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Principal forces student with Down syndrome to remove high school letter jacket
Posted on 3/28/15 at 7:34 pm
Posted on 3/28/15 at 7:34 pm
Michael Kelly is a high school student who plays on Wichita East’s special needs basketball team. His mother bought Kelly a letter jacket and a varsity letter to show his participation. But when Kelly, who has Down syndrome and autism, wore the jacket to school, he was forced to remove it and put on a sweatshirt instead.
Why?
According to school principal Ken Thiessen, it’s because Kelly isn’t actually on the varsity team.
“Teachers told the parents they would prefer he not wear the letter on his jacket,” Thiessen told KSN TV adding that he would not allow special needs teams to have letters. “We have considered it, and our decision was no. We decided that it is not appropriate in our situation because it is not a varsity level competition.”
There isn’t a district policy prohibiting Wichita East from giving letters to special needs athletes. According to the KSN report, district athletic director J. Means told the Kelly family that when he oversaw athletics at Wichita Northwest, he allowed letters for special needs students.
“It’s not just my son, It’s every student that was out there last night,” Michael’s mother Jolinda Kelly said. “It’s every student that is there on Fridays, that plays their hardest.”
Update: A Change.org petition asking Wichita East to allow special needs students to letter has over 10,000 signatures.
Use some common fricking sense, school official.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 7:37 pm to Stacked
I bet that principal has use the word retarded a lot over the past few days. In private discourse, of course.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 7:46 pm to JEAUXBLEAUX
If I'm the Varsity basketball coach, this kid would be on my team the minute the principal gave the reason of him not actually being on the varsity team. It's a shame anyone would have a problem with this in the first place though.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 8:29 pm to Stacked
quote:
If I'm the Varsity basketball coach, this kid would be on my team the minute the principal gave the reason of him not actually being on the varsity team. It's a shame anyone would have a problem with this in the first place though.
Yes.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:02 pm to Stacked
I have mixed feelings on this. It's a silly thing fir the school to take a stand on. But the mom should have checked first, and I don't think running to the news station is the natural reaction.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:06 pm to Stacked
quote:
If I'm the Varsity basketball coach, this kid would be on my team the minute the principal gave the reason of him not actually being on the varsity team. It's a shame anyone would have a problem with this in the first place though.
Exactly
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:06 pm to Stacked
Sadly, it all stemmed from another parent complaining about it. Like it devalues the letter her own son received, because apparently a high school varsity letter is like the Holy Grail.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:08 pm to BluegrassBelle
Why not just give him a different letter?
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:19 pm to Rebelgator
quote:What, like an R?
Why not just give him a different letter?
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:21 pm to Rebelgator
Preceded by a D of course. Don't want any confusion.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:26 pm to InVolNerable
Nah, soccer players are basically functioning retards.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:28 pm to Stacked
Why do you even bring this shite here?
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:28 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
Sadly, it all stemmed from another parent complaining about it.
Seriously?
That parent us piece of shite, can't wait till they meet Eric Berry coming over the middle.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:29 pm to Stonehog
Sorry the mean people made you take your jacket off.
Posted on 3/28/15 at 11:34 pm to Stonehog
Nah, otherwise I wouldn't have to jab your mom in the stomach so often. Just to be sure, ya know.
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