The sissification of our kids, part MCMXXIV

Original article

New Groningen kindergarten teachers in Grand Rapids, Michigan sent home a letter to parents recently that explained that there will be a prohibition on "tag" and any other "chase oriented" games. So, for the record, I suppose that would make Duck-Duck-Goose, Hide and Seek (the proper game with the hiders running back to home base), What Time Is It Mr. Wolf and every other game besides Chess a direct violation of the new standard. The letter described the problem of children, “running in packs, pushing, knocking other children over, and making the game dangerous,” and as you can imagine, left parents middling somewhere between confused and appalled. So, another letter came home the next day, attempting to explain the first letter. “We want our children to treat each other with respect, kindness, and with safety in mind,” said Ginger Smith, community relations manager for Zeeland Public Schools, in the follow-up letter. “Our concerns are based out of care and safety for each child,” the letter explained. “Yesterday we took the entire kindergarten group and modeled the correct expectations for appropriate recess behavior and demonstrated examples of safe, fun play.” I wish I could have seen this demo. Evidently the class took a field trip to a retirement home so that the children could watch the elderly sit outside and play Connect Four.

I was ahead of the curve already. Here’s a pic of one of my kids getting ready for school last year

Glad my kindergartener is homeschooled so my family doesn't have to put up with B.S. like this!

Another one: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/07/long-island-middle-school-bans-footballs-other-recreational-items/

In reply to bgkast:

The liberals will have that outlawed next.

My sister won't let her girls walk to school alone. They're walking to the same school she did 30-odd years ago along almost identical paths. The neighborhood is, if anything, better than it was 30 years ago. She walked to school alone. But they can't.

Sigh.

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to bgkast: The liberals will have that outlawed next.

Seriously? Dont be stupid. It has nothing to do with being liberal

Oh, don't even get me started on this. I've got 3 kids in elementary school now. The crap they do now, or don't do, blows my mind. Just one example...if a child does something wrong, they have to fill out a "better choice" slip. Huh? Believe me, I'm not advocating a ruler across the knuckles, but c'mon. Really?

Every time I have to deal with the school, I just cringe. They mean well, but just waaaaay too far on the flowers, group hug and let's cry it out side.

fritzsch wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to bgkast: The liberals will have that outlawed next.

Seriously? Dont be stupid. It has nothing to do with being liberal

Who do you think controls the educational system?

DrBoost wrote: ...every other game besides Chess a direct violation of the new standard.

You can only play chess if both sides are the same color. And you can't use the bishops because they look like penises.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

DrBoost wrote: ...every other game besides Chess a direct violation of the new standard.

You can only play chess if both sides are the same color. And you can't use the bishops because they look like penises.

My coworkers thing I'm odd(er than before) because that made me crack up!!!

I'm still in favor of public spankings in schools.......some of those little bastards deserve whats coming to them.

bravenrace wrote: Who do you think controls the educational system?

If they are responsible for getting rid of footballs at recess, I don't care if they are conservative or liberal, they are idiots. Don't try to link being liberal to banning tag, that would make you just as ignorant. Don't associate my political orientation with this super safety, cover your ass, nonsense.

yamaha wrote: I'm still in favor of public spankings in schools.......some of those little bastards deserve whats coming to them.

I like where this thread is going!

But think of the children!

Does this mean "kill the guy" and "smear the queer" is not allowed?

fritzsch wrote:

bravenrace wrote: Who do you think controls the educational system?

If they are responsible for getting rid of footballs at recess, I don't care if they are conservative or liberal, they are idiots. Don't try to link being liberal to banning tag, that would make you just as ignorant. Don't associate my political orientation with this super safety, cover your ass, nonsense.

So who do you think controls the educational system?

So, is the new rule system based on "kids can't have any fun?"

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to bgkast: The liberals will have that outlawed next.

and that right there is the problem.

"I disagree with this thing, so it must the other political team."

instead of fixing problems, it is easier to just blame someone else.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

She seems like she's been up to no good.......probably deserves it. Send her my way, I'll decide after.

I bet you its because someone's kid got a scrape and parents threatened to sue.

bravenrace wrote:

fritzsch wrote:

bravenrace wrote: Who do you think controls the educational system?

If they are responsible for getting rid of footballs at recess, I don't care if they are conservative or liberal, they are idiots. Don't try to link being liberal to banning tag, that would make you just as ignorant. Don't associate my political orientation with this super safety, cover your ass, nonsense.

So who do you think controls the educational system?

I'm pretty sure its the Pie companies, since you know, kids and adults like pie.....

In other words, take your ignorant flounder bait somewhere else. We the people control the educational system as well as the Government and we've done a piss-poor job of it, mostly because the right and left have decided that dividing us into two (or three) camps is better. A divided or polarized nation, pointing fingers at each other, means we can't form a cohesive group to kick their collective butts to the curb. Stop being part of the problem and be part of the solution!

EDIT: Its going to be a looooong berkeleying winter around here, isn't it? The floundering of this board is almost as quick off the line as are Andy's Challenge cars!

In reply to turboswede:

Bollocks, flounders can go zero-to-everyone pissed off in 2.2 seconds flat. Hollis can't beat that.

I hear Margie has started the cement mixer and has plans for a patio addition already....

It's sad. I know there are children in my neighbourhood, but I never see them. We used to go outside after breakfast and not come in until dinner. Does anyone build tree forts anymore. How about climb trees? Or is that forbidden? Remember walking to school and making friends with that dog that loved school children? Now kids don't walk to school and dogs aren't allowed off their leashes.

Sigh. I am officially old.

fritzsch wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to bgkast: The liberals will have that outlawed next.

Seriously? Dont be stupid. It has nothing to do with being liberal

Maybe... but every credible audit of the participation of government school employees in politics shows their influences are decidedly from liberal political ideologies.

Those same political ideologies are not very well vested in the idea of alternatives to government managed or mandated education system, such as private schools or home schooling. There has also been rumbling from teacher's unions about such topics over the last 20 years.

They wouldn't do it from a cover your arse perspective, they'd do it from a political ideology in the guise of protecting children.

One does not have to look long or hard to find such examples of open opposition and attempts to effectively outlaw home-schooling, (unless your parent happens to already be a teacher).

http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Homeschoolers-setback-in-appeals-court-ruling-3225235.php

"anyone in California who is homeschooling without a teaching credential is subject to prosecution for truancy violation, which could require community service, heavy fines and possibly removal of their children under allegations of educational neglect"

In light of this, I do not think it is 'stupid' as you put it, or that it has nothing to do with being liberal for Bgkast to make such a comment.