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The Straight Story

(48,121 posts)
Tue Mar 19, 2013, 10:32 AM Mar 2013

Maryland School Bans Hugging, Birthday Party Invitations And Homemade Food

From the same state that suspended a 7-year-old for turning his Pop Tart into a Pop Tart shaped like a gun, comes a ban on hugging.

Southern Maryland Newspapers Online reports on the new guidelines for visitors, parents and students for St. Mary’s County public elementary schools:

Birthday invitations should not be handed out at school, Hall said, because students who are not invited could have their feelings hurt. She said school PTAs could develop phone and email contact lists, with parents’ approval, to distribute.

Foods for celebrations should be limited to store-bought items that contain ingredient lists so as not to interfere with children’s food allergies, according to the rules.

Parents visiting the cafeteria should not hug or touch children other than their own, nor should they discipline other children, the guidelines say. Parents should also not walk with their child when he or she leaves the cafeteria.

Other changes include limiting recess visits for parents, prohibiting visits from siblings and a new ban on approaching teachers in person to schedule meetings. Visitors must also now check in with the front desk and have their photo taken. The complete list of rules can be read in the Best Practices on School Visitors document.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/maryland-school-bans-hugging_n_2900992.html?utm_hp_ref=@education123

When my daughter was in public school (1st grade) we would go to see her at lunch and hug her and her best friend. Didn't realize this was a problem.

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Maryland School Bans Hugging, Birthday Party Invitations And Homemade Food (Original Post) The Straight Story Mar 2013 OP
Nanny state on steroids. NaturalHigh Mar 2013 #1
It's the same way at my kids' school district. sadbear Mar 2013 #2
I think you are probably right about the motivation (nt) The Straight Story Mar 2013 #3
Mostly CYA and CYAWP hobbit709 Mar 2013 #4
I detest the term "nanny state." Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #6
Also out: fun, joy, and soda pop. TwilightGardener Mar 2013 #5

sadbear

(4,340 posts)
2. It's the same way at my kids' school district.
Tue Mar 19, 2013, 10:38 AM
Mar 2013

Here in deep red Texas.

I don't know if it's nanny state or just the districts protecting themselves from litigious parents and their lawyers.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,173 posts)
6. I detest the term "nanny state."
Tue Mar 19, 2013, 10:41 AM
Mar 2013

That being said, it might be the latter situation. Clearly an overreaction.

But it's St. Mary's County. That place was screwed up back when I lived in Maryland. Never had a good experience with St. Mary's County, don't ask me why.

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