Picket Fence Post

Most people who possess reason and rationality were outraged yesterday when they heard news reports quoting a father who said that a Massachusetts school sent his second grade son home from school and ordered him to have a psychological evaluation after he drew what officials deemed a “violent” sketch of Jesus on the cross after his class had been asked to draw something that reminded the students of Christmas.

Following a national media uproar and a demand from the city’s mayor for school officials to apologize for the incident, Taunton school officials have finally spoken up. (Took ‘em long enough. Maybe they should’ve returned reporters’ calls and this would’ve never happened.) School officials are saying that the dad isn’t telling the complete story, that the child wasn’t suspended and that the drawing in question that raised concerns among the school’s staff — not the one circulated in the media (and posted here on this blog yesterday) – had nothing to do with Christmas, according to the Boston Globe, quoting the school superintendent, Julie Hackett. The Globe reported:

“Hackett said the student, age 9, was never suspended and that neither he nor other students at the Maxham Elementary School were asked by the teacher to sketch something that reminded them of Christmas or any religious holiday, as the[Taunton Daily] Gazette and other media reported and the father suggested, although his story changed as he explained it.

. . . She said the drawing was seen as a potential cry for help when the student identified himself, rather than Jesus, on the cross, which prompted the teacher to alert the school’s principal and staff psychologist. As a result, the boy underwent a pscychological evaluation.

She declined to comment on the results of the evaluation or whether the teacher had reason to believe that the student was crying out for help. The boy’s father showed reporters a report indicating his son was not a threat to himself or others and could return to school.”

The sad thing is, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to believe that something like this could’ve occurred as originally reported. In school districts which take a no religion approach — as opposed to embracing and celebrating multiple faiths and cultural celebrations enjoyed by their student population so kids obtain a wider perspective — it wouldn’t be surprising to read that a student got into hot water for creating anything with a religious connotation.

Okay everybody, a few deep breaths now . . . onto the next scandal of the day. What should we complain about now? Tiger Woods? The fact that Friday Night Lights got no Golden Globe nominations? That my Christmas shopping’s not done yet?