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School rules on displays of affection under closer watch
Adam Bernal/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The public display of affection rule at Benson Schools has recently come under scrutiny after incidents involving inappropriate student behavior have prompted school officials to enforce the rule more strictly.
According to the Benson Schools handbook, the public display of affection rule states, "Holding hands is an acceptable method of displaying affection. Any public display of affection that goes beyond holding hands will not be accepted and will be addressed according to the Student Discipline Policy."
If a student violates the public display of affection policy, it is counted as a Level I infraction, which has several possible consequences. These consequences include a student/teacher conference, teacher detention, teacher-parent-student conference or a referral to the administration.
David Woodall, superintendent of Benson Schools, acknowledged the policy has recently had to be enforced and noted the policy is not a new rule that was added to the student handbook. He said there has been some confusion among students about whether the public display of affection rule is new but stressed it had been in place for some time.
"When we observe it's being taken with less credence, then you begin enforcing it more strictly," Woodall said. "Then people think it's a new policy."
When it comes to moderate signs of affection such as hugging, Woodall said that hugs can range from appropriate to inappropriate, which can be viewed as a public display of affection that is not appropriate at school.
"What parents might find offensive in their living room, we find offensive at school," Woodall said.
Benson High School Principal Bryan Bullington said the policy was not something that needed to be enforced as strictly in the past, but as levels of affection progress to the point where it becomes a distraction, the administration has to step in and do something.
"When it's being violated and kids aren't doing things appropriately, then we have to address it," Bullington said.
Bullington said there are a number of policies such as gang activity that aren't dealt with on a daily basis. With public displays of affection, he said it had escalated after a number of repeat offenders who didn't respond to verbal requests to stop, which prompted the school to respond appropriately.
Bullington said the public display of affection rule has been in place since he has been principal and noted it hasn't been changed in some time. He said it has been a progressive problem with students taking liberties on what they are allowed to do, which cannot be allowed in a school environment.
"We're responsible for these kids seven hours a day and we have to carry out the appropriate measures our community expects," Bullington said.
Benson junior Dain Dastrup said the public display of affection rule is good to have in a school environment, but felt the punishment doesn't fit the crime in some areas.
"I think the rule is right but the punishment is strict," Dastrup said.
Freshman Kendra Kel-sey said the rules are appropriate for school and the administration is simply doing what needs to be done.
"I think it's a smart rule because they are just kids and don't know what they are getting into," Kelsey said.
The public display of affection rule at Benson Schools has recently come under scrutiny after incidents involving inappropriate student behavior have prompted school officials to enforce the rule more strictly.
According to the Benson Schools handbook, the public display of affection rule states, "Holding hands is an acceptable method of displaying affection. Any public display of affection that goes beyond holding hands will not be accepted and will be addressed according to the Student Discipline Policy."
If a student violates the public display of affection policy, it is counted as a Level I infraction, which has several possible consequences. These consequences include a student/teacher conference, teacher detention, teacher-parent-student conference or a referral to the administration.
David Woodall, superintendent of Benson Schools, acknowledged the policy has recently had to be enforced and noted the policy is not a new rule that was added to the student handbook. He said there has been some confusion among students about whether the public display of affection rule is new but stressed it had been in place for some time.
"When we observe it's being taken with less credence, then you begin enforcing it more strictly," Woodall said. "Then people think it's a new policy."
When it comes to moderate signs of affection such as hugging, Woodall said that hugs can range from appropriate to inappropriate, which can be viewed as a public display of affection that is not appropriate at school.
"What parents might find offensive in their living room, we find offensive at school," Woodall said.
Benson High School Principal Bryan Bullington said the policy was not something that needed to be enforced as strictly in the past, but as levels of affection progress to the point where it becomes a distraction, the administration has to step in and do something.
"When it's being violated and kids aren't doing things appropriately, then we have to address it," Bullington said.
Bullington said there are a number of policies such as gang activity that aren't dealt with on a daily basis. With public displays of affection, he said it had escalated after a number of repeat offenders who didn't respond to verbal requests to stop, which prompted the school to respond appropriately.
Bullington said the public display of affection rule has been in place since he has been principal and noted it hasn't been changed in some time. He said it has been a progressive problem with students taking liberties on what they are allowed to do, which cannot be allowed in a school environment.
"We're responsible for these kids seven hours a day and we have to carry out the appropriate measures our community expects," Bullington said.
Benson junior Dain Dastrup said the public display of affection rule is good to have in a school environment, but felt the punishment doesn't fit the crime in some areas.
"I think the rule is right but the punishment is strict," Dastrup said.
Freshman Kendra Kel-sey said the rules are appropriate for school and the administration is simply doing what needs to be done.
"I think it's a smart rule because they are just kids and don't know what they are getting into," Kelsey said.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Why wrote on Jan 4, 2009 4:25 AM:
The school is a place for learning and not a place for any kind of public touching affection. We have let our selves grow cold to what is good and appropriate for our young people. There are to many gray areas and to many decisions based on political correctness and not wanting to hurt someones feelings. We need to go back to good sense and protect our kids instead of thrusting them into the sexual arena. Make rules and insist that they follow them. This is the right thing to do. "