Dad calls from Iraq, son gets suspended

Eugene, while everyone is entitled to an opinion, it's obvious to me that you are not a parent because you don't understand the fundamental child-to-school relationship. Schools are not in the business of determining what is best for our children. Their job is to educate......period, end of story! In a socialistic society, you would be absolutely correct: the school system would be in charge of the children's welfare. I thank God that we haven't declined to that level! I do agree that children should not be permitted to use their cell phones during class time UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES because it's disruptive and disrespectful; however, the article points out that both of the sons in this particular family had permission from the assistant principal DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES to receive phone calls from their deployed father. At the end of the day, this boils down to a school administration who has chosen to express its anti-war sentiment by depriving the rights of two students to speak with the father. The school system clearly reneged on a previously agreed-on arrangement. The boys' mother is absolutely correct, and I hope she keeps the fight alive because this situation is completely ludicrous.

If it's true that the Assistant Principle had already approved the call, then it's time for that person to step up and bat for the child. Get that suspension removed from the child's records and get thier heads out of the backsides. Let's think about all the sacrificing this father has done for our freedoms.

This action seems like overkill especially if advance arrangements had been made.. Even without prior arrangements, the school could have inpoes a much less penalty.. In my day, for such a penalty, it would have been staying after school and dusting erasers.

My grandson also was punished in a Texas school because his grandfather called (who lives in another time zone--it was a holiday where he lives). His phone was on vibrate and he did not answer the call. The teacher heard the phone vibrate and the student was punished for GETTING a call--he didn't even answer it!

Everyone is in entitled to their opinion that's what makes our country so great but for you to feel the school was right in suspending this boy. You are totally wrong. See how you would feel in a position like this where your Dad was in a war zone and the only time he could talk to you was when you were in school. The school should be held accountable for being so unfeeling. I guess they don't teach compassion in this Texas school.
Shame on you.

The school principal should be sent to iraq on the front lines and not be allowed to use a phone or have paper and stamps to use to communicate with his family and the idiot teacher too who totally disregarded what the boy told her when he said he was "talking to his father in iraq". then lets see how they feel... i feel sorry for this family.... and its teachers like these IDIOT UNCARING,AND JUST DOWNRIGHT STUPID ones that make the children feel badly if it were me id go to the school and slap some damn sense into them both!! going to jail would seem so much better for a reason like that lol

and to the tard that said what makes them so special?? are you stupid? would you want your child to be treated this way if your family member tried to call them and your child got in trouble at school. im sure the member of your family that is in the service wouldnt agree with you and if they do then you both are idiots and deserve whatever traumas happen in your lives what makes them so special who cares if he was in school and got the phone call that child has every right to speak with his father anytime of day or night i would tell him to leave a state test to talk to his deployed parent!!!! nothing is more important than people and your family knowing you love them!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry?
This is complete BS! My father is in the Navy and you have no idea how important it is to receive those phone calls, when you don't know where or how your dad is doing. I couldn't count the number of times I have walked out of class or my job to talk to him. This school needs to realize that what they're doing is immoral. Any other conversation is fine, but this boy's dad is risking his life to serve our country. And the kid has every right to talk to his dad. Every official at that school should respect this.

IT'S APPARENT THAT YOU NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY. IT'S ALL APPARENT YOU ARE SOME KIND OF NUT CASE!

The earth is flat too, Eugene !

Last I knew joining the military is a choice. Don't get me wrong, I am very supportive of our military and am greatful this country has men and women willing to fight for our rights. It is a choice though. So, if I were a salesman relocated to Europe, or a truck driver traveling across the country, should I too be permitted to call my children while they are at school? It's the only time I can call.

Well eugene I certainly wished we could have you serve immediately in Iraq or anywhere we are losing our loved ones. I hope you have someone serving so you know that you can't pick up a phone whenever and call your children or parent and that you may finish that call at it be your last. Have you checked the news lately, there are over 4,000 dead servicemen who I bet would loved to have talked to someone at home, whether it be in school, in the middle of an important conference or sitting with a friend just one last time. You really don't get it.
Sign me.......A Marine Mom

So sorry Eugene. So many of the comments have been directed at YOU. Your satire seems to be above many on this board. They don't seem to understand that you are mocking the school system and not the son and father.

My Son, who is a Corporal in the Marines, served two tours in Iraq. I can tell you from experience, when you get a call, no matter where or when, you take the call. You try to be as descrete as you can,but sometimes the calls come at times when it maybe inconvient for others. He was on his way out of class. Let it go. There were times when we went several weeks without being able to hear from him. The phones would go down. No internet access was also a common problem. There is an 11 hour time difference from there to the pacific coast, so sometimes calls need to come in when we are in the middle of our work or school days. I would get calls at work and I would decretely excuse myself and go outside so we could talk. Nothing nor no one would have been able to stop me from taking my sons, my daughter or any family member that I had serving our country in WAR. Oh that is right Teachers, Bosses whomever, WE ARE AT WAR! Give us a break. Those calls are so important to us. Do you think This young man would have been worth a shit as far as concentration for the rest of the day or even weeks untill his father was able to get ahold of him again? I don't think so. How would you feel if God forbid something happened to his dad and that was the last call he was able to make? Ease up on the familys that are here at home stressing every day waiting for that call to hear those precious voices.

Everyone is missing the point. I k now the call was important. Students are not allowed to use phones during school hours. Arrengements should have been made for the son to receive the call. This could have been done in the main office. School have rule to help keep order. The school made the right call.

You are absolutely correct.....They are all idiots. No wonder our kids are getting failing marks in comparison to kids around the globe.

Forgive me LORD but Eugene is an I-D-10-T!!! When the next shipment of troops are to be sent out, how bout we send you Eugene and ALL of the others that feel just like you to Iraq! GOD help you Eugene because you really, really need it...

This is an exaple where the a school's adminisration has there head in a dark place. If the school felt it was inappropriate at the time his dad got preapproval it should never been granted. The school is taking a "do over" attitude. The school needs to pull their head out of their azz. The father went through the proper channels before to not create the situation it has become. The school administrator need the suspension, and the kids suspension revoked.

you are an idiot

Wow. I guess you don't care that this boy's father is fighting for you and your country.