01-27-2017, 09:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-27-2017, 09:59 AM by Dancing Wolf.)
My grandson has had a rough week.
His school segregated 2 of their buses with boys one side, girls the other, "as an experiment" reportedly (no goal stated for this experiment parents weren't told about)
I told him probably some kids were being too familiar or openly affectionate and school is looking for solution.
He didn't like my answer.
He quoted the Declaration of Independence (and I'm the one who taught him Declaration...)
2nd day He came in quoting portions of the Constitution and how this was violating his rights.
I told him "sorry, public school, they basically own you while you're there".
He didn't like my answer (and I'm the one who taught him Constitution.... ) Catching the theme here? LOL
3rd day He came in with Title IX statute (I think) regarding Board of Education and segregation, debated like a lawyer that concept of racism mentioned in the statute also applied to any discrimination (it did say any discrimination, I believe), including Sexism tho not mentioned specifically.
I asked him if this was a battle he really wanted to choose and willing to accept any consequences.
I gave him some advice about peaceful protest and some suggestions that won't result in trouble.
4th day He came in with legal case of Brown vs. Board of Education, a ground breaking court case he found. He believes he could use this also to support his "case" regarding the bus. LOL I was impressed at his persistence. He's a great public speaker and loves to argue (lawyer?), but wants to be a geologist. And he would definitely not work 24/7 like many attorneys do.
I've worked hard to hopefully teach him balance in life.
Can't wait for Friday (Wonder what's next? LOL)
BUT
I'm also hearing:
1)There are many more females than males so they are squeezing 3-4 girls in same seat some places while much smaller number of males are sitting alone on many seats, taking up 1/2 of bus even though they don't need it.
Is bus with unbalanced weight more likely to turn over?? Road very sharp curves and dips.
2) My grandson said atmosphere on bus worse every day, so tense that twice in past week he thought there was going to be physical altercation, each time different people. He says there will be a fight soon and his description actually included "too much testosterone concentrated in one area," LOL
3) He said boys are growing more bold and "disgusting" in their comments about the girls and to the girls. Demeaning statements.
Trash talk and "boy talk" at the girls.
Ex. Boy sprawled alone on seat tells 4 girls squished together that's all the space they deserve and "be glad they let you even go to school" (EXCUSE ME??!!) Sexual ones also. Imagine almost empty side of bus with some boys and then other half girls packed like sardines - that's what he has described. (From kindergarten to 12th all on same bus).
I'm having him count for next week am and pm how many total on bus and legal capacity.
4 to a seat??? (Twiggies) No seat belts. Unbalanced bus. Not addressing tension or inappropriate comments...
4) My grandson is a guinea pig in a "social experiment" without my permission or even notification?
What are the goals? What data, studies and facts do they have concerning this action that supports the goal?
Anything that proves this achieves something worthwhile? Data to prove it doesn't interfere with social interaction?
They already have many obstacles to much socialization with peers (rural place, lot of farms, 2 large nat/state parks nearby)
Or are they flying out their butt in a panic to "do something" cuz maybe a couple kissed or something (small kids told ? to adults)
You also have to understand there are only about 20,000 people in entire county to get full picture. The 'party lines' were a-ringing.
LOL
I will update you as this unfolds since my grandson is "outraged" at "segregation" and says all segregation is wrong, along with other wrongs, such as discrimination and females receiving poor treatment by gang of guys hogging the bus.
This might be interesting.
He has been so happy at this school since we moved. All the teachers like him.
I pray this resolve quickly and not ruin end of his high school senior year.
I thought about calling next week to ask about it all and voice questions/concerns I have above.
Am I only one concerned bus needs to have more balanced weight distribution on hilly, winding roads? Am I over-reacting?
I have almost flipped my Jeep on curves like these and I am worried about that bus.
I thought "suck it up" until I heard safety problem and sounds like bullying by boys that grandson said not there before.
Anybody else have a comment on it?
His school segregated 2 of their buses with boys one side, girls the other, "as an experiment" reportedly (no goal stated for this experiment parents weren't told about)
I told him probably some kids were being too familiar or openly affectionate and school is looking for solution.
He didn't like my answer.
He quoted the Declaration of Independence (and I'm the one who taught him Declaration...)
2nd day He came in quoting portions of the Constitution and how this was violating his rights.
I told him "sorry, public school, they basically own you while you're there".
He didn't like my answer (and I'm the one who taught him Constitution.... ) Catching the theme here? LOL
3rd day He came in with Title IX statute (I think) regarding Board of Education and segregation, debated like a lawyer that concept of racism mentioned in the statute also applied to any discrimination (it did say any discrimination, I believe), including Sexism tho not mentioned specifically.
I asked him if this was a battle he really wanted to choose and willing to accept any consequences.
I gave him some advice about peaceful protest and some suggestions that won't result in trouble.
4th day He came in with legal case of Brown vs. Board of Education, a ground breaking court case he found. He believes he could use this also to support his "case" regarding the bus. LOL I was impressed at his persistence. He's a great public speaker and loves to argue (lawyer?), but wants to be a geologist. And he would definitely not work 24/7 like many attorneys do.
I've worked hard to hopefully teach him balance in life.
Can't wait for Friday (Wonder what's next? LOL)
BUT
I'm also hearing:
1)There are many more females than males so they are squeezing 3-4 girls in same seat some places while much smaller number of males are sitting alone on many seats, taking up 1/2 of bus even though they don't need it.
Is bus with unbalanced weight more likely to turn over?? Road very sharp curves and dips.
2) My grandson said atmosphere on bus worse every day, so tense that twice in past week he thought there was going to be physical altercation, each time different people. He says there will be a fight soon and his description actually included "too much testosterone concentrated in one area," LOL
3) He said boys are growing more bold and "disgusting" in their comments about the girls and to the girls. Demeaning statements.
Trash talk and "boy talk" at the girls.
Ex. Boy sprawled alone on seat tells 4 girls squished together that's all the space they deserve and "be glad they let you even go to school" (EXCUSE ME??!!) Sexual ones also. Imagine almost empty side of bus with some boys and then other half girls packed like sardines - that's what he has described. (From kindergarten to 12th all on same bus).
I'm having him count for next week am and pm how many total on bus and legal capacity.
4 to a seat??? (Twiggies) No seat belts. Unbalanced bus. Not addressing tension or inappropriate comments...
4) My grandson is a guinea pig in a "social experiment" without my permission or even notification?
What are the goals? What data, studies and facts do they have concerning this action that supports the goal?
Anything that proves this achieves something worthwhile? Data to prove it doesn't interfere with social interaction?
They already have many obstacles to much socialization with peers (rural place, lot of farms, 2 large nat/state parks nearby)
Or are they flying out their butt in a panic to "do something" cuz maybe a couple kissed or something (small kids told ? to adults)
You also have to understand there are only about 20,000 people in entire county to get full picture. The 'party lines' were a-ringing.
LOL
I will update you as this unfolds since my grandson is "outraged" at "segregation" and says all segregation is wrong, along with other wrongs, such as discrimination and females receiving poor treatment by gang of guys hogging the bus.
This might be interesting.
He has been so happy at this school since we moved. All the teachers like him.
I pray this resolve quickly and not ruin end of his high school senior year.
I thought about calling next week to ask about it all and voice questions/concerns I have above.
Am I only one concerned bus needs to have more balanced weight distribution on hilly, winding roads? Am I over-reacting?
I have almost flipped my Jeep on curves like these and I am worried about that bus.
I thought "suck it up" until I heard safety problem and sounds like bullying by boys that grandson said not there before.
Anybody else have a comment on it?
"Let your tongue speak what your heart thinks." --Davy Crockett