A 13-year-old girl was given two days of detention because she hugged two friends in the process of saying goodbye for the weekend.
Megan Coulter was sentenced the two days for what school officials said, was public displays of affection in which the school handbook forbids.
The handbook states, “Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved.”
Coulter has said they were not even real hugs just an arm around the shoulder with a light shoulder squeeze. A simple have a good weekend type of hug.
This to me is crazy. We have heard a lot of these stories lately. With kindergarteners expelled because of kisses on the cheek or hugs. These are kids. They are going to be kids. We are setting standards of punishment for affection.
I think the school districts are on the wrong track. Why not instead of focusing their attention on students doing public displays of affection, focusing on teachers who are overstepping bounds with students?
What message does this teach Coulter? That she should not show love to friends? It just seems utterly ridiculous to me that with all the over the top affections and inappropriate relationships, we are going to outlaw a simple have a great weekend hug.
You can’t tell me she was not targeted to either teach others a lesson or as a teacher who dislikes her for whatever reason. You just don’t give two days of detention for something so innocent.
Kudos to Coulter’s parents, who are meeting with the school, boards in hope to rewording of this policy. Hopefully the Board will listen.
