Does common sense still exist in America?

Does common sense exist in our public schools?

Is there respect for those serving in our military?

A Copperas Cove High School sophomore was suspended for receiving a 2 minute call from his father in Iraq.

The following is taken from the Austin News, KXAN.com:

“”He called me during class, because that’s the only time that he could,” said Brandon Hill, suspended for using a cell phone. “I answered the call as I was walking out of class. The teacher followed me out and said, ‘Oh what are you doing?’ I said my dad was calling from Iraq, and I know he needs to talk to me.””

“Yet Pat Hill said before her husband left for Iraq, he made a special arrangement with the assistant principal.

“He had spoken with Mr. Fletcher,” said Pat Hill. “He thought there was an agreement understood that if he called either Joshua or Brandon at school, that everything was fine.

Brandon Hill was sent to the office and suspended for two days for answering his father’s call.”

The have been many responses to this ridiculous action on the part of the school:

“TV 04-15-2008 09:33:26
Copperas Cove administration should be ashamed of themselves. If a parent is serving in a war zone and they call to speak to their child it is beyond words that a school would prohibit a call from that parent! What is happening to this country?!?”

” Central Austin 04-15-2008 10:15:34
This could have been the last call from his father. The poor man has a family over here, and whatever the situation he should be able to talk to his family whenever he needs to talk to them. It could have been possible that this was the only time he had available to talk to his son. The schools should let the kids talk to their parents that are in the military and are so far away. That is correct, how can we say that “We support our Troops.””

” Round rock 04-15-2008 11:50:14
As *******ter of a soldier in Iraq, I am very dissapointed in the way the school is handling this situation. The child is not at fault in any way and should not have been suspended. Any phone call from a parent in Iraq should be honored and accepted by the school and the student without any acception. Being that the parent is in harms way on the war zone. That could be the very last phone call they would make at any time. The soldiers arent guaranteed a next minute or second. When they call family there should be no question wether to allow the call or not. Remember this , because of these soldiers fighting every second of the day, we are able to do what we do every day. These military children make sacrifices being away from mom or dad every day. The other children get to see there parents every day military children do not. ”

“CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL DIRECTLY 04-15-2008 14:56:05
THIS IS THE EMAIL FOR THE PRINCIPAL AT CCHS:

Dr. Carol Saxenian–saxenianc@ccisd.com

PERHAPS IF ENOUGH PEOPLE CONTACT HER DIRECTLY AND DEMAND THAT ANY RECORD OF THE SUSPENSION BE ERASED, IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT.

THANK YOU TO SGT. HILL FOR FIGHTING EVERYDAY FOR US.

MILITARY FAMILIES DESERVE OUR SUPPORT. SHAME ON THE TEACHER AND PRINCPALS WHO SUSPENDED THIS BOY. HOW DARE THEY…”

” Citizen Wells 04-18-2008 11:01:42
What a bunch of idiots!
(You may quote me)
What has happened to common sense?
Come on people of Texas. March on the school
and rattle some cages.
I know you can handle it, if not we will
march from NC. If these so called educators
can’t apply some common sense, they should
be fired.”

Read the entire article and responses here:

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=8165144&rnd=697.4495620372136