There are punishments in school, and then there are punishments in school.
I can vividly remember being made to face the wall for 20 minutes when I’d been caught talking out of turn. I can also recall having to sit on the floor because I wouldn’t stop swinging on my chair.
Different teachers use different methods of admonishing students, with most of them ensuring that children learn their lesson without coming anywhere near close to sustaining lasting trauma. Unfortunately for a group of parents in a Texas town, their children weren’t so lucky.
Nancy Gonzales knew something was wrong the moment her 11-year-old daughter returned from school. After inspecting her hands, she realised she had to take action.
When Nancy’s 11-year-old daughter, Michelle, came home from school, she had painful marks on the palms of her hands. When Nancy quizzed her as to their origin, the response she got was one that truly shocked her. What’s more, she was far from the only parent to feel concern – there was certainly something awry going on Florence Middle School.
According to reports, two substitute physical education teachers had got their kids to engage in bear crawls. The exercise, which athletes use to build strength and agility, involves crawling around on all fours, without the use of your knees.
That in itself might have been fine – bear crawls alone aren’t any more dangerous than, say, push-ups, or squats. However, on that particular day, students were penalised by having to do their bear crawls on burning hot asphalt, and for a prolonged period of time.
Apparently, the teachers allegedly told the students that it would show them “respect”, with Police Chief Adam Marsh admitting child protective services had been called to investigate the matter since.
The injuries to some of the students were certainly severe. Some sustained infected sores and blisters, whilst others were left with bruises from exposure to the asphalt.
As per KXAN News, Florence Independent School District Superintendent Paul Michalewicz stated that the school officials were “extremely concerned” about the incident. An investigation into the matter has since been launched.
Watch more about how this bizarre story unfolded in the video below:
As we said before, punishments are well and good so long as they teach the children involved without leaving any lasting damage. Personally, I think the parents in this instance had every right to feel aggrieved! No one should send their children to school and have to worry over them being injured.
What do you think of the matter? Have your say in the comments box. Share this article if you believe schools should be a safe-zone!
