10 North Naples Middle students suspended for taking part in “kick a Jew day”

[cali]

NAPLES — Ten North Naples Middle School students were suspended last week after district officials said they participated in “kick a Jew day.”

District Spokesman Joe Landon said a student told the dean of students at dismissal on Thursday that she was kicked because it was “kick a Jew day.”

The following morning Principal Margaret Jackson addressed the entire student body on the morning news regarding the incident, reviewing the code of student conduct, explaining why what happened was wrong, the need to respect one another and possible consequences, Landon said.

Jackson asked that anyone with information on the incident come to the office and speak with her or the assistant principal as they investigated the incident.

<snip>

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/nov/23/north-naples-middle-suspended-kick-a-jew-day-email/

first kick a ginger day, now kick a jew day.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Sadly, I am sure than more than a few people could get behind that "holiday."

[elleng]

3. NOT a holiday!

'In school' suspension, and their parents called in too!

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Perhaps I wasn't clear...

...the "holiday" was reference to "Kick a Jew" day.

Also, one day, in-school suspension and parents called, doesn't really impress me; but, it wasn't the "holiday" to which I referred.

[elleng]

5. Now I understand.

Action taken DOES impress me. Sounds like some possibly useful communications took place.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. My apologies for being unclear.

I still disagree the action taken was "impressive." IMO, it was as little that could be done without nothing being done.

[Violet_Crumble]

26. What do you think the school should have done? n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

38. Expulsion.

Really, given what a fucked up place middle school can be for kids, given how disruptive it was to the learning trajectory back in my day... I think there should be zero tolerance for any of this crap. You have kids getting expelled for having advil or breath mints, for fuck's sake-- but bullying is supposed to be par for the course?

Throw the bullies, thugs, racists and assholes out of the school for good.

[Violet_Crumble]

41. But doesn't that just send the problem to other schools without trying to fix it?

And I'm aware that sometimes it's impossible to fix a problem that's there because of the parenting of some of these kids, but I'm not sure expelling them would be seen as punishment by them anyway.

[Warren DeMontague]

43. They need to make sure the school is a safe, supportive environment for the kids who want to learn.

Expulsion would send that message. Kick a few kids out, the others will get the message. When you treat it with a slap on the wrist; (a one day suspension, for sure, won't be seen as a punishment- more like a day off) that is when you encourage more of the same.

[Bobbieo]

11. To understand the story in the first place - where the hell is North Naples?

Where the hell is Naples????

[cali]

12. Florida's west coast, I believe.

[KamaAina]

34. 30-40 mi. south of Fort Myers.

One of the Reddest counties in S. Fla. :eyes:

[Behind the Aegis]

13. Perhaps this will help,

Naples, FL

[buzzycrumbhunger]

39. It's the last thing before you hit the Everglades

. . . and it's an extremely wealthy, overly Republican area. Wouldn't surprise me if this was just one of many such "holidays."

[elleng]

2. Principal with a GOOD head on her shoulders!

'As a result, the district determined that 10 students should be punished. The students received a one day, in-school suspension, which was served today. The parents of the 10 students were also called and conferences with the parents followed the phone calls, according to Landon.'

[Truth2Tell]

10. I think that principal just sent a message

with that non-punishment punishment, that "kick a jew day" is OK with her.

Sure looks like the message to me.

[elleng]

16. I disagree.

Please read my post #15.

[Truth2Tell]

18. The guidelines you quote in that post

include the words, "up to and including suspension or expulsion..."

If kicking jews doesn't rise to the level in your mind that would justify an actual school suspension, then we will have to agree to disagree about what is appropriate. The message I get from no real suspension is that the school is not taking this seriously and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The rest of the positive intervention is great, and frankly should be a part of every school curriculum regardless of this incident.

[immoderate]

19. In school suspension is the worst.

It's like all day detention. Regular suspension is like vacation.

I think the principal is right here. For most normal kids who got caught up in this silliness, it should be sufficient.

--imm

[elleng]

20. I don't like the idea of suspending or expelling school children;

college etc is another thing. Suspension etc. hurts everyone, and the kids may or may not take it as a learning experience. fwiw, I'm Jewish.

[Truth2Tell]

22. Fair enough, I suspect you are right about that, but

I think punishment has more purposes than just to teach the guilty. I think sending a message to the rest of the kids in the school, as well as to the community, could also be considered a legitimate purpose. A solution that does both would be ideal. I don't think this does.

and btw, no suggestion at all from me that your view is in any way anti-Jewish. I've seen you post here long enough to know you're genuine in seeking workable and compassionate solutions to this stuff. fwiw.

[elleng]

35. Thanks, Truth.

I appreciate that you recognize my desire to send a message, to the perps and all others. I have a sense that community is trying to do so.

:hi:

[barbtries]

6. this is how we're raising our kids?

i've always known that kids are the meanest people on the face of the earth, but this is really disturbing.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I don't think kids are the meanest people.

I think they are a reflection of those around them. They are, often, IMHO, nothing more than parrots. The "meanest" people are the ones who think this is nothing more than "kids being kids," or "no one was really hurt" type of people. The real "meanest" people are the ones who excuse anti-Semitism (or any type of bigotry) for the actions of another or blame the victim.

[pipoman]

9. I agree with this entire post

I would add only that if the headline were about a 'kick a Christian day', there would be much light and approval of it in these parts I suspect. (not saying you would be one of them....jus' sayin'..)

[Behind the Aegis]

14. I, sadly, must agree with you.

" would add only that if the headline were about a 'kick a Christian day', there would be much light and approval of it in these parts I suspect."

The stark reality is some are so ignorant, even here, they fail to see bigotry for bigotry. (And, so you know, I wouldn't be one of them! :))

[Warren DeMontague]

33. That "Kick a Christian day" will probably coincide with the week where roving bands of gay kids

beat the crap out of all the hetero ones. :eyes:

...as in, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yes, bigotry is bigotry is bigotry and it is all unacceptable, but, really... with this "but the majority gets picked on too!!!" crap, let's be real.

[walldude]

23. Who are you fucking kidding? If it were kick a Christian day you would

see it on every news show, there would be special sessions called in Congress, the talking heads would be exploding, every news show would have the "War on Christianity" as it's top story. The Robertsons, and Buchannans would be on every channel talking about how the supposed 90% of Americans who are Christians are a minority in need of protection from the big bad atheists and the evil Muslims and Jews.... Not that you would agree with them... Just sayin.

[pipoman]

50. Reading comprehension

"there would be much light and approval of it in these parts I suspect.", meaning here on DU, you know, the safe haven for Christian bashers..

[Warren DeMontague]

53. Right. Waaaah.

"Christian bashing". :eyes:

Give me an example of "christian bashing"; and no, I don't mean someone calling God "imaginary", although I know some people in these parts think they're being oppressed every time someone dares question any of the tenets of their faith.

I want to see an example of someone advocating violence against Christians.

[Warren DeMontague]

28. Oh, bullshit. The difference is, too many "Christians" think they're being "kicked" when they are

not allowed to, for instance, teach about Creationism in Science Class, or Noah's Flood in History Class.

Yes, yes, I know, the poor, persecuted, picked-on majority. It's tough, really, not being allowed to call other students to Jesus, to threaten unbelievers with damnation, in a Graduation speech.. that's exactly the same thing that Jews endured in Eastern European pogroms, isn't it? :eyes:

Too many "Christians" are so used to everyone else, like Atheists, staying good and silent about their beliefs, that they freak the fuck out and cry "bigotry" when someone says "I don't believe in your God". They're pissed that their "god-given" rights as the majority to use secular government to advance their personal faith has been eroded...


I'm not saying you would be one of them... jus' sayin'.

[pipoman]

51. You are exactly the type of

poster I was speaking of who would likely be praising the Christian kickers.

[Warren DeMontague]

52. Really. Why is that?

Where have I advocated 'kicking' anyone? Go on, I'll wait.

[barbtries]

17. i agree

but then those people never grew up, never gained empathy or compassion. i meant in the broadest sense. growing up i was bullied, and another girl at my school was taunted relentlessly. even at that young age i recognized that it was wrong and did not take part in tormenting her. but a lot of kids did. i think it disingenuous to say "no one was really hurt" in this case because the very action was hurtful whether or not there was physical harm. and of course there is never an excuse for bigotry, never a reason for it that makes any kind of sense.

[elleng]

15. 'Until further notice,

the school will focus the first 20 minutes of each day on character traits, beginning with respect and kindness. Homeroom teachers will speak with the students about these traits and will focus on bullying prevention, he said. Videos on the topic will be sought out and used as part of the training, he said. . .

The Collier County School District has a policy on bullying and harassment. It defines bullying as “systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees.”

Harassment is defined as “any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property,” among other things.

The students were disciplined in accordance with the bullying and harassment policy, which can range from “positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct,” according to the district’s policy.

[David Zephyr]

21. And there are idiots in our own Party that think hate crimes are not needed.

I clicked on the link, read the entire story because it was so disturbing.

How did this nonsense get so far along that it actualy took place?

Sad. Tragic to believe that this is 2009 and this shit goes on here.

[cali]

24. I also think it's sad that, judging by the response here, this story is of so little interest

to DUers. the posts about kick a ginger day, generated more input.

[David Zephyr]

48. Sad. huh?

. That single story is more disturbing to me than all twenty about Sarah Palin that fill the site.

[AspenRose]

47. *nodding*

And the hijab story in Illinois, too. Woman was just shopping and minding her own business.

A nation of bullies.

[Violet_Crumble]

25. They deserve to be suspended...

That's really ugly stuff. I don't really care whether or not they've gotten it from an episode of South Park or somewhere else, as there's no justification for that sort of behaviour. And as another student was kicked, on top of everything else, it's assault, and if I was that girl's mum, I'd be wanting something done about it so that it didn't happen again....

[cherokeeprogressive]

32. They should have been expelled. n/t

[Violet_Crumble]

36. Why? What would it achieve that suspension wouldn't? n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

40. It would make it unequivocally clear that there is no tolerance for this sort of shit.

I went to a stifling middle school, back in the day, where the staff just couldn't be bothered to give a shit about this sort of thing. And it was rampant.

I watched what bullying did to the best kids, the smartest kids, the different kids, the creative kids.

Zero tolerance. Kick em out.

[Violet_Crumble]

42. How does suspension and other punishments not do that?

I think very long in-school suspensions along with educating them on why their behaviour is so antisocial and wrong gives them a punishment rather than what they'd see as a holiday, and also removes them from the general school population...

[Warren DeMontague]

44. One problem, as I remember it from when I was a kid, was that the staff was overworked and too busy

to give a shit.

"long in-school suspensions along with educating them on why their behaviour is so antisocial and wrong" requires that someone is willing to baby-sit these kids and make sure they're not goofing off, while simultaneously reminding them what they are being punished for.

I'm not saying it couldn't work, but I do think one day suspensions is way too light, almost a wink and nod. I guarantee you that if it was someone caught with a bag of pot in their locker, the institutional response would be much harsher. Personally, I think that's fucked up.

[Violet_Crumble]

45. Yeah, I hadn't thought of the resourcing issues of my suggestion...

I do agree that a one-day suspension isn't enough in this case....

[cherokeeprogressive]

46. Long in-school suspensions don't get the parents involved.

Teens who think battery against another based on religion aren't going to be swayed while sitting in detention that what they did was wrong. Get them the fuck out of the school and let their parents deal with getting them into another one.

Just recently there was a young student expelled from school for being in possession of a plastic knife for cutting the birthday cake he brought to share with his schoolmates. Expelled. All because his his district had a zero-tolerance policy for weapons possession.

I propose a zero-tolerance policy for battery for ANY reason, including religious discrimination.

[fizzgig]

27. i think a one-day suspension is a bit light

high school students are old enough to know this is not acceptable behavior. i do agree, though, that in school suspension was the appropriate punishment.

[Malikshah]

29. One-day is way too light. A week with community service would be a start.

One day is nothing.

[Violet_Crumble]

37. I think the suspension should have been longer n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

30. And if this happened when my son was in middle school here, he would have kicked their asses.

Although my son isn't very big, he's feisty. His friends were usually the biggest kids in the school and it would mean nothing for him to play tackle football or wrestle with any of them.

[sakabatou]

31. If they tried it on me (being a Jew myself)

They might have a few broken bones after I was done with them.

[begin_within]

49. I have a friend who lives in Naples, Florida and he says it's a stuck-up millionaire's town.

I'm not surprised spoiled rich kids have nothing better to do.

[LeftishBrit]

54. Revolting behaviour. Wonder where they learned it?!

[ShortnFiery]

55. My best friend in middle school had to tolerate seemingly endless "Pollock" Jokes.

But no, she was never kicked. :shrug:

[ecstatic]

56. How do they know who is Jewish and who isn't?

:shrug: I remember one Seinfeld episode where there was so much confusion over who was Jewish and who wasn't, and they were adults! So how would a child know?