8th grader arrested,suspended for NRA tshirt

[yoopermom]

http://news.yahoo.com/8th-grader-arrested-suspended-nra-protect-t-shirt-174825948.html

"An eithe grade student from West Virginia has been arrested, suspended and faces charges for wearing an NRA T-shirt with the image of a firearm and the words "Protect Your Right" printed on it to school."

The article goes on to quote the school dress code:

"A student will not dress or groom in a manner that disrupts the educational process or is detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of others. A student will not dress in a manner that is distractive or indecent, to the extent that it interferes with the teaching and learning process, including wearing any apparel that displays or promotes any drug-, alcohol- or tobacco-related product that is prohibited in school buildings, on school grounds, in school-leased or owned vehicles, and at all school-affiliated functions."

I taught in middle and high schools for years. Basically, if the kid's shirt caused a disturbance, we would ask them to turn it inside out or change it.

While it is a sensitive time for gun supporters, it is still *legal*, so should the teacher have argued with him about it?

What if the tshirt would have read that he supported some other legal, but hot topic, like abortion?

I know it's tough for the DIS, but let's try to keep the discussion specific to what should be allowed to be worn in schools vs the hot topics themselves...

Terri

 

[thedonduck]

http://news.yahoo.com/8th-grader-arrested-suspended-nra-protect-t-shirt-174825948.html

"An eithe grade student from West Virginia has been arrested, suspended and faces charges for wearing an NRA T-shirt with the image of a firearm and the words "Protect Your Right" printed on it to school."

The article goes on to quote the school dress code:

"A student will not dress or groom in a manner that disrupts the educational process or is detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of others. A student will not dress in a manner that is distractive or indecent, to the extent that it interferes with the teaching and learning process, including wearing any apparel that displays or promotes any drug-, alcohol- or tobacco-related product that is prohibited in school buildings, on school grounds, in school-leased or owned vehicles, and at all school-affiliated functions."

I taught in middle and high schools for years. Basically, if the kid's shirt caused a disturbance, we would ask them to turn it inside out or change it.

While it is a sensitive time for gun supporters, it is still *legal*, so should the teacher have argued with him about it?

What if the tshirt would have read that he supported some other legal, but hot topic, like abortion?

I know it's tough for the DIS, but let's try to keep the discussion specific to what should be allowed to be worn in schools vs the hot topics themselves...

Terri

At my high school, as well as the school I taught at, we were not allowed to wear anything that dealt with drugs, alcohol, or guns. Didn't matter the reason, pro/con for the use. It was NOT allowed (besides DARE shirts). I don't know about charges, but I'm ok with the suspension as it goes against the school dress code.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

It appears that he's facing charges because of his behavior after a teacher questioned his shirt, not because he wore the shirt.

 

[pieface]

If the shirt violated the dress code then he should not have worn it. I agree with you turn the shirt inside out. Being charged with a criminal offense is out of line he should have never been charged. If he refused to turn the shirt inside out send him home. I am a gun owner and agree with the 2nd and but I don't like the n r a. They are against any restrictions on guns such as back ground checks and cop killer bullets. Most gun control laws don't work they are a burden on honest people doesn't bother criminals.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

If the shirt violated the dress code then he should not have worn it. I agree with you turn the shirt inside out. Being charged with a criminal offense is out of line he should have never been charged. If he refused to turn the shirt inside out send him home. I am a gun owner and agree with the 2nd and but I don't like the n r a. They are against any restrictions on guns such as back ground checks and cop killer bullets. Most gun control laws don't work they are a burden on honest people doesn't bother criminals.

We don't know what happened, and what the student said or did during the "argument" with his teacher. Saying he should or shouldn't have been charged is impossible.

 

[a1tinkfans]

theres not enough information OP...

What is the alleged actual reason he is facing charges? Was it for an alleged altercation/issue/argument with a teacher? Was it the shirt itself? Why would a teacher not just ask him to turn it inside out? Was that asked and refused? What is wrong with the shirt, the picture? The word/s? It does not appear to be against their written policy?
Why not have any/all schools ask kids to cover their Hineys...and pull up their pants...and cover the midriffs and and hiney cheeks of some of the shorts some gals wear...Its ALL tasteless and disturbing and distracting imho...
IMHO, he did not break a rule as I see it but again, I have no idea what the "real" story actually is...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Always more to the story of course. Nice try by dad and middle schooler to pretend that the school should not have a problem with the T-shirt....REALLY?

 

[thedonduck]

theres not enough information OP...

What is the alleged actual reason he is facing charges? Was it for an alleged altercation/issue/argument with a teacher? Was it the shirt itself? Why would a teacher not just ask him to turn it inside out? Was that asked and refused? What is wrong with the shirt, the picture? The word/s? It does not appear to be against their written policy?
Why not have any/all schools ask kids to cover their Hineys...and pull up their pants...and cover the midriffs and and hiney cheeks of some of the shorts some gals wear...Its ALL tasteless and disturbing and distracting imho...
IMHO, he did not break a rule as I see it but again, I have no idea what the "real" story actually is...

Read the article they posted.

 

[Granny square]

The shirt wasn't against the policy. The teacher may have had a personal issue against it, but he rules don't mention guns.

A planned parenthood tshirt would be the same. Not against the rules. Some people object.

People need to mind their own business. And teach their kids to do the same. It should be a given that the teachers should teach not preach.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I like the T-Shirt and I'd allow my child to wear it to school.

 

[thedonduck]

The shirt wasn't against the policy. The teacher may have had a personal issue against it, but he rules don't mention guns.

A planned parenthood tshirt would be the same. Not against the rules. Some people object.

People need to mind their own business. And teach their kids to do the same. It should be a given that the teachers should teach not preach.

It could have been against policy if it disrupted the classroom. We don't have the information as to what occurred in the classroom. MAYBE it brought upon a disruptive conversation amongst students, the teacher tried to step in and said the student needed to turn around the shirt because it was disrupting their teaching (which goes against the policy). MAYBE then the student became deviant and that is when the principals and officers stepped in.

After working in a school (and one that had MANY issues due to poverty, drug use, and violence), I am never quick to judge the teacher. We just don't have the information as to what occurred prior to the charges and suspension.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I'm pretty sure any shirt with a gun on it would have been disallowed, regardless of the political position of the shirt. I have no problem with this, just as I have no problem with schools not allowing tshirts with liquor bottles on them. (Also not illegal, also not allowed in schools.)

Also, he was clearly arrested for the fuss he made when the shirt was banned, not for the shirt itself.

 

[abdmom]

In the schools I taught at and the schools my children attended, no representation of a gun was allowed. No drawing, no making a gun with your fingers, Lego, play dough etc etc. A shirt would definitely qualify. I once suspended a student for a t shirt with a snowman on it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I like the T-Shirt and I'd allow my child to wear it to school.

Then your kid would be in trouble. As a parent with kids in school, it is DUH that firearms are not allowed on shirts.

And depending on what state you live in and what school you go to it gets even stricter than that.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I like the T-Shirt and I'd allow my child to wear it to school.

Really? I think it is inappropriate to wear a shirt with guns on it to school!

 

[NaLisa]

T-shirt is disruptive, against school policy. I think he was arrested for his behavior, not the shirt.

 

[Granny square]

It is only disruptive if people are being ridiculous.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Given that organization's role in defeating common sense legislation the shirt could easily be defined as disruptive.

If the justification for not passing laws is that people will disobey them, we might as well do away with the speed limit on I-95.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

It is only disruptive if people are being ridiculous.

You might be surprised to find the number of people in a middle school who are capable of acting ridiculous. Things that you and I might be able to easily ignore or move past can be very disruptive to 12 year old boys.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I am a gun owner and agree with the 2nd and but I don't like the n r a. They are against any restrictions on guns such as back ground checks and cop killer bullets. Most gun control laws don't work they are a burden on honest people doesn't bother criminals.

Technically, the NRA is against forced registration which unfortunately would be necessary in order to enforce the background check (despite any language to the contrary). They also brokered the deal by which the KTM bullet was removed (voluntarily) from the civilian market. There's never been any proof that the bullet was any more effective in penetrating soft body armor than many other commercially available bullets.

As for the shirt, if the teacher had an issue, the principal should have gotten involved. It does not appear on the surface to be a CLEAR violation of school policy. So, based on that, no suspension for the shirt (his behavior is another story) he should just be told to turn it inside out and not wear it again.