true, however it surely might be in this day and age.



Lawsuit accuses security guard of handcuffing first-graders for talking in class

The attorney for a family suing Chicago Public Schools over the alleged handcuffing of a first-grader in 2010 said Tuesday that the boy was among several 6- and 7-year-olds who were detained and handcuffed for hours for talking in class.

In an email to the Tribune, attorney Michael Carin said school officials at Carver Primary School on the Far South Side authorized the on-campus security guard in March 2010 to discipline some first-graders who were being disruptive.

Giving details not disclosed in the lawsuit filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, Carin said the school's security officer removed the students from class and held them in another office on campus where there were no other adults present. Carin said the students were handcuffed for hours and told that "they were going to prison and would never see their parents again."

"There appears to be no reason for an officer to isolate 6- and 7-year-old children, place them in handcuffs and threaten them for hours during a school day, or any other day," Carin wrote.

What - what? Appears to be no reason? Why not just slap the duct tape over their mouths? Never see their parents? Excuse me for just a moment (ahgoetirhaweiot aeirvthj a;veoit9uvanj[e 9rivtj ;eawritjba;eo9biutw9eoibnta'weoritb'EP0ORIBNWE0Oirbtn 9EIRTN [9E)

And what about this insane comment:

These security guards may have saved their lives by scaring them straight.  The handcuffs did no harm. The parents should be sued for raising little monsters

Why comments on Race when this should be about the blatant Terrorism by the blanking Security Officer?

What were their names ? Shameika, Jamal, and Katmamal ?

these cute little kids would shoot you without thinking twice. they need to be handcuffed more often.

Rant On/

I honestly don't understand the hate wars, religious wars, race wars, monetary wars, socio-economic wars, military hate (I was shocked to see Active Duty Military calling for O/Government dismantling on a Military Board yesterday) - why? why? why?

Am I so "out of the mainstream" that I can't see this around me where we live everyday?

Or is it just that I'll say "Listen. I understand what you are saying, but I cannot condone those types of hateful comments." or "I don't believe in Gossiping about others. Why don't we talk about something else?"

Is it the ability to hide behind a keyboard and spout without having to face someone?

/Rant Off

I am so incredibly thankful that we Homeschool. There are times when it is hard to swing a bill, minions drive me nuts and I wonder "What are we doing?" Then I imagine the violence against children each day (physical or otherwise) and I feel like crying for the children who have to deal with that daily.

 

[knobster]

Good grief?  Handcuffed?  For talking in class?  I'm sending this on to my SHW so she'll be reminded of yet another reason why we are homeschooling.

[mutti]

Britain YARTHS : Dress witches in pink and avoid white paper to prevent racism in nuseries, expert says

From the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz to Meg, the good witch from the Meg and Mog children's books, witches have always dressed in black.

But their traditional attire has now come in for criticism from equality experts who claim it could send a negative message to toddlers in nursery and lead to racism.

Instead, teachers should censor the toy box and replace the pointy black hat with a pink one, while dressing fairies, generally resplendent in pale pastels, in darker shades.

Another staple of the classroom - white paper - has also been questioned by Anne O'Connor, an early years consultant who advises local authorities on equality and diversity.

"This is an incredibly complex subject that can easily become simplified and inaccurately portrayed," she said.

"There is a tendency in education to say 'here are normal people and here are different people and we have to be kind to those different people', whether it's race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or faith.

"People who are feeling defensive can say 'well there's nothing wrong with white paper', but in reality there could be if you don't see yourself reflected in the things around you. “As an early years teacher, the minute you start thinking, 'well actually, if I give everyone green paper, what happens’, you have a teaching potential.

“People might criticise this as political correctness gone mad. But it is because of political correctness we have moved on enormously. If you think that we now take it for granted that our buildings and public highways are adapted so people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs can move around. Years ago if you were in a wheelchair, then tough luck. We have completely moved and we wouldn’t have done that without the equality movement.�

Oh my. My suggestion would have been carbon papers since it seems education is bent on producing little "carbon copies".

[gaurdduck]

Britain YARTHS : Dress witches in pink and avoid white paper to prevent racism in nuseries, expert says

From the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz to Meg, the good witch from the Meg and Mog children's books, witches have always dressed in black.

But their traditional attire has now come in for criticism from equality experts who claim it could send a negative message to toddlers in nursery and lead to racism.

Instead, teachers should censor the toy box and replace the pointy black hat with a pink one, while dressing fairies, generally resplendent in pale pastels, in darker shades.

Another staple of the classroom - white paper - has also been questioned by Anne O'Connor, an early years consultant who advises local authorities on equality and diversity.

"This is an incredibly complex subject that can easily become simplified and inaccurately portrayed," she said.

"There is a tendency in education to say 'here are normal people and here are different people and we have to be kind to those different people', whether it's race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or faith.

"People who are feeling defensive can say 'well there's nothing wrong with white paper', but in reality there could be if you don't see yourself reflected in the things around you. “As an early years teacher, the minute you start thinking, 'well actually, if I give everyone green paper, what happens’, you have a teaching potential.

“People might criticise this as political correctness gone mad. But it is because of political correctness we have moved on enormously. If you think that we now take it for granted that our buildings and public highways are adapted so people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs can move around. Years ago if you were in a wheelchair, then tough luck. We have completely moved and we wouldn’t have done that without the equality movement.�

Oh my. My suggestion would have been carbon papers since it seems education is bent on producing little "carbon copies".

Sorry, I just don't think Marisa would look right in pink...

[mutti]

When "loitering" leads to attack by school resource officer. Comments "he got what he deserved" make me sick. Just waiting for the "the family just wants to sue" comments - give it time.

Family searches for answers in teen's altercation

The mother of a Normandy High School student critically injured in an altercation with a school resource officer said she wants to know what really happened.

Evelyn Woods said her son, Damontae, 18, suffered a heart rupture after a school resource officer chased him down for loitering in the hallway and being late to class the morning of Oct. 21.

Damontae Woods is in critical condition at St. Louis Children's Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

"All we know is he was in an altercation," Evelyn Woods said Wednesday by phone. "We've tried to get in touch with school officials, but nobody's shown up."

and later:

Wellston Police Chief G.T. Walker said police were called to the school for a report of a 'sick case" about 9:30 that morning. Responding officers were told a student was having difficulty breathing.

Walker said police did not begin an investigation into the incident until last week, when a television news reporter told him of the severity of Damontae's injuries and the family's allegations. Investigators are planning to meet with the teen's relatives next week to obtain medical records and details of the incident.

Evelyn Woods said her son was in good health until last month's incident and that no pre-existing conditions existed with the 5-foot-1, 120-pound teen that could have contributed to his injuries.

Having a knee in your back or on your chest by the "resource officer" might tend to create breathing issues. Why they just didn't Tazer the little miscreant is beyond me (sarc). Good thing they have all those cameras recording -

YARTHS

[mutti]

Cleveland, Ohio.

A couple raising a 14-year-old developmentally disabled student say they hid a recording device on the girl to prove a teacher and school aide were bullying her, and the audio and subsequent investigations have led to a lawsuit, the aide’s resignation and disciplinary action for the teacher.

The girl’s mother, Kourtney Barcus, and her boyfriend, who helps raise the girl, said in the lawsuit that their concerns about the aide spanned several years before they recorded the audio and that school officials initially rejected their claims. But they were shocked by what they heard on the hours of tape.

The disciplinary action will be suspended if the teacher involved completes an 8 hour class and stays in "good standing" with the district.

I wonder why the couple involved left this child over a several year period in the school?

Sad.

[Lowkey]

On the bright side; A would be teen mother got an abortion....

Believe it or not, the abortion is not the key issue here. The issue is the apparent  blatant superseding of parental rights.

We can "what if" this to death with all of the possibilities that could have been discussed among the Family, however that option was removed by the State.

That is the issue.

I get it, hence the "on the bright side" comment...

While I don't disagree with abortion, even abortion without a parents approval, I don't think the public school system should have any say whatsoever in such matters.

According to the article, it didn't/

"At any age in the state of Washington, an individual can consent to a termination of pregnancy," he <T.J. Cosgrove>said.

The young lady in question would have been free to pursue an abortion on her own without any assistance from the state if she so chose.
For those with a pro-life view I can understand bitching about the use of state funds for an abortion.
In fact, I can see anyone bitching about use of state funds for health care.
What I'm not seeing are any logical grounds for claiming the state usurped parental rights in this case. 
It's not as if the young lady needed a permission slip signed by her parents for this procedure which the state signed in their place.
She tested pregnant, the clinic staff told her what medical options were available to her under the health plan available to her, and the young lady made her choice. 

As a side note, I have to wonder about the veracity of the mothers statement that her daughter was/is a pro-life advocate.  If that was the case, why/how could she choose abortion. 
I'm more inclined to believe that her parents are pro-life advocates and that the daughter goes along with them to avoid issues at home.

[mutti]

School Accused of Putting Autistic Boy in Duffel Bag

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/22/school-accused-putting-autistic-boy-in-duffel-bag/?test=latestnews#ixzz1hNGJHESl

A 9-year-old autistic boy who misbehaved at school was stuffed into a duffel bag and the drawstring pulled tight, according to his mother, who said she found him wiggling inside as a teacher's aide stood by.

Mercer County schools Interim Superintendent Dennis Davis said confidentiality laws forbid him from commenting.

"The employees of the Mercer County Public Schools are qualified professionals who treat students with respect and dignity while providing a safe and nurturing learning environment," Davis said in a statement.

Baker said when school officials called the family to pick him up, they were told he was "jumping off the walls." Days later, at a meeting with school officials, Baker said she was told the boy had smirked at the teacher when he was told to put down a basketball, then threw it across the room.

At a meeting with school district officials, the bag was described as a "therapy bag," Baker said, though she wasn't clear exactly what that meant. She said her son would sometimes be asked to roll over a bag filled with balls as a form of therapy, but she didn't know her son was being placed in the bag. She said school officials told her it was not the first time they had put him in the bag.

[mutti]

Parkway's use of fitness monitors raises privacy questions  (St. Louis, MO):

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/education/parkway-s-use-of-fitness-monitors-raises-privacy-questions/article_af46b549-0f1e-5a41-8a26-7f77c91ced20.html#ixzz1ic2ERxMM

When is the line crossed between better health and surveillance?

In early 2012, wristwatch-like devices called Polar active monitors will be used by older students in PE classes at all 18 Parkway elementary schools. District officials say the devices should help improve the students' fitness and academic achievement.

Later this school year, the district plans to collect data about activity levels and even sleep patterns for a week at a time. It will have the students wear the devices round the clock.

Some parents and legal experts are raising privacy concerns about at least that aspect of the program.

Ramspott said Parkway will require parental consent to participate largely because of the responsibility of caring for the monitors.

"We haven't had any parents refuse to participate at this point as we have only used them in PE classes," Ramspott said.

But some parents and others insist they have concerns.

Beth Huebner, PTO co-president at Ross and mother of sons in first and fourth grades, said she wasn't aware of her older child wearing one of the devices and she was never asked for consent.

"I'd want to see data generated to help me understand calories burned and sleep patterns," said Huebner, a professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. "I would ask the district tell me about it particularly if the information would be used for district analysis."

What happened to Reading, Writing and Mathematics? I know - anywho - just an FYI for those who are dealing with "funny watches" @ their Child's school.

(wanders away mumbling.....where is my tinfoil hat....)

[RagnarDanneskjold]

Parkway's use of fitness monitors raises privacy questions  (St. Louis, MO):
...

That's funny (in a sardonic sort of way). Fitness monitoring by a group whose collective "wisdom" has so far caused a huge leap in obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's (which wasn't even in the lexicon until 1979), cardiomyopathies and early death. Why would anyone let them dictate health and fitness? (of course, why does anyone let them mold their children's minds in the first place).

[mutti]

That's funny (in a sardonic sort of way). Fitness monitoring by a group whose collective "wisdom" has so far caused a huge leap in obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's (which wasn't even in the lexicon until 1979), cardiomyopathies and early death. Why would anyone let them dictate health and fitness? (of course, why does anyone let them mold their children's minds in the first place).

Good news (no - not mass exodus from the School System) : Parkway School District shelves fitness monitors :  http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/parkway-school-district-shelves-fitness-monitors/article_4e22dd80-6fff-5d97-8d86-1ea1ecfae99d.html

Parkway School District is taking away activity monitors given to elementary pupils for physical education classes due to a national controversy over privacy issues.

The 75 Polar Active devices, which are worn on the wrist and cost $90 each, were distributed last year to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade pupils at Henry, Ross and Shenandoah Valley elementary schools. The pupils were using them to measure the quality and duration of their exertion during PE classes then comparing those measurements to the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations for activity.

...but NY likes the concept so much - Polar Activity Monitors are going National!

Schools ‘spy’ on fat kids  :  http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/schools_spy_on_fat_kids_HpPAgsKXPYjt1EWFfaNp9K

A group of Long Island students will soon be wearing controversial electronic monitors that allow school officials to track their physical activity around the clock.

The athletics chair for the Bay Shore schools ordered 10 Polar Active monitors, at $90 a pop, for use starting this spring. The wristwatchlike devices count heartbeats, detect motion and even track students’ sleeping habits in a bid to combat obesity.

The information is displayed on a color-coded screen and gets transmitted to a password-protected Web site that students and educators can access.

and New Jersey as well. Sigh.

Well at least cheating on SAT and ACT's will be taken care of :  ‘Digital DNA’ May Soon Be Required To Take SAT And ACT Exams  :  http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/23/exclusive-digital-dna-may-soon-be-required-to-take-sat-and-act-exams/

Since the SAT and ACT cheating scandals broke wide open on Long Island, lawmakers have pledged to come up with unique cutting edge ways to combat identity theft.

On Monday, CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan got the exclusive first look at what politicians will see first hand in Albany on Tuesday afternoon, and what could soon be implemented at a high school near you.

“It’s a great way for people to really be who they are when they take the test, and not try to fake it,� Massapequa High School graduate Jennifer Karp told McLogan.

Karp volunteered her forensic image for a digital DNA. It begins with mandatory pre-registering at a student’s home school with official legal ID documents only.

Combine that with "Fingerprints for Lunch" : Fingerprints for Food? Lunch Scans Raise Concern  :  https://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2010/October/Fingerprints-for-Food-High-Tech-School-Lunch-Raises-Concern/

A Los Angeles school district has gone high tech to speed things up in the cafeteria -- using a fingerprint scanning system to record children's lunch purchases.

But the move has some worried about students' right to privacy.

Students at the Foshay Learning Center are the first in the school district to try the scanners. With the touch of a finger, they can buy sloppy joes, a slice of pizza, or a carton of milk.

"It's very safe," principal Yvonne Edwards said. "The children don't have to bring money to school."

Palm Prints for Pizza down in Florida : Palm Scans: School Cafeterias Go High Tech :  http://palmharbor.patch.com/articles/palm-scans-school-cafeterias-go-high-tech

The lunch line moves faster with the new technology.

“We examined several biometric systems during our review process and it was evident during our pilot phase that the Fujitsu PalmSecure solution, paired with (software), best met our qualifying criteria,� according to Pinellas Food Service Department Director Art Dunham on the Fujitsu website.

The new palm scan system is optional. Paying with cash and looking up a student’s name can still be done.

Fingerprints for riding the School Bus : http://jalopnik.com/5677713/school-buses-testing-fingerprint-scanners

Digital ID Cards for your precious little ones to actually prove they are who they say they are : http://blog.hhcolorlab.com/school-photography/school-photographers-id-cards-will-be-happening-soon

...and "we" wonder why walking through the TSA line(s) has become commonly accepted.

[PJ]

...and "we" wonder why walking through the TSA line(s) has become commonly accepted.

I graduated from public school more than 30 years ago.  At that time they were talking about implementing locker searches; drug-sniffing dogs and drug testing was on the horizon, and they were ready to ban leaving school property for lunch.  I was very glad that I was graduating when I did, as I recognized that schools were becoming minimum security prisons.  The people who have been imprisoned in this environment know nothing different; they have been conditioned to comply and most will continue to do so.  Thus, the TSA grope line is nothing out of the ordinary for the average public school product; they have been trained to accept it as normal.  Some of course, rebel, they once were labeled as troublemakers; I suppose now days the word terrorist would be applied.

[mutti]

Flip-flop on the Monitors. Now they'll just slooowwwwllllyyy integrate them.

Parkway going ahead with Polar monitor project :  http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/education/parkway-going-ahead-with-polar-monitor-project/article_9dcfea10-5871-51ff-97a4-590b944983f4.html

Parkway School District administrators have changed course and now plan to go ahead with district-wide implementation of a Polar active monitor program this spring.

First, they'll just be used in PE, then at some point down the road, kids will wear them all during the school day to determine their activity levels," Kelly said. "A couple years down the road, we wanted to send the devices home with the kids, and, at that time, we had originally planned on communication with parents because the kids would be taking the devices home."

...camels nose.