More about the "no hug" policy

[Braindrain]

I didn't want to hijack Mili's IEP thread, but I just found this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19293872/?GT1=10056

I don't know, this sounds a little too extreme. JMO

[peglem]

It seems like these days, more and more, instead of solving individual problems policies and laws are put in place that inconvenience or punish everyone equally. When I was teaching the worst administrators were those who enacted staff policies, instead of dealing directly with the individuals who were using poor judgement.

[Braindrain]

It seems like these days, more and more, instead of solving individual problems policies and laws are put in place that inconvenience or punish everyone equally.

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking! Individuals are different and each
situation is different, but it seems like the good students get punished along
with the bad ones, when policies like this are put in place.:(

[MomOTwins]

My charming husband, who has several teachers and school administrators in his family, likes to note that "those who know it - do it, those who can't do it - teach it, and those who can't teach it - administrate".

We have that as a running joke in our house, as two practicing scientists who have big problems with teachers who don't stay up to date on current science, and school administrators who like to wave their magic wands *fantasia and make rules to "solve" problems that could be addressed by simply using common sense.

Yep, my question is "Why do they call it common sense if it seems to be used so infrequently?" *ack

Kim

[Braindrain]

Yep, my question is "Why do they call it common sense if it seems to be used so infrequently?" *ack

Kim

That's easy: it's mispelled!:p It should be spelled, "common cents", since
everybody involved in making and enforcing these policies has to put their
own "two cents worth" in about why they (teachers, administrators) are
"right" in their words and actions.:rolleyes:

It's just a shame that the children are the ones paying the price for the
schools to be "right".JMO

[gynwhyver]

When I read this my first thought was "how ridiculous". And the more I think about it, the more ridiculous I think the whole thing is. Honestly, what's this world coming to when kids can't hug each other? And "High 5's"? - that's something we use for my dd as "positive reinforcement" for "positive behaviors."

I think this school "policy" goes way overboard.

[AKF]

I watched an interview on CNN, I think, with somebody from that school system. They kept asking her "Why not teach kids to touch appropriately, (handshake, high 5, pat on the back) instead of forbidding all touch?" They asked the question 3 or 4 times, and never got a straight answer. A couple of times, she insisted that they WERE teaching appropriate touch, but that middle school kids are just too immature to be trusted to do it right. She said that they just can't control themselves and on and on.

She also said the policy had been in effect for many years, and this was the first complaint??? Yeah, right!

But I guess it's easier for administrators to forbid everything rather than teach right and wrong.

[peglem]

A couple of times, she insisted that they WERE teaching appropriate touch, but that middle school kids are just too immature to be trusted to do it right. She said that they just can't control themselves and on and on.


So, if they can't contol themselves, how are they supposed to be able to not touch at all?!

[AKF]

Good question! Nobody in the interview ever asked her that!!