So my 4th grader got into trouble today

[Spydermag68]

Tell her to stand her ground. This is an infringement on her freedom of speech! She is getting bulied into silence.

 

[highland145]

Tell her to stand her ground. This is an infringement on her freedom of speech! She is getting bulied into silence.

.44/day...meh...snap.

2 l's

Stance of dominance will get her a gender reassignment class. Just sayin'.

 

[alkemyst]

teach your daughter not to talk about religion, money or politics.

QFT!

 

[alkemyst]

Yeah, those are topics for men only. Just guide her gently to the kitchen and tell her this is where girls belong.

What color is your apron?

 

[highland145]

QFT!

That's not prompting tolerance.

 

[szechuanpork]

teach your daughter not to think about anything, rather anything important.

 

[alkemyst]

That's not prompting tolerance.

Unfortunately, tolerance has been superseded by parents demanding their children bring these topics up in school.

 

[alkemyst]

teach your daughter not to think about anything, rather anything important.

Wow, do you have another account here?

 

[szechuanpork]

Wow, do you have another account here?

do you believe in God?

 

[alkemyst]

do you believe in God?

Sure, I am God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_PawcvFrMQ

 

[szechuanpork]

Sure, I am God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_PawcvFrMQ

that's how the girl should have responded.

 

[Spydermag68]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjo5f9eiX8

God's Not Dead

 

[Sho'Nuff]

This is why they want to avoid the question being asked in the first place. Obviously it's not your daughter's intent to harass anyone, and it's a seemingly harmless question to ask. But when the other child responds that they don't believe in God and other students start expressing incredulity, your daughter inadvertently kicked off a conversation that has no business in a public school. What if that incredulity about a lack of faith becomes teasing? Yes, that's not your daughter doing it, but it's an offshoot of something your daughter started, and the school has a responsibility to nip that in the bud before it has the chance to become anything serious. I would hope that the trouble was nothing serious, just a friendly reminder that some topics aren't appropriate to bring up in that setting.

I thought schools were supposed to make people think and engage in lively discussion? The topic of religion is not so "hot button" that it cannot even be brought up. If that is the case how can topics like the crusades be taught in history? What about more recent wars between islamic militant groups? Why is it that god can be mentioned in the pledge of allegiance (which is still recited daily in my son's school), but one child cannot ask another a question about whether they believe in god or not?

As for nipping something in the bud because of what it "might" lead to. Give me a break. She asked a legitimate question. The other person could have simply replied that she did not want to talk about her religious beliefs and the whole thing would be a non-issue. But no, lets insulate our kids from any remotely challenging thing they might face in the real world, because god . . . (I mean, "deity") forbid little johnny should think, much less feel bad, about anything.

Another question - why is the fact that the question was asked on school grounds important? Per your rationale the school has an obligation to nip conversations like that in the bud, because of what they might lead to. Well, what if the question was asked 1 foot outside of school grounds? How would the school's actions be effective to address the hypothetical issues you are concerned about?

Finally - how does asking a single question constitute harassment? The charge is either ridiculous or OP is leaving out some major details.

From: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/harassment
"harassment (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands. The purposes may vary, including racial prejudice, personal malice, an attempt to force someone to quit a job or grant sexual favors, apply illegal pressure to collect a bill, or merely gain sadistic pleasure from making someone fearful or anxious. Such activities may be the basis for a lawsuit if due to discrimination based on race or sex, a violation on the statutory limitations on collection agencies, involve revenge by an ex-spouse, or be shown to be a form of blackmail ("I'll stop bothering you, if you'll go to bed with me"). The victim may file a petition for a "stay away" (restraining) order, intended to prevent contact by the offensive party. A systematic pattern of harassment by an employee against another worker may subject the employer to a lawsuit for failure to protect the worker. (See: harass, sexual harassment)"

 

[Sho'Nuff]

AFAIC, they're infringing on her speech rights. Meet with the teacher, nod and smile, then tell your daughter they're fuckwits, but to play by the rules, cause life is easier when you play by the rules, and others rule over you.

Me thinks you do not understand "freedom of speech" really means. At least not in the U.S.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The PC crap in schools has gotten totally out of hand. The best possible outcome of this "meeting" is for your daughter to promise never to speak to the other kid again. All other choices lead to jail time and home schooling. I have zero tolerance for their zero tolerance.

 

[sportage]

I agree, asking this question of another kid would be harassment.

At least until the kid knows the other kid real well, like best friends, and maybe during college, and between passing the joint, then that question would be totally appropriate.
Definitely a pot smoking, all night-er, college dorm, on the floor environment type of question.

But, for classroom acquaintances in elementary school?
I don't think so.

Never ask another child if they believe in god,
or if they are gay,
or if they carry a gun,
or if their mom is a whore,
or how big dads penis is,
or if they have on underwear?

Just tell the little mischief maker to show some common sense.
But, that isn't meant as an ok to ask another kid if they have common sense.

 

[Exterous]

apologize for any offense given

Eff that - assuming the story is true there is nothing to apologize for. Well I guess you could say 'I'm sorry you have to deal with such whiny children and prickish parents'

I honestly wonder how a lot of the kids will function later in life when confronted with situations they don't like

 

[z1ggy]

PC'ness is getting more and more out of hand as time goes on. Nothing you can really do though other than teach your kid where it's ok and not ok to discuss religion, etc.

 

[Sheep221]

teach your daughter not to talk about religion, money or politics.

Why so? To become dumb and stupid with no own opinion/insight? Where is that free country america now?

 

[highland145]

PC'ness is getting more and more out of hand as time goes on. Nothing you can really do though other than teach your kid where it's ok and not ok to discuss religion, etc.

What about weenies?

True story. At the time, my old boss had a 4 yo grandson. People would ask him what he wanted for Christmas and he would say, "I want a squirrel and to show you my weenie." Then he'd pull his pants down. Knowing my old boss, that kid is definitely related.

 

[Blackjack200]

What about weenies?

True story. At the time, my old boss had a 4 yo grandson. People would ask him what he wanted for Christmas and he would say, "I want a squirrel and to show you my weenie." Then he'd pull his pants down. Knowing my old boss, that kid is definitely related.

That's awesome. I'm going to start doing this.

 

[highland145]

That's awesome. I'm going to start doing this.

He was 4. You'll be going to jail and Bubba will be showing you his.

 

[Blackjack200]

Shutup and ask me what I want for Christmas.

:sneaky:

 

[highland145]

Hey, Blackjack, Perk wants to know what you want for Christmas. You can PM him.

 

[Phoenix86]

I partially agree with this since this is public school and those type of discussions are generally not allowed. However, my daughter was asking innocently (she is in church school as well) and wasn't trying to harass.

At the same time I'm trying to figure out what type of "oversensitive" parents are these.

It's perfectly OK for students to discuss religion. This has been challenged quite a bit and really never gets traction as it's protected speech.

Tell them to pound sand.