Taomon
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- Dec 21, 2007
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http://www.wickedlocal.com/abington/news/education/x1279456516
ABINGTON, MASS. - Though it was not technically the proper outlet for debate, Tuesday nights (March 25) school committee meeting turned into a discussion of safety versus self-expression among todays youth.
Abington resident Sean Pratt took the podium before the school committee dressed in modest dress pants and a button down shirt, and spoke on behalf of his daughters right to express her individuality while attending Frolio Middle School.
His daughter, he said, feels most comfortable dressed in gothic-inspired clothes, and could be considered a tomboy.
Pratt said he was lobbying on behalf of his daughters right to wear a chain that visibly connects her wallet to her pants while attending school. He said that while the chain may seem like a small item, it embodies much more.
To my daughter, its very important its about control, class warfare, about individuality, he said.
The wallet chains, which were originally invented to deter pocket picking, are now banned because of their possible use as a weapon, but Pratt believes the ban may also be partially attributed to negative connotations with wearing similar items. He said students who choose to wear wallet chains can be considered anti-utilitarian, opposed to authority, and often of less affluent families.
But members of the school committee asserted it is completely based on possible danger to students, and school superintendent Peter Schafer said he is aware of a student who was struck with a similar wallet chain.
Schafer also said the school committee could not lift the ban and the proper outlet to discuss the matter is before the Frolio School Council, which is meeting again at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the Frolio School main office. With school council approval, it would then be a matter to be decided by the school committee.
Pratt said he will be attending the April 9 council meeting and will be continuing his efforts in lifting the ban on such chains.
Pratt said tools that are used in education, such as scissors, a bag strap and pens could be equally dangerous.
Common everyday things, those arent banned, Pratt said.
He said his daughters wallet chain was not long or thick, and he noted that chains of similar thickness, length and weight are allowed to be worn as necklaces.
A necklace is a chain, Pratt said.
Schafer said that though he could not give an opinion on behalf of the board, his personal opinion is to adhere to the anti-chain rule at Frolio.
After 15 years of working in middle school, my opinion is schools are safer without chains, Schafer said.
Gail Desouza, a mother of children attending Woodsdale Elementary School, said she hopes school officials continue to ban wallet chains as a safety measure. She said not all students may be as responsible with their chains as Pratts daughter.
The only thing is, she might be able to control the wallet, but other children may abuse it, Desouza said. I just get worried as a parent.
On Wednesday, Frolio principal Felicia Moschella said she invites all interested parties to attend the council meeting for further discussion of the policy.
She said only a handful of students have been forced to remove a chain while in school, and she said its a policy most parents support.
I have never had anything but positive comments from parents when Ive asked other students not to bring wallet chains to school, Moschella said.
But Pratt said he will continue on his mission and hopes to bring the discussion to the publics attention.
This policy, I believe theres room to compromise on this, Pratt said.
Reporter Mikaela Slaney can be reached at [email protected].
This is an article about me. I am Sean Pratt and I stood up for my daughter's rights.
ABINGTON, MASS. - Though it was not technically the proper outlet for debate, Tuesday nights (March 25) school committee meeting turned into a discussion of safety versus self-expression among todays youth.
Abington resident Sean Pratt took the podium before the school committee dressed in modest dress pants and a button down shirt, and spoke on behalf of his daughters right to express her individuality while attending Frolio Middle School.
His daughter, he said, feels most comfortable dressed in gothic-inspired clothes, and could be considered a tomboy.
Pratt said he was lobbying on behalf of his daughters right to wear a chain that visibly connects her wallet to her pants while attending school. He said that while the chain may seem like a small item, it embodies much more.
To my daughter, its very important its about control, class warfare, about individuality, he said.
The wallet chains, which were originally invented to deter pocket picking, are now banned because of their possible use as a weapon, but Pratt believes the ban may also be partially attributed to negative connotations with wearing similar items. He said students who choose to wear wallet chains can be considered anti-utilitarian, opposed to authority, and often of less affluent families.
But members of the school committee asserted it is completely based on possible danger to students, and school superintendent Peter Schafer said he is aware of a student who was struck with a similar wallet chain.
Schafer also said the school committee could not lift the ban and the proper outlet to discuss the matter is before the Frolio School Council, which is meeting again at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the Frolio School main office. With school council approval, it would then be a matter to be decided by the school committee.
Pratt said he will be attending the April 9 council meeting and will be continuing his efforts in lifting the ban on such chains.
Pratt said tools that are used in education, such as scissors, a bag strap and pens could be equally dangerous.
Common everyday things, those arent banned, Pratt said.
He said his daughters wallet chain was not long or thick, and he noted that chains of similar thickness, length and weight are allowed to be worn as necklaces.
A necklace is a chain, Pratt said.
Schafer said that though he could not give an opinion on behalf of the board, his personal opinion is to adhere to the anti-chain rule at Frolio.
After 15 years of working in middle school, my opinion is schools are safer without chains, Schafer said.
Gail Desouza, a mother of children attending Woodsdale Elementary School, said she hopes school officials continue to ban wallet chains as a safety measure. She said not all students may be as responsible with their chains as Pratts daughter.
The only thing is, she might be able to control the wallet, but other children may abuse it, Desouza said. I just get worried as a parent.
On Wednesday, Frolio principal Felicia Moschella said she invites all interested parties to attend the council meeting for further discussion of the policy.
She said only a handful of students have been forced to remove a chain while in school, and she said its a policy most parents support.
I have never had anything but positive comments from parents when Ive asked other students not to bring wallet chains to school, Moschella said.
But Pratt said he will continue on his mission and hopes to bring the discussion to the publics attention.
This policy, I believe theres room to compromise on this, Pratt said.
Reporter Mikaela Slaney can be reached at [email protected].
This is an article about me. I am Sean Pratt and I stood up for my daughter's rights.
