Ohio Christian School Tells Student To Skip Prom

[rachael]

[url="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_re_us/us_school_dance_flap"]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_...hool_dance_flap[/url]

FINDLAY, Ohio – A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.

Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.

Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.

"I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid," Frost said. "I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end."

England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.

"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.

The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music "is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people's hearts and minds."

England said Frost's family should not be surprised by the school's position.

"For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous," he said. "It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to."

The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School's view of prom.

"I don't see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts," Craig Kupferberg said.

[Brother Adam]

As a former fundamentalist I find no fault in the schools position or actions. They did not hide the rules or deceive the student in their expectations. He signed an agreement with the school and the family will have to deal with the consequences if he attends the dance. We were not allowed to have dancing or any alcohol at our wedding. Much of the dancing and music at our public schools prom was down right sexual and I would not want my kids going either.

[Theoketos]

Most proms are over the top immoral.

[CatherineM]

My mom's Baptist pastor showed up at her public high school prom in 1938 and started taking names. She said she never stepped foot in a Baptist church again after that except for funerals. Back then, I guess it was the Jitterbug.

If the kid signed a contract, agreeing to the rules, and knows what the consequences are, then he has no right to either complain, nor make it public. Using public pressure to change a rule he agreed to is just like a three year old throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of Walmart.

[Theoketos]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1861802' date='May 8 2009, 01:14 PM']. Using public pressure to change a rule he agreed to is just like a three year old throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of Walmart.[/quote]


Very Apt!

BTW that earns my lil one a time out too!

[Apotheoun]

Frost's family made a choice when they sent him to that school, and they should abide by the rules of that institution.

[Archaeology cat]

I have no problem with the school making said rules (whether I agree with the rules themselves is irrelevant; they have the right to make these rules and they aren't damaging in any way), and the kid did sign an agreement. Just seems odd that the principal would sign the form at all if there were going to be these consequences.

[cmotherofpirl]

I think that depends on the school, not all proms are terrible events. Prom night in our town is a big event, the students assemble in the high school, come out and are introduced with their date to the crowd of parents, grandparents, well-wishers, family, friends etc and actually promenade over to the parking lots. There is a dress code which is enforced and there are parental and teacher chaperones. After the procession and the endless picture taking, they drive their own cars as a group to the docks where they board one of the big paddle-wheelers for a cruise to Pittsburgh. There is no alcohol on board.

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' post='1861810' date='May 8 2009, 02:24 PM']I have no problem with the school making said rules (whether I agree with the rules themselves is irrelevant; they have the right to make these rules and they aren't damaging in any way), and the kid did sign an agreement. Just seems odd that the principal would sign the form at all if there were going to be these consequences.[/quote]

Yeah, I wonder about the wording of the contract, though. Are the kids supposed to swear off that stuff completely for their 4 years of school (whether they be at home, school, or anywhere else) or does the wording imply that it only applies to school grounds? If the former then he should abide by what he agreed to, but if it's the latter I think the school is overstepping their bounds of authority.

[cmotherofpirl]

The devil is always in the details...

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1861813' date='May 8 2009, 06:30 PM']Yeah, I wonder about the wording of the contract, though. Are the kids supposed to swear off that stuff completely for their 4 years of school (whether they be at home, school, or anywhere else) or does the wording imply that it only applies to school grounds? If the former then he should abide by what he agreed to, but if it's the latter I think the school is overstepping their bounds of authority.[/quote]
Yes, that's a good point. I know one of the schools to which I applied to sub, I would have had to have signed a contract that I wouldn't drink or smoke in public. Ever. In my own home OK. I wonder if this was the same type of thing. (BTW, I didn't sign the contract for that school, because I knew I wouldn't agree to never have a drink in public and because I would have had to affirm that the Bible is only 66 books ).

[Paddington]

The story reminded me of this.

[url="http://www.catholicapologetics.info/morality/general/dancing.htm"]http://www.catholicapologetics.info/morali...ral/dancing.htm[/url]

[whatsup]

Its the over-the-top reaction to this that causes problems.

poor kid, he's never been to a dance.

Well...that is too bad..../scarcsm

I really am irratated by what mainstream calls normal.

On the other hand with all the "thou-shall-nots" in this school I'm surprized that people aren't calling it a cult.

And that they knock "mainstream" rock. Which means they probably allow the kids to listen to chrstian rock. And in that case if its the "music" and the "beat" there IS no ontological difference.

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' post='1861819' date='May 8 2009, 02:35 PM']Yes, that's a good point. I know one of the schools to which I applied to sub, I would have had to have signed a contract that I wouldn't drink or smoke in public. Ever. In my own home OK. I wonder if this was the same type of thing. (BTW, I didn't sign the contract for that school, because I knew I wouldn't agree to never have a drink in public and because I would have had to affirm that the Bible is only 66 books ).[/quote]

I wouldn't have signed, either.

[BG45]

Good old Gateway Clipper!

Anyhow, as to the OP...he signed the agreement. I find it silly, but he signed an agreement. Mom, when she was my age, helped out with the youth group at our former Baptist church. This was long before the contemporary services being held there now, and she was going to have some dancing at one event.

The Deacon Board sent her a cease and desist letter on the dancing, and then sent members of their group to monitor the event to make sure none of the Devil's dancing occurred. Good old late 60s early 70s Baptist thought I guess.