Eighth graders get detentions for paying for lunch in pennies

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Twenty-nine eighth graders at a Hunterdon County school received two days detention after they paid for their $2 lunches with pennies, officials said.

The 8th graders at Readington Middle School were protesting having only 30 minutes for lunch each day. They received detentions for slowing the cafeteria line and disrespecting lunch aides, who had to count the 5,800 copper-plated coins, said Superintendent Jorden Schiff.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/s...ons_for_pa.html

[Nagishkaw 510]

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

[msu17 0]

Haha, that's funny!!! What an innovative way to protest

[one...two...tree 2,762]

LOL....that's awesome! They must have been reading their history books.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

'copper-plated coins'

Is this supposed to add some drama to the story?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

'copper-plated coins'

Is this supposed to add some drama to the story?

LOL...no kidding....as opposed to the wooden pennies.

[Scott & Lai 12]

'copper-plated coins'

Is this supposed to add some drama to the story?

LOL...no kidding....as opposed to the wooden pennies.

Maybe they want us to pity the aides for having to lift 5,800 little pieces of copper?

Where's that violin-playing smiley?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

'copper-plated coins'

Is this supposed to add some drama to the story?

LOL...no kidding....as opposed to the wooden pennies.

Maybe they want us to pity the aides for having to lift 5,800 little pieces of copper?

Where's that violin-playing smiley?

These kids should win a prize. Seriously - what an awesome way to protest.

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

Multnomah County where I live will not accept pennies as payment of property taxes. Also when they instituted a temporary 3 year county income tax a while back after we defeated 2 legislative tax increases by initiative petition. I collected a lot of signatures for that.

I tried to pay in the most offensive ways possible. They would not take payments accept in the mail by check or money order. So I milked them out for almost 2 years on the first year by only sending 50 dollars a month no matter what threatening letters they sent me. And told them in my colorful terms what I thought of them with every payment. I payed the second year in full before I was finished with the first. The head county commissioner was defeated at the next election also.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Readington kids won't get punished for their penny-pay protest

by John Holl/The Star-Ledger

Monday March 03, 2008, 8:30 AM

Three days after they were punished for using pennies to pay for school lunch, students at Readington Middle School learned they would not have to serve two days of detention, so long as their parents agreed.

Parents of the punished children received calls from administrators at the Hunterdon County school today informing them that the punishments -- handed out after students, upset with the amount of time they receive for their daily lunch period, protested by using the copper-plated coins -- would not be enforced, unless parents specifically asked.

Some 29 seventh- and eighth-graders at the school banded together during last Thursday's 30-minute lunch period and paid their $2.00 lunch price with pennies. That amounted to 5,800 individual or 32 pounds of pennies.

Administrators called it a sign of disrespect to cafeteria personnel and fellow students, and punished the "Readington 29" with two days of detention. As of Friday afternoon, district Superintendent Jorden Schiff said the in-school punishments would stand.

But last night, Schiff, in an e-mail to parents said he was "concerned" about the national media attention that the situation received.

"The school community has been through a difficult period, and we need to move forward," he wrote. "We discussed how the incident has been blown out of proportion and how it has affected our children and our school community."

[Niels Bohr 72]

Pennies are considered legal tender. The school can get fines.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Readington kids won't get punished for their penny-pay protest

by John Holl/The Star-Ledger

Monday March 03, 2008, 8:30 AM

Three days after they were punished for using pennies to pay for school lunch, students at Readington Middle School learned they would not have to serve two days of detention, so long as their parents agreed.

Parents of the punished children received calls from administrators at the Hunterdon County school today informing them that the punishments -- handed out after students, upset with the amount of time they receive for their daily lunch period, protested by using the copper-plated coins -- would not be enforced, unless parents specifically asked.

Some 29 seventh- and eighth-graders at the school banded together during last Thursday's 30-minute lunch period and paid their $2.00 lunch price with pennies. That amounted to 5,800 individual or 32 pounds of pennies.

Administrators called it a sign of disrespect to cafeteria personnel and fellow students, and punished the "Readington 29" with two days of detention. As of Friday afternoon, district Superintendent Jorden Schiff said the in-school punishments would stand.

But last night, Schiff, in an e-mail to parents said he was "concerned" about the national media attention that the situation received.

"The school community has been through a difficult period, and we need to move forward," he wrote. "We discussed how the incident has been blown out of proportion and how it has affected our children and our school community."

LOL...quickly changes his tune when under the microscope.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

In response to heavy media attention about 29 students getting detention after paying for their lunches one day last week with pennies, district administrators sent a letter to parents Sunday via the district's e-mail listserv.

The full text of the letter follows:

Monday, March 3, 2008

Dear Parents,

In the past seventy-two hours there has been a great deal of media attention focused on an event that occurred on Thursday, February 28th during lunch at Readington Middle School. Twenty-nine eighth graders paid for their lunch using pennies. This delayed the lunch line for many students who had a difficult time finishing their meal; moreover, the lunchroom workers were treated disrespectfully. As a result, the children involved were given two days of after-school detention.

We accepted the pennies (legal tender) as payment for their lunches, and asked many of the students to roll their pennies to speed the movement at the cashier’s line. When the children were asked why they purchased their lunch with pennies, they informed the administration that it was a prank. The media has reported that the event was a protest. This perception was different from the way children initially characterized the event. If we had knowledge of a protest, we would have reinforced with the students the importance of not being disrespectful and would have begun discussions about the issue.

We are concerned about the widespread focus and attention paid to this event. The school community has been through a difficult period, and we need to move forward. We contacted the parents of each child involved in the event. In our conversations, we discussed how the incident has been blown out of proportion and how it has affected our children and our school community. Given the unique nature of this situation, we also discussed our willingness to work with families to determine the next steps to take with their child. Parents had differing points of view which we sincerely respected. Some parents informed us that they would like their child to serve the detention while others differed and worked with administrators to plan experiences to replace the detention. Still others have discussed the matter with their child at home and decided the detention is not necessary. We were very pleased that many of our students have already apologized to the lunchroom staff and clearly recognize the difference between a prank and a protest.

We are very fortunate to have a school system with wonderful kids, engaged parents, and dedicated staff, teachers, and administrators. The students’ smiles and laughter brighten each and every day. When the news vans leave our town to find another story, the staff of the Readington Township Public School System will continue to do our very best to work with you and your children to make their learning experience the best that it can be.

Sincerely,

Jorden Schiff, Superintendent

Catherine Hollinger, Principal, RMS

http://c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/...RONT01/80303009

[Peikko 1,575]

One man's prank is another man's protest? I am sure we don't really know the full story but it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

[Sinergy 3]

Readington kids won't get punished for their penny-pay protest

by John Holl/The Star-Ledger

Monday March 03, 2008, 8:30 AM

Three days after they were punished for using pennies to pay for school lunch, students at Readington Middle School learned they would not have to serve two days of detention, so long as their parents agreed.

Parents of the punished children received calls from administrators at the Hunterdon County school today informing them that the punishments -- handed out after students, upset with the amount of time they receive for their daily lunch period, protested by using the copper-plated coins -- would not be enforced, unless parents specifically asked.

Some 29 seventh- and eighth-graders at the school banded together during last Thursday's 30-minute lunch period and paid their $2.00 lunch price with pennies. That amounted to 5,800 individual or 32 pounds of pennies.

Administrators called it a sign of disrespect to cafeteria personnel and fellow students, and punished the "Readington 29" with two days of detention. As of Friday afternoon, district Superintendent Jorden Schiff said the in-school punishments would stand.

But last night, Schiff, in an e-mail to parents said he was "concerned" about the national media attention that the situation received.

"The school community has been through a difficult period, and we need to move forward," he wrote. "We discussed how the incident has been blown out of proportion and how it has affected our children and our school community."

Yes im sure counting the pennies ...copper-plated at that, was difficult