October 18, 2006

School Daze

The Blogsphere is commenting pretty heavily today on this article about an elementary school in Attleboro, Mass that has decided to ban tag, touch football and other "chasing" games at recess. A lot of the commentary I've seen is the predictable "What are they thinking?" and "Another attempt to keep kids from being kids!" and "The nanny-state strikes again!" variety of acid observations about modern educational philosophy run amok.

It seems to me, though, that the people to blame are not Principal Gaylene Heppe (of the school in question), nor teachers, nor educational "specialists." Rayther, the people to blame are certain parents, including one Celeste D'Elia interviewed for this story:

Willett parent Celeste D'Elia, on the other hand, backed Heppe's decision. Her son, she said, feels safer and enjoys the alternatives to throwing a football around.

"I've witnessed enough near collisions" in the playground area, D'Elia said. "I support anything that makes the playground safer and helps teacher to keep track of them."

My friends, I happen to serve on the board of the Llama-ettes' school and I can tell you from all the way over here that, IMHO, this woman has the words "Potential Litigant" stamped across her forehead in large, red letters. In other words, it's all about the suits. You've no idea how much time and effort is spent by schools trying to figure out ways to shield themselves from parents incensed over anything that they perceive might interfere with little Geoffrey's or Sierra's sense of physical, emotional and/or intelllectual well-being. Can it produce overkill? Certainly, as this example demonstrates. However, schools consider it worth the cost. A single parent with an itchy litigation finger can cause paroxisms throughout an entire administration. Better to have a few normal parents grumble than to give the hot-heads an excuse to go for the draw.

As crazy as this measure sounds, I can't really say that I blame the school for taking it.

Posted by Robert at October 18, 2006 01:00 PM | TrackBack
Comments

It's people like this "potential litigant" who make me regret that horse-whipping has gone out of fashion.

Posted by: Russ at October 18, 2006 01:25 PM

I can't blame the school for trying to avoid a lawsuit. Just a darn shame there isn't a motion of "kids will be kids."

Posted by: rbj at October 18, 2006 02:17 PM

I'm betting Celeste D'Elia is the one who instigated the rule change.

Posted by: Rachel at October 18, 2006 02:43 PM

One more reason why I'm planning to homeschool my kid(s). I'll let them rough-house all they want at home.

Posted by: jen at October 18, 2006 03:30 PM

The overemphasis on "security" over personal freedom and enjoyment of life on the playground (from both parents and administrators) could be used as a metaphor for something. If only I could figure out what...

Posted by: LB Buddy at October 18, 2006 04:18 PM

Ooh! Ooh! Mr. Kot-terr!

Is it hyper-restrictive gun-control legislation?

Posted by: Robbo the LB at October 18, 2006 04:28 PM

Its about about building positive self-esteem, which as we all know, is the best kind of self-esteem....

Posted by: KMR at October 18, 2006 05:36 PM

What Jen Spoke.

Posted by: Boy Named Sous at October 19, 2006 12:16 AM

Every day we are told that there is an obesity epidemic among children. That the poor dears are spending too much time in front of the TV or computor. Every parent or health magazine out there has articles about the need to get kids outside and moving. So- we send them to school where they spend all their time sitting at a desk and when they are briefly let out, they aren't allowed to run and play. What do they want them to do-sit in a circle and talk about their feelings? Does this school have a playground? What's on it? There probably aren't swings, slides, teeter-totters or monkey bars because those are all dangerous. Some one might fall, or have their esteem damaged because they can't pump the swing. Heaven's forbid two kids might have a "near collision." Hey, Celeste, wrap your kid in bubble wrap and be done with it.

Posted by: Terentia at October 19, 2006 09:51 AM

Is it hyper-restrictive gun-control legislation?

Like when you have to wait a whole week to get that new assault rifle.

You won't actually get me on the anti-gun brigade. Grew up in NH shooting the same rifle my mom shot when she was a kid...

Posted by: LB Buddy at October 19, 2006 10:52 AM

This could also be handled by judges with a little bit of sense ruling that "kids hurt during normal play at playgrounds" lawsuits are hereby frivolous in nature and court cost will be paid by the filing party and their attorney will be sanctioned.

Posted by: Mike at October 19, 2006 12:48 PM