Reason 303 to HomeSchool: Your Kid Won’t Freeze Walking to School
This is more proof that teachers and school administrators are not the smartest people in the school building. Principal Joanne Avella of Valley Central High School of Montgomery, New York is too stupid to tell the difference between a wooly neck scarf, which is used to keep kids warm on chilly mornings in New York, and MS-13 tattoos and red bandannas, which denote membership in gangs. Also, she seems to be confusing her quiet town with East Los Angeles.
When she saw a student wearing a scarf on the way into school, she went ballistic from hysteria and banned all scarves. Apparently, she had already banned jackets too out of fear of gangs, but admits that the town doesn’t have a gang problem. What a moron. From CBSTV here:
Some Orange County high school students are sticking their necks out to defy authority after the school board set a ban on scarves when a boy wore a scarf that was interpreted as a form of “gang paraphernalia.”
It seems like a ridiculous ruling with winter weather around the corner, but Valley Central High School aren’t kidding around. No neckwear, period. It all began last Thursday when a student wore a scarf to school. An administrator looked at the scarf and decided it was some kind of show of support for gangs.
“It’s the latest fashion trend, everyone is wearing them, it’s really in season,” added senior Brittney Ann Smith. “Other kids were wearing them to stay warm because we’re not allowed to wear jackets.”
School Board President Bob Santo said the sudden ban on all scarves may have been an “over reaction” and it’s being reviewed.
And in this ABC report here, Avella admits to the non-existence of gangs at the school, meaning she is reacting purely out of hysteria or the female principal’s desire for attention.
Valley Central’s first-year principal says the high school of 1,800 doesn’t have a gang problem. She says the rule is meant to send a message to gang wanna-bes.
“If I’m erring on the side of caution, I don’t apologize for that,” principal Joanne Avella said. “Because to me, safety and keeping, maintaining an atmosphere of academic learning is the most important thing in a school.”
Newsflash, dumbass. Engineering a controversey because of your innate stupidity is not good for the academic atmosphere, either. Admit your mistake and reverse your ruling. And for god’s sake, let the kids wear jackets.
Ahaha, you’re missing a few facts but this made me laugh.
We can wear the jackets to and from school, leaving and going and occasionally in gym when we go outside, we just can’t wear them in class because it’s ‘gang related’.
40+ kids, I believe, were suspended. Half of my friends were suspended for taking part in the scarf protest, but I don’t think they’re going through with that because they lifted the rule today. Now, Avella and the staff are the joke of the school.
If someone sees you wearing a scarf, they’re like ‘YOU’RE IN A GANG AREN’T YOU!?’
Erin, thanks for helping out with the facts. I tried to find out what the deal was with the jackets, but couldn’t find any information online. thanks for setting me straight on that.
And good for the school tha they lifted the retarded rule on the scarves. Now don’t stop. Get them to back down on the jackets too. Those teachers are there to teach. If they would concentrate on that and not on being the fashion police, things would improve greatly.
Wearing your baseball cap backwards should still be grounds for suspension though.
I went to Valley Central from Kindergarten until this year (my senior year), and now I am home schooled. When all of my friends told me about this, I just laughed. It’s the most ridiculous thing and I’m not surprised that they did this. I didn’t have the pleasure of having her as my principle, but she is being too cautious. And when she says that there is no gang activity, maybe she should actually look around the school. She’ll notice that every Wednesday a gang of Neo-Nazi skinheads walks around school with leather jackets and red suspenders. Its ridiculous, and people are gonna do stupid things or be in gangs whether or not they wear scarfs. My friend made shirts that he sold at the school that said, “Scarves don’t kill people…..Gangs kill People.” I am so glad I’m home schooled. I almost embarassed for m town.
You have your facts all wrong. you should find out the truth before you speak.
Fencer,
Thanks for the comment that offers nothing to the conversation. If you possess facts about this issue, please share them.
I would like to back up Fencer’s comment about getting the facts straight-It was the order of the SUPERINTENDENT to ban the scarves-NOT- and I reiterate-NOT the Principal’s call. This came from a higher level, and unfortuantely, when the situation spiraled out of control, the blame had to be put on someone and unfortunately, it was Ms. Avella. This is FACT and TRULY you should do some more research as you will see. It is NO WONDER this school will have had FIVE Principals before this class graduates. What does that say? It is evident that it could not possibly ALWAYS be the Principal’s fault considering it has been five different people, now going on its SIXTH for next year. WHAT school district has a new Principal every single year? PLEASE someone tell me! I am disgusted at the way our school system is run, especially considering my children will attend this school. WHY is it that NOBODY cares about the truth and will not dig deeper? Is it because gossip and heresay is more interesting? If you want the FACTS, look into the pending lawsuit as this is ALL fabrication! PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK before posting! And again, PLEASE tell me why there has been FIVE DIFFERENT Principals-a new one EVERY SINGLE YEAR? With TWO this year alone?? How can you defend that? Don’t you think the Superintendent has some explaining to do???
Jenna,
The article says it was the schoolboard that initiated the ban. But you know who told the student to remove the scarf? The principal. The schoolboard wasn’t at the school looking at students’ scarves- the principal was. And if you say that she was only doing her job and had no choice, then you are stupid too.
If the principal is too stupid to tell the difference between winter wear and gang symbols, then she should be fired. Stupid people don’t belong in school as administrators, PERIOD.
Five principals in just a few years? Not a shock to me. Seems like the school system is run by a bunch of morons. And you should consider homeschooling for your children.
Yes it was the principal telling the students to take off the scarves. Sad part about the whole thing is that she was fired a few months ago for the incident. I guess it’s karma, though. Sometimes you give people power and they go crazy with it.
NO, it was not the Principal. There is a lawsuit and once everything is said and done-you will see. A Principal does NOT make a call like that without the command from the higher up (Superintendent). THIS school board is corrupt and that is why they can not keep a Principal for more than a year. Please open your eyes. Once this incident made news, the Principal was the “scapegoat” for the Superintendent.