http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_re_us/us_school_dance_flap (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_re_us/us_school_dance_flap)

Ohio Christian school tells student to skip prom

Fri May 8, 12:05 pm ET

FINDLAY, Ohio – A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.

Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.

Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.

"I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid," Frost said. "I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end."

England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.

"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.

The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music "is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people's hearts and minds."

England said Frost's family should not be surprised by the school's position.

"For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous," he said. "It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to."

The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School's view of prom.

"I don't see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts," Craig Kupferberg said.

___

Information from: The Courier, http://www.thecourier.com

Yahoo! News/AP-May 8, 2009

I read that - his school officials need to butt out. How dare they say he can't graduate for doing something legal on his own time?? :mad:

Wonder how the suspension would stand up in court? Not sure but its worth checking out. Hope he & his parents investigate suing and consult a good attorney. If there is viability for this route hope they find a great firm/atty to take the case pro bono. It might be good publicity for them as opposed to the school.

This has no bearing on his grades/academic performance, took place off school hours and school grounds. The school shouldn't even have a case, anyway!! :eek: :rolleyes: :confused:

This has no bearing on his grades/academic performance, took place off school hours and school grounds. The school shouldn't even have a case, anyway!! :eek: :rolleyes: :confused:


That's my gut feeling too, but the law can be tricky...and if a lawyer determines the student has strong grounds, hope they stick it to the school.

That's my gut feeling too, but the law can be tricky...and if a lawyer determines the student has strong grounds, hope they stick it to the school.
I just feel sorry for the kid. What a mess. ohno:

This is ridiculous. Prom is a big part of some teenagers lives. Let them go.

This is ridiculous. Prom is a big part of some teenagers lives. Let them go.
Exactly. Plus, what business is it of the school's if he goes to another school's prom on his own time?? So what if there is (GASP!) hand-holding and dancing involved? ohno:

Dancing? OMG, there's going to be dancing?:eek: Quick, call in the morals squad. :rofl:

Dancing? OMG, there's going to be danciing?:eek: Quick, call in the morals squad. :rofl:
Break out the SWAT teams! Mace! Pepper Spray!! :eek: :seeya:

I really don't understand how the principal can punish the student when the principal signed off on this in the first place. Seems hypocritical to me. I mean you don't give somebody your permission to do something and then punish them for doing it!!!! :crazy: :eek: :rolleyes:

I really don't understand how the principal can punish the student when the principal signed off on this in the first place. Seems hypocritical to me. I mean you don't give somebody your permission to do something and then punish them for doing it!!!! :crazy: :eek: :rolleyes:
See, Marv, you put more thought into this than the principal did!! :lol:

I really don't understand how the principal can punish the student when the principal signed off on this in the first place. Seems hypocritical to me. I mean you don't give somebody your permission to do something and then punish them for doing it!!!! :crazy: :eek: :rolleyes:

I think I read somewhere that all the kids at the Christian school sign some agreement that they will abide by their Baptist ways in order to attend the school. If that's the case, then the teen and his parents wouldn't stand a chance in court - afterall, he signed the document.

However, there could be a great loophole for a good attorney - who says that even though he plans on attending the prom, that he personally is going to dance and hold hands with anyone! I know there's a claim about "rock music" but that's a crock too - some people think "rock" is anything from pop to easy listening to hip hop even. It's so open to interpretation it's not funny.

See, Marv, you put more thought into this than the principal did!! :lol:
Well maybe if the principal had done a little more thinking before he acted this whole mess could have been avoided!

Sort of puts that whole "man my school's dress code sucks" thing into perspective.

;)

Break out the SWAT teams! Mace! Pepper Spray!! :eek: :seeya:

And let's not forget the police dogs...I mean....this is serious!!:crazy:

I think I read somewhere that all the kids at the Christian school sign some agreement that they will abide by their Baptist ways in order to attend the school. If that's the case, then the teen and his parents wouldn't stand a chance in court - afterall, he signed the document.

However, there could be a great loophole for a good attorney - who says that even though he plans on attending the prom, that he personally is going to dance and hold hands with anyone! I know there's a claim about "rock music" but that's a crock too - some people think "rock" is anything from pop to easy listening to hip hop even. It's so open to interpretation it's not funny.

I don't think it's pat either; like you implied, there are ambiguities. So with a good lawyer... who knows? I'm rooting for the kid of course. Phooey on the sch!

:mad: This is why so called "Christian" schools suck. I would never send my kid to one. My parents made me be homeschooled in this "Christian" home school and to make it worse this school believed differently than my family did even so I got really mad at them trying to indoctrinate me in what I didn't believe. This school has no right to punish the kid for doing this on his own time outside of school grounds. I think the kid and his parents should have kept their mouth shut about the whole thing. Sometimes it's better to not tell certain things to people...the wrong people might hear it.

Heritage School SHOULD lighten up.

Dancing is mentioned in the Bible. Rock Music is an art form, it has been since the 60's. God tell us to be fruitful and multiply, and since this boy loves this girl he should take her.

I'm a Christian and there should be limits to things, but this Baptist School makes it VERY limited! They must be Southern Baptist.

^ It's the same with Jehova Witnesses too. I don't get it myself.
(Plus they get ripped off on birthday's, etc. too!!)

I read about this earlier. The case is complicated in a lot of ways. I think the boy should be able to go to his girlfriend's prom but he signed a contract with his school. So I think the fact he signed the contract which complicates things. They are a lot of private/religious affiliated schools and college like the one mentioned in the article. I remember reading an article a few years back about a small Christian school that lifted its' rules on dances. I have heard of a lot of religious affiliated schools that have dinners instead of proms. Basically the kids dress up in tuxedos and dresses but they just eat dinner. I'm Catholic but I would never send my kids to a Catholic or other religious affiliated schools because more than often these schools have a lot of strict rules and codes.

Which brings up my original question - why does the kid have to sign anything? This dance is off school property and not during school hours - so why is it the school's business anyway?? :confused:

Which brings up my original question - why does the kid have to sign anything? This dance is off school property and not during school hours - so why is it the school's business anyway?? :confused:

I don't think it's the school's business what the kid does after school and at another school but they keep bringing up the contract he signed at the beginning of the year. Also the boy was invited to attend her school prom. I don't think Christian school should have any say about that but they are trying to and they will bring the up the contract any chance they get.

Well if the school doesn't cool it, I hope the boy's family looks into the viability of legal action against the school.

Well if the school doesn't cool it, I hope the boy's family looks into the viability of legal action against the school.
Ditto. What a mess. ohno:

Heritage School SHOULD lighten up.

Dancing is mentioned in the Bible. Rock Music is an art form, it has been since the 60's. God tell us to be fruitful and multiply, and since this boy loves this girl he should take her.

I'm a Christian and there should be limits to things, but this Baptist School makes it VERY limited! They must be Southern Baptist.

The bible does say something about "making a joyful noise." :D

If this student wants to take his girl to her prom, it shouldn't be any concern of the school's if its off hours and off property. However, it is a bit tricky since they signed a contract. Still, morals cannot be legislated, its a matter of the heart.

**** this school, **** the administrators and staff at this school and **** any other school like this one.

I think I read somewhere that all the kids at the Christian school sign some agreement that they will abide by their Baptist ways in order to attend the school. If that's the case, then the teen and his parents wouldn't stand a chance in court - afterall, he signed the document.

However, there could be a great loophole for a good attorney - who says that even though he plans on attending the prom, that he personally is going to dance and hold hands with anyone! I know there's a claim about "rock music" but that's a crock too - some people think "rock" is anything from pop to easy listening to hip hop even. It's so open to interpretation it's not funny.
agreed. usually these whacked out christian schools disclose their rules BEFOREHAND. a few years back there was a girl who got expelled from a christian school because her parents were gay. turned out they knew from the beginning that it wouldn't be allowed. rules are rules, like them or not.

you're right about rock music too. it isn't just low-pitched electric guitars and screaming about the dark side of life. it was originally a fusion of R&B and white popular music, and later came to mean all forms of popular music. haven't these people ever heard of christian rock? :grr:

I don't like these ultra-conservative schools.

There are some overzealous Christian, but it doesn't mean all Christian schools sucks, because they most certainly don't. There are many many fine Christian schools who are run by open-minded people. The grandkids attend three of them. It bothers me when people use an example to slam an entire (fill in the blank).

There are some overzealous Christian, but it doesn't mean all Christian schools sucks, because they most certainly don't. There are many many fine Christian schools who are run by open-minded people. The grandkids attend three of them. It bothers me when people use an example to slam an entire (fill in the blank).
Good point. Our church also has a K-8 school and it is awesome!! It's schools like the one in the news that give all Christian schools a bad rap. :mad:

There are some overzealous Christian, but it doesn't mean all Christian schools sucks, because they most certainly don't. There are many many fine Christian schools who are run by open-minded people. The grandkids attend three of them. It bothers me when people use an example to slam an entire (fill in the blank).

I agree there are good Christian schools in the world. My relatives and friends have attended a few that are well run and don't concern themselves much with students do after school hours.

Does this guy have any naked pictures out there like Miss CA supposedly does? ;)

If dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing are the extent of what this kid gets into, the parents should consider themselves lucky.

School has no right to tell the pupils what to do on their own time.

^ Exactly! I think even Ned Flanders would find that particular school too extreme.

If dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing are the extent of what this kid gets into, the parents should consider themselves lucky.

School has no right to tell the pupils what to do on their own time.
:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Cat, go to your room. No rock music or secular TV for you tonight!

Cat, go to your room. No rock music or secular TV for you tonight!
OK, so I guess my date with Gregory Sierra's off now?? :p :lol:

I'm just glad I didn't go to such a backwards school!

OK, so I guess my date with Gregory Sierra's off now?? :p :lol:

Alright, you can go out with Chano tonight. But after that, it's to your room, missy!

Alright, you can go out with Chano tonight. But after that, it's to your room, missy!
As long as I can take him with me!! :p ;) :D

OK, so I guess my date with Gregory Sierra's off now?? :p :lol:
Unless he brings his mom along to chaperone!! (just kidding!!!!)

I read that this kid got suspended for going to the prom.

OK, so I guess my date with Gregory Sierra's off now?? :p :lol:



Then that means I can no longer watch Bewitched :D :lol:

I read that this kid got suspended for going to the prom.
Yeah, that was on the local news. These people bring a whole new meaning to "narrow-minded". ohno:

As long as I can take him with me!! :p ;) :D

In response, I just muttered something in Spanish. What I actually said, I don't know.

In response, I just muttered something in Spanish. What I actually said, I don't know.
:rofl: :brent :clap I LOVE IT!!

Cat, go to your room. No rock music or secular TV for you tonight!



On my way home from the radio station, I was listening to this mix tape in my car and "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath came up.


Oh boy I'm in trouble now :D :lol:

I read that this kid got suspended for going to the prom.


Yup, he's now been suspended from the Christian school in northwest, Ohio and his step-father is considering suing. What I think Tyler should do is transfer to a public school (for a year) to complete the courses he almost finished at the current school.

Rather than starting a new thread, here's the interview (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5008285n) of Tyler with his step-father interviewed by Harry Smith (May 12, 2009.)

Yup, he's now been suspended from the Christian school in northwest, Ohio and his step-father is considering suing. What I think Tyler should do is transfer to a public school (for a year) to complete the courses he almost finished at the current school.

Rather than starting a new thread, here's the interview (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5008285n) of Tyler with his step-father interviewed by Harry Smith (May 12, 2009.)

Thanks for posting the video. I wonder if the lawsuit will happen.

:rofl: :brent :clap I LOVE IT!!

I knew you'd get the joke, Cat.;)

On my way home from the radio station, I was listening to this mix tape in my car and "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath came up.


Oh boy I'm in trouble now :D :lol:

I can top that! I brought a Black Sabbath CD to play in the car today. And I listened to the WHOLE THING!!

I can top that! I brought a Black Sabbath CD to play in the car today. And I listened to the WHOLE THING!!
You naughty, naughty boy!! :eek: :nonono: :rofl:

You naughty, naughty boy!! :eek: :nonono: :rofl:

You're gettin' might lippy considering I let you go out with Chano the other night!!

You're gettin' might lippy considering I let you go out with Chano the other night!!
:rofl:

I can top that! I brought a Black Sabbath CD to play in the car today. And I listened to the WHOLE THING!!
WHICH ONE??? WHICH ONE??? :bouncers

Those idiot fundamentalists need to grow up. This guy has grown up, just doing what young people do and being what a young person should be. Rocking out at a prom. For all this talk of "rock and roll rebellion", there apparently is a lot to rebel against. Like fundamentalism.

WHICH ONE??? WHICH ONE??? :bouncers

My favorite one, Paranoid. I just bought the deluxe edition from the UK and had to give it a listen.

My favorite one, Paranoid. I just bought the deluxe edition from the UK and had to give it a listen.
COOL!!! :rock: Get the first album as well, it will blow your mind, if you haven't heard it yet.

COOL!!! :rock: Get the first album as well, it will blow your mind, if you haven't heard it yet.

I bought all the classic Sab albums years ago.