Kindergartener With Mohawk Suspended From School

[ConcernedCanuk]

Source: newsnet5.com

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POSTED: 7:21 am EST February 27, 2008
UPDATED: 11:00 am EST February 27, 2008


PARMA, Ohio -- A kindergarten student with a freshly spiked Mohawk haircut has been suspended by school authorities who said the hair was a distraction for other students.


Michelle Barile, the mother of 6-year-old Bryan Ruda, said nothing in the Parma Community School handbook prohibits the haircut, characterized by closely shaved sides with a strip of prominent hair on top.

/snip/

Rather than request a hearing to appeal the suspension, Barile said she'll enroll him at another school. Changing the hairstyle is not an option, she said.

"It's something that he really likes," Barile said. "When people hear Mohawk, they think it's long, it's spiked, it's crazy looking, and it's really not."


Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/news/15422733/detail.html

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All I can say is

wow

[YOY]

1. Ah...Parma...

There is no place on earth like Parma, OH...thank f***ing god.

[ROTC Teecher]

16. The school was right

sorry guys but the school was right. As a teacher I can tell you that every time there is an opportunity for students to get distracted they take it.
What's more, the lost time puts instructors further and further behind getting the required portions of instruction completed. Then when the parents either storm the school board or bring suit over failed learning the light will never be placed where it ought to be.
And as for the mom, when this kid is a teenager and she is in court asking for help with a child she can no longer control, she will only have herself to blame. She is teaching her child that rules are for chumps and that the universe revolves around his wants, desires, and comfort.
I feel sorry for him.

[Sentath]

17. So, to what extent should voluntary differences be suppressed?

And what about the other purpose of schools, i.e. to socialize youngsters into society. Are those students being well served by the example that anything different will be made to go away, even if it takes the whole person with it?

[ROTC Teecher]

19. show me the major corporation whose head is

sporting a mohawk. Show me the number of high paying professional jobs that this young lad can get with mohawks, multiple facial piercings, full body tatoos, split tounge, etc, etc.
Sounds like the school is doing a very good job in the socialization side. There are rules and requirements in life, many of which people decide to forgo, and thus place certian sectors of employment off limits.

[Star]

21. Everyone put on your uniform

What??? You're "only" 6 years old...

Too bad. Its time to get you ready for your job.,,time to get you ready to be one of the workers...time to get you ready to be a good little soldier...

No time for you to figure out what you like and don't like. No time for you to find out who you are. We must stamp out individualism wherever and whenever we encounter it. So...

Everyone put on your uniform.....

<snark>

I'm a teacher, too. High school science.

[ROTC Teecher]

29. with a snark like that

it's no suprise you live in Defiance.

[Maat]

32. This is why I'm homeschooling my kid.

Believe me, I was with Child Protective Services for many, many years, and I'm well aware of what a teacher's role is. It's simply not the school's role to tell a parent what their child's haircut must be. The law wholeheartedly supports a parent's right to do just that - parent (and make decisions)- unless and ONLY unless - there is a COMPELLING need (the highest standard) to interfere with that. Here, there is not.

Sorry, I'm simply not going to tolerate an environment in which this situation can happen (total silliness).

[funflower]

94. When you give a little power to a little person....

and by "little person" I don't mean the kid.

[Maat]

114. Ain't that the truth .... n/t.

[proud2BlibKansan]

103. And this teacher completely understands

This is about the dumbest story I have read in a long time. We have enough trouble keeping kids in school without suspending them for things like this. Especially when they are in kindergarten.

[Maat]

113. Thanks, Teach (Proud).

I honor teachers; one helps me consistently (she just has a different job - she helps me teach my kid properly).

We still need a whole bunch of teachers.

Dumb policies are certainly not the teachers' fault.

I'm sure you know about top-heavy administration (you are in my prayers during these times of budget cuts).

[mattfromnossa]

112. It's simply not the school's role to tell a parent what their child's haircut must be.

I agree!

[superconnected]

68. I think your nick says it all.

That kid doesn't need to look like a future ceo until he gets out of college and either starts a businesss(then he wont' have to look like anything but what he wants) or gets lots of experience and climbs the ladder- at that point(depends on the company what he looks like to fit in).

But, if he starts becoming the canned individual you seem to like now, he won't be FIT to be a ceo.

He'll make a great secretary though.

But anyway, I'll cut you a break since your nick is ROTC teacher which basically means you train people not to think in the first place, but become robots. Ah, I remember rotc well - dumbest people I ever met.

[juno jones]

120. In the future CEOs will wear mohawks

We are sick of conformity, Let the six year old be who he wants to be. Not everyone will be a CEO, not all really want to go to college to be corporate pricks. Some are happy with far less and have less blood on their souls for it. It is not ROTC's job to steer them in that direction.

Blasphemy, I know.


edit to add replied to wrong posting, but mean it never the less.

[icymist]

85. At least you can spell teacher.

I suspect our rotcie is showing us all the result of an education of 'no child left behind'.

[Hawkeye-X]

26. How about where my brother-in-law works?

http://www.manicpanic.com

THey have a very liberal workplace (I've visited there before)

[Sequoia]

57. Yeah, or that store Hot Topic

[khaos]

27. not everyone wants to be or wants their kids to be a corporate robot

:puke:

the education system in this country is laughable; maybe a few distractions will do these kids some good..

[mac56]

30. Geez. Overreaction much?!

Damn.

:eyes:

[YOY]

31. Not everyone is supposed to work for a corporation

and not every corporation worker or even CEO is a shining beacon of success, happiness, and decency.

I've taught HS English. I really think you need to understand that not everyone is cut out for the same thing.

[Lorien]

160. Well, that is the highest purpose and office ever imagined

by a republican.

*sigh*

[JBoy]

34. Worse than a mohawk

[Ken Burch]

139. I think you'd call Trump's 'do a Nohawk.

n/t.

[Dude_CalmDown]

144. Funniest post ever!!!!!

Hysterically said perfectly. Thanks.

[ladywnch]

36. I worked for a telecom company whose CEO regularly walked around

in stocking feet. I contracted with many different companies many of whom had transvestites, 'punkers' and biker types working. While I don't care for the look, the work was done well. And many of the 'suits' weren't worth the powder to blow away. What this teaches is appearances and facade are more imporatant than substance.

Maybe we should start dressing our students in little brown shirts so they learn to obey.

[verges]

38. Did it occur to you

that not everybody WANTS to be a corporate head? Or for that matter are suited for it. There are many careers in the arts, or as craftsmen, or independent contractors (self-employed) with which a mohawk would be perfectly acceptable today. Anyhow, by the time this kid is old enough to think about a career path, there probably will be a corp CEO with a mohawk or facial piercings.

Encouraging a child'd individualism is important. If he wants to be a button-down kind of person, he will be.

----------------------

I can't help but notice that you are a marine. I have great respect for the corps. However, they are not exactly noted for being liberal/progressive thinkers. I also notice a very low post count. Are you certain that you are in the correct place.

[Squatch]

41. "Show me the jobs this young lad can get with..."

"...mohawks, multiple facial piercings, full body tatoos, split tounge"

Here's one: he can join the Army.

[Mezzo]

60. show me where a fucking SIX YEAR OLD is supposed to know what to do with their life.

I think you're in the wrong profession.

[MarkInLA]

63. "Rules and requirements"

There are no "rules and requirements" in the U.S. that say you can't have a mohawk. I completely disagree with your attitude.

[Richard Steele]

70. Enjoy your stay. nm

[Book Lover]

77. Come to San Francisco and I'll show you quite a few, friend (nm)

[LeftyMom]

87. Geez, where the hell do you live?

I know this lady who works for the county, in a high paying office type job. She's got enough tattoos that she's about ready for a circus gig, hair that seems to alternate between white blonde, purple, orange and maroon (natural shade: mousy brown) but no piercings that show.

That'd be my Mom, and she's someplace in her fifth decade.

Nobody cares, provided she does a good job. Few places in California do, and most of those are the really crappy jobs (retail, etc.)

Demographics are changing. If you want to hire younger workers, especially creative sorts, who haven't got any visible tattoos piercings, etc, you're going to have a hell of a time finding any. Those things don't have any stigma anymore. Nor should they.

[merwin]

88. Show me the major corporation whose head is a 6 year old.

Show me the number of high paying professional jobs that a 6 year old can get with a mohawk.

I don't think he'd have any more luck getting a job even if he shaved his mohawk. Why? Because he's SIX YEARS OLD.

Next thing you know, they'll be saying an earring on a boy is a distraction and male students with them should be banned.

[funflower]

93. So we're going to deny him a free public education?

Most of the elementary school boys I know wear basketball shorts to school. Last time I checked, the CEOs of most major companies weren't wearing those either.

[proud2BlibKansan]

100. Show me the major corporation

that hires five year olds.

[proud2BlibKansan]

102. Do you teach in a public school?

Did you know that part of AYP is now attendance? And suspending kids LOWERS attendance?

[dcc3]

123. AYP and attendance

AYP = Annual Yearly Progress, a performance measure for schools.
Knowing reduced attendance adversely effects AYP, and being responsible for improving AYP, don't you suppose an administrator might consider each course of action very carefully? Might this not be something other than the hair nazi-ism it appears to be on the surface? Hmmm?

[Chovexani]

109. Research labs. IT jobs. Graphics professionals.

That's off the top of my head. I work in financial aid for a technical school, probably making more money than you do, and there are multiple people in my office with multiple facial piercings and visible tattoos. There are a plethora of good paying jobs one can get without having to be a good little corporate sheep. That's because in workplaces like ours, workers are treated like adults and our job performance is what matters.

Thanks for playing though, "Teech".

[dcc3]

125. You, my dear, are far out!

Fleece the corporate sheep! Long live individualism!

[Chovexani]

145. LOL, thanks

And welcome to DU. :hi:

I'm the resident Goth chick in my office. At first people kind of stayed away from me because they were freaked, but as they got to know me and realized I wasn't bringing babies in my tupperware, they started joking around with me like everyone else. I've only ever gotten shit from the resident fundie but that's more because I'm open about my girlfriend, I think.

[Lorien]

159. He's in freaking KINDERGARTEN!!

Hell, my sister had a foot tall mohawk, a sickle and hammer carved in the side of her head, 13 earrings and a nose ring in high school. My psychologist father encouraged her self expression. Today she's an editor with a major publisher. Experimentation is a natural and healthy part of growing up and many, many punks and goths mature to become leaders in industry and major corporations. Let kids be kids and stop pressuring them to be goose steppers so early in life. there's enough of that shit forced upon us all later on.

[dysfunctional press]

50. kids are in school primarily to learn- not to be a distraction to other kid's schooling...

one of the reasons i strongly support uniforms for students thru high school.

[ROTC Teecher]

51. This school required uniforms.

[dysfunctional press]

52. good for them. and good for them for sticking up for the other kids' educations.

nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

129. My school requires uniforms

but haircuts are not part of the uniform.

[notadmblnd]

55. The point of going to school is not to learn reading writing and arithmatic

the point of sending our children to school is to teach them how to conform and behave. Don't question authority, do not express your individuality. March in lockstep, do what your told and don't ask questions. Makes for good little lemmings for the future.

God, I hate what public schools have become and the educators that advocate this agenda.

[Star]

71. Not a public school

I believe it is a Charter school.

[dcc3]

84. incorrect distinction

In Ohio, charter or "community" schools are public schools, just not run by a municipality.

Same performance/fiscal/qualification/testing required by law of other public schools (they come under greater scrutiny, in fact, *because* they are controversial). Same per-pupil expenditure as other public schools (state funding follows the student) but no local property tax revenues, no levies.

This school exists to give parents a choice as to where to educate their child, and to show that high performing students (academically speaking) can excel even in communities where the municipal schools are failing dismally (not to say that Parma Public is such).

Many of the city/municipal schools in the area (Parma & Cleveland for example) have recently adopted policies that Constellation Schools have had for years (dress code, character education program), possibly because the competing community schools in their areas have forced them to change, for the better.

Argument starter: "competition is good in economics, and is also good in education" (skip the "kids are not products" rant, that's too obvious)

[juno jones]

122. My kid attended a charter school in CA and they didn't have dress codes...

Ah, OHIO, I get it. Bet that kid jumps the first chance he gets to go elsewhere. This is why the midwest has been brain drained for years now.

[dcc3]

127. to #55, notadmblnd

see next post below in reply to post 55

[dcc3]

128. It certainly appears so at times,

but I would be astounded if you can post even one reference to an educator advocating this agenda.

(cue the conspiracy theorists: "it's a _hidden_ agenda!!!" )

[notadmblnd]

142. There was one guy here. I will not call him out

[Megahurtz]

35. That Is Stupid.

There are enough distractions in life. The teachers need to get over it and be an example for the kids as not to be distracted.

Clue #1: If something is not deemed "taboo" it becomes less of a distraction.

This country is becoming way too strict, rigid, and conservative.

[Orsino]

107. And the school has just shown the entire student body...

...what button to press. They deserve the crap the kids are about to pull.

[JerseygirlCT]

40. If the kids are so easily distracted then the professionals are

not exactly shining at their jobs, are they? And the actual learning is not exactly grabbing the kids, is it?

I've never met a kindergarten kid who didn't love being in school. At the same time, I've never met one who isn't easily distracted - that's part of the package with small, wiggly kids. A good teacher can both use that energy and direct it. A haircut will attract attention for a very short time, then it would be back to something else new and interesting.

[Mik T]

43. As a teacher, I can tell you that if you can't handle the distraction caused by this...

You need to get out of public education, because it is ALWAYS going to be something. This is a really easy one to handle, You tell the kids that everyone looks different and thats just the way it is. You explain to them that it is inappropriate to tease anyone for looking different.

It's not a corporation where you can select your workers and fire the ones you don't like. Its a public school, that means it's for everyone and it's the teachers job to make sure they all do their work, get along, and exercise the appropriate tolerance and good manners. It's not the teachers or the administrators job to judge their lifestyles or their haircuts. If the kid is doing his work and not behaving disruptively, who cares?

I mean if you can't handle this what are you gonna do when there is a real problem, like a girl with a Muslim head-cover or a orthodox jew kid wearing a yarmulke? Or just a kid who looks different because of some other reason like they are poor and dirty?

I taught high school for years and in this respect, elementary school is no different. This kind of thing never posed a problem in my classroom and my administrators would certainly not throw a kid out for this.

[northzax]

105. headscarf? yarmluke?

dude, it's Parma.

[bperci108]

44. Boy are you right, ROTC.....

...I've seen your vision of quiet, orderly, well-behaved little junior citizens lined up and being put through their paces by an attentive teacher in an old, B&W newsreel.

Such a well-ordered vision of society. :patriot:

But I had trouble understanding the words exchanged between teacher and students

....it was all in German. ;)

The indoctrination of conformity begins early in our schools.

The Corporations need obedient, placid, docile worker bees. :puke:


As for me; I encouraged my kids to be non-conformist, boat-rocking rebels. :evilgrin:

They grew up with a healthy distrust of "because I said so..." thinking.


This school was out of line.

[ROTC Teecher]

47. According to the article I read

The school has a uniform requirement and grooming regs.

Further, the mother received 2 separate notices.

Yes a fine bunch of fascists there.
Sounds like mom is the problem. Why call a press conference to point out how you signed up for something and then refused to comply.

But of course, I'm wrong.

[bperci108]

76. The school is out of line and the "regs" be damned.

"But of course, I'm wrong."


Indeed. :)

[merwin]

89. Nazi Grooming regulations for a state funded school?

I smell an ACLU lawsuit.

[Katarina]

149. "But of course, I'm wrong."

Well, you got one thing right at least.

[LanternWaste]

104. Seems to me that if...

Seems to me that if the only way a person feels that he/she can advertise him/herself as an individual is through a physical manifestation (i.e.- haircuts), then that person has a rather limited and narrow view of themselves.

Along the same vein, it would also appear to me that if we ourselves judge others based on physical appearance ("orderly, well-behaved little junior citizens lined up..."), we're just as narrow minded too.

My opinion is that the true individuality of a person is inherent through the uniqueness we each have-- easily contrasted and illustrated without conscious attempts to advertise it.

But that's just me...

[bperci108]

106. I agree.

But it's still fun to twist the tail of those who are shallow and superficial or pathologically conformist.

Personally, I wouldn't care if the kid came to school with the mohawk in question dyed bright purple.

People get way too hung up on silly, petty things. ;)

[Sivafae]

157. I completely agree with you. But how do you know your uniqueness without experimenting? n/t

[DRoseDARs]

45. No, it most certainly was NOT. A 6-yr-old doesn't go to a salon by himself to get a haircut...

This was the mother's doing, not the child's. The school punished THE CHILD for what was clearly THE MOTHER'S repeated actions. How is that the right course of action? Here's a hint: These are CIVILIANS, not members of the ROTC or any other military-based structure. I will agree with you on the point that the mother needs to take more responsibility or else she's going to really lose control of the situation in coming years. But again, this child is fucking 6-yrs-old. He may like having a mohawk, but its the mother who decided over and over to allow him to have one.

[ROTC Teecher]

49. Correct it is the mom

But she doesn't go to the school, her son does.

She violated school policy. So the school changes for all because of one?

What if the kids mom encouraged him to to pray aloud before each period of instruction? If it is against policy, should the school change to allow this?

[DRoseDARs]

54. So punish the one you can get to, not the one responsible? What country do YOU live in?

Again, this ISN'T the ROTC we're dealing with. Also your prayer analogy doesn't work: Moment-of-silence policies are in place specifically for this purpose, so the school would be well-protected in enforcing proper conduct outside of that moment; the mother wouldn't have a case if she tried to sue.

[Megahurtz]

74. So to you it would pass if the kid had a Jar-Head-Haircut

and not a Mohawk?

[merwin]

90. Actually, I believe he would be allowed to pray aloud before each period if he wanted to.

A student is allowed religious freedom in school. It's just when the teachers/administration get involved that it becomes an issue.

Are you seriously a teacher?

[funflower]

95. Praying out loud is his constitutional right, so long as he's not

interrupting a lesson. Kids pray out loud in schools all the time. Doesn't matter what the administrators think.

[Magleetis]

46. It amazes me

that you know the kid is going to have problems when he is a teenager. Could you you look into your crystal ball and tell me next weeks lottery numbers? Its a haircut. BTW in the picture it sorta looks like a high and tight to me.

[ROTC Teecher]

48. high - yes; tight - no

[Winterblues]

53. Kindergarten? Give me a break

Distracted from coloring.....

[Sequoia]

56. Dude, you are strange.

So just because the kid has a Mohawk he'll grow up to be uncontrollable!? Remind me not to send my kid to your school. At our school the kids can have green and purple hair and yes...Mohawks, because our teachers teach and the kids learn knowing they can be themselves. I feel sorry for YOUR students. Thank God he wasn't a hippie, huh? You know long hair, Jimmy Hendrix T-shirt. Heck, next thing you know those kids would be smoking pot.

[Mezzo]

59. what rules?

He's a six year old kid. When I was six, I wanted sixteen pigtails in my hair with rainbow colors. My mother let me, because she knew I needed to express myself. How is his hair cut anything other than teaching children how to understand things different from themselves? That is not a bad thing. wow.

Man, you might be in the wrong profession.

[sarcasmo]

65. With a screen name like yours, imagine, you thinking no one can have a personality.

Zeig, Heil.

On edit: I think this is a drive by posting, a DBP, look at the # of posts. Free Republic? It is an election year.

[LeftyMom]

82. On behalf of my kid and I, STFU and stay the hell away from children.

People like you, so intent on order to the exclusion of any expression, let alone fun, make kids miserable, probably to bring them down to your level. Furthermore, if you can't manage a classroom or attract attention while competing with so small a distraction as interesting hair, you shouldn't be teaching. Plenty of my high school teachers managed, and we had kids with mohawks, kids with elaborate costume makeup, kids coming to class in sports uniforms and elaborate cultural dress and business suits and everything in between, sometimes more than one at once (my favorite combo was a two foot spiky orange mohawk and an authentic great kilt.)

They're only kids once, they might as well enjoy it before they have to get boring haircuts and ties and shitty middle management jobs someday. Stomping on the creativity of five year olds is a bad idea.

My kid (note bright fucking red mohawk, and general awesomeness)

[juno jones]

124. And a niners fan...LOL!

scored big cred with Mr. Feb who will stand by his team win or lose! :D


My son chose button down polo shirts and khakis when he was 2, despite his punk rocker momma (me) trying to dress him in tie-dye and skater jams. Kids will be who they want to be. There's no helping that.

[dcc3]

134. Rant on, Leftymom, Rant ON!

I'm sure your heart is in the right place. But you have no idea what's really going on here.
Nevertheless, I dig your sig lines about carbon footprints, and your kid looks cool and happy.

[funflower]

92. Um. The piece says there's no rule against the haircut.

So, "rules" have nothing to do with it. This mom is teaching her child to disregard silly, petty tyrants. Good for her.

[izquierdista]

97. As a teacher??

Or a dumbass? This is KINDERGARTEN. They get distracted by a bird landing on a window ledge. What would you do then? Suspend the window ledge?

This can be a positive learning experience for the kindergarteners not to be distracted by other people's appearance. Had the incident not gotten overblown, the rest of the kids would have gotten used to it by the second or third day.

[proud2BlibKansan]

99. If we suspended a kid at my school every time he showed up with a weird haircut

we would have a line at the office door every morning.

This is beyond ridiculous and your reply ignores the fact that this is a KINDERGARTENER! You might have a point if it was a high school kid. But he is FIVE.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

131. THIS BANNED ASSHOLE IS PRO-TORTURE. Figures, huh?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=98289#98313

[Ken Burch]

137. The kid should be forced to be a mindless conformist at the age of 6?

That's what giving in to the school board on this would've meant. Would've crushed the kid's spirit and left nothing behind.

[pokercat999]

147. Let's get him a good haircut and a little brown shirt.

I feel sorry for you.

[Honeycombe8]

151. I agree. All schools have dress and grooming codes. We all had them, right?

Some of them are stupid, some are not. But someone objects to ALL of them.

Schools have to have SOME grooming and dress codes, and kids must abide by them. The point of school is NOT to show off your creative hairstyle.

The real world is this way. Work places are this way. Children, as well as adults, must learn to abide by the rules of certain companies and schools. If they don't want to, they don't have to. But then they have to go somewhere where their particular pecadillo is accepted.

My company has grooming and dress codes. If we don't like it, we can go work somewhere else. It's a free country. That means it's free for my company, as well as for me. They are free to have their own rules in their own place of business. A school has the freedome to install rules it deems necessary for the school and the kids, whether others agree with it or not (as long as the school abides by the law).

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. 5 will get you 10...

That the fundies run the school system in Parma.

[Dr.Phool]

4. Is this a private school or a public school?

On edit: After reading the full article, it's a charter school, so it is probably run by crazies.

I went to Parma Public Schools back in the '60s from 9th grade on. They used to suspend you for wearing long hair back then.

[bigworld]

8. It's a charter school

http://www.constellationschools.com/Parma/AboutUs.htm

[YOY]

5. Parma is heavily Catholic

but I wouldn't call them "fundie". Now chocked "full of white trash, lower-class-FReepers, and general racists"?

Oh yeah...

[Turbineguy]

3. Let's not forget too

that your hairstyle says more about you than what you know, even if it's just being able to tell time and sharing stuff.

[bigworld]

6. I'm as libertarian as they come

But please, don't make your six year old into a walking, talking freak show.

[harmonicon]

12. excuse me?!

"freak show"?! Because of a haircut? Get a grip. Are you ok with kids wearing clothing made by other children in sweatshops? Clothing with logos of companies who exploit workers? And you get upset by a haircut? Your sense of your place, and the place of others in this world seems to be back-asswards, buddy: one "big world" full of people just like you.

[superconnected]

69. That person said he/she is a libertarian.

Do you KNOW how wacked out libertarians are?

I'd rather be in a room full of far right fundies than discuss any issue with a libertarian.

They're right of right when you get down to issues like funding for roads, police, schools etc. They believe they should pay for nothing and the US shouldn't sponsor those programs.

Really, look them up. They are NOT liberals.

You're arguing with a crazy person. Of course that person can't accept social differences. Liberals and Dems don't say the stuff the person is saying. Even right wingers forgo going as far as the average libertarian does. Ewwww. that there's even one on this site!

[harmonicon]

78. oh, yeah, I saw that

However, if they were actually a libertarian, though wouldn't care about that shit. Not a libertarian, just a controlling thoughtless hypocrite..... that is assuming they wouldn't like being excluded from some aspect they take for granted in their daily life because of their haircut.

[pokercat999]

148. Not sure you're correct or am I wrong in believing I'm a

liberal libertarian? Essentially I think we as individuals should have unrstricted rights (your right ends where mine begins and that's what courts decide), the government should provide the means for any mandated requirements, like auto insurance and that corporations ARE NOT people and should be heavily regulated. The "common good" extends way past just the military and should include health care (I'm for a department of health based on a military model), transportation and a whole lot more.

Someone said I was a progressive but I doubt that most progressives would allow unrestricted freedom especially when it comes to drugs and end of life issues etc.

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. Here's a pic of your " walking, talking freak show"

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.


AP/The Plain Dealer, Peggy Turbett
Bryan Ruda, 6, plays at home in Parma, O. on Tuesday.

http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=80461&r=1

[ROTC Teecher]

20. in the story cited initially,

the mohawk was freshly spiked. In this photo - not.

Perhaps the mom had decided to "normalize" the hairstyle in order to garner more support.

Kinda like putting a suit on a defendant or Ollie North appearing in uniform

[uppityperson]

25. Perhaps the initial report was wrong and it is only a fauxhawk.

Perhaps the media was over enthusiastic in their reporting. Kind of like reporting finding WMDs in Iraq.

Article in OP also says this "It's something that he really likes," Barile said. "When people hear Mohawk, they think it's long, it's spiked, it's crazy looking, and it's really not."

Try these articles:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/02/school-suspends.html
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/02/6yearold_barred_from_school_ov.html
"But the problem came to a head, as it were, when Bryan showed up freshly shorn from his every-three-months haircut last Thursday. Shaved on the sides, hair down the middle. No spike, just flat."
http://www.wwsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=7932384
"It's something that he really likes," Barile said. "When people hear Mohawk, they think it's long, it's spiked, it's crazy looking, and it's really not."

Now a Parenting website:
http://www.parentdish.com/2008/02/27/kindergartner-suspended-for-haircut/
Ellie and I were in the grocery store yesterday when we passed a guy with a rather unusual haircut. It wasn't exactly a mohawk, but gave the impression of a mohawk. A moment later, Ellie told me about a kid in her class who got a mohawk haircut. It was clear from the way she said it that she didn't particularly care for it, so I asked if she thought the little boy was happy with his new do. "Oh, he likes it but I think it looks silly," she said. I gave her the 'to each his own' speech and explained that as long as he liked it, that was all that mattered.

[ROTC Teecher]

28. yes it would appear that the inital report could be wrong.

..

[Karenina]

162. Reply to #14: WHAT A CUTE KID!!!

Somebody pass me a spoon! :loveya:

Uppity, I've had to pass this thread due to time constraints and NOW there are 160 posts!!! :rofl::party::rofl:

DO indulge me in recounting "Kidunit's First Visit to the Barber."

Santa Monica's BestBlackBarber was an artist. He dealt with so many hair textures and understood them all well. He signaled Kidunit to take the chair and while fastening the bib turned to me for instructions. "Ask HIM."

"How should I cut your hair, son?"

"Leave the top long. Make the sides short to a V in back."

He glanced at me. I nodded. After the initial run he handed Kidunit the mirror.

"I really want the sides SHORT. And the top is too wide."
This time he turned with a raised eyebrow.

I said, "It's HIS head."

Kidunit pronounced the results perfect; we practiced Thank You, shaking hands and paying. As I type this, a 20 year-old photo-button of him is in my peripheral vision. The shot captured the essence of One Happy Kidunit. In his Montessori UNIFORM! We'll see if I manage to post it...

So much DOO-DAH over HAIR. What texture, colour, length, style, standard... :rofl: I recall a similar story involving a bi-racial teenie with dreads. One would think we have bigger challenges to tackle. But then again, it DOES point to the issue of

Sovereignty over one's own body.

[Chovexani]

110. The only freak show here is you.

Comparing a five year old with a mohawk to a fucking war criminal.

[Ken Burch]

140. You're comparing a six year old with a funny haircut to a war criminal?

nice.:puke: :eyes: :banghead:

(on edit)just found out this asshole was tombstoned. Gee, wonder why?)

[Star]

73. So What???

Its a freaking haircut. Who cares? It seems to me the only people who were "disrupted" were the administrators of the school. The kids would get over it in a day if it was just let go. Probably many more of them would want to get their hair cut the same way, and that's what freaking these people out.

For goodness sakes, didn't we already learn that haircuts are just the way one wants to "do" their hair and nothing more. I thought we were beyond such pettiness.

[Lorien]

161. It's cute, and pretty tame

my sister's was over a foot tall, spiked and fire engine red and electric blue. That tike is sporting something downright conservative.

[Megahurtz]

39. "Freak Show"???

In who's opinion? Yours?

It could be as easily argued that you and yours look like a walking, talking "Freak Show"!

Think about it! It's all a matter of opinion and personal taste.

[JerseygirlCT]

42. It's just hair, for pete's sake. Perhaps the bigger freaks are likely to

be the kids raised to judge other people on such silly things as hairstyles.

He's not interviewing at a law firm; he's a six yo Kindergarten kid. Silly hair is part of the fun.

[bigworld]

61. I take back my freak show comment

But yes, I do have a problem with logos on shirts as well. But we'll save that argument for another day.

[LeftyMom]

83. Piss off. Signed, Mom of a six year old with a mohawk. Currently orange, FWIW.

Please note how much this kid appears to hate his haircut:



Usually he goes a good three or four days before he's bugging me to get the sides cleaned up a bit. Most moms bribe the kids with shitty food, or a trip to the park or something. Mine (that would be the walking, talking freak show) is a perfect angel if I promise him a trip to get his hair touched up.

[dcc3]

86. Vive le Freak Show!

[Lucinda]

146. What a cutie!

:hi:

[juno jones]

126. Better examine your philosophy. N?T

[slackmaster]

7. Imagine what they would have done to him if he had a mullet

[YOY]

9. Embraced him with open arms

The Mullet is a sign of pride in Parma, OH.

I grew up in Parma...I know it. Parma is the reason why many of my Ohio memories are bad ones and why I grew up thinking Rush Limbaugh was great.

[dcc3]

135. The Mullet.

Business in the front, party in the back! Oooooo Yeah!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. That's what I was going to bring up.

I betcha they'd turn the other way if that were the case.

[Demeter]

18. Or Bald From Cancer Therapy

We've got a kid telecommuting to school because of cancer--presumably because his immune system is suppressed, but he is bald as an egg, too.

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. What happened to that maternal instinct down there? - the whole administration is women

.
.
.

I woulda expected a grouchy old man doing sumthing like that,--

The staff >>> http://www.constellationschools.org/Parma/Staff.htm

Linda Geyer - - Principal
Kimberly Popelmayer - - Building Admin
Dawn Dresp - - Admin Asst
Laura Trivison - - Admin Asst

[funflower]

96. Women can be evil little tyrantesses given an overly individual kid

[Chovexani]

111. LOL Umbridge was the first thing I thought of

This sure sounds like one of her "Educational Decrees".

[ConcernedCanuk]

119. I suppose, I guess I was fortunate seeing that all my teachers were women till 8th grade.

.
.
.

Home room teachers anyway.

And one teacher, who I had for both grades 4 and 5 - I used to call her "mom" inadvertently now and then.

I can't ever remember a woman teacher being overly strict with anyone,

or men teachers either, except for some in High School

But KINDERGARTEN?

That's what really blows me away on this one.

Smart mom - save the kid's individuality - put him in a different school.

Just the name "Parma" sounds like it's farm of some sort.

What I read on Parma doesn't dispel that image either.

And if the teachers/staff knew anything about "kindergarten"

it comes from the german meaning "children's garden"

- somewhere to play/relax/enjoy - and START the schooling process,

not ram all of societies meanness down their young throats all at once!

Time to rename it I guess,

cause they are running it like a KINDER-GULAG

OH

I NEVER had a teacher that looked than mean/prissy/unbending - YIKES!

Reminds me of two different movies that I DID see

"Flowers in the Attic" and "Mommy Dearest"

[B3Nut]

154. LOL! No kidding...

Did Imelda Staunton just *own* that role or what? She just nailed the petty-authoritarian vibe we're dealing with here...superb performance...IMHO Rowling was getting a few sideways barbs in at No Child Left Behind with the storyline around Umbridge.

[madmom]

13. Parma Ohio a good place to be from ..... far away from!

[Dr.Phool]

15. I'll second that!

Even fundie Florida is better.

[YOY]

33. I'll third it

if it weren't for the pirogies I'd call it a wasteland...

[pleah]

22. Schools nowadays do not encourage self expression.

If you do not conform to their way of thinking, they don't want you there.
The old expression 'Variety is the spice of life' are words I like to live by.

[PittPoliSci]

23. the schools don't even have to by the time you're in high school.

getting your ass kicked every day by some meat head will discourage it too.

[MindPilot]

24. I thought we got this whole hair thing resolved in the sixties.

Apparently it's never too early to inculcate kids with those classic American values, conform, fear, and consume.

Perhaps the school's standard uniform should be a high & tight haircut, hardhat and an "America: Love it or Leave it!" tee-shirt. 'Cause if we're gonna be in Iraq for another hundred years, these kids gotta learn soldiering early on. American won't be safe until there's no difference between kindergarten and boot camp.

[kirby]

37. Up next: nose picking!!!

Those darn kindergarten nose pickers/munchers are distracting too! Let the suspensions roll!

[mitchum]

58. What? They were afraid he was gonna wear an army jacket and try to shoot...

a candidate for homeroom president?
"I would just rather ride my tricycle...I can't take naps"

[Ellen Forradalom]

62. There was a time when having black kids attend your lily-white school

might have been too distracting and kept the kids from learning.

Or poor kids.

Or girls.

Let's kick minorities, girls, and the poor out of the schools; then we can get down to real learning.

[superconnected]

72. And kick out the cute boys and pretty girls - too distracting.

oh yeah, in the 90's they did try to kick out all the boys because they were too distracting.

What's wrong with this school anyway, aren't they prescribing ritalin for all the kids who question the teacher or find something more interesting to pay attention too, anyway?

So what's their problem? Oh, I get it! The TEACHER is too facist to pay attention when the thoughts come through her head... that's got to be it.

We'll the answer is, put the teacher on ritalin.

[Tikki]

64. Little guys in desert towns often get a mohawk cut as....

the weather warms...
First of all... it is way cooler for hot, hot summers and then as winter
approaches the sides grow out and the top hair can be styled.

I guess in Ohio sweaty little faces aren't considered a distraction.


Tikki

[slampoet]

66. Do you realize in Rhode Island there are 65 year olds with mohawks?

Hell most of the areas of the US have had a Quarterback or a Cheerleader have a mohawk at some time.

[Generator]

67. First grade: nose ring

Not that there's anything wrong with that

[Trillo]

75. Good on that kid's mother(!)

for sticking up for her kid! I hope he heals up from this mental slap-down and loss of his friends.

[daleo]

79. Ah, haircut arguments at school

That brings back some memories. Some people have a fetish about controlling hairstyles.

[LuckyLib]

156. Doesn't it though? My Dad railed on my brothers about their "damned long hair" in the 60s

and the more angry he became, the more they resolved to keep it long. Way deeper levels of significance than the hair.

[dcc3]

80. insider opinion

First, some facts: I work there. I know the school. I was once a science teacher at urban public schools. I have been in dozens of school districts during a former job as state tech faculty. I once had a mohawk (late 70's punk fan in England, for real), I've had really long hair (neo-hippie dead head, for real), I've looked like a nerd (professional techie, for real), I'm an artist, I've been suspended, I never thought I'd be working in Parma. I believe that how you act is more important than how you look. I question authority, I tend to non-conformity, I support freedom of expression and believe that kids need room to express themselves, be different, accept differences, and feel safe in school even if they are different.

I don't know the teacher involved here, I don't know the kid, I don't know the situation or what may or may not have been distracting. I just found out about it tonight because I was told about the metric shitload of negative email the principal received about the decision to suspend.

Here's what I can tell you for sure: in comparing all the schools I've been in, this charter school and its partner schools in the area are some of the best environments I've seen. There is a general attitude of respect and tolerance, and a marked lack of the rowdiness and disrespect I have seen while among many other student groups. I am sure this is because of the school's emphasis on building good character, focus on academics, and high expectations for students.

Personally, while I love weird hair and attire, I believe the school dress code allows kids to forget or ignore who can afford the coolest clothes, or who cannot. While seemingly conformist on the surface, it helps kids avoid the mindless conformity of corporate branding that afflicts the style and personality of many youth, and strains the wallets of the parents that try to keep them in the "coolest" threads. This school's dress code allows for variance within proscribed limits, it is not a "uniform" per se. And while there is no mention of hair in the dress code, somehow this got mixed up in the discussion. Maybe there's a grooming policy... I dunno, I have the policy file somewhere if anyone wants me to search it.

For those that would bash the principal for fostering a conformist drone factory, being a fascist, or whatever... don't bother. She's kind and mellow and tolerant. I'm a freak, and I like her just fine. Ok, I'm a freak with a shave and a haircut, but still.

I hope we continue to express our divergent opinions about this and other issues, but I also hope people realize that opinions without insight are hardly useful, and that spewing derision on a person without knowing the full circumstance is probably worse than the apparent lameness of suspension for a distracting haircut.

[notadmblnd]

98. Sounds like you're just as clueless as everyone else.

You don't know your co-workers? You don't know the student? You weren't aware this happened? Yet you can come here and admonish us for stating our opinions?

You're right about one thing.. People without insight are hardly useful.

[dcc3]

121. To Clarify

Yeah, I see how that sounds.

To clarify: 1st, I work in multiple locations, so I wasn't in the building that day. 2nd, I didn't mean I "don't know" the teacher, but that I had not yet heard who specifically was involved with this. And 3rd, being responsible for other facets of school operations, it is not strange that I would not be informed about this until later. I still haven't bothered to find out the details, it's not my job and my responsibilities differ. Read on to see why this is irrelevant.

I'm not admonishing anyone for stating opinions about the *principle* here, which many rational arguments agree is about conformity, restrictiveness, personal expression and acceptance. Forums are all about expressing opinions, it's free speech and all.

The problem is, too many people vilify the *individuals* involved, on both sides of the issue, based on bias, assumption, and incomplete information. Suffice it to say that I personally consider the staff to be rational and fair, and that there perhaps is more to this story that will never hit the press because the school honors confidentiality.

Some people choose to grandstand and rant on hyperbole, some jump to conclusions, some see both sides of a coin. That is, I suppose, human nature. Thankfully, some have posted on the relative unimportance of any of this when compared to the bigger issues in the world today.

My point is, *derisive personal attacks* actually sent to the parties involved, based on bias, assumption, and incomplete information, are *on principle* just as bad as anything discussed in this forum. It amounts to "hate mail." It exposes behavior that is basically just as lame as the original story. Which is worse - actual harsh nasty vulgar verbal abuse, or supposed restrictive narrow minded conformity?

(all opinions expressed herein are my own and do not reflect the official blah blah blah you know what I mean)

[YankmeCrankme]

152. The actual point is that the child was SUSPENDED from school because of a haircut

It was a distraction? Yeah, for a couple days then the other 6 year olds would get over it.

The school's reaction to the haircut was over the top, inflexible, intolerant and unthinking. Yay, elite charter school.

What is this supposed to teach the child? Conform to our arbitrary codes of personal appearance or be punished by preventing you from attending school.

[struggle4progress]

81. Here's th'dress code -- and it don't say nuthin bout no haircuts

http://www.constellationschools.org/DressCode.htm

[HughBeaumont]

91. This is the type of thing America worries about.

I think the greater tragedy here is this kid's share of the National Debt.

I think the greater tragedy here is this kid's likelihood of seeing universal health care in his lifetime is getting slimmer by the year.

I think the greater tragedy here is whether there'll be more wars waiting for his generation's adult age, simply because military-connected fatcats aren't rich enough.

I think the greatEST tragedy here is that this kid, like myself, my son and many others, will now possibly grow up for a hatred of school because all modern schools seem to be trying their damndest to be Corporate America's personal farm clubs. Groom them to be obedient workers controlled by deadlines, busywork, bad bosses and proper molding, because God Forbid they figure out what the hell we're doing, they just may want to change things. You and yours wouldn't want to be . . . BAD FOR BUSINESS, would you?

UNbelievable that this is the sort of thing we care about.

Or is it?

[dcc3]

133. Or is it?

Nah, not really. I'm letting my hair grow and not bothering to read this forum anymore. Too many haters jumping on the media circus. All but a few will forget about it in a few days, if they haven't already.

Onward now, to greater tragedy!

[LizW]

101. Are we EVER going to get past controlling hairstyles and clothing?

My son's high school has a new principal this year. In past years at all levels of our school system, the dress code has been a major point of contention. Kids who otherwise never got into trouble got detention and even sometimes suspension for dress and hair violations. The most common one: not having the shirt tail tucked in. My son had to do time in Saturday school for several violations of that one.

But this year, with the new principal, suddenly they aren't sweating that small stuff anymore. Shirt not tucked in? Who cares?

Hair is a non-issue. Supposedly wild colors are still against the rules, but in reality no one says anything.

Has it affected overall discipline? I can't say, because I'm not there ever day, but I know my son loves it. He dresses exactly as he did before, except he doesn't have to stress about whether his shirt is tucked in. The teachers I have talked to love it because they don't have to spend all day in confrontations about untucked shirt tails.

An unexpected thing happened, too. The kids on their own adopted an informal policy of "dress-up Thursday" and the ones who want to come to school in suits and ties or dresses and heels. Not everyone does it, but it is fairly widespread. They do it because THEY get to decide.

This principal is only here as an interim. Next year it will be someone new, and I HOPE the relaxed dress code policy continues. If we get a dress code stickler, it will be bad.

[Chovexani]

108. Judging by this thread, no

There are too many mindless sheep in our society bleating the gospel of conformity. They do their corporate masters proud.

[Maat]

116. Now, THAT's ridiculous ..

they have to tuck in their shirts ... my kid would have twelve tons of material tucked (she has big shoulders). Ridiculous.

[LizW]

141. It was awful

My son is very tall and skinny, and if we bought a shirt long enough to stay tucked in, it hung off his shoulders and swallowed him whole. But he had it better than the heavy kids. Imagine being an overweight high school girl and being forced to tuck your shirt into your jeans. It was just cruel for them, and I'm so glad the new principal realized it.

[Maat]

143. Yes, I'm glad the new principal realized it (n/t)! Good story.

[juno jones]

130. That shirt tail thing would screw my kid

He's an Aspie and doesn't check these things. Dresses conservatively (dunno where he got it from :) ) but by the time he comes home he's a bit askew.


That policy sucks. Sorry. Hope you continue to have a lenient principal.

[proud2BlibKansan]

155. In my district the kids have to tuck in their shirts

to keep them from wearing sagging pants.

[Phx_Dem]

115. What does it say about the mother

that she is going to change her kids school because of a haircut?

[Maat]

117. No, she's going to change her kid's school ..

because the administrators' behavior demostrates that they have no business teaching children about how to behave in society, and what's important and what's not.

[Phx_Dem]

118. Her statement is clear

Rather than request a hearing to appeal the suspension, Barile said she'll enroll him at another school. Changing the hairstyle is not an option, she said.

"It's something that he really likes," Barile said. "When people hear Mohawk, they think it's long, it's spiked, it's crazy looking, and it's really not."

So she is going to change schools because he really likes his haircut.

[juno jones]

132. Good for her.

I would too.

I had to find the best fit for my child for his schooling, he has Asperger's and some learning disabilities which makes it a little difficult because he truly is different. Ironic that for awhile it was a charter school. The local public school teachers were aghast that I would send my child THERE (and screw up their funding). Sorry, one size does not fit all.

In the mainstream public schools he was considered a distraction. In the public alternatives he is performing over grade level (except math) and getting A's in courses he is taking at the local JC.

She is correct in reassessing her options.

[dcc3]

136. Options...

... at least we have them, right?

[Ken Burch]

138. Would they do this to Angeline Jolie's kid?

[Maestro]

150. Well I am an elementary asst. principal in charge of

discipline. I would never suspend a child for a haircut. There are many more disrputive behaviors that I deal with that are much more serious. Children need to understand that everyone is different and as long as the child is not disruptive in class I do not care what type of body jewelry or haircut the child has.

[YankmeCrankme]

153. Thanks for reaffirming how a progressive, liberal educator should act.

Hopefully, I'm not misconstruing your personal philosophy, i.e. that you're a progressive, liberal educator. :)

Isn't the whole point not to judge someone's worth or character because of how they look, either from personal choice or from genetics?

[Maestro]

163. Not misconstruing a thing.

I am one liberal educator! :)

[panzerfaust]

158. we must protect

Amerikan Values