Overload. That's the word that comes to mind as I clicked through potential "Fried Fridays" contenders for today's post. From the sad to the bizarre to the stupid, myriad stories vied valiantly for top honors.
In the greater scope of the earth rotating, the seasons changing, and governments being overthrown in civil unrest, this story is a tee-tiny blip. But even in its diminutive scope, it spoke loudly of "what were they thinking???"
DATELINE: NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
Michael Sheridan seemed to be the kind of student that makes parents beam with pride, the talk of the grocery store aisles, that sort of kid. As an active eight grader, he had already established himself as an honors student and had been elected class vice-president. I think that qualifies as someone who is respected by his peers and faculty alike.
But as many seem to do at one time or another, he fell. He tripped big-time, skinning up not his knees but his reputation. Afterall, he is an eighth grader and hasn't had enough time in life to serve such positions as "Client #9", but a fall from grace is a fall from grace...it's just that the landings can be a little different.
I suppose you could argue that his one-day suspension was at least short-lived for his 'crime' that broke sacred school policy. He was supposed to attend an honors dinner, but they barred him from going. I should clarify that "they" is Superintendent Reginald Mayo and principal Eleanor Turner...and "they" went one step further and stripped Michael of his title of class V.P.
Hang that head, boy. That'll teach you to buy a bag of Skittles from a classmate.
(pregnant pause)
Yep. That little bag of those colorful fruit chews came at a high price. Michael said he was unaware that it violated school policy to buy candy at school, though he admitted the seller was acting a bit secretively. (FYI, there was no other info given about the seller except they received a suspension, as well.)
He should have had a better memory back in elementary school...back in 2003, the New Haven school system started a district-wide school wellness policy that specifically banned candy sales.
In that regard, I suppose you could say he was caught red handed. And yellow. And purple. And green. And orange (couldn't resist a little color commentary, y'all...).
The story does have a sweet ending. The school administration 'saw the light' and after meeting with the Sheridans restored Michael's VP post and expunged all related suspensions from the record books. However, they couldn't bring back the honors dinner opportunity - and I'm willing to bet they didn't serve Skittles for dessert, either.
"I am sorry this has happened," principal Turner said in a statement. "My hope is that we can get back to the normal school routine, especially since we are in the middle of taking the Connecticut mastery test." Yes, let's...
1 comment:
Breaking a rule, even in ignorance is still breaking a rule, and it doesn't matter that it is a minor one.
I do believe stripping him of his class title and not allowing him to attend a dinner was too much, but I also feel that for one who has such an important title, a one day suspension is not enough punishment. An additional punishment of a minor nature should have been given to him such as a special project or paper to write or an oral report, perhaps on the wrongdoing he committed.
This would serve to impress on the minds of the other students that with greater responsibility comes heavier penalties for wrongdoing, even for minor offenses.
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