# More School Suspension Nonsense **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 28, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332 "2005-02-28T20:12:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MRirian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@MRirian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MRirian)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/41 "2005-03-01T21:15:28Z")
Just threaten to sue. Last year, I tried to tell the teacher in charge of our yearbook that I didn’t want to be in it, and she totally flipped on me. Apparently, I didn’t have a choice. Well, I didn’t even get a portrait done, so there would be no picture anyway. But, being a senior, we weren’t just dealing with a picture. What really upset me about it was that they were actually going to take it upon themselves to make up a quote for me. They did their whole “We refuse to budge” thing, until I told them my parents would sue them (which I of course made up). Even after that, the assistant principal called me out of class into his office (he’s the discipline guy) to tell me that an apology on my part was expected for this whole mess. So, I told him my parents would sue him for harassing me. No more problems after that. Yeah, just threaten to sue. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/42 "2005-03-01T21:32:33Z")
> [@TeaElle](#): > > … they’ve lodged a complaint which is the first step at an appeal, and if the suspension is retroactively overturned, Cindy (and presumably her friend, though I don’t know what that girl’s parents are doing) will be permitted to make-up the work that she missed or do extra credit work to get equal credit. So not only were the girls suspended, but their grades are lowered because the school didn’t let them attend!!! ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/43 "2005-03-01T21:54:24Z")
> [@beckwall](#): > > the best thing is to document it accurately and ask, not demand, for an audience with the school district. ASK? You should ASK for what is your civic right as a parent and a citizen? The Constitution requires that public laws be made to serve a rational purpose. School districts should be held to the same standard; and their rules should be subject to the same scrutiny as any other public law. Laws which appear to be irrational should be decried as such. We are preparing students to become citizens in a democracy, not sheep. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/44 "2005-03-01T22:07:52Z")
Not to hijack-[another story of ZT](http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=333969&category=SCHENECTADY&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=2/17/2005)-zero thinking. In this case, a 12 year old girl is threatened with suspension for wearing “gang related” colors: the red, white, and blue necklace she made over the Christmas holiday to wear in support of her Uncle, who recently shipped over to Iraq. Words escape. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/45 "2005-03-02T00:31:42Z")
> [@TroubleAgain](#): > > Gosh, an idiotic school policy issue that didn’t happen in Florida? Amazing. > > TeaElle, I’m adding my voice to the ones saying I hope the parent takes this as high as it needs to go. Well, if Florida is America’s wang, as I suggested in the thread about the girl in the tux in her yearbook photo, then Pennsylvania is right about at the proper level to be its armpit. (I like Pennsylvania, really, and we’re talking about moving back. But this is just ridiculous.) Cindy’s girlfriend brought her all of the the homework assignments, etc. that she missed, and there were no tests yesterday or today, so Cindy did the homework and is going to turn it in anyway. The girl who ate the fries is doing likewise. Here’s the kicker, with regard to the whole “this is because of childhood obesity” angle: Cindy bought milk and fries for her friend because those were the only things she _could_ buy for her. You’d think that perhaps there would be fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, small salads or a la carte vegetables available from the food service but the only a la carte items were the fries and various desert items. In Cindy’s favor, she knew two things: her friend is diabetic (though Cindy didn’t know that diabetes makes it even more important to eat regularly) and therefore she couldn’t eat a sugary ice cream bar or pudding cup, so fries it was. It doesn’t look like there will be any response from the school district until Thursday night, when there is an administrative meeting. Cindy, her mom Sue and dad Joel appreciate all of your input. Thanks again, Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/46 "2005-03-02T01:19:56Z")
Wait, Cindy’s friend is diabetic? Set the newshounds on the school for endangering a student’s health. Maybe get them to talk about the lack of healthy food at the school, too. ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/47 "2005-03-02T02:32:32Z")
Um, all I can say is: if the school district is trying to “battle obesity”, why don’t they get rid of foods that are high in fats or will likely add risk to children become obese first?? And Cindy couldn’t buy anything else for her friend, anyways, so why are they blaming her? What a :wally I’ve never used that smiley here before…but I’m sure the circumstances here allow me to. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/48 "2005-03-02T04:24:15Z")
_The school district was prepared to force a diabetic child to go without lunch?_ (turns green and gets really big and angry) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/49 "2005-03-02T04:27:38Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > _The school district was prepared to force a diabetic child to go without lunch?_ > > (turns green and gets really big and angry) “Don’t make me hungry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry…” ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/50 "2005-03-02T04:30:03Z")
WTF!!?? Not only is their policy bad from weight control, but it’s dangerous for diabetic children - and the girl in question is diabetic? :eek: I wanna know what these idiots are smoking. Really. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/51 "2005-03-02T04:31:10Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > “Don’t make me hungry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry…” “Feed me, Seymour!” ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/52 "2005-03-02T15:11:41Z")
> [@beckwall](#): > > Devil’s advocate here - I can only surmise that at some time an incident occurred and a parent complained, for example a student who is allergic to peanuts was given food by another student that was cooked in peanut oil. And as for the obesity thing, parents should be the ones to monitor this in general. The schools can only do so much. They can teach the students to eat healthy low-fat foods, but whatever is eaten in the home will be the food of choice in most cases. If you are eating healthy meals and introducing your child to this lifestyle, then good for you. But imagine trying to teach 500 kids to skip potato chips and eat carrot sticks instead. > > When there is a disagreement about a suspension or other disciplinary action, the best thing is to document it accurately and ask, not demand, for an audience with the school district. When you enroll your child in a certain school, you agree to respect the rules. Bad-mouthing the school and the rules will teach your children to do the same. A little respect goes a long way. Things may appear ridiculous to you as a parent, but they do not make up these rules just to inconvenience you. > If you are offended by a rule or question its reasoning, go to your school board meetings and let your voice be heard. When I read the OP, I was trying to think of some reasoning to defend the school’s decision - not that I agree with it, I was just trying to figure out a logical explanation that may possibly have eluded Cindy’s parents (i.e. it’s so off-the-wall it MUST make sense in some way I am not aware of.) But there’s holes in this post above. The school is offering what is basically junk food for sale, and from the OP’s account, there wasn’t much in the way of a healthy alternative. If they’re serious about battling obesity, they simply should not offer bad choices. Give the kids a choice between carrot sticks and apple slices, keep the damn french fries out of the choices. Even if the kid eats nothing BUT junk food at home, if they’re given two healthy choices and no crap ones at school, they’re going to choose healthy by default. This is what is known as a “no-brainer.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/53 "2005-03-02T16:26:36Z")
I do not condone suing people at the drop of a hat for minor, piddly bullshit. However, they did not just drop the hat, they kicked it into the corner and pissed on it, then rubbed it in a huge, steaming pile of bullshit. Get a lawyer and fry their collective asses sufficiently to where you will never have to worry about paying for your daughter’s education in private school or college. Good luck. Keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/54 "2005-03-02T16:59:25Z")
The way I see it…either A: the kids in question are old enough to be responsible for their own dietary restrictions (allergies, diabetes, etc.) and their own means of procuring food (bringing money, borrowing, or packing lunch) or B: they aren’t and the school has to be responsible for providing everyone’s food. In my school days, elementary kids got lunch no matter what and parents paid by the week or month. If a kid was supposed to pack a lunch and forgot, the kid got lunch and the parents paid next week or month. In older grades, you brought money or a lunch or borrowed from a friend (food or cash) or starved. It sounds to me like the school is saying that the kids in question (if we know how old they are I missed it, but I am assuming HS) are responsible for procuring their food but are not responsible for procuring their food. In a hypothetical to illustrate what I am trying to say the school’s current position is: If Cindy’s friend got money from mom for a full lunch and bought pudding and ice cream instead, then fell into a diabetic coma from the sugar (or however that works) is it the school districts fault or mom’s? It can’t be the child’s because Cindy’s friend obviously isn’t smart enough to make food decisions for herself. I’m not sure I made it any better…I’m going to quit before I make it worse. Did anyone get that? Also, I am sure Cindy and her friend are smart enough to make food decisions, I don’t want to imply otherwise by my hypothetical. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/55 "2005-03-08T01:02:44Z")
So how did the school board meeting go? What’s the latest? ---
**Author:** ![Penchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Penchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penchan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/56 "2005-03-08T02:23:19Z")
It’s crap like this that makes me not want to have kids and expose them to this mess. When my kids are born, I hope they won’t have to face stupid administration like this. It’s their **SCHOOL** for Christ’s sake! They’re supposed to learn some of their morals and values there! This isn’t what we’re supposed to be teaching them! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/57 "2005-03-08T02:55:36Z")
> [@Mirror Image egamI rorriM](#): > > Wait, Cindy’s friend is diabetic? Set the newshounds on the school for endangering a student’s health. Any child with diabetes should be sent to school with an appropriate meal, or money to buy what she is able to eat. These actions are usually undertaken by a caring and educated parent. I can only guess what’s next - lawsuits related to candy and fried foods that caused a really bad case of acne. Why blame just the schools, let’s jump on 7-11 and every little junk food provider in the universe! ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/58 "2005-03-08T03:23:27Z")
ahem, please excuse me, this does not come easily to this mild-manered Canadian: Sue them for Cindy! Sue them for criminal negligence & willful endangerment of a diabetic child Complain to the health/children authorities for child abuse re. the diabetic child and _then_… …call the media! [stirring \*Les Miserables \*-type music building to a crescendo] _:trupa climbs on an overturned apple cart:_ To the barricades! hit the spineless brainless shoolboad politicians where it hurst! In their public image, in their pocketbooks, in their re-election chances! To arms! [_music swells: Do you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of angry men_…] ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/59 "2005-03-08T06:10:14Z")
> [@beckwall](#): > > Any child with diabetes should be sent to school with an appropriate meal, or money to buy what she is able to eat. These actions are usually undertaken by a caring and educated parent. I can only guess what’s next - lawsuits related to candy and fried foods that caused a really bad case of acne. Why blame just the schools, let’s jump on 7-11 and every little junk food provider in the universe! But occasionally, people forget things. Kid thought mom stuck lunch in her bag, mom thought the kid grabbed it. Oops. Is the school supposed to let her go into a coma because of that? Yes, she _should_ have had money and/or lunch with her. Should she have been suspended for not? Uh, no. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332/60 "2005-03-08T06:43:16Z")
The OP says the girl forgot her lunch money, so I’m going to assume that she was given it in the first place. I can think of any number of scenarios. Mom hands it to her and she puts it down on the kitchen counter, child decides to change jackets at the last moment, money just plain falls out of her pocket, etc, etc. I can’t really add much to the general outrage. I’ve got an idea, though. I don’t know if it’s the same all over, but the Canadian edition of Reader’s Digest has a feature called “That’s Outrageous!” This one would be a shoo-in! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-school-suspension-nonsense/292332.md?page=4)