News T-Shirt Memorializing Sixth-Grader Causes School Uproar

whoman69 · 11-13-2013, 12:38 PM

T-Shirt Memorializing Sixth-Grader Causes School Uproar
By Sarah B. Weir, Shine Senior Writer | Parenting

A controversy over kids wearing T-shirts to celebrate their friend who died from leukemia has sparked anger and soul-searching in Battle Creek, Michigan. On Saturday, sixth-grader Caitlyn Jackson passed away after a three-year battle with the disease. More than a dozen classmates showed up at Lakeville Middle School on Monday wearing orange and blue t-shirts bearing Caitlyn's name, many of which had been decorated by the kids themselves over the weekend. Blue was the 12-year-old's favorite color, and orange is the color designated to promote leukemia awareness. Upon arrival, the students were informed that they would need to either turn the shirts inside out, cover the girl's name with duct tape, or change tops—a decision made by school administrators.
Monday afternoon, Melinda Jackson, Caitlyn's mother, heard that the T-shirts had been barred from school while she was on her way home from the hospital where the girl had died. She told the Battle Creek Enquirer, "That hurt me to the point that I didn't think I could be hurt anymore." Many parents and students were outraged by the decision. "It made me feel really bad that I couldn't express myself for Caitlyn," said Jaidyn Bellinger, an 11-year-old classmate. "I wanted to let people know how bad it feels to lose someone like that." Some parents demanded the resignations of those administrators who had called for the T-shirt ban. That night, after speaking with Caitlyn's family, the school reversed their decision and said that the students could wear the shirts the next day.

The school declined to comment, but issued a statement on its Facebook page that read, in part, "During this time of grief, we sincerely regret that our actions caused additional stress for Caitlyn's family and friends. Lakeview students, families and staff have supported Caitlyn and her family throughout her battle. Today we heard from students and families the need to allow students to continue showing their support of Caitlyn under these special circumstances by wearing shirts bearing her name."
More on Yahoo: Abducted Teenage Girl Rescued by Teenagers on Bicycles
Stephen Brock, a professor of school psychology and president-elect of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), says the controversy highlights the importance of schools having protocols in place for how to pay tribute to the death of a student and other tragic events. "When you don't have previously established rules that people have been made been aware of, you get into these difficult situations," he tells Yahoo Shine. He explains that while some school districts do have an established plan, surprisingly most don't. He stresses the importance of explaining to the school community, and especially to the students themselves, why certain rules are in place. NASP provides written guidelines about appropriate memorials.
More on Yahoo: Another School Bans Tag at Recess Citing Safety Concerns
Administrators at Lakeview Middle School say they made their decision based on a crisis management plan that barred "permanent memorials" to deceased students. Brock explains that in the case of suicide, schools should "steer away from yearbook pages, plaques, benches" and other items that permanently memorialize a young suicide victim's death, because there is a small but real chance it could trigger more suicide attempts. However, he adds that in the case of Caitlyn Jackson, "I, personally, would not have a problem with kids wearing T-shirts about an individual who died after a long-term illness."
Melinda Jackson could not be reached for comment, but on Monday night, she expressed her gratitude to the kids who had fought to wear their shirts. After returning home from attending a middle school basketball game with Caitlyn's father, Jeff, and older brother, Nicholas, she posted on Facebook, "Have a feeling this is going to be a long night. Today was very emotional and so not the way we wanted things to happen. I am thankful that Caitlyn had such loving caring friends who stood up for what they believed."

whoman69 · 11-13-2013, 12:39 PM

What are we protecting these kids from? Who really thought this was a problem?

stevieray · 11-13-2013, 12:40 PM

without natural affection...love waxing COLD.

**Rain Man** · 11-13-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

What are we protecting these kids from? Who really thought this was a problem?

Maybe the school considered it gang attire. These kids could band together and get into a fight with some other kids who were wearing t-shirts memorializing a kid who died in a car wreck.

**hometeam** · 11-13-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Maybe the school considered it gang attire. These kids could band together and get into a fight with some other kids who were wearing t-shirts memorializing a kid who died in a car wreck.

Does the article not say it has something to do with memorializing suicide victims??

Stupid rule to start with, taken WAY too far.

Mr. Laz · 11-13-2013, 12:49 PM

I imagine they have rules against wearing shirts that make ANY statement.

School admin should have been smart enough to make an exception.

Sannyasi · 11-13-2013, 12:50 PM

Obviously the school made a mistake, but they were willing to admit it and reversed their decision as quickly as possible. Seems like a non-story to me.

**notorious** · 11-13-2013, 01:13 PM

**fan4ever** · 11-13-2013, 01:16 PM

This is what happens when you don't have 40 or 50 grief counselors on hand...

KC_Lee · 11-13-2013, 01:20 PM

Welcome to zero tolerance policies being run by people so beholden to process & policy that they have abdicated all reason and rational thinking.

Chief Roundup · 11-13-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I imagine they have rules against wearing shirts that make ANY statement.

School admin should have been smart enough to make an exception.

Maybe, but in today's times it is safer for all to be overly strict, because you can't help but offending someone anymore, and a more welcomed decision to allow it after seeing how it would be received. It is more acceptable to lighten or resend a decision that was harsh than to make a decision stricter or do completely away with something anymore. Our society demands so much political correctness as well as safety in our schools.

blaise · 11-13-2013, 01:38 PM

If I was a teacher I think I would have said, "I'm not telling them they can't do it. If you want to, go ahead, but you're nuts."

**fan4ever** · 11-13-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Maybe, but in today's times it is safer for all to be overly strict, because you can't help but offending someone anymore, and a more welcomed decision to allow it after seeing how it would be received. It is more acceptable to lighten or resend a decision that was harsh than to make a decision stricter or do completely away with something anymore. Our society demands so much political correctness as well as safety in our schools.

Wife's a teacher for almost 30 years now...her school district's first question on just about any policy? Will this get us involved in a lawsuit? That's why the inmates are running the asylum.

**alpha_omega** · 11-13-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

School admin should have been smart enough to make an exception.

Agreed...one size does not fit all.

CHENZ A! · 11-13-2013, 02:00 PM

No one gets to wear orange and blue to school during Donkey week.

11-13-2013, 12:38 PM
whoman69 The Master Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Marion, IA Casino cash: $10004925	T-Shirt Memorializing Sixth-Grader Causes School Uproar T-Shirt Memorializing Sixth-Grader Causes School Uproar By Sarah B. Weir, Shine Senior Writer \| Parenting A controversy over kids wearing T-shirts to celebrate their friend who died from leukemia has sparked anger and soul-searching in Battle Creek, Michigan. On Saturday, sixth-grader Caitlyn Jackson passed away after a three-year battle with the disease. More than a dozen classmates showed up at Lakeville Middle School on Monday wearing orange and blue t-shirts bearing Caitlyn's name, many of which had been decorated by the kids themselves over the weekend. Blue was the 12-year-old's favorite color, and orange is the color designated to promote leukemia awareness. Upon arrival, the students were informed that they would need to either turn the shirts inside out, cover the girl's name with duct tape, or change tops—a decision made by school administrators. Monday afternoon, Melinda Jackson, Caitlyn's mother, heard that the T-shirts had been barred from school while she was on her way home from the hospital where the girl had died. She told the Battle Creek Enquirer, "That hurt me to the point that I didn't think I could be hurt anymore." Many parents and students were outraged by the decision. "It made me feel really bad that I couldn't express myself for Caitlyn," said Jaidyn Bellinger, an 11-year-old classmate. "I wanted to let people know how bad it feels to lose someone like that." Some parents demanded the resignations of those administrators who had called for the T-shirt ban. That night, after speaking with Caitlyn's family, the school reversed their decision and said that the students could wear the shirts the next day. The school declined to comment, but issued a statement on its Facebook page that read, in part, "During this time of grief, we sincerely regret that our actions caused additional stress for Caitlyn's family and friends. Lakeview students, families and staff have supported Caitlyn and her family throughout her battle. Today we heard from students and families the need to allow students to continue showing their support of Caitlyn under these special circumstances by wearing shirts bearing her name." More on Yahoo: Abducted Teenage Girl Rescued by Teenagers on Bicycles Stephen Brock, a professor of school psychology and president-elect of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), says the controversy highlights the importance of schools having protocols in place for how to pay tribute to the death of a student and other tragic events. "When you don't have previously established rules that people have been made been aware of, you get into these difficult situations," he tells Yahoo Shine. He explains that while some school districts do have an established plan, surprisingly most don't. He stresses the importance of explaining to the school community, and especially to the students themselves, why certain rules are in place. NASP provides written guidelines about appropriate memorials. More on Yahoo: Another School Bans Tag at Recess Citing Safety Concerns Administrators at Lakeview Middle School say they made their decision based on a crisis management plan that barred "permanent memorials" to deceased students. Brock explains that in the case of suicide, schools should "steer away from yearbook pages, plaques, benches" and other items that permanently memorialize a young suicide victim's death, because there is a small but real chance it could trigger more suicide attempts. However, he adds that in the case of Caitlyn Jackson, "I, personally, would not have a problem with kids wearing T-shirts about an individual who died after a long-term illness." Melinda Jackson could not be reached for comment, but on Monday night, she expressed her gratitude to the kids who had fought to wear their shirts. After returning home from attending a middle school basketball game with Caitlyn's father, Jeff, and older brother, Nicholas, she posted on Facebook, "Have a feeling this is going to be a long night. Today was very emotional and so not the way we wanted things to happen. I am thankful that Caitlyn had such loving caring friends who stood up for what they believed."
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11-13-2013, 12:40 PM	#3
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1314727	without natural affection...love waxing COLD.
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11-13-2013, 12:49 PM	#6
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	I imagine they have rules against wearing shirts that make ANY statement. School admin should have been smart enough to make an exception. __________________
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11-13-2013, 12:50 PM	#7
Sannyasi Veteran Join Date: Jan 2010 Casino cash: $9963714	Obviously the school made a mistake, but they were willing to admit it and reversed their decision as quickly as possible. Seems like a non-story to me.
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11-13-2013, 01:13 PM	#8
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-964116
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11-13-2013, 01:16 PM	#9
fan4ever Supporter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $4184389	This is what happens when you don't have 40 or 50 grief counselors on hand...
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11-13-2013, 01:20 PM	#10
KC_Lee You're CARICATURES, ALL of you Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $-1899040	Welcome to zero tolerance policies being run by people so beholden to process & policy that they have abdicated all reason and rational thinking. __________________ “There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy.” - Jacob Bronowski, The Ascent of Man
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11-13-2013, 01:38 PM	#12
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	If I was a teacher I think I would have said, "I'm not telling them they can't do it. If you want to, go ahead, but you're nuts."
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11-13-2013, 02:00 PM	#15
CHENZ A! pimping hoes + clocking a grip Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $9977569	No one gets to wear orange and blue to school during Donkey week.
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