MrsMork said:
I did not like Catcher in the Rye and wish I would not have been required to read it. I think my life would have been plenty full without it. I did like Of Mice and Men alot and followed by reading alot of Stienbeck books.
Sorry Angie,
Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite all-time books.
But that's not the point - you may not like it, but would you want it BANNED from the library? There is a huge difference there. I respect your opinion of the book, but you are not telling me that I don't have the right to read it or like it.
I just got home about 45 minutes ago from the board meeting, and thankfully, he did not bring this up at this time. I hope I amused and maybe incensed some of you, but that is a real school district that has that policy. They are a very "vanilla" district (if you know what I mean).
The problem is that we are a very diverse district. Like many of you said, if it does not involve safety, or a distraction from education, what's the problem? As Todd said, we have bigger problems to worry about, and Todd, I think your comment was right on the mark.
I have a very diverse view on these kinds of issues . . . some people would hear some of my opinions on some things and call me conservative, others would hear my opinion and call me liberal. I like to think I am neither.
My son never had an earring, and still does not. I told Amy that Sophia would not have pierced ears as a baby - she could make that decision for herself when she was old enough to understand it.
Does that mean I look differently at Todd's DS because he has an earring? NO. Do I care if any of your little girls have their ears pierced? NO. That is your decision as a parent and as a family, and I am not so pretentious that I feel I could make that decision for you. I also do not judge you or your child for that decision. I want to KNOW you before I form my opinion of you.
I try to be as tolerant as I can be of others beliefs and how they express themselves. I may not like them after I get to know them, but I will at least make the effort to understand them. The guy who wants to see this happen is not tolerant at all. HIS ideas are the only ones that are right or should count. This dress code issue is only a small indication of the overall mindset.
Sorry so long . . . I get passionate sometimes about this kind of stuff, and am upset with the "one size fits all" approach of so many people who always think they are better at knowing what is right for me than I do myself.
BTW - a school board member from the district with that dress code did tell me that the earring rule stemmed from the perception of what ear you wore it in was a signal of sexual orientation. To prevent the fights and arguments their school board banned males from wearing them entirely (during the late 70's early 80's). I will be honest about it at that time most guys who wore them were either gay, or were so masculine that you would be afraid to ask them about their earring - for fear they would beat you up!
Thanks for the input guys. You solidified my common-sense thinking.
John1
We had a lockdown drill at school today. There was a 5th grade class in the library at the time waiting for a Kindergarten class to get there to help make up their wish lists. Last year I was there for one and we had two Kindergarten classes and a 5th grade class that we had to cram into a small room with the copiers. After watching their training movie last week, it gave me chills. Now it is bothering me more. 
It saddens me in this day and age there are still people who are far too judgemental and close minded.
