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T-Shirt Memorializing Sixth-Grader Causes School Uproar
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/t-shirt-memorializing-six-grader-causes-school-uproar-203653921.html
UproarA controversy over kids wearing T-shirts to celebrate their friend who died from leukemia has sparked anger and soul-searching in Battle Creek, Michigan. On Saturday, sixth-grader Caitlyn Jackson passed away after a three-year battle with the disease. More than a dozen classmates showed up at Lakeville Middle School on Monday wearing orange and blue t-shirts bearing Caitlyn's name, many of which had been decorated by the kids themselves over the weekend. Blue was the 12-year-old's favorite color, and orange is the color designated to promote leukemia awareness. Upon arrival, the students were informed that they would need to either turn the shirts inside out, cover the girl's name with duct tape, or change tops—a decision made by school administrators.
Monday afternoon, Melinda Jackson, Caitlyn's mother, heard that the T-shirts had been barred from school while she was on her way home from the hospital where the girl had died. She told the Battle Creek Enquirer, "That hurt me to the point that I didn't think I could be hurt anymore." Many parents and students were outraged by the decision. "It made me feel really bad that I couldn't express myself for Caitlyn," said Jaidyn Bellinger, an 11-year-old classmate. "I wanted to let people know how bad it feels to lose someone like that." Some parents demanded the resignations of those administrators who had called for the T-shirt ban. That night, after speaking with Caitlyn's family, the school reversed their decision and said that the students could wear the shirts the next day.
The school declined to comment, but issued a statement on its Facebook page that read, in part, "During this time of grief, we sincerely regret that our actions caused additional stress for Caitlyn's family and friends. Lakeview students, families and staff have supported Caitlyn and her family throughout her battle. Today we heard from students and families the need to allow students to continue showing their support of Caitlyn under these special circumstances by wearing shirts bearing her name."
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Stephen Brock, a professor of school psychology and president-elect of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), says the controversy highlights the importance of schools having protocols in place for how to pay tribute to the death of a student and other tragic events. "When you don't have previously established rules that people have been made been aware of, you get into these difficult situations," he tells Yahoo Shine. He explains that while some school districts do have an established plan, surprisingly most don't. He stresses the importance of explaining to the school community, and especially to the students themselves, why certain rules are in place. NASP provides written guidelines about appropriate memorials.
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Administrators at Lakeview Middle School say they made their decision based on a crisis management plan that barred "permanent memorials" to deceased students. Brock explains that in the case of suicide, schools should "steer away from yearbook pages, plaques, benches" and other items that permanently memorialize a young suicide victim's death, because there is a small but real chance it could trigger more suicide attempts. However, he adds that in the case of Caitlyn Jackson, "I, personally, would not have a problem with kids wearing T-shirts about an individual who died after a long-term illness."
Melinda Jackson could not be reached for comment, but on Monday night, she expressed her gratitude to the kids who had fought to wear their shirts. After returning home from attending a middle school basketball game with Caitlyn's father, Jeff, and older brother, Nicholas, she posted on Facebook, "Have a feeling this is going to be a long night. Today was very emotional and so not the way we wanted things to happen. I am thankful that Caitlyn had such loving caring friends who stood up for what they believed."
UproarA controversy over kids wearing T-shirts to celebrate their friend who died from leukemia has sparked anger and soul-searching in Battle Creek, Michigan. On Saturday, sixth-grader Caitlyn Jackson passed away after a three-year battle with the disease. More than a dozen classmates showed up at Lakeville Middle School on Monday wearing orange and blue t-shirts bearing Caitlyn's name, many of which had been decorated by the kids themselves over the weekend. Blue was the 12-year-old's favorite color, and orange is the color designated to promote leukemia awareness. Upon arrival, the students were informed that they would need to either turn the shirts inside out, cover the girl's name with duct tape, or change tops—a decision made by school administrators.
Monday afternoon, Melinda Jackson, Caitlyn's mother, heard that the T-shirts had been barred from school while she was on her way home from the hospital where the girl had died. She told the Battle Creek Enquirer, "That hurt me to the point that I didn't think I could be hurt anymore." Many parents and students were outraged by the decision. "It made me feel really bad that I couldn't express myself for Caitlyn," said Jaidyn Bellinger, an 11-year-old classmate. "I wanted to let people know how bad it feels to lose someone like that." Some parents demanded the resignations of those administrators who had called for the T-shirt ban. That night, after speaking with Caitlyn's family, the school reversed their decision and said that the students could wear the shirts the next day.
The school declined to comment, but issued a statement on its Facebook page that read, in part, "During this time of grief, we sincerely regret that our actions caused additional stress for Caitlyn's family and friends. Lakeview students, families and staff have supported Caitlyn and her family throughout her battle. Today we heard from students and families the need to allow students to continue showing their support of Caitlyn under these special circumstances by wearing shirts bearing her name."
More on Yahoo: Abducted Teenage Girl Rescued by Teenagers on Bicycles
Stephen Brock, a professor of school psychology and president-elect of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), says the controversy highlights the importance of schools having protocols in place for how to pay tribute to the death of a student and other tragic events. "When you don't have previously established rules that people have been made been aware of, you get into these difficult situations," he tells Yahoo Shine. He explains that while some school districts do have an established plan, surprisingly most don't. He stresses the importance of explaining to the school community, and especially to the students themselves, why certain rules are in place. NASP provides written guidelines about appropriate memorials.
More on Yahoo: Another School Bans Tag at Recess Citing Safety Concerns
Administrators at Lakeview Middle School say they made their decision based on a crisis management plan that barred "permanent memorials" to deceased students. Brock explains that in the case of suicide, schools should "steer away from yearbook pages, plaques, benches" and other items that permanently memorialize a young suicide victim's death, because there is a small but real chance it could trigger more suicide attempts. However, he adds that in the case of Caitlyn Jackson, "I, personally, would not have a problem with kids wearing T-shirts about an individual who died after a long-term illness."
Melinda Jackson could not be reached for comment, but on Monday night, she expressed her gratitude to the kids who had fought to wear their shirts. After returning home from attending a middle school basketball game with Caitlyn's father, Jeff, and older brother, Nicholas, she posted on Facebook, "Have a feeling this is going to be a long night. Today was very emotional and so not the way we wanted things to happen. I am thankful that Caitlyn had such loving caring friends who stood up for what they believed."
Nope, its gone. You can be arrested for expressing almost anything if one idiot takes offense and you can be arrested for parenting your kid..... Its a wonderful world.
I know and it's really so sad, but you always have to hope no one is offended by it or misinterprets it.
sigh~ I'm an artist, I'm all about expression !!!!
Whatever happened to freedom of expression ???
Gone if someone doesn't like it.
Gone if someone doesn't like it.
Whatever happened to freedom of expression ???
I think if a few t-shirts can throw an entire school into disarray, its the school with the problems, not the t-shirts. Michigan... didn't they just elect a couple of felons?
http://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2013/11/2-felons-including-a-murderer-elected-to-flint-city-council.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LegallyWeird+%28Legally+Weird%29
Personally, I think Michigan might be the problem.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2013/11/2-felons-including-a-murderer-elected-to-flint-city-council.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LegallyWeird+%28Legally+Weird%29
Personally, I think Michigan might be the problem.
I understand the sentiment I really really do. But schools have rules and if this was going to be done, should have gotten permission or an exception to do so imo....I am a firm believer in school uniforms for a myriad of reasons, as school is the place to learn and distractions should be kept to a minimum for all concerned. I know I know! LOL
But having put six thru school with no uniforms and seeing what happens as a result has put me on the straight and narrow I think. lol
But having put six thru school with no uniforms and seeing what happens as a result has put me on the straight and narrow I think. lol
They got their point across..Good for them!...Schools do need to change some of their "protocols"..
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