DetentionSlip.org: Oregon

Anti-Tea Party Teacher Back in the Classroom

Jason Levin, a middle school teacher and political activist, is some hot water over his website "Crash the Tea Party". He wants people to infiltrate tea party rallies, and do some monkey wrenching.

Some parents are upset.. However, this is done on his own time, on a personal website. Being a teacher doesn't mean you forfeit your rights to free speech or to take part in the political process. Further, this guy is someone who is using new media to be politically active -- in my mind, the kind of guy I'd want teaching my kids how to use the internet.

They are also mad because he sent some tweets during school hours -- in my mind, this is a huge over reaction -- technology is here, teachers have lives outside of school, and we should be stoked to have our kids being instructed by folks who have a grasp of how to leverage the internet...

STORY: Anti-Tea Party Teacher Back in the Classroom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aphr.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/boston-tea-party-2007-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://aphr.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/boston-tea-party-2007-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jason Levin, a middle school teacher and political activist, is some hot water over his website "Crash the Tea Party". He wants people to infiltrate tea party rallies, and do some monkey wrenching.<br />
<br />
Some parents are upset.. However, this is done on his own time, on a personal website. Being a teacher doesn't mean you forfeit your rights to free speech or to take part in the political process. Further, this guy is someone who is using new media to be politically active -- in my mind, the kind of guy I'd want teaching my kids how to use the internet.<br />
<br />
They are also mad because he sent some tweets during school hours -- in my mind, this is a huge over reaction -- technology is here, teachers have lives outside of school, and we should be stoked to have our kids being instructed by folks who have a grasp of how to leverage the internet...<br />
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<b>STORY:</b> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/27/anti-tea-party-teacher-classroom/">Anti-Tea Party Teacher Back in the Classroom</a>

Meet T.J. Pluhacek, the Youngest iPad App Developer

Smells Like: entrepreneurship , Oregon

This kid is cooler than your kid. I love seeing stories of young entrepreneurs. I was consistently getting busted in elementary school for selling WarHeads and Cry Babys and finally switched to online software sales at the age of 10. The shit I could have done with an iPad back then. Congrats to TJ! How many schools out there are running scared to ban the iPad?

STORY: Meet T.J. Pluhacek, the Youngest iPad App Developer

Top 5 Reasons Schools are Closing This Week

Smells Like: animals , Connecticut , health , Massachusetts , Oregon , panic , Pennsylvania , safety , Texas , weird

As a kid, you always hoped that some unforeseen circumstance causes your school to close so you don't have to go to class. Below you'll see which students got their wish this week.

5. Boiler Room Fire: Woodstock elementary closes early after boiler room fire

4. "Strange Smell:" Hudson High closed because of 'strange smell'

3. Liquid Mercury Leak: Mercury Contamination Closes School

2. Bats!: Bat infestation at elementary school

1. Teacher Electrocuted: School Closes After Teacher Burned

We can only hope that whatever they did on their day off, that the school wasn't spying on them via laptop webcams!

<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.deleon-art.com"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441631490858838306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hRUDiIyOg0OwJhDsM4jxkXI8CFPpd39eKo_ORmbiAVtl9nRrQqtcKODMqpg1_HhPsCB7HkuLncajFjjkGm1_flDBIjjj8rLrUYjJnqpVK-GVo9gAcjktEIqmk6S8Wxi1b_WOwcl0q21d/s320/closed.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>As a kid, you always hoped that some unforeseen circumstance causes your school to close so you don't have to go to class. Below you'll see which students got their wish this week.<br /><br /><br />5. Boiler Room Fire: <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/02/woodstock_elementary_closes_ea.html">Woodstock elementary closes early after boiler room fire</a><br /><br />4. "Strange Smell:" <a class="url entry-title" href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x1650249180/Hudson-High-School-evacuated-because-of-strange-smell" rel="bookmark">Hudson High closed because of 'strange smell'</a><br /><br />3. Liquid Mercury Leak: <a href="http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0210/709396.html">Mercury Contamination Closes School</a><br /><br />2. Bats!: <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7293159">Bat infestation at elementary school</a><br /><br />1. Teacher Electrocuted: <a href="http://www.wfsb.com/education/22633737/detail.html">School Closes After Teacher Burned</a> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>We can only hope that whatever they did on their day off, that the school wasn't <a href="http://www.detentionslip.org/2010/02/big-brother-students-spied-on-by-school.html">spying on them via laptop</a> webcams!</em> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div>

Teacher Suspended After Locking Student in Closet

Smells Like: Oregon , teachers , trouble

Story: Teacher Suspended After Locking Student in Closet

If there is a manual on behavior management, I'd be curious to see which page it suggests to lock a student in a utility closet with the lights off. Sometimes the line must be blurry between discipling students properly and acting out a scene from an M Night Shyamalan movie.

Ore. teacher accused of stealing school computers

Smells Like: computers , Oregon , teachers , theft , trouble

Story: Ore. teacher accused of stealing school computers

Students started to become suspicious when he sent home a letter requesting donations for stacks of lined paper and boxes of #2 pencils.

School Sends Sick Child Home With Stranger

Smells Like: health , idiocy , Oregon , panic , parents , safety

Story: School Sends Sick Child Home With Stranger

So here's what happened: A little girl got sick. The school called the wrong family to come pick her up. The man came to pick up the girl, and (this is where it gets good) took her home! So unless everyone in this Oregon town looks exactly alike and has the same exact name, this sounds like we're dealing with a bunch of idiots. If you're a person of faith now would be a good time to say a prayer for the students in this school.

<a href="http://a6.vox.com/6a00c2252999c6f21900d414196c066a47-500pi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://a6.vox.com/6a00c2252999c6f21900d414196c066a47-500pi" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 315px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story:</span> <a href="http://www.kptv.com/news/21217358/detail.html">School Sends Sick Child Home With Stranger</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So here's what happened: A little girl got sick.  The school called the <span style="font-style: italic;">wrong </span>family to come pick her up.  The man came to pick up the girl, and (this is where it gets good) took her home!  So unless everyone in this Oregon town looks exactly alike and has the same exact name, this sounds like we're dealing with a bunch of idiots.  If you're a person of faith now would be a good time to say a prayer for the students in this school.<br /></div>

Oregon wants to ban teachers from wearing hijabs in public schools

Smells Like: dress code , Oregon , policy , religion

Story: Oregon wants to ban teachers from wearing hijabs in public schools

Basically, it sounds like they don't want Muslims teaching. I wonder if Jewish men can wear kippahs or Catholics can wear a cross anywhere?

Diploma Denied To Student Who Bowed, Blew Kiss To Family

Smells Like: graduation , Oregon , parents , policy , rights

Story: Diploma Denied To Student Who Bowed, Blew Kiss To Family

Some schools are looking for any reason possible to punish students. After "showboating" and blowing a kiss to the audience, this boy was asked to exit stage left, no diploma in hand. This story just about epitomizes what is wrong with our schools. Too much power given to the wrong people who would rather strip the rights of children than see them succeed. Way to leave a positive final memory of high school!

Recession hits high school seniors' choices

Smells Like: economy , grades , graduation , Oregon

Story: Recession hits high school seniors' choices

I stopped reading this article before I even got to the first sentence. The caption under the photo caught my attention when I read that this particular high school graduated 13 valedictorians this year. After doing some research, I learned that this is actually a growing trend in the US (one school in Florida actually has 18 valedictorians for 2009). Every definition I could find describes the valedictorian as a singular person who ranks first in their class and gives a commencement speech. Schools are now honoring anyone who receives straight A's in all four years with the title of "valedictorian." (Which also means a few minutes behind the mic for each) So maybe this is part of the problem. Giving all these seniors false hope that they are "the best" might actually set them up for failure when Harvard and Yale turn down their scholarship applications. #1 doesn't really mean that much when you're tied with over a dozen other people.

<a href="http://wordpress.fiu.edu/news/files/mag-cover1-263x300.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wordpress.fiu.edu/news/files/mag-cover1-263x300.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Story:</span> <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/06/academic_achievers_2009.html">Recession hits high school seniors' choices</a><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">I stopped reading this article before I even got to the first sentence. The caption under the photo caught my attention when I read that this particular high school graduated 13 valedictorians this year. After doing some research, I learned that this is actually a growing trend in the US (one school in Florida actually has 18 valedictorians for 2009). Every definition I could find describes the valedictorian as a <em>singular</em> person who ranks first in their class and gives a commencement speech. Schools are now honoring anyone who receives straight A's in all four years with the title of "valedictorian." (Which also means a few minutes behind the mic for each) So maybe this is part of the problem. Giving all these seniors false hope that they are "the best" might actually set them up for failure when Harvard and Yale turn down their scholarship applications. #1 doesn't really mean that much when you're tied with over a dozen other people.</div>

Madras teacher jailed for tossing bullets down halls

Smells Like: idiocy , Oregon , safety , teachers , weird

Story: Madras teacher jailed for tossing bullets down halls

Don't mind me. Just tossing some live bullets down the hallways. Nobody has any idea what provoked this, or what he was trying to prove, but everyone does agree that this isn't something you want teachers doing. Something tells me you'll find him soon reciting lines from Full Metal Jacket.

Gresham coach suspended for laying with student in parked car

Smells Like: Oregon , sex , sports , trouble , weird

Story: Gresham coach suspended for laying with student in parked car

What?! You've never snuck out with your high school coach to take naps in his car? Sometimes when you are endangering the welfare of a minor, the front seat can become too uncomfortable. I wonder if the coach took her to his old Make Out Pointe?

Student can't dance with Obama mask in show

Smells Like: expression , Obama , Oregon , protest

Story: Principal: student can't wear Obama mask in show

A fifth grade student wants to do his own version of a Saturday Night Live skit featuring Barack Obama dancing for his school talent show. Some parents feel it is inappropriate and offensive. We are thinking hard to find out how this could possibly be controversial, except for maybe there are a lot of McCain supporters. The boy won't do the dance without the mask, because as he wisely put it, "If I don't have the mask," he said, "it's just some kid up there dancing around."

<a href="http://media.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/content/img/photos/2009/01/20/APTOPIX_Obama_Inauguration__t613.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/content/img/photos/2009/01/20/APTOPIX_Obama_Inauguration__t613.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 412px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div></div><div><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jdvTT3DSl8net22j4wEas8Ly5FNAD96U63OG0">Principal: student can't wear Obama mask in show</a></div><div> </div><div align="justify">A fifth grade student wants to do his own version of a Saturday Night Live skit featuring Barack Obama dancing for his school talent show.  Some parents feel it is inappropriate and offensive.  We are thinking hard to find out how this could possibly be controversial, except for maybe there are a lot of McCain supporters.  The boy won't do the dance without the mask, because as he wisely put it, "If I don't have the mask," he said, "it's just some kid up there dancing around." </div>

Steve Martin backs banned production of his play

Smells Like: budget , Oregon , parents , sex , strike

Story: Steve Martin backs banned production of his play

After 137 people in the community petitioned against his play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the principal decided that was reason enough to cancel the production at his high school. It makes you feel good about who writes the rules of the school when this 15-year old play just now rubs a few people the wrong way. Martin decided to help fund it so it can still be performed at a nearby University stage. No word if Martin Short or Chevy Chase chipped in at all.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tczc2orZaXTUGI0zNyN8mY472cFXs6eVWG2cjMLdMjZH6iNEdfT3DhJpH98bmelWuq4FBAFsoamCYEDaWozvVMYyTXtbVDzX0qjPAP_MhdqOAQInBX6-7MtEmIxg4TSbkSt6YIAeKfM/s400/SteveMartin3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tczc2orZaXTUGI0zNyN8mY472cFXs6eVWG2cjMLdMjZH6iNEdfT3DhJpH98bmelWuq4FBAFsoamCYEDaWozvVMYyTXtbVDzX0qjPAP_MhdqOAQInBX6-7MtEmIxg4TSbkSt6YIAeKfM/s400/SteveMartin3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Story:</span> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/arts/theatre/story/2009/03/15/stevemartin-play.html">Steve Martin backs banned production of his play</a><br /><br /><div align="justify">After 137 people in the community petitioned against his play, <em>Picasso at the Lapin Agile</em>, the principal decided that was reason enough to cancel the production at his high school.  It makes you feel good about who writes the rules of the school when this 15-year old play just now rubs a few people the wrong way.  Martin decided to help fund it so it can still be performed at a nearby University stage.  No word if Martin Short or Chevy Chase chipped in at all.</></div>

Teacher sells textbooks on eBay

Smells Like: books , internet , Oregon , teachers , theft , trouble

Story: Teacher faces 43 counts of official misconduct

The students just always thought he was a "cool" teacher for not making them read out of textbooks. It turns out the only lesson he was teaching was in grad theft. You would think that being in a school with so much technological equipment and other resources, you could find something a little more lucrative than textbooks. I mean, are there really people out there buying 10th grade US History books on eBay?

<a href="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1433/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1433R-947505.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1433/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1433R-947505.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 350px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-27/122533525823610.xml&storylist=orlocal">Teacher faces 43 counts of official misconduct</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The students just always thought he was a "cool" teacher for not making them read out of textbooks.  It turns out the only lesson he was teaching was in grad theft.  You would think that being in a school with so much technological equipment and other resources, you could find something a little more lucrative than textbooks.  I mean, are there really people out there buying 10th grade US History books on eBay?<br /></div><span> </span>

Mom won't return 'Bunny Suicides' book to school

Smells Like: books , library , Oregon , parents , protest , weird

Story: Oregon mom won't return 'Bunny Suicides' book

She checked out this copy and plans to burn it. She also attests that she will check out any replacement copy the school purchases, and destroy those as well. It is also rumored that she is going to rifle through each shelf of the school library and look for any book that has a reference to sex, violence, drugs, or the devil. She will then crusade against any text books that suggest any glamorization of war. When she gets a chance to rest, it is assumed she will declare that she is clinically crazy.

<a href="http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/283/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_124475.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/283/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_124475.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 244px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/384107_bunnysuicide21.html">Oregon mom won't return 'Bunny Suicides' book</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">She checked out this copy and plans to burn it.  She also attests that she will check out any replacement copy the school purchases, and destroy those as well.  It is also rumored that she is going to rifle through each shelf of the school library and look for any book that has a reference to sex, violence, drugs, or the devil.  She will then crusade against any text books that suggest any glamorization of war.  When she gets a chance to rest, it is assumed she will declare that she is clinically crazy.<br /></div><br /><span> </span>

Four race-related incidents reported Jesuit school

Smells Like: Obama , Oregon , panic , politics , racism , safety , threats , vandalism

Story: Four racially-related incidents reported at Jesuit High

It seems some of the white teens in this school are getting upset at the fact that an African-American man has a chance to be president. There's been racist remarks written on Obama posters, threatening notes on lockers, etc. The school is most likely hoping that by doing nothing these problems will sort of take care of themselves and go away.

<a href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41437000/jpg/_41437565_racism.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41437000/jpg/_41437565_racism.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 198px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_100708_news_jesuit_racial_incidences.ed0c893e.html"><span class="vitstoryheadline">Four racially-related incidents reported at Jesuit High</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It seems some of the white teens in this school are getting upset at the fact that an African-American man has a chance to be president.  There's been racist remarks written on Obama posters, threatening notes on lockers, etc.  The school is most likely hoping that by doing nothing these problems will sort of take care of themselves and go away.</div><span> </span>

Teacher sentenced for giving students Vicodin

Smells Like: drugs , Oregon , safety , teachers , trouble

Story: Oregon teacher sentenced for giving kids painkillers

I am sure every Oregon mom out there can sleep a little safer now that this pill pusher is behind bars. It's a shame when teachers are the drug kingpins of the school. She eventually got caught when kids starting going home with broken fingers because they couldn't make payments on time. Oddly enough though, their grades were never affected, just their image of responsible adults was.

Boring Middle School principal selected

Smells Like: Oregon , principal

Story: Boring Middle School principal selected

In an effort to curb enthusiasm at an Oregon Middle School, the district went to all ends to make sure this principal offers no sense of fun during the school day. They concluded that increases in heart rate may pose a possible threat to health and safety.

(Editors Note: We are well aware that the name of the school is Boring.)

Teacher accused of duct taping 9-year-old to chair

Smells Like: harassment , idiocy , Oregon , teachers , weird

Story: Teacher accused of taping 9-year-old to chair

You gotta wonder what goes through the minds of the rest of the students as they witness their classmate being wrapped up in tape, and then more or less held hostage for 90 minutes. But I guess this is the next alternative to handling behavior problems when the teacher runs out of discipline referrals.

Bleacher collapse injures six students

Smells Like: Oregon , safety

Story: Bleacher collapse injures six students

Gotta wonder how many squeaks they heard before they knew they were going down. That, and how nobody noticed the cross beams missing that ultimately support the bleachers. I heard the same person that removed them also went around tying rubberbands around all the faucet sidesprays in the Home-Ec rooms.

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