The school system in Grand Island, Nebraska, has since backed down after the outcry. But that the school system even made such a request is absurd!
With a hat tip to Pastorius of Infidel Bloggers Alliance:
The story is below the fold.
Grand Island Preschooler Asked to Change the Sign for His Name in School
Hunter Spanjer says his name with a certain special hand gesture, but at just three and a half years old, he may have to change it.
"He's deaf, and his name sign, they say, is a violation of their weapons policy," explained Hunter's father, Brian Spanjer.
Grand Island's "Weapons in Schools" Board Policy 8470 forbids "any instrument...that looks like a weapon," But a three year-old's hands?
"Anybody that I have talked to thinks this is absolutely ridiculous. This is not threatening in any way," said Hunter's grandmother Janet Logue.
"It's a symbol. It's an actual sign, a registered sign, through S.E.E.," Brian Spanjer said.
S.E.E. stands for Signing Exact English, Hunter's sign language. Hunter's name gesture is modified with crossed-fingers to show it is uniquely his own.
"We are working with the parents to come to the best solution we can for the child," said Jack Sheard, Grand Island Public Schools spokesperson.
That's just about all GIPS officials will say for now.
Meantime, Hunter's parents say that by Monday, lawyers from the National Association of the Deaf are likely to weigh in for Hunter's right to sign his own name.
Despite whatever rules and regulations may exist, some Grand Islanders we spoke with said they don't think it's right to make a three year-old change the way he says his name.
"It's his name. It's not like he's going to bring a gun to school when he's three years old," commented Dana Schwieger.
"I find it very difficult to believe that the sign language that shows his name resembles a gun in any way would even enter a child's mind," Grand Island resident Fredda Bartenbach reflected.
But for now, that's a discussion between the Spanjers and Grand Island Public Schools officials....
Is it any wonder that so many, both adults and students, have lost respect for the public school system?
"any instrument...that looks like a weapon,"
ReplyDeleteWhat "weapon"; a three year old's hand? I guess that one might expect this sort of nonsense in someplace like California but Nebraska!!! Are we really losing it BIG TIME? This makes just one more case for alternatives to "Public Education"- think vouchers or home schooling!
"Bang Bang, you're dead!"
ReplyDelete"Clink-Clank, I'm a tank!"
This is what happens when cowardly institutions insulate themselves by replacing common sense with legalistic policies.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see they came to their senses.
All too typical left-wing over reaction to a societal problem. A total lack of common sense.
ReplyDeleteThis is absurd. And school people know that many kids (round 9-ish I think) do that for fun, right? Specially when playing cowboy, etc.
ReplyDeleteBut besides that... if its about scaring others (dumb, but...) anyone within 3 seconds can figure its sign language. This is truly ABSURD.
Common sense isn't so common. Thank goodness these bureaucrats were forced to rethink their ridiculous decision.
ReplyDeleteMore proof liberalism is the ideology of eliminating judgment from the human condition.
ReplyDeleteleft-wing over reaction --- in Nebraska? Probably not conservativeonfire
ReplyDeletecube,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say but this bespeaks the fact they can't think in the first place! As a parent I'd be looking for a different educational venue. Is it any wonder that that our students fail to stack-up with the rest of the Industrial World or that they grow up to vote for the likes of Obama?
I would insist my child use only the UNADIGIT SALUTE to identify himself in future, and SUE anyone who dared question his right under The First Amendment to pretend he's Japanese, and call himself FUKU, if he that's what he wants to do.
ReplyDeleteLegal terrorism can work BOTH ways you know. I'm sure some right wing billionaire or organization would be willing to fund the attack on the Establishment in a case like this.
~ FreeThinke
That's it. I'm learning to sign and changing my name to Richard.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, this is so beyond absurd. Maybe Nebraska isn't predominantly blue, but I'll bet the NEA empty suit mush-head administrators are.
Had bloggers not made a push to show the outright idiocy of this school and bring a healthy dose of deserved humiliation, they'd likely still be at it.
The bullies.
This is why we shouldn't let the left run our school systems.
ReplyDeleteIf only he had flipped off the teacher he would have been celebrated for expressing himself. Anything that could mimic a gun though, whoa...
It is worth remembering that the school system was forced to come to its senses.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to run into "over zealous" administrators. Can't be helped but parental pressure and common sense can still win out.
AOW, I saw your comment on my crucifix photo.
ReplyDeleteThat one has drawn some attention and I'm a little surprised. Had some trouble framing it and I wasn't entirely happy with the result but apparently it work.
To me it's a rather bleak photo. Christ in the city and everyone in their air conditioned offices. Looking down on ... what? Who's looking at Christ?
It's not a very optimistic shot, is it. The irony is that the building is St. Anthony's Mission which was one of the parishes that was not involved in the scandal.
I remember that the Ritz offered to build a barrier around there soup kitchen so that the expensive Ritz condominiums wouldn't have to look down on the patrons. The Church said no.
The mirrored shot is a large piece of curved stainless steel that is pretty high over a bank entrance. The telephoto flattens it out.
The Christ photo has an air of melancholy -- no doubt about that. Is He forgotten in the modern age? Will people not venture forth from their air-conditioned and sealed-windows compartments (pun intended) to help and/or witness Him?
ReplyDeleteYou framed the crucifix well, Duck.
The photo would make an excellent prompt for creative writing. Just sayin'.
Thanks for answering my question about the other photo. A bit Dali-like, I think. I like it!
Without the outcry, I doubt that the school system would have relented.
ReplyDeleteI've seen similar stupidities from several school systems. And these stupidities are not lost on many of the students, either. It's a sad situation for education.
Hey, Public Education as it has degenerated, will continue to send our kids and therefore all of us to Hell. It must be changed. We may have one more chance!
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteWe may have one more chance!
Are you referring to the RNC?
I couldn't watch on Tuesday night as we had guests arrive. However, I did watch last night.
I sense victory in the air!
ReplyDeleteAOW
"Are you referring to the RNC?"
Well sort of. I mean that if Romney gets elected it may be a sign that this Nation is comming back to it's senses-I sure hope so anyway.
I recall, here in Colorado, a little girl got expelled for having lemon drops in an un-labeled baggie because it could be drugs.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Nebraska is concerned, I lived there for awhile and it's about as "Red" as any state gets. Unfortunately our absurd Public Education system knows no bounds and apparently this could happen anywhere. I once read a book titled "THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE" by Phillip Howard. It should be required reading for all K-12 and beyond and for anyone seeking a position in [any] law making body. I know-FAT CHANCE!
Jon,
ReplyDeletethis could happen anywhere
Yes.
Here in the D.C. area, we have gotten word of many similar stories -- although those students with special needs are typically exempt from such criticisms.
This unbelievable stupidity deserves a link at http://bobagard.blogspot.com/2012/09/stupidity-writ-large.html
ReplyDelete