See a Cop (in the school) Warn A Brother (or Sister, Son or Daughter!)
Commentary by Bob Witanek bwitanek@igc.org
If you don’t think we should be concerned about too many cops in our schools – read the article below.
Whether or not you agree with the t-shirt this student was wearing, it is obvious that the response of East Brunswick is horrid.
Why was a small discipline matter turned over to the police anyway? That’s what we get when we put cops in schools – we criminalize behavior issues.
On top of that – the 9-day suspension is way over the top.
Given the recent shooting of the unarmed groom Sean Bell – over 50 shots fired – in NYC, there is no surprise that there could be some sentiment of protest in our schools among the youth regarding police. The calling to the office of the student for wearing his shirt is questionable. The involving of the police in the action proves the whole point of the shirt.
From a disabilities rights standpoint – our children’s rights are trampled every day. What happens if one of our children happens to try to exercise their right to free speech in the schools around the trampling of their rights? Does that mean that cops will be dragging them out of school in handcuffs?
WHERE IS THIS ALL HEADED?
We need to begin to monitor instances of excessive policing in NJ public
schools. That is not to say that there never is a need for police.
However, when kids start getting dragged out in cuffs for a t-shirt slogan, we
are headed for trouble. If you know of instances where police were brought
in on situations that should have been handled administratively in NJ public
schools, please share the details with us at
advocate@studentadvocate-nj.org
.
http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/1165471969149130.xml&coll=1
T-shirt spells trouble for E. Brunswick teen
Objectionable slogan leads to 9-day suspension, but officials say there's more to the story
Thursday, December 07, 2006
BY CHANDRA M. HAYSLETT
Star-Ledger Staff
When Deborah Raber let her eighth-grade son wear a T-shirt to an East Brunswick school yesterday that read, "If you see the police, warn a brother," she never thought he would get suspended for nine days.
But that's exactly what happened to the 13-year-old when he refused to take off the shirt at Churchill Junior High School. The student also was taken into police custody when he walked away from an officer in an attempt to return to class. Raber, who didn't want her son named, had to get him at the police station.
District officials said the student was sent to the office because of the shirt's message, but he was suspended because of something more substantial.
"There's more to the story than the mother is telling you," said Patricia LaDuca, the district's spokeswoman, adding she could not provide more information because it was confidential.
Raber admits her son isn't perfect and started getting into trouble in sixth grade. She said the principal's response to suspend her son for nine days "seems extreme."
A student can be suspended for up to 10 days if the student continually misbehaves, according to the board of education's policy.
While Raber acknowledged the T-shirt isn't her favorite, her fifth-grade daughter previously wore it to school without incident. Her daughter attends a different school in the East Brunswick district.
Churchill Junior High School's dress code allows teachers to ask students to remove clothing they deem offensive.
"Students wearing inappropriate items will be asked to remove or replace them. At times, clothing that adheres to the ... guidelines may still be inappropriate because it is distracting, revealing or offensive. The administration will make the final determination regarding the appropriateness (of) student attire," according to Churchill's dress code.
The statement on the shirt includes the Warner Bros. logo as a play on words. The message is printed on top of the Warner Bros. (WB) logo, which is on the front and back of the shirt.
Her son wore the shirt all day without incident until his last-period teacher took offense and sent him to the office, Raber said.
Once there, Raber said Principal Mark Sutor asked him to remove the shirt, but he refused. When the teen walked away from the school's police officer, he was taken into custody, said East Brunswick Lt. Robert Strempek, the department's spokesman, who was not at the school when the incident happened.
Strempek declined further comment, saying the incident was under investigation.
Raber said she questioned Sutor and Vice Principal Della Green-Powell about why her son was suspended but didn't get an answer. Calls to the principal's office were not returned yesterday afternoon.
"It started with the T-shirt, but it escalated because no one told my son what's wrong with the T-shirt," said Raber, who plans to appeal the suspension.
Staff writer Chandra M. Hayslett covers Middlesex County. She may be reached at chayslett@starledger.com or (732) 404-8089.
© 2006 The Star Ledger
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