Marschand reports that the number of serious fights has gone down, while civility between students and teachers has increased. The idea originated when Mr. Hensley-Marschand noticed that every fight began with verbal assault. After a meeting of parents and faculty, the school established tougher penalties for profanity. For a first offense, students get a detention and a call to their parents, during which their language is repeated verbatim. Repeat offenders could face suspension.
Students rise to the occasion.
An openly homosexual teacher at Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School in Bakersfield, Calif., has filed discrimination complaints against the school superintendent and principal for allowing the removal of students from his class. The controversy began when teacher James Merrick publicly denounced a Kern County official who criticized homosexual behavior. When the school transferred several children out of his class at their parents' request, Merrick filed suit. To date, nine children have transferred. Family Research Council is located at 801 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.