I have not been a big fan of charter schools but we have them now and there's nothing we can do. That being said, "All power in place is allowed by God. I support the power in place." Let's make the best of a bad situation. Principal Carl Weathers and the Memphis Academy Of Health Sciences (MAHS) has been under scrutiny lately concerning some of their discipline methods.Something like this is exactly what I would expect to happen sooner or later. The schools acceptance and impact in the community are largely dependent on the Principal's popularity among the student's parents. This school often plays the role of the surrogate father and the only form of structure in some of these children's lives. I would take an educated guess and say sixty percent of these children if not more,come from single parent homes. It's no wonder that the school and principal's most vocal supporters are women who didn't know what they were going to do before this school came along. They had growing young men and women of which they were losing or had already lost control. They speak of a strong make presence at the school which I don't doubt. Those actively involved fathers are mainly excited about the improved grades their children are getting. I don't think the school's policies are abusive though maybe not mainstream. It's like when the stepfather steps in and disciplines his new wife's child. Outsiders and family members are often critical of what needs to be done.
Memphis Academy for Health Sciences is a PUBLICLY FUNDED Charter School that Physically Punishes (paddles/hand whips with leather straps) Middle/High School students in front of all of the assembled students WEEKLY during "Chapel" as a DETERRENT! This form of public humiliation and physical, psychological and emotional harm is happening to minor children in 21st century learning environments! The administrators and faculty are arrogant and cite Tennessee State Laws that allow "REASONABLE" Corporal Punishment (the deliberate infliction of physical pain and suffering intended to punish)schoolchildren to maintain order in schools. 29 states have ABOLISHED Corporal Punishment of Children in Schools, making it ILLEGAL! U.S. government must take immediate action to ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO SAFE AND HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS IN SCHOOLS AS PROVIDED BY CITIZEN TAX DOLLARS! The faculty and administrators at MAHS must be held accountable for criminal and civil penalties as provided by law.
ReplyDeleteIf I thought these children were being abused I'd be the first to complain, but I don't think that's the case. I don't care if 49 states have abolished corporal punishmrnt. I would prefer to live in the one state where it's legal.
ReplyDeleteIn any of those 29 states where corporal punishment has been banned, how have conditions improved? To the contrary I bet they have declined. I don't condone ruling with an iron fist, but sometimes nothing takes the place of a good old fashioned whipping.
Group protests Memphis Academy of Health Sciences policy
ReplyDeleteCalls for end to charter school's use of spanking as disciplinary 'strategy'
By Jane Roberts (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Monday, April 13, 2009
Memphis Academy of Health Sciences is under fire from a national group for spanking students and doing it in public.
The Hitting Stops Here!, a California-based nonprofit, picketed the school at 3925 Chelsea Extended the last two weeks in what has amounted to a one-woman crusade.
Talking back to teachers or others in authority is grounds for punishment. So is fighting, displaying gang-like behavior or wearing sagging pants.
Spanking has been part of MAHS's strategy since the school opened in 2003, said principal Curtis Weathers. Parents must sign a contract before their children are admitted.
"This is nothing that we are ashamed of," Weathers said. "It's very effective for us as a strategy for avoiding certain conducts."
Last Tuesday, Paula Flowe, director of the nonprofit, planned to block the entrance to the school at 7 a.m. The protest and another event scheduled for Wednesday were called off when TV cameras did not show up, she said.
Males are paddled with a wooden paddle; girls are given lashes to the fingers with a leather strap. They are also paddled by a female assistant.
Flowe wants parents to know "there are other ways to treat children without beating the tar out of them."
Much of the discipline is meted out in public assemblies held once a week for each grade. Each grade has 80-90 students.
MAHS is the only charter school in Memphis that uses corporal punishment, according to the Tennessee Charter School Association. Memphis City Schools banned spanking and other forms of corporal punishment in 2005.
While board member Dr. Scott Morris does not condone corporal punishment, "you would have to prove to me in a way that would shock me that Mr. Weathers would allow abuse of children to go on in this school."
Flowe says the punishment and the way it is administered is a "slave tactic," designed to intimidate black people by a show of force.
The student body is African-American.
"I am 100 percent in support of everything that goes on here," said Tomeka Granger, whose daughter was kicked off the school's basketball team by the coach for not making good enough grades.
"This kind of discipline actually makes our jobs easier," said Renee Williams, another mother who said her son's grades have "skyrocketed" since he joined the school.
"If I don't say something then I'm letting others downgrade my school," she said. "I love it, and I like the environment."
Weathers said the charges are exaggerated and parents are humiliated by what the group is saying about them.
"Our parents are very much aware of our disciplinary policies and procedures," he said. "It's one of the first things we tell them. If they don't like the environment, they have a right to leave the school."
Antonius Hart withdrew his son several weeks ago when he found out the boy had been paddled nearly every week since school started, he said.
"He was paddled and suspended, which amounts to double jeopardy," he said. "And then the principal sent a text message to my son telling him he needed to make arrangements to withdraw. Why is he sending a message like that to my son? Why didn't he call me?"
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