It seems we, as well as our kids, are slowly loosing freedoms. Schools across the country and around the world are placing bans on all sorts of normal kid activities. Here's a look at things that have been banned over the past several years.
In 2007, the principal of Oakdale School in Connecticut banned lots of things. No kickball, soccer, dodgeball, or other "body banging" activities. Instead kids are encouraged to jump rope or play with hula hoops. Eventually the principal gave in, a little, and started allowing fourth and fifth graders to play a modified game of kickball - twice a week - if a parent or grandparent is present. Oh, and nobody can keep score.
In 2010, a school in Ottawa banned playing with balls at recess for the duration of winter. Their reasoning that the balls get snow and sometimes small pebbles stuck to them. Students can (and sometimes do) get hurt. Hmmm haven't kids in Canada been playing with balls during winter months for..like EVER?
2012 In Sydney, Australia, Drummoyne public school has banned cartwheels and Somersaults during lunch or recess unless a "trained gymnastics teacher and proper equipment" are present.
Portland Maine Public Schools has banned all unhealthy foods, such as soda and potato chips, on school grounds. Clearly parents attending games with their families cannot make decisions on their own so the district has widened their school policy to include high school football games. Instead of the concession stand selling pop, buttered popcorn, etc. it will now well things like baked tortilla chips and hummus. OH YIPEE!
Taucoma WA public schools banned sunscreen, even on field day , even for a kid who has albinism, resulting in severe burns and a hospital visit for two.
The Minnetonka High school here in MN has made a plea to parents and students about leggings and yoga pants. I have to say though, I'm fully in support of this one! I don't think there is any reason to see every crease or crack a girl's body has! Last weekend we were in shopping mall and we counted MANY teens dressed this way. To be honest, I found it pretty disgusting. They may as well have been naked since there was NOTHING you couldn't see. If I want to educate my 12 year old son about girl's bodies, I don't plan on doing so at the local mall.
Have you heard of any crazy school bans recently? Which ones do you agree or disagree with?
In 2007, the principal of Oakdale School in Connecticut banned lots of things. No kickball, soccer, dodgeball, or other "body banging" activities. Instead kids are encouraged to jump rope or play with hula hoops. Eventually the principal gave in, a little, and started allowing fourth and fifth graders to play a modified game of kickball - twice a week - if a parent or grandparent is present. Oh, and nobody can keep score.
In 2010, a school in Ottawa banned playing with balls at recess for the duration of winter. Their reasoning that the balls get snow and sometimes small pebbles stuck to them. Students can (and sometimes do) get hurt. Hmmm haven't kids in Canada been playing with balls during winter months for..like EVER?
2012 In Sydney, Australia, Drummoyne public school has banned cartwheels and Somersaults during lunch or recess unless a "trained gymnastics teacher and proper equipment" are present.
Portland Maine Public Schools has banned all unhealthy foods, such as soda and potato chips, on school grounds. Clearly parents attending games with their families cannot make decisions on their own so the district has widened their school policy to include high school football games. Instead of the concession stand selling pop, buttered popcorn, etc. it will now well things like baked tortilla chips and hummus. OH YIPEE!
Taucoma WA public schools banned sunscreen, even on field day , even for a kid who has albinism, resulting in severe burns and a hospital visit for two.
The Minnetonka High school here in MN has made a plea to parents and students about leggings and yoga pants. I have to say though, I'm fully in support of this one! I don't think there is any reason to see every crease or crack a girl's body has! Last weekend we were in shopping mall and we counted MANY teens dressed this way. To be honest, I found it pretty disgusting. They may as well have been naked since there was NOTHING you couldn't see. If I want to educate my 12 year old son about girl's bodies, I don't plan on doing so at the local mall.
Have you heard of any crazy school bans recently? Which ones do you agree or disagree with?
