Dumbasss things to get banned by schools

Kitiara5512 · August 2012

https://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/

Gosh, we like to ban things.

In recent years, we?ve seen schools ban everything from Silly Bandz and skinny jeans, to dictionaries and saying the word ?meep.? (Memorable School Bans: 18 Things That Failed to Follow the Rules) But in 2012 alone, which isn?t even over yet by a long shot, at least 15 more things have been banned by schools.

Some of them, I agree with. For example, the ungodly amount of sugar consumed by my kids at school on Valentine?s Day. And I?ve got no problem with a ban on Ugg boots because a) those things are damn expensive and b) why would you want your feet to be sweaty all day at school? On the other hand, some of the bans seem way out of line. Sunblock? Hair bows?

And for God?s sake, what was that Texas school thinking when it banned a kindergartner with cerebral palsy from using her walker?

Check out 15 things that have banned in school so far this year. I wonder what the next few months will bring!

Bake Sales

Schools in Massachusetts are barred from hosting bake sales by the state's Department of Public Health and Education. First reported last March, the ban became effective August 1.

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#bake-sales
Bows

Three-year-old Marcella Marino, whose father is apparently an EPIC hairstylist, wasn't allowed to rock this Gaga-esque bow for her school picture. Why? Because her school bans braids and bows in their dress code. Bummer.

(Photo Credit: Babble)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#bows
Facebook (even while not in school)

A private, all-Jewish school in Brooklyn banned students from using Facebook, even outside of school, because it is "immodest." Thirty-three students at Beis Rivkah High School were fined $100 each by the school's rabbi last March.

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#facebook-even-while-not-in-school
High Fives

In June of this year, a primary school in Australia garnered jeers from parents after it banned high fives, hugging or playing tiggy, basketball or football. Students caught doing any of these activities will be punished with counseling sessions. By the way, I had to Google "tiggy." It's apparently some kind of incredibly dangerous form of Australian tag. Probably involves whacking people with boomerangs or something. What? It's just tag? Oh. Well then I got nothin'.

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, with added nonsense by Joslyn Gray for Strollerderby)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#high-fives
Hugging

A New Jersey school banned hugging this year, after ?incidents of unsuitable, physical interactions? were witnessed by teachers. Meanwhile, as Babble's Meredith Carroll points out, 19 states still allow public school teachers to beat students. Yay, priorities.

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#hugging
Lee Greenwood

OK, not the actual Lee Greenwood, just his song, "God Bless the USA." A New York City school principal banned the song from a kindergarten graduation this year.

(Photo Credit: Yoland Hunter, US Air Force)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#lee-greenwood
The acronym 'LOL'

Students at an Atlanta-area elementary school were asked to sign a pledge agreeing not to use the acronym "LOL" in their yearbook. The school later changed their policy after parents and students ridiculed the ban.

(Photo Credit: Panama CZ , with added nonsense by Joslyn Gray for Strollerderby)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#the-acronym-lol
This porn star

Mike Stone, an 18-year-old Minnesota high school senior, asked adult film star Megan Piper to be his prom date via Twitter. Ms. Piper, 19, agreed to go if Mike paid her travel expenses, but his school put the kibosh on the prom date. The school district said Ms. Piper's attendance at the dance would be "inconsistent" with district policy, which allows the district to deny any person or group entry to an event if the visit "is not in the best interest of the district."

(Photo Credit: Twitter/@xMeganPiper)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#this-porn-star
Using social media in student elections

A California school this week banned students from using social media in student election campaigns. "Every time students have used Facebook for campaigning, someone has said something mean about somebody else," a school official said, adding that more often than not it wasn't the candidates themselves lobbing insults but their friends and even friends of friends.

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#using-social-media-in-student-elections
Sunblock

Washington state mom Jesse Michener was irate when her two daughters, Violet, 11, and Zoe, 9, came home after a school Field Day severely sunburned. The school had not permitted the girls to apply sunblock, because it's considered a medication.

(Photo Credit: Jesse Michener)

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Ugg Boots

A Pennsylvania middle school banned Ugg boots after school officials realized students were hiding their cell phones in the boots. Students are allowed to wear their fuzzy-lined boots to school, but then must change into sneakers or lace-up shoes. Fashion tragedy.

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Texas Dex)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#ugg-boots
Upsetting Words

Public schools in New York City have been banned from using "upsetting words" in tests. The city?s Department of Education banned 50 words and topics for fear the words could "appear biased" or "evoke unpleasant emotions" in students who should simply be able to concentrate on their tests. The banned topics include dinosaurs (evolution), birthdays and holidays (religion), divorce (it's a bummer), computers (WTF?), vermin (skeevy), and homes with swimming pools (because rich people are generally irritating).

(Photo Credit: Joslyn Gray for Strollerderby)

/strollerderby/2012/08/14/seriously-15-things-schools-have-banned-so-far-in-2012/#upsetting-words
Valentine's Day

An elementary school in Massachusetts asked parents not to send in treats this past Valentine's Day. School officials said the previous year's candy exchange had been a "nightmare" and that students had gorged themselves on sugar.

OK, fine. I don't need my kids coming home whacked out on sugar, and I'm sure it's no picnic for teachers trying to control 30 sugar-addled kids, either. But a school in Maryland went so far as to ban Valentine's Day cards to avoid what Principal Stephanie Brown called "inappropriate interactions between boys and girls." Because you know how totally romantic 9-year-old boys can be, with their fart jokes and all. The ban has since been lifted, and students are allowed to exchange cards as long as no food or candy is attached.

(Photo Credit: Babble)

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A walker for this adorable Kindergartner with Cerebral Palsy

Five-year-old LaKay Roberts, who has cerebral palsy, was banned from using her walker because her Houston-area school said it posed a danger to herself and other students. All joking aside, this completely, utterly, batsh*t bonkers.

(Photo Credit: Kristi Roberts)

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Whole Milk

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees the national school lunch program, no longer allows schools to serve whole milk. Effective last month, schools can only serve low-fat (unflavored) or nonfat (flavored or unflavored) milk.

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto)

kllrbnny · August 2012

My jaw dropped at the 'upsetting words' ban. I remember reading about that poor little girl with cerebral palsy. They thought she should use a wheel chair instead. i'm sure they were worried about her falling and them getting sued. Confused

And she was so proud of being able to walk so she could go to school. Broke my heart.

persephonerose · August 2012

Thank you for the laugh and for the reminder of why I do not want to send my kid to any of my local public school. Because Texas likes to ban stuff, like critical thinking because it might cause children to challenge their parents.

CopperT0p · August 2012

Most of those are ridiculous. I think most don't apply up here in Canada. We are nut and "may contain nut" free up here, which is a pain, but understandable. The only other thing I've seen his school "ban" is trash from food. They make kids take home all the garbage from their lunches and snacks. They do it to try to encourage parents to use reusable containers for food, which I would do anyhow.

They also ban perfumes and strong scents up here. Oh, and you're not allowed to send in any food treats for birthdays or special events. They suggest sending in special pencils or stickers instead. I'm sure in the next 2 years before L goes to JK there will be more.

rabstbmom · August 2012

OK, some of these I "get". Whether I agree with them or not is a different story, but I can sort of see, on most, what the motivating factor is behind them. Even the whole milk one (preventing obesity, etc.). But who the heck is banning sunblock and how do they rationalize that one when the benefits of sunblock and increase risk of skin cancer, etc., is all over the news? My pedi is pretty laid back, but if there's one thing she's been very consistent is asking/reminding us about is using sunblock and/or bug spray on DS. The bug spray isn't too much of an issue, since we don't really have him out during dusk/prime mosquito time, but with his fair skin, you can bet I keep his supply of sunblock at daycare stocked up!

kmm2150 · August 2012

My highschool was so ghetto - everything that was banned was because it was, or was perceived to be, gang-related, from bandanas to starter jackets to dickey's clothing to wearing houseshoes - some of the things, I don't know if they ever even WERE "gang-related," or if someone just made it up. Oh, and even though we could leave for lunch, we weren't allowed to bring cups back in from fast food places and such because people would put booze in them. Klassy.

JerseyMa27 · August 2012

Our DC will not apply sunblock- we must do it at home before we bring them in. They also consider it a medication. The only "medication" they ever agreed to "administer" has been diaper cream.

IrishEyes0530 · August 2012

Wtaf? Why waste time on banning stupid sh?t?

CoffeeBeen · August 2012

No high-fives, hugs, LOL, or upsetting words. It's like we're trying to raise a generation of robots.

Good find, Kit. I'll start acclimating DS now. Time out for using LOL. No dessert for hugs. And God help him if he gives a high-five.

martha919 · August 2012

Totally bogus. I mean, seriously. I'm totally going to try homeschooling because I can't even handle the insanity of public schools. At my SK's elementary school, they aren't allowed to have "gender" (how SD phrased it) school supplies. So, no pink pencils, flowery folders, Spider-man backpacks or what? I mean, where's the line there? It's stupid because they don't share the school supplies. I know in some places, you just have everyone buy the same stuff and then certain things get thrown in together for the year, but this is not the case here. SD's and SS's stuff stays in their desks, so who gives a rat's a$$? Next, they'll say all the kids need to use "gender-neutral" pronouns and put everyone in orange coveralls.

CoffeeBeen · August 2012

martha919:
Totally bogus. I mean, seriously. I'm totally going to try homeschooling because I can't even handle the insanity of public schools. At my SK's elementary school, they aren't allowed to have "gender" (how SD phrased it) school supplies. So, no pink pencils, flowery folders, Spider-man backpacks or what? I mean, where's the line there? It's stupid because they don't share the school supplies. I know in some places, you just have everyone buy the same stuff and then certain things get thrown in together for the year, but this is not the case here. SD's and SS's stuff stays in their desks, so who gives a rat's a$$? Next, they'll say all the kids need to use "gender-neutral" pronouns and put everyone in orange coveralls.

WTF, seriously? Restricting gender is just as bad as imposing gender.

write2nicole · August 2012

That Lee Greenwood song IS pretty annoying.

hmp1 · August 2012

JerseyMa27:
Our DC will not apply sunblock- we must do it at home before we bring them in. They also consider it a medication. The only "medication" they ever agreed to "administer" has been diaper cream.

Same here. The playground is covered/shaded so it never bothers me. But I do think not allowing a child that is perfectly capable of putting on their own sunblock when they are going on an all day field trip is crazy. What is the difference of having the kid put on sunblock and put on lotion?

And hair bows, huh?

Kitiara5512 · August 2012

hmp&mrj:
JerseyMa27:
Our DC will not apply sunblock- we must do it at home before we bring them in. They also consider it a medication. The only "medication" they ever agreed to "administer" has been diaper cream.
Same here. The playground is covered/shaded so it never bothers me. But I do think not allowing a child that is perfectly capable of putting on their own sunblock when they are going on an all day field trip is crazy. What is the difference of having the kid put on sunblock and put on lotion?
And hair bows, huh?

Sunblock is also supposed to be reapplied every couple of hours or so.

CoffeeBeen · August 2012

hmp&mrj:
JerseyMa27:
Our DC will not apply sunblock- we must do it at home before we bring them in. They also consider it a medication. The only "medication" they ever agreed to "administer" has been diaper cream.
Same here. The playground is covered/shaded so it never bothers me. But I do think not allowing a child that is perfectly capable of putting on their own sunblock when they are going on an all day field trip is crazy. What is the difference of having the kid put on sunblock and put on lotion?
And hair bows, huh?

I think our DC just had us sign a waiver.

rabstbmom · August 2012

Stardust225:
rabstbmom:
OK, some of these I "get". Whether I agree with them or not is a different story, but I can sort of see, on most, what the motivating factor is behind them. Even the whole milk one (preventing obesity, etc.). But who the heck is banning sunblock and how do they rationalize that one when the benefits of sunblock and increase risk of skin cancer, etc., is all over the news? My pedi is pretty laid back, but if there's one thing she's been very consistent is asking/reminding us about is using sunblock and/or bug spray on DS. The bug spray isn't too much of an issue, since we don't really have him out during dusk/prime mosquito time, but with his fair skin, you can bet I keep his supply of sunblock at daycare stocked up!
Sunblock ban is covering their asss. Potential lawsuits, inappropriate touching kind of stuff.

Oooh, gotcha. Yeah, didn't think of that. But if it were my kid's school, I think I'd reply with "Two words--spray-on sunblock." They don't even have to touch the kids. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone, much less little kids, coming home with burns as bad as what those photos show!

But then again, you're talking to someone who is very fair skinned, and whose mom (from whom I get the fair skin) was warned by a doctor about her risk for skin cancer waaay back in the 60s before anyone was supposed to have known any better.

amber31288 · August 2012

Ok so most of these i found funny and absolutely ridiculous. But here is my question. has anything been done about the A-holes who decided to ban that poor little girl from using her walker.. I'm pretty sure that is against the Americans with Disabilities act.. and grounds for a law suit! Either way whoever did that should be fired!

Kitiara5512 · August 2012

amber31288:
Ok so most of these i found funny and absolutely ridiculous. But here is my question. has anything been done about the A-holes who decided to ban that poor little girl from using her walker.. I'm pretty sure that is against the Americans with Disabilities act.. and grounds for a law suit! Either way whoever did that should be fired!

Technically not against ADA because she could get around with a wheelchair and they had access for both the walker and the wheelchair.

I cannot find anything current, other than a teeny tiny blurb in a Toronto paper from last week.

ETA: Found this.

https://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/?p=42470

SNC

theseaword · August 2012

I thought the list would be funnier. My school banned whatever the cool thing was a the time: snap bracelets, pogs, trapper keepers, tomagotchis, etc.

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