[Rhodes22-list] Has The World Gone Mad?

[Brad Haslett]

OK, we have lots of educators on the list.  Is this really a problem in our
schools these days?  I was a product of the late 60's and early 70's and I
would say school administrators then should have been more worried about
conception in the hallways or perhaps arson than hugging.  This story is
from a small town not too far from where I grew up.  Am I missing something
or have people gone nuts? This doesn't seem to be the only school policy
with such a policy.

Brad

(KMOV)- Some parents and students are complaining their school district is
going too far after a middle school in Mascoutah, Illinois has banned
hugging.

At least one student is being punished, and others are being warned.

Megan Coulter, 13 is in trouble at her middle school for hugging two
friends, a girl and a boy.

Her school is strict enforcer keeping it drug free, gun free, and now hug
free.

Coulter has received two after school detentions.

The middle school principal refused to talk to News 4, and not one student
seems to support the hugging ban.

Coulter's parents protested but say she was threatened with suspension from
school.

The 13-year-old is serving her detentions, and promises to stop hugging her
friends rather than risking further punishment.

The superintendent called news 4, and said the principals are only enforcing
school policy banning public displays of affection, but the policy does not
specifically mention hugging.

He says he believes the community supports the policy.

Be sure to watch the full report on News 4 at 10 p.m.