Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Charlotte Robinson: LISTEN: How Gay And Lesbian Couples Become…
New Turnaround Teacher 'Trying To Get It Right' In Tough School
Sweet Tooth Gets Girl, 10, a Week of Detention
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
Not so Jolly Rancher? Having a sweet tooth is a punishable offense in one Texas school. Credit: Lin Pernille, Flickr
Officials at a Texas elementary school brought out the big guns when they discovered a third-grader was carrying contraband -- contraband candy, that is.
FoxNews.com reports that Leighann Adair, 10, was caught by her teacher with an unopened piece of Jolly Rancher candy and was slapped with what some are calling a draconian punishment: a week's worth of detention during lunch and recess. She and the girl who gave her the candy also had to write essays on what they did and why it was wrong.
"It's an extreme punishment for something so small," Michael Brazda, Leighann's stepfather, tells FOXNews.com.
Her parents pleaded for leniency, the news station reports, but were rebuffed by officials at Brazos Elementary School in Orchard, Texas, who said they must adhere to their strict no-candy policy or risk a sticky mess. School superintendent Jack Ellis went so far as to say that Adair's crime also violated Texas guidelines about limiting the amount of junk food in schools.
However, the state begs to differ and felt compelled to set the record straight. Officials from the Texas Department of Agriculture reminded school leaders in a letter that state policy does not lay out severe punishments for carrying verboten sweets.
"Our policy does not prohibit from sharing a Jolly Rancher with a friend," spokesperson Bryan Black tells FOXNews.com. "If a parent wants to pack candy, it's their decision, not against school policy. A parent needs to decide what a student eats."
Leighann's mom, Amber Brazda, wants to know if the school plans on bringing in "candy-sniffing dogs," and says she is more than a little perturbed by this turn of events.
"I will put her in a private school if I have to," she tells the website.
Related: Snacking Shocker: Kids Prefer Cheetos to Carrots
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Back to School/Texas Style
Taryn Brooks and Jane Aldridge of "Sea of Shoes" take us on a shopping vintage clothing shopping spree to show us how to mix and match. At the end of their journey viewers get an inside look into their photo shoot where they showcase their findings!
-
How Energy Efficiency Policy Helps Schools in Crisis - Audrey Parker
In Chapter 7 of 15, consultant Audrey Parker learns to be resourceful after her New Orleans energy efficiency project is halted by Hurricane Katrina.
-
The New London School Explosion
In this video, learn about the explosion that took place in the New London School, In Texas.
-
How Energy Efficiency Programs Save Schools Money - Audrey Parker
In Chapter 6 of 15, Audrey Parker helps schools save money by creating and implementing energy efficiency policy, communications, and programs to Texas schools.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 5 of 28)
5-13-2010 @ 5:12AM
LasVegasX said...That would be Texas, Nancy. Through my entire life, I've met alot of people from Texas, however, only 5% percent of those people had decent attitudes. The other 95% had their "my **** doesn't stink" attitude which is the main reason why I am discouraged from ever taking a vacation or trip to Texas. Yeah, my homestate of Nevada isn't perfect, but we don't feel that we are better than everyone.
5-13-2010 @ 7:59AM
kya said...READ THE ARTICAL OR GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND LEARN HOW TO READ!
5-13-2010 @ 8:10AM
Melissa said...It's the kind Hitler had in Germany,only they got the privilage of breatheing a deadly gas,instead of eatting candy. Way to go Texas,remind me to never vacation there again!!
5-12-2010 @ 11:44PM
Amy said...i have always had a candy drawer in my home and guess what...my child is not too interested in candy and is rather on the slim side
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:09AM
kitkatandjrsmom said...This is utterly stupid!!! The schools are just going to far with crazy shit and letting things such as being a bully go unpunished. If this was my child I would be suing the hell out of that school system!!!
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:13AM
P.J. said...Hmm, in parochial school in the mid-40s, had to kneel on the concrete floor and had the back of my hand beaten with a ruler for repeating a compliment my mother gave me....said I was "boasting."
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:15AM
mark young said...You have the right to comply, if you fail to use that right, life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will be suspended.
God (oops0 GOP)
(I love my county, but I gear my Government)
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:15AM
Hushpuppy34 said...Oh Goody the days of George Orwell are here (1984) Now the government punishes us if we eat what they don't approve of.
State and Federal Government are getting to the point of controlling
almost every part of our lives.If the school has rules regarding
eating in class a 1/2 hour's stay after school and notifying the parents should have been enough.
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:23AM
Scott said...If the policy was put forth before the incident occured and the little girl broke the policy, then she was warned before hand. If she wasn't aware that the infraction would come with such a harsh penatly, then they should be lenient this time, and make sure the students are aware of the policy the next time. Children do need to learn rules, even rules that aren't set by their parents. Because when they get out in the real world, they will need to know that there parents aren't always there to make it better.
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:27AM
rob said...the texas law does not (i repeat) does not cover what a student brings with them to school it only covers what the school itself provides to the students, the law requires schools to serve healthier food and snacks and does not limit what the student can eat if they bring it themselves. people who comment on this law should really find out what there talking about first.
Reply
5-14-2010 @ 1:57PM
cal dave said...ROB.THINK YOU I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE WOULD BRING THAT UP.WHY TO GO.
5-13-2010 @ 6:32AM
brooks said...its a good thing! have you seen some of the obese children
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:51AM
JayJay said...Yeah brooks, it is ok to take a piece of candy from a child. God forbid they have a piece of candy, because they might become obeese. You dam retard, one piece of candy and the child is headed to be a porker? Get a life! You are probably a porker yourself.
5-13-2010 @ 7:31AM
Tina said...Brooks, I guess they should take away trick or treating too...huh? Kids eat candy.....fat kids, skinny kids...they all do......and you did too. We were all kids once and no one took our candy away. The fact is, we all live and we all die (one way or the other) and we only get one childhood. They could have taken it away from or told her to put it away until she got home but instead they punished her like she's some unruly child. Kids are beating the crap out of each other and video taping this crap. Bringing guns and drugs to school. Pick your battles. I would rather deal with a fat happy kid than some of the alternatives.
5-13-2010 @ 6:33AM
carl said...Poor kid,just totally outrageous.I thought this was America.
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 6:54AM
karmabottle said...Yes, lady. Please put your child in a private school! That will be a big favor to those of us who realize that once rules are set, they are set for everyone---not the rest of the kids minus your daughter.
Agree or not, fair or not, is not the issue. Life isn't always fair. The issue is that your child brought items to school that are not allowed. Why don't you teach her about knowing and following the rules that an institution has set? That will be a bigger favor in the long run.
Reply
5-13-2010 @ 7:12AM
ann said...Actually, if you read the article properly you would see the other girl who had to write the essays about why what she did was wrong, GAVE this girl the candy. The article stated the candy was unopened, meaning she did NOT eat it. SO....if the rule is that you cannot eat candy at school, what rule did she break? I also think you have to factor in that she is a 3rd grader...so shes maybe 8 or 9? 8 & 9 yr old kids cannot possibly remember every single rule every single day..but, the punishment should fit the crime. I dont think the girl deserved a week of detention over an unopened piece of candy and I dont blame her parents for being pissed about it.
Also, what about kids who are diabetic and may need to keep a piece of candy on hand for emergency situations? I had problems with my blood sugar dropping too low when I was in school and needed to carry a piece of candy to eat if I ran into trouble. Im not diabetic so I dont take medications to regulate my blood sugar..I am however hypoglycemic.
5-13-2010 @ 7:44AM
Tina said...karmabottle: Put a lid on it! I don't care how many "no candy" rules you set.....kids are going to eat it. She got it from a friend, she didn't bring it (read the article before you open your trap) and naturally.....as with any kid.....she took it. She's not some renegade outlaw out to destroy Texas and break all the rules. She's a 10 yr old kid who did exactly the same thing that your kid would have done, she took the candy.......and don't pretend like your precious, law abiding , non rule breaking baby wouldn't have.....because they all will. IT'S CANDY!!!
5-13-2010 @ 8:32AM
emma said...SAID PERFECTLY!
5-13-2010 @ 3:37PM
Raindropo42o said...karmabottle
Actually her daughter didn't bring anything not allowed at school. It even says that in the article. It is the parents choice what there kids eat and do not eat anyway. Also its the schools that can get in trouble for selling junk stuff like soda and candy. Not that it matters some schools still sell stuff that's super unhealthy.