Kids suspended for FaceBook posts

[MaryAnnDVC]

we had an incident over here where I saw a very upsetting video that was filmed on school grounds but after school hours. There were a few boys(already known as bullys) taunting a special ed boy who is in 1st grade, the boys doing the bullying were in 6th, 8th and 11th grade. The video escalated to them throwing things at him. These bullys then posted the video on youtube and went around telling people to watch it. My oldest dd brought it to my attention. I called someone who knows the special kid and we decided to go there and show her the video. I was going to call the school the next day but the mother took care of that after she called the police. The police could not do anything

Why couldn't the police do anything?? They have an assault on a child, on video. People get arrested for that kind of thing all the time these days.

As for the original topic...I think these types of situations should be a HUGE wakeup call for the kids and parents. What you put out there, with your name, WRITTEN ONLINE, can come back to bite you in the butt. DD's college friends were shocked that she has me as an FB friend. But as she told them, she doesn't post anything that a future employer or a professor can't see, and therefore it's safe for me to see as well.

I'm going to forward the story to my DS, who is 17. Not because I think he'd ever do something like that, but I'm not ignorant to the fact that kids don't always make the wisest choices. I've been making him and his sisters read "stupid kids" stories since they were much younger...good ol' teachable moments.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

this happened here recently: only the harassment involved a page set up specifically to target a teacher. Does that change the situation? Some here still argued the school had no right to discipline as this happened while the kids were at home? Thoughts?

IMHO, I am not sure, though I am leaning toward thinking the school has a right to discipline based on it involving the teacher......

Absolutely, IMHO.

But I remember years ago, a kid getting suspended for just posting a picture online of the HS principal SMOKING just outside the building, which was totally against school policy. The principal suspended HIM for posting the picture. He didn't in any way harass her, and as far as I'm concerned...good for him for doing it! The suspension ended up being revoked.

 

[LisaR]

I'm going to forward the story to my DS, who is 17. Not because I think he'd ever do something like that, but I'm not ignorant to the fact that kids don't always make the wisest choices. I've been making him and his sisters read "stupid kids" stories since they were much younger...good ol' teachable moments.

I forward these types of stories all the time to my kids. I want them to see that this isn't just mom making up some very unlikely story. This is the way things work in our society today. Hopefully they learn from others. If my kids screw up, I can honestly say it isn't because I didn't warn them.

 

[dawson5]

Why couldn't the police do anything?? They have an assault on a child, on video. People get arrested for that kind of thing all the time these days.

As for the original topic...I think these types of situations should be a HUGE wakeup call for the kids and parents. What you put out there, with your name, WRITTEN ONLINE, can come back to bite you in the butt. DD's college friends were shocked that she has me as an FB friend. But as she told them, she doesn't post anything that a future employer or a professor can't see, and therefore it's safe for me to see as well.

I'm going to forward the story to my DS, who is 17. Not because I think he'd ever do something like that, but I'm not ignorant to the fact that kids don't always make the wisest choices. I've been making him and his sisters read "stupid kids" stories since they were much younger...good ol' teachable moments.

I remember reading about this:

http://wcco.com/local/youtube.video.assaults.2.1320545.html

I cannot see how they cannot arrest the people. This involves kids (and some adults) randomly targeting people and assaulting them. They videotaped it and put it up on youtube. Before it was taken down, someone saved it and from what I understand brought it to the attention of the authorities.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Here's the article about the kid posting pictures of the principal smoking.

http://www.projo.com/digitalbulletin/content/projo-20050323-centralstudent.168a71eb6.html

[SIZE=+2]Central student reinstated in wake of principal's photo flap
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1] 04:09 PM EST on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] The Associated Press [/SIZE]
PROVIDENCE - A high school student who caught his principal apparently breaking a state anti-smoking law on film was suspended after he posted the photos on the Internet.

Eliazar Velasquez says he hid behind a wall to get photos like this one showing Central High School principal Elaine Almagno having a smoke outside a school door. Smoking wihtin 25 feet of a school violates state law.


But today the school district reversed course, wiping Eliazar Velasquez's suspension from his record, and saying the principal was not setting a good example for students.

Velasquez, a sophomore at Central High School, snapped pictures of Principal Elaine Almagno apparently smoking a cigarette outside an open school door earlier this month. Smoking within 25 feet of a school building violates state law.

Velasquez then posted the pictures on a Web site and distributed fliers at school telling students where to find the photos. On the site, along with the photos, was a message criticizing Almagno.

"What kind of example is she setting for the students of Central High?" he wrote.

Velasquez was suspended Friday, the day he distributed the fliers.

Superintendent Melody Johnson said today that school officials informed her Velasquez had been suspended because his actions disrupted the learning environment at the school.

Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which spoke to school officials on Velasquez's behalf, said the school had sent the sophomore a letter telling him he was suspended for harassment and slander via the Internet.

Brown said Velasquez was scheduled to have a hearing today about possible further punishment. Instead, after the suspension was publicized,

Velasquez was allowed back to school today, and school officials dropped a demand that he take down the Web site before returning.

"The school had no authority to punish him for the information he had up there or to require him to take down the site," Brown said.

Journal photo / John Freidah
Eliazar Velasquez says he hid behind a wall to get photos showing Central High School principal Elaine Almagno having a smoke outside a school door.

In a statement released today, Johnson said Almagno made a mistake.

"Clearly she should not have been smoking on school grounds, as this is a violation of law and school district policy and does not set a good example for students," Johnson said. "After a review of the incident, I directed that the suspension not be placed in the student's record, and that the student be immediately reinstated in school."

Johnson said while students have a right to voice their concerns, the schools have a role in educating them "about respectful, constructive ways to do so."

She said the student is being counseled in "appropriate ways to express disagreement, deal with conflict and reach resolutions."

In the statement, Johnson said she would not comment "on any potential disciplinary action as it is a private personnel matter."

I think that he had to be counseled on appropriate ways to express disagreement is BS. What was he supposed to do, go tell the principal she was misbehaving? SHE was in the wrong...lesson to her too, about acting appropriately, or SOMEONE MIGHT TAKE A PICTURE.

 

[Shelton123]

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/137848.html

3 students were suspended for "trash talk" on FB after a basketball game. It wasn't nice, but I don't think it's any worse than things they say to each other if they met at the mall. The kids were not posting at school- they were at home. Frankly I think this is a parent issue NOT a school issue. It also kind of gives me the creeps that a school official is perusing the kids FB accounts.

That being said, kids need to know that once you put something out there- it's there!

FAIL @ that school.

I should be expelled if these are the rules we should be following.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

The school has no business getting involved! Thats wrong and over stepping their boundaries!! I don't want my school sticking their nose in our business that happens off school property!!!

The parents or police should be involved in the incident.

 

[happygirl]

I know this won't be a popular view. I'm glad the student was suspend. the school has to keep there students safe. If you have one student writing this kind of comments about another student that is a major distratction.

 

[Mermaid02]

I know this won't be a popular view. I'm glad the student was suspend. the school has to keep there students safe. If you have one student writing this kind of comments about another student that is a major distratction.

The kids go to different schools in different parts of the state.

 

[pumba]

Because of the school involved with the Somolians and because it is in the area where there have been a great deal of hate crimes AIMED at these kids....Yah I agree that it should of been brought to the law enforcement that deals with hate crimes...These kids in high school knows about these hate crimes that have gone on for the last few years...It is a shame. School discipline is a load better then having it on your record as participating in a hate crime

 

[Skywalker]

I say the school did the right thing.

If it had been a bunch of guys playing basketball around the neighbourhood - then not so much their business.

But it wasn't just random trash talking off school property, it was the high school basketball team talking about another high school basketball team, after a school-sponsored game. This makes it a school issue and their business.

 

[crispychicky]

The kids go to different schools in different parts of the state.

Since when has there been geographical limits on bullying?
It's not bullying if you go to different schools?

 

[dakcp2001]

There are no permits required to procreate. It is apparent that some of the parents are not exactly taking this seriously. Not all parents actually parent. It is sad, really. I think it is great that the school will have a Code of Conduct that is all encompassing, this is what employers do as well. Some parents (even in this forum) seem to think that this kind of behavior is no big deal. It is a big deal out int the world today. This is an example of how the real world is going to be for these little ignoramuses. You post something out of line on a public forum, there will be consequences, like job loss or getting arrested or sued. Making racist and homophobic comments is actually a crime. The fact that these kids "will never see each other" certainly does not make it ok. These kids are old enough to know better.

I hope the school throws the book at the kids and the parents. The code of conduct makes the dicipline 100% ok for the school. The school covered their butt with the code of conduct and the kids clearly violated it. Make an example of these morons, so the rest of the kids will think twice before being so stupid.

I really think the police should also be involved. It is a crime.

 

[dakcp2001]

I know this won't be a popular view. I'm glad the student was suspend. the school has to keep there students safe. If you have one student writing this kind of comments about another student that is a major distratction.

I totally agree!

 

[pumba]

Most of the Somolian residents were sponsored by local churches down south and up north...They are not illegal as many have become American citizens the past few years.......And the Mayor that asked them to stop coming is not a racist!!

 

[Art 1]

there are no permits required to procreate. It is apparent that some of the parents are not exactly taking this seriously. Not all parents actually parent. It is sad, really. I think it is great that the school will have a code of conduct that is all encompassing, this is what employers do as well. Some parents (even in this forum) seem to think that this kind of behavior is no big deal. It is a big deal out int the world today. This is an example of how the real world is going to be for these little ignoramuses. You post something out of line on a public forum, there will be consequences, like job loss or getting arrested or sued. Making racist and homophobic comments is actually a crime. The fact that these kids "will never see each other" certainly does not make it ok. These kids are old enough to know better.

I hope the school throws the book at the kids and the parents. The code of conduct makes the dicipline 100% ok for the school. The school covered their butt with the code of conduct and the kids clearly violated it. Make an example of these morons, so the rest of the kids will think twice before being so stupid.

I really think the police should also be involved. It is a crime.

+1.

 

[Mermaid02]

I say the school did the right thing.

If it had been a bunch of guys playing basketball around the neighbourhood - then not so much their business.

But it wasn't just random trash talking off school property, it was the high school basketball team talking about another high school basketball team, after a school-sponsored game. This makes it a school issue and their business.

It was indeed trash talk off school property- apparently it went both ways also- I'd be interested to hear what the other kids said- and not all suspended students were basketball players- one was female.

Since when has there been geographical limits on bullying?
It's not bullying if you go to different schools?

I was referring to the poster who said that it would be distracting in school for kids to be talking about each other- these kids don't even LIVE in the same area.

I don't agree with the "it takes a village" philosophy. I think people should be allowed to raise their own children- I have said before, my kids would be in trouble at home- the school need not get involved.

And since when is calling someone Somalian threatening?

 

[Mermaid02]

Most of the Somolian residents were sponsored by local churches down south and up north...They are not illegal as many have become American citizens the past few years.......And the Mayor that asked them to stop coming is not a racist!!

I didn't think he was- I figured he was a man who saw his town being financially drained.

 

[dakcp2001]

I don't agree with the "it takes a village" philosophy. I think people should be allowed to raise their own children- I have said before, my kids would be in trouble at home- the school need not get involved.

And since when is calling someone Somalian threatening?

The school does need to get involved, since the kids violated their code of conduct, and calling someone "Somalian" is threatening when it is part of a derogatory statement, for example- calling them illegal immigrants and the like, especially if they are not true.

ANyone who blames one race or group of people for "draining" the local finances is way out of line. I could think of some names to call him, but I will refrain. lol. I bet if you look at actual statistics of people on public assistance in your community, you might be surpised. Making a general assumption that all Somalians are illegal is pretty ignorant.

 

[Mermaid02]

The school does need to get involved, since the kids violated their code of conduct, and calling someone "Somalian" is threatening when it is part of a derogatory statement, for example- calling them illegal immigrants and the like, especially if they are not true.

I would be willing to bet that some of the kids on the basketball team were Somalian. There is a large illegal immigrant population in said city as well...... It was poor sportsmanship and trash talk- Brewer lost! I think the kids over reacted and I think the school over reacted.