Do schools have right to discipline students for off campus activity?

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../20376321.html

Campbell acknowledged the students made the comments on their own time, but they have negatively impacted the school community. Action had to be taken, he said.

I don't quite know what was said, but if this were my kid I would have a problem with the school sticking their nose into discipline outside their jurisdiction.

Clearly I have a problem with kids who cyber bully and make sexually suggestive comments to teachers and would discipline my child for it, but I take offense to the school suspending the kids.

With the caveat that the teachers safety is not compromised.

If the victim wants to take action through the legal process, go for it. But who does the principle think he is? Happened off campus, after hours, its none of his business as long as his staff is safe.

If his staff isn't safe, then a suspension isn't enough, the student should be moved to another school.

The school is there to teach academics, period end of discussion.

[CaptainCrunch]

Even if its on their own time, and if I'm reading this right they cyber bullied two faculty members which does involve the school.

They should absolutely be punished by the school.

Even if its on their own time and they go up and punch out random student A and get caught, I would still be on board if the school suspended them.

[SuperMatt18]

If this was just inflammatory statements not related to the school it shouldn't be an issue. However once a teacher/fellow student comes into the situation then I think the school should be in there own power to discipline the children as they see fit.

IMO the school is well within their rights to suspend a student if they are making inappropriate comments about one of their teachers in a public forum for all to see.

[Hemi-Cuda]

students send sexually explicit texts to 2 teachers, what do you expect should happen? why does it matter what time of day the texts were sent? if you sent an insulting email to your boss on the weekend, you can be sure he'd fire your ass on Monday. it's really no different here

[Esoteric]

This isn't an off campus activity, it directly involves school personnel. They deserve to be suspended.

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

A principle isn't a students boss, he is the hired administrator for the public school.

Unless the teachers safety was at risk, I don't think its the schools place to discipline.

I guess I am alone in that opinion.

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

A principle isn't a students boss, he is the hired administrator for the public school.

Unless the teachers safety was at risk, I don't think its the schools place to discipline.

I guess I am alone in that opinion.

So you're fine with students verbally harassing staff members and other students on their own time, as long as no physical harm comes to the them?

I'm just trying to see your logic here.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

So you're fine with students verbally harassing staff members and other students on their own time, as long as no physical harm comes to the them?

I'm just trying to see your logic here.

I don't think he's fine with it... he just doesn't think the school should be involved in disciplinary action, since the offences occurred outside school hours.

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I don't think he's fine with it... he just doesn't think the school should be involved in disciplinary action, since the offences occurred outside school hours.

Eh, I guess fine wasn't the right choice of word. I think it's fully in the school's realm of discipline to punish students who harass staff or other classmates in a verbal or physical context, either in or outside of school hours. They all come into the same building when school hours are in session, and the school has a right to protect the well-being (physically or emotionally) of all members involved. If someone harasses a member of the school, then the school has the right to remove them from the building.

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

So you're fine with students verbally harassing staff members and other students on their own time, as long as no physical harm comes to the them?

I'm just trying to see your logic here.

No I am not fine with it. The parents should teach those children a lesson on proper manners and how to be social citizens of this world.

The principle should focus on providing an education environment and stop with their "god" complex.

If you have kids in school, you will know what I mean. Elementary school principles really do believe they know best.

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

Eh, I guess fine wasn't the right choice of word. I think it's fully in the school's realm of discipline to punish students who harass staff or other classmates in a verbal or physical context, either in or outside of school hours. They all come into the same building when school hours are in session, and the school has a right to protect the well-being (physically or emotionally) of all members involved. If someone harasses a member of the school, then the school has the right to remove them from the building.

Well I will agree, if the student poses a safety threat, they should not be allowed at the school. Suspension though does not remove the threat, it only delays it.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

Eh, I guess fine wasn't the right choice of word. I think it's fully in the school's realm of discipline to punish students who harass staff or other classmates in a verbal or physical context, either in or outside of school hours. They all come into the same building when school hours are in session, and the school has a right to protect the well-being (physically or emotionally) of all members involved. If someone harasses a member of the school, then the school has the right to remove them from the building.

I agree with you.

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

Well I will agree, if the student poses a safety threat, they should not be allowed at the school. Suspension though does not remove the threat, it only delays it.

How about expulsion then?

[troutman]

This question came up in the thread where the U of C water polo player was caught rioting in Vancouver.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

Unless the teachers safety was at risk, I don't think its the schools place to discipline.

His physical safety might not have been, but there can still easily be damage to someones reputation and possibly mental well-being. It really doesn't matter where the physical text was sent from, the damage effects the teacher and the school.

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

The school is there to teach academics, period end of discussion.

Knowing how do to math is only one part of learning and growing up.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

Well I will agree, if the student poses a safety threat, they should not be allowed at the school. Suspension though does not remove the threat, it only delays it.

Suspension is a punishment for the offending action. Hopefully the offending party will get the message and this will prevent any future offensive actions.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHowDoO'duya

A principle isn't a students boss, he is the hired administrator for the public school.

Unless the teachers safety was at risk, I don't think its the schools place to discipline.

I guess I am alone in that opinion.

The school is responsible for the relationship between a student and a teacher. Whatever happens in that relationship, involves the school and by extension, its administration staff.

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

Originally Posted by Table 5

...


Knowing how do to math is only one part of learning and growing up.

Maybe OT now, but that's not the schools job. As a parent, I will take care of teaching my kids right, wrong and social expectations. I want the teachers to teach academics.

I am curious if the CBE has a published mandate stating otherwise?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by troutman

This question came up in the thread where the U of C water polo player was caught rioting in Vancouver.

The major difference is as a UofC has a code of conduct, which includes all activities of the student, including off campus ones.

I doubt elementary students have the same type of thing.

[JohnnyHowDoO'duya]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The school is responsible for the relationship between a student and a teacher. Whatever happens in that relationship, involves the school and by extension, its administration staff.

THis is a reasonable statement and has slightly altered my perspective. I still take issue with the amount of intrusion a school principle thinks they are entitled to.