Meet Deborah Hernandez. She's the principal of the Joyce Kilmer Middle School in Vienna, Virginia. It appears her goal in this southern state where warm embraces of friendship were once welcome, is to help make her students cold, uncaring and distant. Debby has decided she and her staff can no longer determine what is good touching and what is bad touching in school. So, taking the easy and cowardly way out, she has banned ALL touching. Now granted "touching" can be an uncomfortable word in these days of kindergartners being suspended for sexual harassment, however here are a couple of other terms that are less touchy but just as banned at Kilmer.
Hand shakes--Totally unacceptable.
High fives--See you in detention.
Post touchdown butt slapping--Prepare for homeschooling, cuz you're not coming back here.
Hugs--A large red H will be branded to your head.
Teachers knocking boots with the kiddies--That still may be ok.
Hernandez and others like her, and there are others, are helping destroy our kids. Too strong a statement? I don't think so. These kids will grow up wary of human touch and as cold and aloof as the Europeans already think we are. Take a trip overseas and you are greeted by friends with a kiss on each cheek and a brief hug. For generations in the US, we've been conditioned with the handshake as the closest you get. Why is it that we look on with muted interest in tragedies and wars in other countries, hell even around us? Because we've been conditioned that way. And if old Principal Hernandez gets her way, things are going to get a whole lot worse.
Hand shakes--Totally unacceptable.
High fives--See you in detention.
Post touchdown butt slapping--Prepare for homeschooling, cuz you're not coming back here.
Hugs--A large red H will be branded to your head.
Teachers knocking boots with the kiddies--That still may be ok.
Hernandez and others like her, and there are others, are helping destroy our kids. Too strong a statement? I don't think so. These kids will grow up wary of human touch and as cold and aloof as the Europeans already think we are. Take a trip overseas and you are greeted by friends with a kiss on each cheek and a brief hug. For generations in the US, we've been conditioned with the handshake as the closest you get. Why is it that we look on with muted interest in tragedies and wars in other countries, hell even around us? Because we've been conditioned that way. And if old Principal Hernandez gets her way, things are going to get a whole lot worse.
Take a look at some headlines from around the world.
"No-touching policy could land students in detention for high-fives" CNN
"Hug lands student in hot water" Edmonton Sun, Canada
"Head bans hugs and handshakes" Guardian Unlimited UK
"Virginia school's no contact policy has some pushing for change" Int'l Herald Tribune, France
"Virginia middle school bans touching among pupils" ShortNews.com, Germany
"Precedents: Finishing touching" Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
I don't want to give out her email address in case you wish to express your views to her. Take a look at the school's website (but don't touch it!). I think you'll figure out a way to contact her.
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KilmerMS/administration/index.html
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