Pennsylvania School Bans Yellow Cancer-Support Wristbands

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/education/3973311/detail.html

A Roman Catholic school has banned yellow wristbands that are sold to raise money for cancer research and promote awareness, saying they violate the school's uniform policy.

Some schools run by the Diocese of Allentown allow the "Live Strong" bracelets sold by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, but St. Thomas More Elementary School in Salisbury Township does not.

Diocese spokesman Matt Kerr said the only jewelry the school permits are a crucifix, small stud earrings or small rings.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5bandsdec06,0,1629162.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

Those ubiquitous yellow bracelets.

They've been seen on the wrists of presidents and wannabes, on rock stars and their bike-racing boyfriends. But they won't be seen on the wrists of students at St. Thomas More Elementary School in Salisbury Township, at least not during class.

The wristbands sold by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise money for and awareness of cancer research have been banned from the Catholic school as a violation of the uniform policy, according to parents and students upset with the decision.

''One of our teachers died of cancer, my friend's mother had cancer, and my grandfather died of cancer,'' said eighth-grader Brett Hartman of Lower Macungie Township. ''Everyone thinks (the bracelets) send a good message.''

His mother, Kathy Hartman, and other parents said they believe the students should be allowed to wear the wristbands despite the prohibition against jewelry because of the message they send.

Oh by the way the NFL aka "No Fun League" bans them on their players as well. And I'm a veteran of Catholic High School complete with uniforms - but we had no restrictions on jewelry unless it was totally outrageous. I graduated in the 70's and wore a POW/MIA bracelet with no hassle.

[silverweb]

1. Stupid.

But legal.

They can wear the bracelets outside of school. Nobody but their classmates and teachers are going to see them in school, anyway -- and if the school has banned them, then it's obvious everyone already knows what the bracelets represent, so there's nothing much gained.

Much ado about nothing, IMHO.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Well it just amazes me at adult lack of common sense

and rigidity.

[silverweb]

4. Oh, of course!

I certainly don't dispute that and it's something we're all just a bit sick of.

However, there are much bigger battles for us to fight these days.

On edit: My Catholic h.s. graduated self, quietly subversive rebel that I am, would be inclined to sneakily keep the bracelet out of sight while on campus, then immediately put it on the moment off campus.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. *sigh* Oh please!

[Wilber_Stool]

5. The fact that you gave money to fight cancer is not important

What good is it if nobody knows. I wonder if it's enough for the IRS.