Ohio Christian school tells student to skip prom - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 05-09-2009, 07:14 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/...ool_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

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 10:20 AM

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??

OH Nuts! · 05-09-2009, 10:51 AM

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.

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 10:54 AM

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!!

OH Nuts! · 05-09-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

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!!

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.

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

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.

MickeyMac · 05-09-2009, 12:48 PM

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

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

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?

OH Nuts! · 05-09-2009, 01:48 PM

Dancing? OMG, there's going to be dancing?

Quick, call in the morals squad.

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Dancing? OMG, there's going to be danciing?

Quick, call in the morals squad.

Break out the SWAT teams! Mace! Pepper Spray!!

Marvo301 · 05-09-2009, 02:07 PM

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!!!!

catlover79 · 05-09-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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!!!!

See, Marv, you put more thought into this than the principal did!!

TripperFan · 05-09-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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!!!!

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.

Marvo301 · 05-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

See, Marv, you put more thought into this than the principal did!!

Well maybe if the principal had done a little more thinking before he acted this whole mess could have been avoided!

TJL · 05-09-2009, 02:41 PM

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

05-09-2009, 07:14 AM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Ohio Christian school tells student to skip prom http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/...ool_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
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05-09-2009, 10:20 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	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??
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-09-2009, 01:48 PM	#9
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Dancing? OMG, there's going to be dancing? Quick, call in the morals squad.
	Last edited by OH Nuts!; 05-09-2009 at 02:47 PM.

05-09-2009, 02:07 PM	#11
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	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!!!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-09-2009, 02:41 PM	#15
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Sort of puts that whole "man my school's dress code sucks" thing into perspective.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-09-2009, 10:51 AM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	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.

05-09-2009, 10:54 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	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!!

05-09-2009, 12:48 PM	#7
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	This is ridiculous. Prom is a big part of some teenagers lives. Let them go.