Louisiana student has trouble with principal for wearing Colts jersey

[DisneyBamaFan]

I'm not a genius and I don't think you're stupid. I thought we were having a discussion, not an argument. You posted your opinion and I posted why I thought your opinion was flawed. You're free to do the same. It's that simple. Nothing more (at least not on my side).

Actually, you questioned my understanding of the situation. I understand how some might conclude that this is all about the principal enforcing a dress code. I just don't see it that way. In fact, I think that this is a principal using the dress code for his own petty purposes.

We are cool - thank you for clarifying your position...

 

[ilovejack02]

This is the way that I read it, too. This isn't about the kid wearing that shirt, though it could have been. It is about the juvenile behavior of the principal. And that behavior makes one question everything about the event, including his decision to not be inclusive of Colts fans...

Does that mean on purple and gold days .. we need to be inclusive of the folks that want to wear red and white? I think there maybe an underlying issue here Bama Fan, is that the problem?

This was not a one school event, it has been done at almost every school in the state in the last few weeks.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's not considered cheating? Giving one state 3 teams and 3 chances to win? (You can tell I'm not a football person.)

I guess it would be if they were all good.

But as someone said--it's a money thing.

I think to some degree, when these franchises began, the NFL has some say in location.

But that is too far beyond what I know to even begin to comprehend.

 

[Imzadi]

Yes, I did. We disagree. Move on. Why can't people on this board disagree respectfully?

It's against the rules.

Didn't you know that?

I am catching on...

Yes, you're supposed to let people beat the thread topic down like a dead horse.

You can't opt out of the "discussion" early and respectfully disagree.

 

[ilovejack02]

I guess it would be if they were all good.

But as someone said--it's a money thing.

I think to some degree, when these franchises began, the NFL has some say in location.

But that is too far beyond what I know to even begin to comprehend.

I would imagine the NFL does have a say.. and yes way to complicated to understand it lol.

 

[NikitaZee]

Does that mean on purple and gold days .. we need to be inclusive of the folks that want to wear red and white?

This was not a one school event, it has been done at almost every school in the state in the last few weeks.

At a school with a uniform or dress code, relaxing those rules to wear different colors and/or clothing is a privilege. That privilege was only extended to black and gold wearing students - in other words, Saints fans. Why was is not extended to blue and white as well - when it's obvious that the relaxed dress code was in anticipation of the Superbowl. Why not open it up for both - and promote good sportsmanship at the same time?

 

[bengalbelle]

Actually, you questioned my understanding of the situation. I understand how some might conclude that this is all about the principal enforcing a dress code. I just don't see it that way. In fact, I think that this is a principal using the dress code for his own petty purposes.

We are cool - thank you for clarifying your position...

And because I can admit when I make a mistake, I misunderstood your post I initially quoted. I thought you said the principal had a "support your favorite team day" and you were saying he had (what you thought was) a support his favorite team day.

I don't agree that that's what he did, schools all over Louisiana (and possibly Mississippi) did the same thing; but now I do understand where you were going with your end of the discussion .

I still don't agree except that the principal made an inappropriate comment.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Does that mean on purple and gold days .. we need to be inclusive of the folks that want to wear red and white?

This was not a one school event, it has been done at almost every school in the state in the last few weeks.

Let me put it to you this way - I am a director at a large corporation. Alabama played Texas a few weeks ago for the national championship. I decided to have a "jersey" day the Friday before the game. Not a "Bama" jersey day or wear your suit and tie, but a "jersey" day - wear the jersey of your favorite team, any sport. People who didn't have a jersey were allowed to wear their favorite t-shirt/sweatshirt.

That is what leaders do if they want to get people excited about something without making it personal. That is how to set a good example for others. That is the kind of thinking that I would expect from a principal that worked for me...

 

[NikitaZee]

Let me put it to you this way - I am a director at a large corporation. Alabama played Texas a few weeks ago for the national championship. I decided to have a "jersey" day the Friday before the game. Not a "Bama" jersey day or wear your suit and tie, but a "jersey" day - wear the jersey of your favorite team, any sport. People who didn't have a jersey were allowed to wear their favorite t-shirt/sweatshirt.

That is what leaders do if they want to get people excited about something without making it personal. That is how to set a good example for others. That is the kind of thinking that I would expect from a principal that worked for me...

Well said!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm sure that will scar him for life. If he'd done that after being told no in our school, he would have faced detention or worse.

He bragged about doing it before Friday, so he knew he was starting something. Methinks this kid is a discipline problem, and his father likely had the ACLU and media on speed dial.

Anyway, I agreed that the principal was out of line. Not debating (or arguing ) that point.

While I am not one to fight the establishment (I don't like to be punished )....

He could be a discipline problem or he simply can be fighting for his free speech rights. Who knows. Given that this is a private school (I'm guessing)--his free speech rights may be more inhibited than in a public school.

However--it is unfair IMHO that the vast majority supported the Saints and were permitted to show their pride and it was perhaps "criminal" (figuratively speaking) to even condone that someone might have been a fan of the other team.

In the end, this may just put the kabash on future spirit days at that school. What began as a simple action of pride for a team that has tried for decades to make it all the way to the superbowl has blown out of proportion.

I do believe that DisneyBamafan has a very valid POV in that the principal exercised a heavy hand here.

Should the student have disobeyed? No. I don't believe so.

Should the principal have been so narrowminded? No. I don't believe so.

But without rebellion, our country would not be wear it is today. I can't go to the extent of accusing this student as a discipline problem when he simply was protesting even with the advance warning.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Yes, you're supposed to let people beat the thread topic down like a dead horse.

You can't opt out of the "discussion" early and respectfully disagree.

This is a cool thread for that, since it was inflated before we even got to it...

 

[ilovejack02]

At a school with a uniform or dress code, relaxing those rules to wear different colors and/or clothing is a privilege. That privilege was only extended to black and gold wearing students - in other words, Saints fans. Why was is not extended to blue and white as well - when it's obvious that the relaxed dress code was in anticipation of the Superbowl. Why not open it up for both - and promote good sportsmanship at the same time?

Why can't people just follow the rules?
My son doesn't have a spirit shirt, they have been out of his size at school for about two months. I don't cry foul when he can't wear it on spirit Fridays , we put on our uniform for the day and move on.

We live in Saints country , that is why it was black and gold day.

During football season, we have purple and gold fridays.

When the kids do well on a particular set of tests they get to wear windsuits, not jeans, we will be called if they show up in jeans.

It is what it is , the teenager decided to break the rules, he got in trouble, the principal said something that he might not should have said, but probably said it in jest.

Teenager and father are getting the attention they wanted.

 

[ilovejack02]

While I am not one to fight the establishment (I don't like to be punished )....

He could be a discipline problem or he simply can be fighting for his free speech rights. Who knows. Given that this is a private school (I'm guessing)--his free speech rights may be more inhibited than in a public school.

However--it is unfair IMHO that the vast majority supported the Saints and were permitted to show their pride and it was perhaps "criminal" (figuratively speaking) to even condone that someone might have been a fan of the other team.

In the end, this may just put the kabash on future spirit days at that school. What began as a simple action of pride for a team that has tried for decades to make it all the way to the superbowl has blown out of proportion.

I do believe that DisneyBamafan has a very valid POV in that the principal exercised a heavy hand here.

Should the student have disobeyed? No. I don't believe so.

Should the principal have been so narrowminded? No. I don't believe so.

But without rebellion, our country would not be wear it is today. I can't go to the extent of accusing this student as a discipline problem when he simply was protesting even with the advance warning.

It is a public school, and he KNEW he would get in trouble. Livingston school district has ZERO tolerance when it comes to breaking the rules. It is one of the many reasons our school district is rated one of the best in the state.

 

[kangareaux]

Never thought I'd see my old school and former teacher discussed nationally on the DIS! LMBO!

I could probably provide some insight, but I'll be good and just watch.

 

[ilovejack02]

Let me put it to you this way - I am a director at a large corporation. Alabama played Texas a few weeks ago for the national championship. I decided to have a "jersey" day the Friday before the game. Not a "Bama" jersey day or wear your suit and tie, but a "jersey" day - wear the jersey of your favorite team, any sport. People who didn't have a jersey were allowed to wear their favorite t-shirt/sweatshirt.

That is what leaders do if they want to get people excited about something without making it personal. That is how to set a good example for others. That is the kind of thinking that I would expect from a principal that worked for me...

Sounds like a great day, I am sure your employees were very appreciative, I know I would have been.
That wasn't what the day was here and while maybe the entire state should do away with black and gold days in your mind, it won't happen .

Louisiana has a special bond with the Saints and this is one of the ways we show it.

 

[NikitaZee]

It is a public school, and he KNEW he would get in trouble. Livingston school district has ZERO tolerance when it comes to breaking the rules. It is one of the many reasons our school district is rated one of the best in the state.

I think this is a 'rule' that could have included all, not just some. However, we have differing opinions on this, so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is a public school, and he KNEW he would get in trouble. Livingston school district has ZERO tolerance when it comes to breaking the rules. It is one of the many reasons our school district is rated one of the best in the state.

With the ACLU and it being a public school--I'd say that spirit day will go to inclusive or it will go away all together.

I went to school in Orleans Parish--but it was thankfully at Ben Franklin where we dind't have to do the zero tolerance stuff. Excellent school, excellent results--and at least when I went, the students were free to express themselves. The school pretty much had their own rules and they were not as restrictive as the district at large excpet when it came to grades. There was zero wiggle room on that.

Sometimes--it takes getting in trouble to prove the problem with a rule.

While this is by no means to the level of the lunch counter sit ins or the Montgomery Bus boycott--

Sometimes it takes passive disobedience to right a wrong.

I would not be so brave to try such a thing. But I can recognize when a situation is not fair regardless of how folks try to make it seem as though it is.

 

[disney4us2002]

Maybe it's because Maryland is such a mixing bowl (is that the right term?) but I don't think one can be "declared" Saints Nation, or Redskin Nation, or Ravens Nation. Just seems very controlling. Granted, I'm not a minor in a school-setting, but when the Ravens were in the play-offs facing the Colts, my workplace (I work for the state of Maryland) initially declared the Friday before as "Ravens Purple" day. That lasted about 1 hour and then we got a second email that it would actually be "team" day and you could wear your team's favorite jersey.

So here's a question: If that student had decided that he didn't want to support a "saints" day and just stayed home, would his absence be excused?

 

[ilovejack02]

I think this is a 'rule' that could have included all, not just some. However, we have differing opinions on this, so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one

 

[bengalbelle]

While I am not one to fight the establishment (I don't like to be punished )....

He could be a discipline problem or he simply can be fighting for his free speech rights. Who knows. Given that this is a private school (I'm guessing)--his free speech rights may be more inhibited than in a public school.

However--it is unfair IMHO that the vast majority supported the Saints and were permitted to show their pride and it was perhaps "criminal" (figuratively speaking) to even condone that someone might have been a fan of the other team.

In the end, this may just put the kabash on future spirit days at that school. What began as a simple action of pride for a team that has tried for decades to make it all the way to the superbowl has blown out of proportion.

I do believe that DisneyBamafan has a very valid POV in that the principal exercised a heavy hand here.

Should the student have disobeyed? No. I don't believe so.

Should the principal have been so narrowminded? No. I don't believe so.

But without rebellion, our country would not be wear it is today. I can't go to the extent of accusing this student as a discipline problem when he simply was protesting even with the advance warning.

It's a public school.

Feel free to exercise your free speech all you want, but if you broke the law while doing it you'd likely suffer the consequence.

I think we're all debating different things. The principal could have been more inclusive, but as it was the rule was uniform or black and gold. The student broke the rule. I think he should suffer the consequence of that.

Students aren't entitled to have a free dress day. A privilege (with rules) was offered. He had the choice to take it or not.

Back to my question that went ignored. If a principal offers free dress day for heart month, but the rule is students have to wear red, is he being non-inclusive of other colors? Sounds absurd, doesn't it?