Ct Skittles Scandal!!!

[Pigeon]

I don't think the punishment was nearly severe enough for such a heinous action. The child should have been summarily executed, and none of this namby-pamby lethal injection stuff. A firing squad or hanging would be much more appropriate.

Some days I seriously think one must have skittles for brains in order to be a school administrator.

 

[Maleficent13]

Not to be rude, but what does that have to do with this story? Did I miss the part in the article where the boy was slapped by someone?

 

[DawnCt1]

Not to be rude, but what does that have to do with this story? Did I miss the part in the article where the boy was slapped by someone?

Candy has always been a "serious" issue in school. Even school bus drivers get in on the act!

 

[Pigeon]

In a stern, firm and loud voice, she screamed; "NO CANDY ON THE BUS" and she firmly slapped DS#3 across the face in front of all to see. Unfortunately, it wasn't even his candy wrapper. It was left from the high schoolers who took the bus just a short time before.

That would be one bus driver facing assault charges if it happened to my kid.

 

[Jack-Jack]

When I was in 7th grade I started dealing Now & Laters to classmates. I knew it was risky, but it was worth the 15 cents I made on each pack. When I finally got caught, the teacher took what I was holding and I got two days' detention. Suspension is usually reserved for something more serious like selling food containing trans-fats.

 

[DawnCt1]

That would be one bus driver facing assault charges if it happened to my kid.

We were just about there. It happened in the morning. The principal was informed by the entire school bus, there was an apparent hand print on DSs face. I didn't get to see it because the principal went into "damage control", called the superintendant and didn't notify me until DS as on the bus, with the same driver, on the way home! The superintendent wouldn't take my call, I took him back to school. The principal wouldn't comment. I pointed out to the spineless creature that if he saw me do the same thing to my own kid, he would call DCF and why wouldn't he meet his obligations as a required reporter of child abuse. No answer. I took my DS by the hand and walked next door to the police station and filed a police report. You can bet the supt. called me back after that. A meeting was called that we attended with school officials and the bus company president, and our attorney. When they realized our attorney was present, they abruptly adjourned the meeting. On the way back to our car, the President of the school bus company chased us back to our car and asked what we would like him to do.
The result, no matter what the occasion, class trip, we move to the other side of town, my kid stays over night at someone elses house and needs a bus ride, SHE IS NEVER TO DRIVE ANY OF OUR CHILDREN AGAIN. A notarized, hand delivered document stating just that appeared in our attorney's office the next day. In retrospect, I should have been meaner and sued, but I was 'younger and nicer' then.

 

[Pigeon]

You're kinder than I would have been. Under those circumstances, I would have gone after the administration, too.

 

[DawnCt1]

You're kinder than I would have been. Under those circumstances, I would have gone after the administration, too.

I regret that I didn't. I naively thought that they would never tolerate an abusive person working anywhere around children, would deal with any potential union issues and fire her. They didn't. After we accepted the agreement from the bus company, we heard that she was verbally abusive to children, (little children) she didn't like. I promised myself not to be so trusting in the future. I don't always keep that promise but it was a lesson learned. With regard to DS#3, it didn't harm him in anyway. He got tons of support from the kids on the bus and he was somewhat of a hero, so if anything it boosted his self esteem.

 

[CathrynRose]

My son was suspended after having a Sprite in the hallway, in the morning! This was just a few weeks ago!

Oh yes - a Sprite. A vile can of death - juice.

In the school's defense, they had told him earlier in the year he wasnt allowed soda. But Snapple (just as sugar infested) is allowed.

I cant tell you how proud I am.

 

[CF'er]

A friend's DD is in ISS today for passing a note in class yesterday. As far as we know it's the first time she was caught. This isn't a habitual problem with her. ISS? I think that's a bit much.

 

[ctinct]

This whole candy ban is ridiculous. I am unsure if the candy ban in CT is statewide or not. I had thought it was, but my daughter was selling candy just a few weeks ago as a fundraiser. Meanwhile, at the school where I work, candy is no longer allowed to be purchased from a vending machine or to be sold as a fund raiser. To me, that is really sad, because a lot of our kids cannot afford field trips or extra activities out of pocket. Two years ago the music dept. sponsored a trip to Broadway that I helped chaperone, and several of the kids raised the entire $95 by selling candy, and a good many of them raised at least part of the cost of their ticket. This year no one can do that. But, that doesn't stop the kids from bringing in candy to eat all day long---they just can't buy or sell it.

 

[lilyv]

Good job!! Great idea to teach an entire generation of kids that the their school administration is totally nuts. I sure hope they've dropped any education on drugs, alcohol or teen pregnancy-after all, the really important mission is making sure those kids don't touch skittles.

 

[DawnCt1]

Good job!! Great idea to teach an entire generation of kids that the their school administration is totally nuts. I sure hope they've dropped any education on drugs, alcohol or teen pregnancy-after all, the really important mission is making sure those kids don't touch skittles.

And throw the state of Ct. in there too! I would be surprised to find out however that the legislature mandated mandatory suspension; not that they wouldn't think it was a good idea, they just wouldn't think that far ahead! With regard to suspension, school districts have been forced to evaluate their policies of suspension anyway. It has been determine that Ct. schools suspend excessively, and all but serious circumstances should receive in house suspension. I have to say, I am glad they are getting those dangerous candy dealers out of the schools, if only for the day.

 

[lilyv]

And throw the state of Ct. in there too! I would be surprised to find out however that the legislature mandated mandatory suspension; not that they wouldn't think it was a good idea, they just wouldn't think that far ahead! With regard to suspension, school districts have been forced to evaluate their policies of suspension anyway. It has been determine that Ct. schools suspend excessively, and all but serious circumstances should receive in house suspension. I have to say, I am glad they are getting those dangerous candy dealers out of the schools, if only for the day.

This is your brain, this is your brain on skittles (egg frying.....)

 

[TeresaNJ]

Candy has always been a "serious" issue in school. Even school bus drivers get in on the act!

Dawn, this is totally off topic, but I HAVE to tell you how much I admire you for the way you respond to the sarcastic and abusive responses that constantly get thrown at you. You never get down to their level.

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn, this is totally off topic, but I HAVE to tell you how much I admire you for the way you respond to the sarcastic and abusive responses that constantly get thrown at you. You never get down to their level.

Thanks, I try not to.

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks, I try not to.

 

[Olaf]

We were just about there.

Oh my word, Dawn. You are better person than I. I would have had that woman's head and the principal's head (for not calling me immediately) on a platter. They didn't call you because they didn't want you to see it or photograph it. I'm amazed that they didn't fire this woman on the spot.

 

[MrsToad]

It seems they've updated some information - maybe the superintendent thinks the punishment was too much? I think the punishment was crazy.

From wtnh.com:

Student suspended for buying candy in school


Posted Mar. 12, 2008
Updated 3:40 PM

New Haven (AP) _ An eighth-grade honors student at a New Haven school has been suspended for buying a bag of candy at school.

Michael Sheridan, a student at Sheridan Middle School, was suspended from school for one day, barred from attending an honors student dinner and stripped of his title as class vice president.

Officials say he was punished because he bought a bag of Skittles from another student.

A school spokeswoman says the New Haven school system banned candy sales and fundraisers in 2003 as part of the districtwide school wellness policy.

Spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo says there are no candy sales allowed in schools, period.

The student who sold the candy also was suspended.

The superintendent of schools, Dr. Reginald Mayo, issued the following statement late Wednesday afternoon:

"I understand the spirit in which the principal acted. Her number-one concern was maintaining a safe, orderly environment in which students are not distracted. She had concerns about the safety of students carrying large amounts of cash in school, and had experienced some recent incidents, including a student whose wallet was stolen on the bus. The question is, was the punishment too harsh? That's something we need to evaluate. I am hoping we can resolve this quickly."

 

[DawnCt1]

I

"I understand the spirit in which the principal acted. Her number-one concern was maintaining a safe, orderly environment in which students are not distracted. She had concerns about the safety of students carrying large amounts of cash in school, and had experienced some recent incidents, including a student whose wallet was stolen on the bus. The question is, was the punishment too harsh? That's something we need to evaluate. I am hoping we can resolve this quickly."

The price of candy must have certainly sky rocketed. I am glad that "safety" was paramount here. I wonder if the lunch money totals more than a bag of skittles! ? Sounds like your assessment is right. They can't give this student back his day in school or his dinner but I will bet he will soon be VP of his class again!