Today Is Grim Reaper Day At DD's School

[Dan Murphy]

Teens faint during graphic drunken-driving program

Whatever it takes.

 

[monkeyboy]

Years ago we did something similar concering AIDS.
except aside from the volunteer students, they picked 2 or 3 others to be puled out unexpectedly

it showed how one can affect many

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I was almost drafted to be a part of one but my allergies picked that day to kick in,from what I heard it may have been a good thing that happened

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by Feralpeg
one of the teachers ....pull out about 100 students. The teacher will be dressed as the Grim Reaper. The selected students are taken to a room where their faces will be painted white. For the remainder of the day, these students will not be allowed to talk or interact with any other students. During the last period of the day, the Grim Reaper will walk the halls ringing a bell and shouting "Bring Forth The Dead".

Sorry but this is really sick! I've never heard of this before but if it is done when DD/DS are in HS, they'll be staying home that day. I too understand and support the point they're trying to make but I think this "grim reaper" thing is just too sick.

Besides that, I bet that in reality, it's a big joke with the kids and that they do interact with each other and stuff.

I'm against this completely

 

[frndshpcptn]

It may sound sick, but it much less nauseating than having to and look at your friend's real dead body laying in a casket because they drove recklessly. 2 of the girls died right in front of almost half the school. Your classmates crushed by a car right in front of you. That was sick to see.

In my high school, we lost 1-3 kids every year to car accidents. Some were the faults of the kids driving, one or two were the faults of drunk drivers who hit them. This continued long after high school ended. In fact, I went to my last funeral for a high school friend 2 years ago. They got behind the wheel when they shouldn't and crashed in the middle of the night. I remember the feeling I had and exactly where I was everytime we got the news. It was awful. Thinking about it to this day is hard. And if doing this project can help even one person not have to go through what we all went through, then I am all for it.

 

[kild]

You know, if it saves one life it is worth people feeling uncomfortable or thinking that it is "over the top".
Kids are impressionable and these types of things do make an impact on them. Yeah, they will laugh about it and make fun of it, but they will also remember it.

I absolutely despise this "someone may get offended, so we can't do anything" or "someone may get thier feelings hurt" society that we have evolved into.



Ok, I'll turn my rant off now.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by kild
I absolutely despise this "someone may get offended, so we can't do anything" or "someone may get thier feelings hurt" society that we have evolved into.

I happen to agree with you on that.

However I don't think that is something that applies here. If our school chooses to do it, fine, but my kids won't be there that day. Not because I'm offended or because my feelings are hurt but because I think it's a weird, sick unneccessary thing to do. I would certainly discuss the intended message with my children and be sure that the point is conveyed....I just wouldn't have them participate in this particular stunt.

 

[SandiH]

I teach at a high school and this program is in our district. The grimm reaper pulled a student out of class every 15 minutes for a day - total 24 kids. The grimm reaper in our class didn't call for the dead at the end of the day. Some students took it more seriously than others.

The students were taken away for the evening and two students parents were notified by the police that night that their child was killed. Mind you the students and parents agree to this before hand and know that they may be told that their child was killed. Even though all involved knew of the possiblity, the parents said it was still scary to get that visit. I had several student helpers who were involved and I kept thinking that the police were going to come to tell me that my students had died!

The next day the seniors went to a dramatization put on by those "killed" and the police department. I haven't seen the dramatization yet but it's very moving. The is a family that helps the police put this on each year and they lost their son to a drunk driver several years ago (5 I believe). He would have been a senior at our school this year so the presentation effected many students!

Although these types of programs may not affect students for the long term, if it makes them think for at least awhile, it may have saved lives. Not all students drink or drink and drive but many have friends that drink. It also helps them to be aware that they could get hit by a drunk driver.

Sorry, long post.

 

[mommytotwo]

This has never been done at the school that I was attending, but I have seen it on the local news, when a different school was participating in it.

 

[CookieGVB]

A little over the top, but isn't the life of a teenager over the top? Isn't it worth saving at least one life by making a lasting impression. I think it's creepy, too, but I applaud the effort.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Quote: "However I don't think that is something that applies here. If our school chooses to do it, fine, but my kids won't be there that day. Not because I'm offended or because my feelings are hurt but because I think it's a weird, sick unneccessary thing to do. I would certainly discuss the intended message with my children and be sure that the point is conveyed....I just wouldn't have them participate in this particular stunt."

I totally agree with the above!! My DDs wouldn't be attending school for this "outrageous bahavior" either. Smashed car, that makes an impact, I think my DDs would have nightmares after an experience like that.

Also, I never heard of Grim Reaper Day, sounds horrible!!

 

[kild]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
I happen to agree with you on that.

However I don't think that is something that applies here. If our school chooses to do it, fine, but my kids won't be there that day. Not because I'm offended or because my feelings are hurt but because I think it's a weird, sick unneccessary thing to do. I would certainly discuss the intended message with my children and be sure that the point is conveyed....I just wouldn't have them participate in this particular stunt.

Hey, I completely respect your decision on that and I'm really not trying to throw any jabs at anyone. I jsut know that the majority of teenagers today are exposed to much more graphic things. Games and movies are filled with violence and just about ecerything else. I'm not saying it's right, but it is fact.

Now if this program was done for elementary school kids, it would be much too graphic, but I think most teenagers would benefit from it.
I have 2 kids and I would let both of them participate in it.

 

[disykat]

I would also let my kids participate. Normally, I don't go for gruesome - frankly I'm offended by many Halloween costumes. However, in this case I can see how some kids might take a moment to consider that they could actually die if they drink and drive - many wouldn't otherwise.

 

[Feralpeg]

DD was not one of the chosen. She seems fine with it. I hope that it made a positive impact. DD hasn't gotten her license yet even though she is 16. She is a bit afraid of the idea of driving. I won't push it. I can't think of anything that scares me more than the idea of getting that call from the police saying she's been in an accident. If I could, I'd wrap her in cotton and put her someplace safe. I know that is crazy and I have to deal, but I won't make light of anything that could potentially save my baby or any other child for that matter. Thanks for all your input.

 

[sha_lyn]

At first my reaction to this was "no way, it is over the top" ... however after reading all the post I would have to say it depends on how it is handled. I know some kids like my niece would likely be tramatized by this (even if not picked to die). DS on the other hand would probably think it was cool and it wouldn't make an impact. However we had a neighbor when DS was younger who was an alcoholic. Seeing the changes in this man, and how he had nothing in his life otyher than alcohol, did make a huge impact on DS.

 

[Tinkbell]

I think the kids need to be shocked to get it through their heads. In High School, we didn't have the Grim Reaper but we were shown the wrecked car along with photos of the dead and survivors. I still get shivers thinking about it, but I never even thought about driving drunk because of it.