Ohio Christian school tells student to skip prom

[yogib37 3]

FINDLAY, Ohio – A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.

Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.

Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.

"I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid," Frost said. "I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end."

England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.

"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.

The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music "is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people's hearts and minds."

England said Frost's family should not be surprised by the school's position.

"For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous," he said. "It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to."

The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School's view of prom.

"I don't see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts," Craig Kupferberg said.

___

Information from: The Courier, http://www.thecourier.com

[pedroh 21]

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I've said it before --- you enroll in one of those schools; you'd better be ready to live by their rules.

[jundp 191]

Yep. I agree the school's rules are ridiculous, but the parents and the child chose to stay at a private Baptist school. It is no secret that the Baptist religion frowns on rock music and dancing.

Though, why would the principal sign the form if he would then turn around and issue such consequence? I say if it's not in the school's handbook about attending other school's dances, and the principal, by his signature, gave permission, then the consequence is wrong.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I've said it before --- you enroll in one of those schools; you'd better be ready to live by their rules.

Off-campus?

That's like saying "you want to be American, you need to follow US law in other countries (such as Mexico, Canada, UK...) as well".

[jundp 191]

That's like saying "you want to be American, you need to follow US law in other countries (such as Mexico, Canada, UK...) as well".

Well, I don't know. I teach in a faith-based private school and our kids sign a code of honor in which they agree to abide by the code of conduct and the school's mission statement even when off-campus. If they don't sign it, they don't get admitted. We have had to hold people to that in the past, albeit I'm talking about things like underage drinking, smoking, or bullying, etc.

[pedroh 21]

That's like saying "you want to be American, you need to follow US law in other countries (such as Mexico, Canada, UK...) as well".

Well, I don't know. I teach in a faith-based private school and our kids sign a code of honor in which they agree to abide by the code of conduct and the school's mission statement even when off-campus. If they don't sign it, they don't get admitted. We have had to hold people to that in the past, albeit I'm talking about things like underage drinking, smoking, or bullying, etc.

does Jesus get mad if u eat kittehs?

[jundp 191]

That's like saying "you want to be American, you need to follow US law in other countries (such as Mexico, Canada, UK...) as well".

Well, I don't know. I teach in a faith-based private school and our kids sign a code of honor in which they agree to abide by the code of conduct and the school's mission statement even when off-campus. If they don't sign it, they don't get admitted. We have had to hold people to that in the past, albeit I'm talking about things like underage drinking, smoking, or bullying, etc.

does Jesus get mad if u eat kittehs?

not if we cook them first

[pedroh 21]

can you eat kittehs on friday in lent?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I didn't say I agreed with the school. BUT -- If you enroll your kids in a school -- they will have to abide by the rules; as idiotic, anachronistic, oppressive, disgusting they might be. Otherwise, do not register your kids there. Quite simple, really.

[scandal 951]

That's like saying "you want to be American, you need to follow US law in other countries (such as Mexico, Canada, UK...) as well".

Actually, you do.

At least certain parts of US Law apply to you abroad. Certainly the Internal Revenue Code does. All US Citizens have a duty to report all global income and file a tax return regardless of where they live in the world. IRS filing obligations are based on citizenship, not residence. Unlike many (most) other countries.

[payxibka 10,047]

My son got "nailed" by his public high school for an "off-campus" event.... He had signed a code of conduct and he violated it....

[Emancipation 2]

Yep. I agree the school's rules are ridiculous, but the parents and the child chose to stay at a private Baptist school. It is no secret that the Baptist religion frowns on rock music and dancing.

Though, why would the principal sign the form if he would then turn around and issue such consequence? I say if it's not in the school's handbook about attending other school's dances, and the principal, by his signature, gave permission, then the consequence is wrong.

really? hmmm our "Baptist" church had swing dancing in the fellowship hall a year ago.. and a regular group meets on Sat. night for dancing lessons in the church basement.. we must be those "dirty" baptists that everyone talks about

And as far as this story goes.. *sigh..

Edited May 8, 2009 by Emancipation

[jundp 191]

Yep. I agree the school's rules are ridiculous, but the parents and the child chose to stay at a private Baptist school. It is no secret that the Baptist religion frowns on rock music and dancing.

Though, why would the principal sign the form if he would then turn around and issue such consequence? I say if it's not in the school's handbook about attending other school's dances, and the principal, by his signature, gave permission, then the consequence is wrong.

really? hmmm our "Baptist" church had swing dancing in the fellowship hall a year ago.. and a regular group meets on Sat. night for dancing lessons in the church basement.. we must be those "dirty" baptists that everyone talks about

And as far as this story goes.. *sigh..

Sorry if I mis-spoke. Where I am from in Louisiana, dancing and rock music is frowned upon. I grew up Southern Baptist until my family converted to Catholicism when I was 12.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sorry guys but I misread the title as "Ohio Christian school tells student to skip porn".