RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge ordered a North Carolina school to admit a 14-year-old high school student suspended for wearing a nose piercing she says is part of her religion, and the teenager headed to science class Friday afternoon.
U.S. District Judge Malcolm Howard on Friday ordered the Johnston County schools to suspend enforcement of their dress code for Ariana Iacono and allow her to return to school immediately. The judge ruled that the girl and her mother are likely to prevail in the lawsuit filed on their behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union.
“We are thrilled that Ariana can return to her studies,” her mother, Nikki Iacono, said in a statement released by the ACLU. “Ariana was an honor roll student in middle school, and she is eager to get back to her classes and continue with her education as soon as possible.”
A call to Nikki Iacono by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday claims school officials violated Iacono’s constitutional religious liberty rights. The freshman has been suspended repeatedly since classes started four weeks ago. She and her mother, Nikki, claim the nose piercing is part of their faith, not a fashion statement.
The Johnston County school system has a dress code banning facial piercings, but allows for exemptions based on religious beliefs.
An attorney for the Johnston County school district, Neal Ramee, declined comment.
Ariana will be able to attend Clayton High School with her nose stud at least until Nov. 3, when another hearing is scheduled, said her attorney, Jon Sasser.
The Iaconos belong to a small religious group called the Church of Body Modification, which sees piercings and tattoos as religious devotion. The church has 3,500 members nationwide and was incorporated in Pennsylvania in July 2008, according to the lawsuit.
Richard Ivey, the Iaconos’ Raleigh minister in the Church of Body Modification, said the temporary order is encouraging.
“It’s a great step toward justice,” he said.
The Johnston County school system has a dress code banning facial piercings, along with short skirts, sagging pants, “abnormal hair color” and other items deemed distracting or disruptive.
But the dress code also allows for exemptions based on “sincerely held religious belief,” and says, “the principal or designees shall not attempt to determine whether the religious beliefs are valid, but only whether they are central to religious doctrine and sincerely held.”
That’s where the school stepped over the line, the lawsuit alleges, saying officials repeatedly dismissed explanations of the Iaconos’ faith by the family and their Raleigh minister.
Ariana Iacono has been suspended four times since fall classes started, missing 21 days so far. On Monday, the school system denied an appeal of her most recent suspension, and told her she’d have to attend South Campus Community School, an alternative facility for students with disciplinary and other problems. She still wouldn’t be allowed to wear the nose piercing in the other school.
___
Associated Press writer Tom Breen contributed to this report.
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (160)
sarnold51
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:17amThe ACLU takes a completely different view in 2009 when it came to saying Grace before a meal.
http://www.examiner.com/baptist-in-charlotte/can-you-be-jailed-for-saying-grace
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:15amcannot believe this is even an issue…anyways, the whole time I was reading this I couldn’t help think, where is the ACLU when a kid wants to say a prayer, it’s just the opposite …the ACLU actually takes on the kids saying the prayer…wierd days were living in…oh by the way…thanks NOW for sticking up for Ms. Whitman..nice….
Report Post »koyettsu
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:10amIf the schools policy though does not permit nose piercings by allowing this girl to have one they have to allow the rest of the school as well. This to me is another case where the people are being forced to bend to the will of one person who thinks they should be exempt from the rules that apply to everyone else.
I see no reason why she cannot remove the piercing while in school and wear it all she wants out of school to comply with the rules. If we are going to allow this for religious reasons why can’t other students pray before each class, receive communion in school or celebrate Easter and Christmas with the religious aspects. You cannot give special exemptions to one student for religious reasons if you are going to forbid other students from practicing their religious beliefs
Report Post »DANO509
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:05amI’m from the church of Reprobate Thinking. And we believe teachers and student should attend school naked and worship at the Alter of Prostitution and Debauchery (for those being educated today: “debauchery”– immoral behavior: unrestrained self-indulgent, or an instance of this)
Report Post »Its time to start impeaching these judges and replacing them with ones who know the constitution.
You cant pray, bring a Bible or mention anything about Jesus but if you mutilate your body that’s Religion and its ok with this commie judge
There are no rules sin is the god of this world—and we wonder what the hell is happing to this country—
BOW DOWN TO YOU NEW RULERS “JUDGES”
caitlynsdad
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:44amNice to meet you, Reprobate. I’m from the Church of Virgin Sacrifice. I believe that a caste of individuals in my particular religion should be raised as virgins (the rest of us can have sex with whomever we wish, male, female, or beast) so that once a year a lottery can be held to choose one of them to be ritually sacrificed on the altar of Odin. For it is only in this way that there can be peace and plenty in the land. This sacrifice is to be held publicly on the National Mall, since that is the only place where the divine promise can spread to all the land. I’m trying to get the ACLU to take up my case in court, and I wonder if you know who I should get in contact with.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:04pmHow about Gloria Allred
Report Post »Sailor
caitlynsdad
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:20pm@Sailor
Report Post »Perfect! (If for no reason other than her last name: she’s “all red”!)
DMD
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:01amSome religions wrap a dirty white sheet on their head and go places where no hats are allowed.
Report Post »I say you go nose piercing
Rob
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:46am…. guess which party her parents support?
Report Post »Country
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:01amStupid judge.
Report Post »GeeWhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:43amChurch of Body Modification?
LMAO Okay, whatever, who really cares, although I’m trying not to fall into peals of laughter over the idea of piercing leading to some spiritual enlightenment. Although anything that you meditate on long enough can get you there, I suppose.
Think that I’ll start my own church: The Church of Staring at My Dog’s Face or maybe, The Church of Doing Overwhelming Piles of Laundry. Think that it will fly?
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:34am“The Church of Body Modification” ??? Ok, then create a Church of Gay. All Gays can join, they can marry, and we can finally get government out of marriage.
Report Post »mgamga022889
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:24amOkay North Carolina I hope you realize that now one more freedom has been taken away from you. Because of this judges decision and the stupid parents of this CHILD if you are a business owner that is looking to hire someone for a position in your business and this person applies for the job and you do not want this look for your business, these people could sue to force you to hire them. Doesn’t matter whether they are qualified or not, just the fact that if they want to believe you have discriminated against them because they have a nose piercing or tattoo, or their hair is green you could be forced to hire them. Here is another reason to pay attention to your local elections and that includes the JUDGES!!! Don’t just look at the yard signs in your neighborhood and assume that must be a good decision because my neighbors are voting for them. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before entering that voting booth know who you are voting for and what they stand for.
Report Post »bubbamoosecat
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:23amChurch of Body Modification????? Man, what a country…. Anybody can make anything into a religion. I’m reminded of the pot-smoking and acid-dropping “religions” of the late 1960′s. Sheesh.
Report Post »PatriotRider
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:01amThis is just another example of joining a group to justify ones stupidity. So, if a jihaist muslim idiot teenager decides that public schools teach stuff that is contrary to islam he/she are justified in carring out jihad in the school? Because they hold to these belief firmly enough to strap on bombs, you know. Where does the ACLU stand on that issue, I wonder?
Report Post »yitty
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:00am(Got this as an email and thought it appropriate to share)
Report Post »NEW SCHOOL PRAYER
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That’s no offence; it’s a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all
In silence alone we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the state.
We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the ‘unwed daddy,’ our Senior King.
It‘s ’inappropriate’ to teach right from wrong,
We‘re taught that such ’judgments’ do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It’s scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen !
LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:28amAmen!
Report Post »DANO509
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:16amAmen also to that
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:25amAmen – this should be sent to everyone on your email list!!!
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:27pmBravo. VOTE CONSERVATIVE IN NOVEMBER.
Report Post »AGunAndAPrayer
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:44pmAmen, Brother or Sister LOL!!!
Report Post »AnOregonian
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:56amAs cruel as it may seem all piercing, tattoos and body “modifications” are banned in my home until my children turn 18. I’ve been having waging this battle since grade 2 & ear piercing and grade 5 & belly piercings.
Report Post »Reverend
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:41amThat is not cruel, it is your right as a parent. As a matter of fact, for most body modification (especially tattoos) that is a good idea since the body is not done growing yet.
Report Post »overlumber
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:55amAnother giant leap for the muslimes in our society. AMERICA, the answer is, ‘NO!” and not only ‘NO!“ but ”h*** NO!” Stand up to the ACLU. They WILL back down! Let that young lady and her mother go back home and live there. Now. Where there is so much freedom for women. N-o-t.
Report Post »Pike
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:55amHaving a hard time eliminating religion? Just make a mockery of it instead. Worshiping “body modification” seems analogous for worshiping one self, and what one can do to ones self to me. If this can be considered a religion, then what other sadistic acts can be also be “worshiped” and be brought into our schools as a means of religiosity? I hate to think it, but it’s entirely plausible that we might just be coming to a point where we have to legally define what (a) religion is in this country; and quite frankly thats not a question I want some people answering in my stead.
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:53amThe girl, the mother, judge and ACLU are a bunch of morons.
Report Post »JabbaTheTutt
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:52amThe government can’t discriminate. Which is why we need to separate school and State. A private school and set its own rules and if you don’t like those rules, you don’t buy their services. Government forces people to pay for school, they force people to go to schools and the force indoctrination down the throats of students. Government schools are socialist organizations. Do you believe socialist organizations can teach freedom, rule of law, limited government or the US Constitution?
The answer is “not for long’. And everyone knows the government schools are way, way past the days, when they taught American Exceptionalism. In government schools, American Exceptionalism means that America is exceptionally evil.
Some Tea Party candidates are campaigning on abolishing the US Department of Education. I’ll know that people really get it, when they call for the replacement of government schools with freedom in education.
Report Post »woodydad
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:49amHere in the great state of Georgia we have a law making it illegal to wear a mask over your face in public. It helps us identify bank robbers, etc. However, they are too afraid to enforce it against people wearing burkas. Point being? This decision is stupid but it could set a precedent that could lead to something dangerous. I’m guessing that this poor stupid/vapid girl just needs a lot of attention. “Hey, look at me”! If you want to commit a violent crime in Ga. wear a burka.”Hey, look at me all you want”!
Report Post »I find it interesting that we only legally abridge our 1st amendment right to religious expression to things pertaining to the one true living God. That is Jewish and Christian expression. I bet a mosque would be allowed to set up a chopping block in a city park during a muslim holiday. And I bet the aclu would support them all the way.
sWampy
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:45amIt’s amazing how progressive idiots use freedom of religion as a weapon against this nations, guess it shouldn’t be a surprise, of the last 100 years they have used the constitution as a weapon against freedom in a very deliberate manner. This is just another of the million reasons we need to get the government out of education, the last thing any American should want is the government teaching their kids what to think how to act.
This out come based education crap where they teach kids they are the center of the universe, and there are no wrong or right answers, just what every you think, leads to some really awful citizens.
Report Post »phlogiston
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:30amIt seems like Johnston County school system would imply she attends a public school, so the fact that they don’t allow kids to have a pierced nose or “abnormal hair color” sounds more like “the government teaching their kids what to think how to act” to me than any other part of this story.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:59amIt works both ways, I don’t want the government teaching my kids anything to think good or bad. I don’t want them teaching them what to ware, that socialism is wonderful, Christianity is evil, Islam great, none of it.
Report Post »Mr.D
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:44amSince I belong to The Church of Clown Hair, I shouldn’t have a problems going to school.
Report Post »docvet
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:59pmChurch of the Naked Body, Church of Texting While Driving, Church of the IPod listener, Church of Public Sex, etc, etc, etc.
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:14pmYeah, I can see what’s next – the church of the holy grape nectar? Kids will be able to show up drunk and they can’t send them home.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:36pmFLYGUYNC: Good example. In fact Michael Jackson called that holy grape nectar, Jesus Juice!!
Report Post »ME
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:42amJust like the Muslims using our freedom like a joke. I want to start the church of freedom from liberals that will get me out of every ******* law as against my religion.
Report Post »Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:11amI am intrigued by your views and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Report Post »phlogiston
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:19amYour analogy is invalid: She wasn’t breaking a law, just some stupid school regulation that already had a loophole built into it.
Power to the people, I say. Live and let live.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:52amYou know, it’s only a matter of time. Sharia Law is part of a religious belief, do we have to watch people stoned to death in our streets in the name of religion? This is what will soon follow if we do not get a clue.
bknutti
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:45pmYes, I want your newsletter too…so does my best friend, “death2libs”….LOL!
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:41amThe Church of Body Modification? I’ll go out on a limb and guess that it was started by someone in the tattoo/body piercing industry. A whopping 3500 members “nationwide.” Wow! I bet their membership goes up by half the population of this school before the weekend is over. Then the ACLU will be fighting to legitimize even more students’ breaking the rules of the school.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:50amIt’s a friggin nose ring for crying out loud! Give me a break already.
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:01amI think you missed the point Steve.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:14amI have no idea what the Church of Body Modification is all about, and to be honest, I don’t think I really want to know. But, like a lot of articles on TB here lately, this is a 1st Amendment issue, and she is guaranteed the right to free self expression, especially in a publicly funded school. Now, if this were a private school they would have a valid arguement against her nose ring.
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:31amShe is not arguing for her free self expression, she is arguing freedom to practice her religion. I am questioning the validity, integrity, very existence of this “religion.” And don’t get me started on the double standard vis a vis praying in school.
As to your point that it’s just a nose ring, I agree. Unfortunately, schools must be given some power to keep their halls and classrooms orderly. If a student’s self expression is distracting (how about walking around in their underwear, naked, a t-shirt that says kill all Christians, an entire face full of bling like needle face?), then they ought to be able to set rules against it. It’s a question of how and where to draw the line.
Report Post »Dwolf71
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:31amSorry Steve, but the first amendment does NOT give the right to free ‘self expression’. It’s free speech and the two are vastly different things.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:52amSelf expression IS free speech. How else would a mute person “speak”?
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:56amSteve,
“this is a 1st Amendment issue, and she is guaranteed the right to free self expression, especially in a publicly funded school.”
Huh? If this is true then why can’t kids wear clothes with slogans on them that may be offensive to some. You know like those crazy Christian kids that wear T-shirts to school that say things like “Jesus is my savior”. If you truly believed what you say you would defend their right to wear those types of messages in a publicly funded school.
This ruling is just another case of our society losing its mind!
Report Post »leighter
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:24amdont take this the wrong way because i agree with you, but a statement like “I am questioning the validity, integrity, very existence of this “religion.” or “I’ll go out on a limb and guess that it was started by someone in the tattoo/body piercing industry” is not a valid statement to make and screams ignorance. again please dont take this personally all i’m trying to say is that if people are going to read the articles on the blaze they need to remember the GB ALWAYS…ALWAYS says to do your own homework.
all you have to do is google it and it will take you to the website and you can even find the bio of the so called “minister”.
One of the biggest things I dont like about talking with liberals or progressives is they never have facts to back anything up. in this day and age of technology it’s only a couple mouse clicks away. We are all smarter than that and SHOULD find more facts before making a statement about anything. Otherwise you leave yourself unarmed against “them”.
The most powerful weapon against the progressive movement is FACTS
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:54amLeighter, thank you for being so kind in your assessment of my ignorance. I appreciate the restraint in not insulting my stupidity for not Googling the name of the “Church.” I didn’t realize that just because someone has a web site grants them integrity and makes them valid. Yes to your point, my questioning their very existence was wrong since having a website DOES mean they exist (though really I meant existence in more a transcendental way). As for the minister, because he calls himself a minister that MUST mean it’s a valid religion and he could never possibly have ulterior motives for establishing the “religion” (add air quotes for emphasis).
People lie. Even if the website says he’s a saint, it could be lies. Question with Boldness, you crazy Beckster. :)
Report Post »leighter
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:37pmnow see…you just took it all the wrong way.
Report Post »leighter
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:51pmbtw…it’s sick twisted freak :P…heh
anyways…no offense was meant
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:34pmI’m not a liberal, and I’m damn straight sure as hell not a communist progressive. I’m a libertarian/conservative. When it comes to the First Amendment you HAVE to take the good with the bad, that’s just how it goes. You can not subvert it one way and overlook it the other, that’s just not how freedom works. People in this country are FREE to be, do, and say what ever they please as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of other people. I personally don’t care for: facial piercings, tatoos, body mutilation, mohawks, colored hair, ripped jeans, slogan shirts, etc etc. But I will stand as an American for the right to do so, regardless of my own personal feelings.
When I went to high school I had hair down to my ass and I wore tie-dyes and ripped jeans to school every day. Hell, I even supported Clinton! Guess what, I grew up. And if my son wants to do the same thing when he gets to high school, who the hell am I to tell him to do any different? I’ll just have faith that eventually, because of his freedom to explore his own possibilities and the values that I have passed on to him, he’ll figure the same out for himself and grow up to be a good American just like his dad. And even if he doesn’t, he’s an American and has that right not too. That’s just how it goes. That’s how freedom works.
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:34pmWe’re good, it’s all good. I’m trying to prepare for an interview on Monday…must stop messin’ around in this virtual reality. God bless.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 1:53pmOh yeah man, it’s all good. :D I really hope no one thought I was personally attacking them or anything.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 3:55pmSteve,
Kids have been routinely suspended from school for wearing religious symbols. One of the most recent is:
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7272424
It takes a while to load because there is a video embedded in it.
It seems to me that I have heard of a number of cases where employers have either suspended employees or outright fired them because the employee was wearing some type of religious jewelery. British Airways come to mind, but I know there have been others.
With body piercings, I know there have been health concerns, especially with tongue and lip piercings. And ironically, I can remember there being an altercation at my own high school decades ago, where one of the combatants got her pierced earring tangled in the other girls jacket or shirt or some such and ripped the earring out of the lobe. There were discussions about banning pierced ears back then because the injured was thinking of suing. It all came to naught, but there were serious discussions about it.
Report Post »SND97
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:34amSo does this mean if My Church requires a cross tattoo on her face or arm it will be allowed? Hmmmm..
Report Post »chatom
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:53pmThis goes along with the Funeral protest, where do our rights begin and where do their’s end. Today its a nose ring. What if tomorrow someone’s church believes in nudity or sex in the hallway or some other stupid thing they can come up with. I’m sorry but this is not what our founders had in mind. It seems like we are the one’s that keep losing our rights. We can’t pray in school, we can’t have Christmas songs, programs, parades, symbols in town, wear flags on clothing because its offensive to SOMEONE. How come whatever the left wants to do is OKAY!!!!
Report Post »Bot
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:31amPeople who deface their bodies, deface their character.
Report Post »AstupidAmerican
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:41amReally?
Report Post »Every Vet I know, have tattoos, myself included.
You may want to rethink that statement.
PatriotRider
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:53amGot a clean canvass and I’m a vet. Just sayin’.
Report Post »Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:10amThe Sistine Chapel wouldn’t be as interesting with plain walls.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:22amSo I guess you’re pretty good at judging books without ever opening them?
Report Post »lildeb56
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:44amSorry but I agree. Our bodies are supposed to be God’s Temple. Jews aren’t supposed to have tattoos – for this very reason. This girl and her parents are morons for bringing this frivolous lawsuit and wasting taxpayers’ money. Schools have dress codes. We had to abide by them when I was a kid. Why does this happen? Because there is no parental involvement. The mother is abysmal.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:03amamen and amen to that!!!
Report Post »SgtBarrett
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 11:36amIt is not a big deal for her to remove the nose nugget… Look, if they can tell Christians not to bring Bibles to school, or pray in school, and the stupid judges support that, then why can this girl get over herself and follow dress code? It’s a non-issue.
She’s not being asked to burn her bible. Just take out the nose ring at school.
The Church of Body Modification seems to be another brand new religion, but since it doesn’t involve Christ, it shouldn’t suffer abuse? Sorry if Im all over the place here but Im SO TIRED OF THE DOUBLE STANDARD OF THOSE WHO PROTECT FAKE RELIGIONS AND ABANDON GOD FOR THE FEEL GOOD!! (Sigh)
Steve
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:24amThat’s just plain rediculous.
Report Post »Mr.Citrus
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:59amI have to agree.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:14amDon’t condemn this too quickly. Look at the big picture. Frivolous lawsuits create jobs. It makes more sense than Obama’s stimulus plan. Of course, no wealth is created but that is in agreement with Obama’s stimulus plan. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:19amI’d have tried Hindu first. lol I think society is pretty much used to nose rings by now anyway.
Ironmaan
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:23amJust another way for inept teachers to move the focus from their inadequacies to this meaningless issue.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:31amDoes Body Modification also include pierced ears?
Report Post »RONALDREAGAN1980
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:56amThis same moronic mindset of the schools is pervasive across the south. Somehow they seem to think that if your kids look like Bud or Kathy Anderson from “Father Knows Best”, that they’ll learn better. There is a reason they still call it the Bible Belt down here, and the influence of Southern Baptists and other conservative protestant Christians remains strong throughout numerous aspects of society. Which is not an entirely bad thing, since I rather have a conservative Baptist in the state legislature than a devil worshipper or a Nazi. I just thought they would have lightened up on this kind of stuff in the last 50 years. I know a kid who was refused admittance to a school bus going home by an assistant principal (high school) because his bracelets were not symmetrical– 3 bangle bracelets on one wrist, and 5 bangle bracelets on the other. This was deemed “a distraction”, even though it took place outside of class in the parking/loading area for buses. The kid quickly complied, but the bus was waved on by the school official. As long as we keep electing school board officials who long for a return to the Eisenhower years, this is what we will get. As George W once said, “Is our children learning?”
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:00amGet got it done because she is deeply spirtual..uh hu….
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:24pmI follow the tenets of the Holy Bible and I LISTEN to the Holy Spirit, (yes, I obey the law of the land), so I mind my own business, stay politically focused on choosing GOOD people for office when voting, loving that girl with the pierced nose because God loves her (HE judges her heart), and I help my neighbors as needed. If you are an armchair quarterback and you are doing nothing politically to select good judges, Senators and Reps, and School Board members, then SHUT UP. Only you know who you are. I REST MY CASE.
Report Post »LOGICALDAN
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:48pmIronmaan……9 times out of 10 i would agree with you but i have studied this school district with plans to move there from ny….It’s a 5 star school district….One of the best….And their dress code probably has a lot to do with it!
Report Post »OneFunR6
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 2:57pmAgreed, AND I have a very simple way to stop all of thing nonsense, including the frivolous lawsuits!
END THE US Dept. of Edu. and ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS and PUBLIC FUNDING, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Then let the unionized ‘teachers’ try and get new jobs and the newly PRIVIATETIZED LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SCHOOLS.
THEN let ALL parents be DIRECTLY INVOLVED with what the F is actually going on at their children’s schools!
Want you kid to go to the ‘All Saint’s School of Piercings & Tats’ ? Then send them there & pay for it!
Want you kid to go to the ‘No Tats or Piercings Allowed’ School? Then send them there & pay for it!
But GIVE the CHOICE to the PARENTS! STOP…….. TAKING/STEALING OUR MONEY in the name of ‘publick edyoumacationz’,…
where parents have too little say, too many ‘teachers’ can’t teach, AND then can’t be fired for incompetence and/or lazyness, EITHER!
Hundreds of BILLIONS of $$’s spent every year, and no real improvements in math OR sciences.
My daughter will not ever spend even one day in ‘publik skools’.
IF one pays for something, they should get what they paid for, BUT smart parents know that they must now RE-educate their children at home, every night, so that the children actually get educated.
Can you show me WHERE in the US Constitution it says even ONE WORD about FEDERAL responsibility for PUBLIC education? [hint] IT DOES NOT.
Report Post »kidkolt
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:44pmAs silly as it is to have a religion about piercings, it’s not like this is hurting anyone. If her parents have failed her, it’s not the schools responsibility to make up for that. And the precedent from this case is likely to mean MORE protections for other religious iconography in schools, rather than less, which I see as a good thing.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:36pmI couldn’t care less about the piercing.
Report Post »I think the precedent set here could go the wrong way.
How much longer before nudist or satanist want to go to school naked. Maybe a pour example, but you get my meaning.
Contrarian51
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:18amTobywil2, frivolous lawsuits don’t create any jobs but they do redistribute wealth. No mystery why tort reform couldn’t find its way into health care legislation.
The Church of Body Modification? I guess every day is a “holey” day.
Report Post »sirusneo
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:48amI agree. I also looked at the photo of her and her mother in the background. I just have to say that the mother must not be as devoted or religious as her own daughter since I don’t see any piercings or tattoos on her. I could be wrong though.
Report Post »