Connecticut School Bans Physical Contact - "High-Fives," "Hugging" And Horseplay

[The Straight Story]

Connecticut School Bans Physical Contact
East Shore M.S. Outlaws "High-Fives," "Hugging" And Horseplay Of Any Kind; Violators May Face Expulsion
MILFORD, Conn. (CBS) ―


A Connecticut middle school principal has laid down the law: You put your hands on someone -- anyone -- in any way, you're going to pay.

A violent incident that put one student in the hospital has officials at the Milford school implementing a "no touching" policy, according to a letter written by the school's principal.

East Shore Middle School parents said the change came after a student was sent to the hospital after being struck in the groin.

Principal Catherine Williams sent out a letter earlier in the week telling parents recent behavior has seriously impacted the safety and learning at the school.

"Observed behaviors of concern recently exhibited include kicking others in the groin area, grabbing and touching of others in personal areas, hugging and horseplay. Physical contact is prohibited to keep all students safe in the learning environment," Williams wrote.

http://wcbstv.com/local/school.bans.hugs.2.969949.html

[rcrush]

1. A man's got to get kicked in the groin at least once in his life.

[ozu]

2. Do they also get complimentary plastic bubbles?

What a creepy rule.

[femmocrat]

3. This might seem an over-reaction, but....

I taught middle school for 12 years. Some kids at this age simply do not understand boundaries and get overly-rambunctious. Another thing... some use touching and hugging as a form of bullying. Middle school is a good time to learn or to reinforce appropriate behaviors.

I now teach at the elementary level and actually see far less rough-housing, horseplay, touching, etc. We have the old rule, "Keep hands and feet to yourself" and they seem to obey it more than middle-schoolers do.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. I would like that rule applied as of the next auto accident...

for everyone's safety, no more driving.

And no more pretzel eating,either!!! Damn things are dangerous.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Sales of ten-foot poles will skyrocket if this holds up.

[lib2DaBone]

6. The kids don't know when to quit. Someone always ends up with a bloody nose...

or broken eyeglasses or being stabbed with a #2 Pencil.

Then the parents call the school and want to know why their 'little darling' got beat up and the law suits start to fly. I don't know if the problem is high fructose additives or video games.. but kids today are nasty and agressive towards each other.

I have a third grade boy on my bus who routinely goes up and down the aisle in the school bus , kicking other students in the groin. (girls and boys)

I suspended the the boy from the school bus (5 times) and his mother called the school district and threatened a lawsuit based on the fact that I had a 'personal' vendeta against her son?

They even had the kid on video kicking other students.. but this evidence did not seem to be 'conclusive' enough for school administrators.

You can't win. And I don't have an answer.. but the situation is not pretty....

[femmocrat]

7. Well said, lib!

You didn't mince words like I did. My hat is off to you. :applause:

You have the toughest and most-underpaid position in the schools. Bless you.

[GoesTo11]

8. Somehow, kicking in the groin seems to me in a different league than hugging.

I like to be hugged.