Girl gets detention for hugging Illinois middle school bans public displays of affection; parents urge change The Associated Press updated 8:57 p.m. CT,Tues., Nov. 6, 2007
MASCOUTAH, Ill. - Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter.
The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.
I feel it is crazy, said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.
I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend, she said.
Megans mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces werent even real hugs just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.
Its hilarious to the point of ridicule, Coulter said. Im still dumbfounded that shes having to do this.
District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.
It states: Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved. Parents urge change in policy
Coulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.
We dont agree with it, but I certainly dont want her to get in more trouble, Coulter said.
The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.
Im just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldnt be punishing us for hugs, Megan said.
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-- Heather: "I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!"
"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
I know. It seems almost counter-productive. For the sake of what I'm guessing was intended to damper any sexually overt expression, they are punishing kids for positive, constructive exhibits of healthy emotion.
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-- Heather: "I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!"
That is ridiculous! Might as well just pick fights!
i work in a hug zone! Although I would prefer to just get hugs from the consumers who I know mean it than feel obligated to give out hugs to family members.
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"Am I speaking in a language you're not getting here?"
I hug the kids in my class all the time! Sometimes, these are the only hugs that the kids get all day
What do you teach, FF?
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
I love it though. I was telling another teacher at the school today, about how much I love my kids. Patience is the key.
That's cool. I admire you for that.
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
We never used to hug at school. It's a modern trend.......just as is the raised levels of headlice infestation we have these days...........and then we have mums blaming other mums for not sorting out the headlice, without seeming to realise that if their kid has picked up the headlice then their kid is dishing them out too....and how many parents remember to check their own hair too......they complain about other mums and yet don't check their own hair......
I still can't believe you guys are seeing each other, and I'm just learning this now.
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
It's okay LS. We have been together 15 weeks now. I am flying up there on Nov 20th.
Bad grammar. I meant to say "have been seeing each other." Oh OK, it hasn't been for that long. I'm not THAT out of the loop then!
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
I would think with all the school violence going on, they'd be happy kids are hugging each other instead of shooting each other!! What a screwed up society we've become.
I would think with all the school violence going on, they'd be happy kids are hugging each other instead of shooting each other!!
Yeah, right?!
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
Patience is what has helped me put up with Riggs
Me thinkst that is the other way around!!!!
awwww....did I hurt your feelings? I'm sorry baby
