Take a minute and read the following article about Greensburg Community Junior High School.
http://www.theindychannel.com/education/26352589/detail.html
Now that you're up to speed on the issue, let's chat a little. As most of you know, I'm an educator. I teach at the high school level. We have all sorts of rules that we ask people to follow in school. Don't have unnatural hair color in your hair. Shave before you come to school. No piercings anywhere for guys and none anywhere but the ears for girls. Make sure your tattoos aren't visible. Make sure you aren't showing your underwear - or lack of underwear - to the general public. Don't carry weapons on your person. You know, ridiculous stuff here.
I mean, isn't it a violation of my seniors' right to bear arms if they can't bring a gun to school? If my students can't demonstrate their gang affiliation to other students by the tattoos they have on their arms, isn't that denying them the right to express who they are?
I think these parents in Indiana need a reality check. When I was a cheer coach, everyone signed a page that said they had read the constitution and would abide by its principles. They had the constitution in their hands before they even tried out! Anyone who couldn't abide by it had the option of *gasp* NOT trying out for cheerleader! And there were things that smacked of the ridiculous in that 23 page document including (but in no way limited to) the color of nail polish they were allowed to wear with their uniform. Ultimately, it didn't affect their cheering ability but it was about being part of a team. AND they knew about it BEFORE THEY TRIED OUT so when I punished them for violating the constitution, they didn't have a leg to stand on.
High school basketball is a privilege, not a right. No one struggled through life just because they didn't play basketball. They have, however, struggled to hold down a job because they were never taught to comply with policy.
This sort of thing really rattles my cage because day after day, I see children who have no respect for authority, cannot comply with reasonable requests, and have clearly been placated in every aspect of their lives since they were conceived! I know my room is hot. I'm wearing a wool sweater and have been in here all day. You don't get to yell out in class that you're hot and are about to walk out of class. I am not required to let you go to the bathroom. Try the law - you'll find it's on my side.
In no way does telling them 'no' illicit a proper, respectful response. Teaching kids to "fight for your rights" is ridiculous in these cases, especially when they are related to TEAM sports. Only after they understand that you have to respect policies that are in place can you begin to respectfully argue your position. Claiming discrimination is ignorant; everyone on the team was required to follow the same rules.
These parents are teaching their child the wrong lesson here and in the process are draining the district's resources. I'm sure that teachers will have to be let go, forgo any raise, and/or be limited in their ability to obtain materials necessary to teach their classes. Way to be extremely selfish, parents. Another wonderful trait your child is going to grow up possessing.
