First-Grader Suspended Because Mom Wouldn't Spank Him
UPDATED: 9:51 am EST March 7, 2005
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SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- The mother of a 6-year-old boy who attended Schaumburg Christian School in Illinois said school officials suspended him from first grade Wednesday because she refused to spank him for disciplinary reasons.
Michelle Fallaw-Gabrielson said she was called to the school because her son, Chandler, was talking too much in class, chewing gum and bringing toys to school."The administrator ... called me outside her office and said that it needed to be handled. I said, 'OK, when I take him home, I'll use my form of discipline,' and she said, 'No, either you go inside my office and spank him, or I am suspending him from school for a day,'" Fallaw-Gabrielson said."At that point, my eyes filled with tears and I said, 'I guess he's just suspended for the day,'" she said.Fallaw-Gabrielson said she withdrew Chandler from the school the next day.School officials defended the decision because parent-administered corporal punishment is clearly outlined in the school guidelines; something that parents must sign off on. "I bring it to their attention because I want them to know about this before I enroll their child. I tell them that if their child ever gets in this position that they have an option. They do not have to spank -- it's their choice," school administrator Randy Thaxton said.Fallaw-Gabrielson said she did not sign the agreement because she does not believe in spanking. She said she will home school Chandler for the rest of the school year and enroll him in an Aurora, Ill., school after the summer. "I put my son there for academic reasons, for moral structure. I didn't put my son there to be told I had to enforce corporal punishment on him," Fallaw-Gabrielson said.The school's policy is highly unusual, but experts say it's legal. Illinois law bans corporal punishment in public schools, but the law doesn't apply to private schools.
Images: Mother Defends Decision Michelle Fallaw-Gabrielson said she was called to the school because her son, Chandler, was talking too much in class, chewing gum and bringing toys to school."The administrator ... called me outside her office and said that it needed to be handled. I said, 'OK, when I take him home, I'll use my form of discipline,' and she said, 'No, either you go inside my office and spank him, or I am suspending him from school for a day,'" Fallaw-Gabrielson said."At that point, my eyes filled with tears and I said, 'I guess he's just suspended for the day,'" she said.Fallaw-Gabrielson said she withdrew Chandler from the school the next day.School officials defended the decision because parent-administered corporal punishment is clearly outlined in the school guidelines; something that parents must sign off on. "I bring it to their attention because I want them to know about this before I enroll their child. I tell them that if their child ever gets in this position that they have an option. They do not have to spank -- it's their choice," school administrator Randy Thaxton said.Fallaw-Gabrielson said she did not sign the agreement because she does not believe in spanking. She said she will home school Chandler for the rest of the school year and enroll him in an Aurora, Ill., school after the summer. "I put my son there for academic reasons, for moral structure. I didn't put my son there to be told I had to enforce corporal punishment on him," Fallaw-Gabrielson said.The school's policy is highly unusual, but experts say it's legal. Illinois law bans corporal punishment in public schools, but the law doesn't apply to private schools.
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