Hmmmm.
What’s wrong with this picture?
The father said he got a call earlier this month from Maxham Elementary School informing him that his son, a second-grade student, had created a violent drawing. The image in question depicted a crucified Jesus with Xs covering his eyes to signify that he had died on the cross. The boy wrote his name above the cross.
Well, I suppose I should be refreshed that someone recognizes that what was done to Jesus was violent. Of course, one might consider the fact that a picture and a brutal act of violence are two different things. And that being concerned that an 8 year-old depicting a crucifixion is different from an 8 year-old crucifying someone, as that would require more strength than an 8 year-old could muster…especially by himself.
The boy made the drawing and was sent home from school on Dec. 2. He went for the psychological evaluation — at his parents’ expense — the next day and was cleared to return to school the following Monday after the psychological evaluation found nothing to indicate that he posed a threat to himself or others.
Of course, the real question is “Are the ‘professional educators’ who believed that this was a threat required to undergo a psychological evaluation for seeing the potential for violence in an 8 year-old’s drawing?” Yeah, I know. I’m not holding my breath, either.
The boy, however, was traumatized by the incident, which made going back to school very difficult, the father said. School administrators have approved the father’s request to have the boy transferred to another elementary school in the district.
Hardly a surprise. Make a depiction of an event significant to your faith and get booted from school until the shrink gives you a “Come back to class” note. I’d be traumatized too.
Seems like a long, long way from:
Zero tolerance rules. They allow rule makers the illusion that they are tough on certain offenses, and that they require ACTION! when certain criteria are met. They also allow those who would otherwise be responsible to evade responsibilty…and the burden of thinking and making a judgment.
Shit… I’m just happy they gave that serial killer wannbe a psychological evaluation.
That was close!
I hate schools nowadays. I’m only 24, but schools weren’t nearly as bad when I was in them. They are so concerned with not getting sued and protecting their asses that they lose sight on all of the psychological damage they impose on children by freaking out over everything.
Let kids be kids…I don’t get why this is so hard.
If an 8 year old draws a picture of a crucifix in a cup of urine- does he get sent to counseling ?
I also wonder what would happen if this kid drew this picture at one of the cities parochial schools.