Update on Nathan Warmak

[GlassMan]

AMEN! I hate lazy officials. Instead of dealing with the difficult, unruly students they decide to to give orders to the one who actually obeys rules because they feel it will give them less work.

[Sherry]

...I this case he was wrong but like I said I would not have attended this event if the kilt wasnt allowed and asked the principal to change the rules through reasoned debate and logic, if he wouldnt change his mind then the referees decision is final im afraid. I hate to think that this situation is affecting the education of these young people.

I think the Warmaks assumed that, since a kilt is legitimate formal wear (legitimate clothing, period), there would be no problem in Nathan's wearing his kilt to a dance. The vice-principal had already given an OK, so the principal's knee-jerk, uninformed reaction was quite a surprise. There was also no need to humiliate Nathan.

Regular classes have not been disrupted & continue as usual, as the issue hasn't been discussed in class.

Also bear in mind that, despite what a couple of British articles say, no one has sued & no one has gone to court. Friday's was a private meeting of school reps & the school's lawyer & the Warmaks & their lawyer. No legal action has been taken, the the two parties are trying to work out a fair policy to all.

Whether or not McClard apologizes for his rudeness to a student & his incredible display of ignorance is yet to be seen.

[davedove]

I would be very interested in what the school dress code said. It probably says something like "males shall wear long pants." If that is the case, the kilt would violate the dress code. Which means that the principal was within his rights to deny entry to the dance.

Now, if that were the case, I do feel it's time to update the dress code. And of course, any rudeness on the principal was unjustified.

[royce52]

I would be very interested in what the school dress code said. It probably says something like "males shall wear long pants." If that is the case, the kilt would violate the dress code. Which means that the principal was within his rights to deny entry to the dance.

Now, if that were the case, I do feel it's time to update the dress code. And of course, any rudeness on the principal was unjustified.

The version of the code that "escaped" into the wild makes no mention of specific items of attire, the Prinicple is hanging his case on a "cause disruption" clause. Bit of a wobbly nail, courts likely wouldn't uphold it on the grounds of being too vague. Hopefuly it gets resolved short of the courts.

The best victories ae the ones that leave the fewest dead bodies on the battle field.

Based on the prinicple that the victor is he who ends up in possision of the battlefield, the first time Nathan walks into a school function in a kilt, he is in possision of the battle field.

R

[kiltimabar]

In the UK the rules regarding Uniforms in schools has relaxed over the last decade, however so has discipline, head teachers are now bringing back uniforms to schools where discipline has broken down and in most cases discipline improves with the reintroduction of the uniform, young people are told that while they wear the uniform they are ambassedors for the school, and this prevents things like designer training shoes and other "status symbols" being brought on school premises. the number one thing that schools need is disciple, I know people have "rights" but they can only come when people realise thye have responsibilities, and Im not sure that crucifying the principal and haveing knee jerk reactions to his decisions will do this schools image or levels of discipline much good, its first and foremost a centre for learning not a fashion parade. As far as Im concerned the principals decision is final, right or wrong. I this case he was wrong but like I said I would not have attended this event if the kilt wasnt allowed and asked the principal to change the rules through reasoned debate and logic, if he wouldnt change his mind then the referees decision is final im afraid. I hate to think that this situation is affecting the education of these young people.

In the schools my daughter went to (my school experience is so remote in antiquity as to be irrelevant) it is the vice-principal who is responsible for discipline in the school. In this case the v/p had already cleared the kilt as acceptable attire, and it appears to me that the principal is out of line for over-reacting and not not backing up his v/p's previous ruling.

[royce52]

In the schools my daughter went to (my school experience is so remote in antiquity as to be irrelevant) it is the vice-principal who is responsible for discipline in the school. In this case the v/p had already cleared the kilt as acceptable attire, and it appears to me that the principal is out of line for over-reacting and not not backing up his v/p's previous ruling.

That would be my take on it. It rasies questions about McClard's qualities as a supervisior. Rule #1 of Supervision: Never undercut a subordinate in his/her area of responsibility without a really serious reason. (read imminent death or total disaster). And if you do have to overrule a subordinate, never do it in public except in an emergency.

R

[bubba]

McClard is just a bureacrat. He would be equally at home at the DMV as where he is. The main rule of the bureacrat is if it isn't specifically permitted the answer is always no. Now he's still in his comfort zone because he doesn't have to make the decision, the school board does and he's free to continue pushing paper.

[lcjones]

"is if it isn't specifically permitted the answer is always no"

hehehe ...

school_router#
school_router#config t
school_router(config)#access-list 101 deny kilt any any
school_router(config)#end
school_router#

[pmack]

We won in every aspect. Not only an apology but a change in the dress code policy and the school faculty has go through cultural training in order to recognize cultural attire. So it's a win all the way around.

[GlassMan]

We won in every aspect. Not only an apology but a change in the dress code policy and the school faculty has go through cultural training in order to recognize cultural attire. So it's a win all the way around.

YEAH!!! Three Cheers & a Might HUZZAH! :grin:

That is absolutely wonderful. It's heartening to hear that a good cause has won in the end.

Now, a question. Has Nathan received all the items he needs to really show off his kilt come the next big event? If not, what's he missing. I think a little congratulations present is in order.

And of course, I'll be raising a wee dram of Scotch in celebration.