STUDENT RIGHTS VIOLATION: HELP!

[Oublei]

I'm a high school student that has been SUSPENDED for two days for making a pin that was anti-school administration.

Long story short: I made pins, I gave out pins, anyone who received a pin was suspended for two days (around 15 students total). The classroom I gave pins out to belongs to a teacher who is also very anti-school administration and may be fired BECAUSE of the fact that the pins were in his room, even though he had no idea.

To make it even more complicated: The purpose behind the pins was to create funds for the Young Democrats chapter I am president of. The advisor of the chapter turned me in based on hearsay. The vice-president TODAY informed everyone that we will be switching advisors (it was planned prior to this incident and today is our meeting day). She is now claiming that this student threatened her and will get this kid expelled.

It's a blatant violation of student rights--WEARING A PIN. There was no request to remove it, they were simply suspended. This isn't the first time it's happened.

What do I do?

I called ACLU already and left a message. Should I go ahead and try to find a lawyer (though I really don't have any funds to pay for one). Should I make a media circus out of this? Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!

(x-posted)

[YouthInAsia]

1. well what did the pins say?

[Oublei]

5. "Follard"

The principal's name is Pollard, so it's a watered down version of "F Pollard." I understand it's immature, but that, I feel, really furthers my point of how ludicrous this whole situation is.

[YouthInAsia]

8. oh, well THATS why you're getting suspended. Its a little much

to actually suspend you, but they're gonna say that you used a derogatory term (ie FUCK) toward the principal.

[Oublei]

10. and the kid who's getting expelled?

I understand what grounds they have to suspend me, but what about this kid who is getting expelled?

I'm asking for advice. Any you have to offer would be greatly appreciated aside from speculation. Thank you.

[rinsd]

16. The expulsion.....

...you stated it was because a teacher stated the student threatened them with violence? Do I have that correct?

[Chan790]

17. Won't fly.

If she can't produce a witness it would get thrown out as hearsay at best and at worst would come down to his word versus hers.

They can expell him but it would open a can of worms that no superintendant or school board would want to deal with, with the greatest likelyhood that he gets reinstated anyways.

The key to anything like this is involved parents. If your (collective) parents kvetch your 2 days may not even hold up, if your parents support the decision, you're all probably sunk. Moreso in his case, virtually no expulsions hold up when legally contested unless a weapon was involved or someone was severely injured. The teacher and principal need thicker skin IMO. Usually the mention of lawyers draws offers of compromise.

[YouthInAsia]

18. I dont think they should EXPEL some kid for a pin, but I can understand

why they're pissed (I dont AGREE with it, but I can SEE what their justification is).

[MichiganVote]

2. What did your pin say?

[BamaLefty]

3. I'm not surprised

I'm a HS student and I could see this same type of BS coming from my school as well.

Keep us updated.

[SteppingRazor]

4. You haven't said what was on the pin...

And it kinda depends on what was on the pin. Yes, wearing a pin isn't against the law, but threats against school administrators are in many states, especially post-Columbine.

[progressivepolitics]

6. Have to know what the pins said

You left that out. If it was something truly nasty then you might just have to face the punishment.

[Oublei]

7. Posted what the pin says, look up. n\t

[Chan790]

13. Try CO-STAR as well as the ACLU.

Coalition for Student and Academic Rights.

www.co-star.org

This is right up their alley and if the ACLU can't help you these people might. If nothing else, they can probably point you toward a cheap or pro-bono attorney with experience in this arena.

Also, LTTEs from young people tend to get published, especially if you or someone else writes well. Parents can a be huge asset...the school views you as weak, your (collective) parents on the other hand have the capacity to raise a stink the school board and school would rather not deal with.

Let us know how it turns out and if you need any more help feel free to PM me as I was quite the hellraiser in HS myself, I have more experience here than is probably wise to cop to.

edited to replace that with than in last paragraph.

[progressivepolitics]

22. Just F- Pollarrd

Then it seems that they shouldn't have suspended you. However, why would you attack the principal? Is he some sort of...I don't know jack-booted thug?

You may, in the end, have gotten what you deserved.

Sorry if you don't like to hear that.

[rinsd]

9. You wore a pin saying "Follard" in other words F the Principal....

...consider yourself lucky it was only for two days.

[Oublei]

11. Nope, didn't wear it.

Made it, but didn't wear it. I gave all of the pins I made away before I could keep one for myself.

[rinsd]

15. Sorry, had a detail wrong...

...so you made and handed out pins that basically said that.

As I said, you're lucky it was only two days.

[don954]

20. jsut say it stands for Freeper Pollard...

-grin-

[Angry Girl]

12. This is CRAZY!

What is this, the thought police?

Could have been Fool + Pollard or any other term. It's a made-up name, for crying out loud! The naughty, naughty F-word was never used!

Geez, this is depressing. I'm so sorry for you, O!

Unfortunately, you're nothing but a small peon in this system and they have the power to do whatever they want, just like this robber administration can do whatever it wants to its own citizens (including locking them up indefinitely with no formal charges).

My advice: Bite the bullet and concentrate on graduating the fuck out of there. Take comfort in the fact that the miserable dolts are underpaid and overworked and that they have to stay there because there's no other work for them....

[SiriusLiberal]

14. 2 days may have been lucky...

1. In the eyes of the administration, the pins you created caused a significant disruption to the education process. Free speech is protected behind the school gates as long as it doesn't cross the "significant" disruption line. Google this court case for more info: TINKER ET AL. v. DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ET AL

2. Any reasonable person would assume (and rightly so) that the F didn't stand for 'fool'.

I'm a huge proponent of student rights and free-speech. I sponsor the YD club and run the school newspaper. I would have advised my students not to do it. There are better ways to get your message across and raise money without resorting to name calling and disrespect.

[nebraska007]

19. You're "rights" here are somewhat less than had you not been in school

IMHO the compelling arguement here is that the public school system is a captive audience of children required by law to be there getting an education. Your rights of free speech in the school system go up to but not beyond the point at which they interfere with the school's obligation to educate its students.

Lets face it...wearing a pin that says "F YOUR PRINCIPAL" is sure to at least not keep the focus of at least some of your fellow students on what they should be doing there.

This guy is probably a jerk, and its good that you're questioning and standing up to what you feel is wrong. You can even say F him later. There are more constructive and probably more effective ways to do this anyway.

[MichiganVote]

21. Suggest you review the school handbook where you are likely

to find a clause the specifies the rules regarding use of profanity in or about the school. Should be something related to profanity aimed at school personnel.

If you knew it was immature, as you previously acknowledge, is that the reason why you gave the pins you designed to other students in place of wearing one yourself?

Sorry, no sympathy. Serve your two days and shut up about it. You've had your 15 minutes of fame in HS.

[Citrene]

23. Good luck

and FUCK Pollard!