Home > Snellville.Talk > Archives > 2006 > October > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIn favor of adult supervision at football games?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Parkview High School in Lilburn now requires students in middle and elementary grades to be accompanied by an adult at all athletic events. No more dropping young kids off at the gate of Friday night football games to be on their own.
The policy’s not overly restrictive. The adult doesn’t have to be the student’s parent. And one adult can oversee more than one child. But there has to be a grownup present.
Parkview also designated a special seating area, monitored by high school staff, just for middle and elementary school students.
It’s separate from the high school student section. Younger kids don’t have to sit in their special section but they are encouraged to take a seat somewhere.
Parkview Assistant Principal Mark Albertus, who proposed the new policy, said it is not intended to cut into the fun. It is a safety measure, he said. The high school is trying to be “proactive.”
School officials were concerned about younger students who might gravitate to less lighted parts of the stadium complex, or leave the stadium or get hurt, said Parkview Athletic Director Karl Bostick. The school had not experienced any serious problems, but there had been some cuts, scrapes and broken bones, he said. The Parkview stadium has concrete bleachers, and the younger students “tend to be a little more rambunctious.”
“We want them to come and enjoy the game, and to go home safe when it is over,” Bostick said.
Albertus and Bostick said the policy was well publicized at nearby elementary and middle schools, and response has been favorable. There have been almost no complaints, and the students seem to enjoy having a section to themselves, Albertus said.
Jeff Tyler, who is the father of a Parkview High School student and a middle school student and often attends games, agrees. The kids want to be with their friends. The special section allows them to be together but in an area where parents will know where to find them, he said.
“I much prefer this,“ Tyler said. “I haven’t heard any negative comments. The only negative would probably be from parents who drive by and drop their kids off.”
Since Parkview adopted its policy, the school has heard from other school administrators, both inside and outside of Gwinnett, inquiring about the rule.
I don’t doubt it. I think it’s a smart policy.
When my children were in middle school, the South Gwinnett High School games were popular social events. My husband or I (or sometimes a friend’s family) would take the kids to the stadium, where they would immediately want to hang out with friends. Our system was to have them check back with us at predetermined intervals – say, every 15 minutes.
But some young kids seemed to be there solo.
“The high school doesn’t need to be the Friday night babysitter,” Bostick said.
He’s right. Younger children should have a grownup with them.
What do you think of requiring an adult to accompany children to school athletic events? Does your school have similar rules? Do you see a need for such policies elsewhere?
Permalink | Comments (69) | Post your comment | Categories: Susan Gast
Comments
By Nicole
October 25, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this
I think it’s ridiculus to be suggesting that middle school students need supervision at a school event. Elementary children, though, should be carefully supervised. My daughter in 5th grade is not allowed to walk around unsupervised, but my 7th grade daughter is. The North Gwinnett Highschool football stadium is enclosed by a fence. There are tons of teachers and other authority figures to the kids there. I trust my middle school age daughter enough to not do drugs or any illegal or immoral activity during the game, which is unlikely anyway. That rule should apply only to elementary school children.
By Jan
October 26, 2006 06:28 AM | Link to this
Nicole, you sound JUST like the kind of parent that DROPS off her kid and expects the School to Babysit her. SHAME on you and anyone else that drops kids off, at those age levels!!!!! You also cast off a little denial too - Your eye one them, is always better. Get a grip.
I think it is a very good idea!
By Buford Mom
October 26, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this
The bottom line is that it is not the faculty’s job to babysit the students. Middle school kids want to hang with the high school kids, which can cause problems and is the reason they need supervision. Our poor principal’s don’t even get to watch the game sitting down, as they walk the track watching the elementary & middle school kids - which I think should be in the hands of the parents. This is a great idea for a game with sometimes over 2000 people, as kids sometimes make mistakes.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
Elementary students should be supervised at high school football games, or any other activity for that matter. When it comes to middle school students, especially when it comes to 7th and 8th grade students, it is a much more complex issue. There are many responsible 7th and 8th graders who are able to attend events such as a high school football game undsupervised. Unfortunately, there are also 7th and 8th graders who do not have the same level of maturity to do so. I don’t feel the answer is to require adult supervision for all middle school students. One way the issue could be addressed is to require the parents of middle school students to sign their child in to the event when purchasing tickets. Their name, parents’ names and contact information would be added to a “sign in sheet” that a staff or volunteer would keep. After that is done, the student would then receive a special middle school student “pass” that would have their name on it. No child could leave the venue grounds without an adult, unless they were a high school student who could produce ID or a valid driver’s license. An added bonus to the “sign-in” method is if a child acts inappropriately their pass could be retrieved and their parents could be called and required to pick them up. The cost associated with the printing of passes and materials for the sign in sheets could be covered by charging an extra fee for any middle school child being dropped off unsupervised and the parents could sign a waiver of responsibility to cover any concerns about responsibility, just like parents sign when their child goes on a field trip.
By Jan
October 26, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
Sign In sheet for a football game??? People just WATCH YOUR kids!!!!! Good Grief!!!!!!
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
haha, yeah…a sign up sheet and believe it or not it works!
Keep an open mind, Jan. I agree that parents need to watch their children. I hate nothing more than to have to police other people’s kids. What I am concerned about and making suggestions about are the older and responsible middle school students and their parents.
I’m curious. What ages are your children? You didn’t mention so I’ll go first. I have three childen ages 16, 14 and 11. My 11 year old has never attended a football game without my husband or myself or a friend’s parent. My 14 year old is a Freshman this year but has attended two football games as an 8th grader and I can assure you she did not require adult supervision based on her maturity level. My 16 year old has never attended a football game unsupervised. :D
There are quite a few parents who believe their child is responsible enough to attend these events without adult supervision and in my opinion, rightfully so. Why impeded their ability to do so based on the actions of a “few” irresponsible parents and the actions of their children?
By High School Football Parent
October 26, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
I think requiring an adult to be present with all children under high school age is a great idea! You would be surprised at how many of these kids are sitting in dark areas under the bleachers and roaming the stadiums just in the search of fun, they have no interest in the football game. The athletic directors and assistant principals have enough to do keeping the 3000 plus high school kids in line.
How could a sign up sheet work? There are thousands of people at the games. High school administrators are not babysitters!
Once the game is over many of these kids sit in empty parking lots waiting for their rides. High school football games are not for babysitting.
By Jan
October 26, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
to Mom of Three, my boys are 18 and almost 17 and they NOW go without me, and I still worry, not so much THEM, as I worry about OTHERS and what could happen if challenged or harassed, but they are young men now and I HAVE to let them out and about, at least at their high school football games, the home games are only five minutes from our house, BUT the majority of younger kids do NOT even care about the game and if INDEED your child or children are OK without you, think about the others there that could bring them harm or just hassle them. A sign up sheet is just too much to ask, try being the ticket seller or the ticket taker and imagine having a sign up sheet. it would never work, although I get your drift, it is just too much, when parents need to take responsibility for their own kids. Peace.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
High school administrators are not for babysitters, I agree. I think the point that is being missed here is the fact that I am addressing older middle school students. Please keep that in mind when you read my posts.
Football is a huge part of the community.
The sign up sheet works because the community wants it to. It works because we want our youth to feel like part of their community and will take on the responsibility, even if it means an inconvenience. The passes, sign up sheet and monitoring of it is an inconvenience, there is no doubt about that.
The sign up sheet works because problem students will quickly be “banned” from future games if the child is a problem and their parents will know about it. In addition, parents who can’t pick up their children on time will not be allowed to drop off their children in the future.
The sign up sheet works because it shows we belive in our youth and shows we want to foster their independance. Taking their priviledges away because of the mistake of a few delivers the wrong message not only to the students but to responsible parents who are raising responsible, cabable children.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
From some of the things parents have said middle schoolers are into now, I don’t see how this rule is crazy. Its for their protection, your peace of mind, and so the rest of us can watch the ball game in peace.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
One more little item: This is a high school event. It has nothing to do with middle school. Your children should be accompanied by an adult, period.
By Jan
October 26, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
OK Mom of Three, the REASON it (the signupsheet) will never work, is Because the PROBLEM children will get IN no matter what, aND their parents have no idea where they are anyway, so …………. see? More Adults/Less Trouble - HOPEFULLY!!!
and if they can’t find a way IN without an adult, they will maybe just go somewhere else. I GET your reasoning, but I really do think it would not work, but HEY anyway, Mine are clear now, and when they were younger I was always there. Have a lovely day - Jan
By some people change
October 26, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
Why should the high school have to have a sign up sheet for these kids? These are the same type of kids whose parents let them wander the streets, playing in the streets, damage other people’s cars, make out in my front yard after dark. Oh, but I forgot, they are more mature. They are your kids, be responsible for them.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
Now I am really ticked off. What is it you are doing on Friday night that you leave your kid somewhere else? Do you want the movie theater to have a sign out sheet also? We are at the game for our kids on the field and its not our job to monitor your kids. Its yours.
By Elizabeth
October 26, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
My daughter plays in a Gwinnett County HS Marching Band so we’re at all the games for her school. The high school kids are the most well behaved out of all the kids in the stands. They sit together and they watch the game! The number of non-high school aged kids running around the stands is out of control. 1. They disturb those of who are trying to watch the game. They literally are running all over the place, running up and down the bleacher steps, they sit down, stand up, leave, come back, scream at each other, swear, etc. I would LOVE it if they had their own section to sit in! 2. I wonder how much sex is going on at these football games. I think the amount would really surprise some of you. High schoolers, Middle schoolers and even Elementary age kids don’t consider “oral sex” true sex. Let’s face it, performing oral sex can happen just about anywhere (as can intercourse) and without a whole lot of privacy. If these kids are allowed to just run all over the place, finding some place out in the parking lot or in the woods even wouldn’t be that difficult.
Fortunately I know where my kid is during the whole game…sitting with about 130 other band members. If she wasn’t in band I would want to know where she was at all times. Period.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
To: some people change Well, goodness. I’m not sure if that is a personal attack or not. I’ll assume it’s not. Go back and read my posts. :D
To everone else:
“It is not our job to watch YOUR kids.”
While I agree with the most basic root of that statement, indulge me for a minute at looking at the bigger picture.
The community has banned EVERY middle schooler from high school football games unless accompanied by a parent because of the actions of a few irresponsible parents and their misbehaving children. Personally, I really think there is something wrong with that.
Why should the families and children of, for lack of a better label, “the good, older kids” be penalized? They didn’t impede anyone’s enjoyment of the game or inconvenience the spectators.
I saw the system I outlined above as a way that, for sake of a better label, the “good kids”, could still attend an activity they enjoy while addressing some of the concerns outlined in the original article including the misbehaving and sexual situations mentined in the post above.
Personlly, I think it stinks that our community would make such a broad generalization based on the actions of a few. Deal with the few who are the problem!
By some people change
October 26, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
The football game is about the players, cheerleaders, band members and their families. Its for them. Not a place for unsupervised kids. If you are not with your daughter, you really don’t know what she does. I do and its not nice.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
The football game is about the players, cheerleaders, band members and their families. Its for them. Not a place for unsupervised kids. If you are not with your daughter, you really don’t know what she does. I do and its not nice.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
I re-read your posts mom of three and now I get it. I thought you were either an a** or just plain stupid. But your selfish and its all about you and your kids.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
“If you are not with your daughter, you really don’t know what she does. I do and it’s not nice.”
I think you should take a closer look at what I wrote and think about that last statement. It wasn’t even remotely close to being accurate or necessary.
Football games reach far beyond the groups of people you describe, whether you like to belive that or not. Please don’t be so short-sighted.
God bless.
By meme
October 26, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe that anyone thinks that middle school kids don’t need to be supervised. Our middle school (in the north Gwinnett area) was called by the Mall of Georgia to tell us that our middle school girls were in the darkened theater on their knees in front of the boys. You know what that means. They wanted us to get involved with contacting their parents. Of course with the laws the way they are, we could not get involved because it didn’t happen on school grounds. My point is that these were middle school kids dropped off at the mall with no adult supervision.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
You’re the only short sighted one who has posted. You refuse to believe there is a problem when there really is. May I mention that the high school parents involved pump a lot of money into the football, cheerleader and band activitise? They have rights to enjoy the game. A rule was made. Obviously there was a problem. If you want your daughter to go, go with her.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I know what kids do. I am also wise to take into consideration that NOT ALL kids do the activities described above.
Why would you presume that the families involved in the activies have more of a right to enjoy the game? and I’m selfish? My daughter plays softball for a traveling team. I know the financial and time commitments. But none-the-less I would never say I had more of a right to enjoy her games than anyone else who attended her events. We all share that right regarless of whether we have a player on the team or a student in the bleachers.
I don’t think it is fair to take away priviledges from older middle schoolers because of the mistakes of a few. Period. If that makes me shortsighted and selfish in your eyes then so be it.
This ruling doesn’t affect me for the time being. When it does, you’ll find me taking names at the sign up sheet line.
By Cobb County Parent
October 26, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
I see nothing wrong with the rule - as a matter of fact I’m sure the administrators appreciate an adult being with any non-driving teenager or middle schooler. I have heard of coaches, and administrators having to be at the school until 1:30am waiting on unconcerned parents to come pick up their child after a football game. What are these people thinking?? Luckily someone at the school is concerned about their child’s safety.
My daughter was a cheerleader - I was at every game, my son doesn’t play football but he attends all of the games. I still attend all football and basketball games, he sits with his friends and I sit with mine. Should there ever be a problem he knows where to find me and I know where to find him.
By some people change but not mom of three
October 26, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
WHY DO THEY HAVE A RIGHT? It’s a high school event. Look dummy, I’ve done the whole AAU thing so don’t preach. Kids - middle school - especially girls - need to be supervised by an adult and if you are too damn lazy or drunk to go get someone else.
By Mom of Three
October 26, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
I can see it is impossible to have an intelligent conversation with regards to this. Good luck and God bless.
By LG
October 26, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
My 8th grade son thinks kissing is disgusting, so I know what he’s doing at a football game - playing football with the other boys and eating boiled peanuts. His sister is in the marching band, so she watches to make sure nothing happens to him playing football. I liked how South Gwinnett had the baseball field lit during the game, and the middle school boys were playing football on that.
Central is going to Parkview tomorrow, so Richard’s Middle School was told of the policy. My son was upset until I told him that he wouldn’t be going alone anyways. (Something about 13 year olders and not be able to drive.) And he had to agree.
I don’t think he would let me drop him off and go. Who would pay for the boiled peanuts?
By Jan
October 26, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
lets break this down, real simple and easy: The GOOD kids ARE with their parents!!!!!!!!
AGAIN!!! the signup sheet, for highschool football games, will NOT work, it just won’t!!! Bad Idea.
By some people change
October 26, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe she thought her kid had an inherant right to be there alone. Sign up sheet indeed. The people working the ticket booths would freak.
By Jan
October 26, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
I mentioned that too!!!
Unsupervised teenage girls!!!!! REally!!!!
By Police Officer AND Parent
October 26, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
I am both a police officer with several years of experience and a parent of two kids. I understand both sides of the argument.
However, as a police officer, I assure you that there is absolutely a need for this rule. I commonly work our local high school football games and the number of unsupervised middle school kids is unbelievable.
They are the ones that are not watching the game. Instead, they are making out with their boyfriend/girlfriend, hiding out smoking cigarettes. In some cases, they are drinking alcohol or even worse.
While I realize that the little angels are perfect, I promise that your child has done something they are not supposed to do. I also promise you that the perfect opportunity for them to do it is when you are not around and when there are a couple of thousand people around and only a few authority figures (police officers, teachers, etc.) to be watching.
By the way, the “why should everyone be punished for a few” comments are ridiculous. How do you think laws, rules and regulations are created? They are created in response to what a few people do wrong. An organization or government sees a problem and creates a rule to address it.
Children need proper supervision and you can’t expect it to happen in such an environment unless you are there.
If for no other reason, you should want to go to these games to protect your children from improper influences. As myself and others have pointed out, you would be amazed at what happens at these football games.
Finally, the thing that amazes me more is the attitude of the parents when you catch their child doing something wrong. “My child is well-behaved, you didn’t catch them doing anything wrong. You’re just picking on them.”
By Jan
October 27, 2006 06:48 AM | Link to this
Amen Amen Amen Police Dad!!!!!
Hey I got it, just paste a big red B on the forehead of all the Bad kids and make them come in a special gate, ONLY for the Bad kids and then all the Good kids will not have to stand in line with them, and the line would be short, for it would have NO Parents in it!!!! NOW do you get it? I guess she went off to DRAW up her signin sheet???????? ……oh well Peace to all.
By Woodie
October 27, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this
It should go without saying, that children, including teenagers, should have supervision. Reminds me of a friend who was attacked after a concert by another drugged-fueled, knife-wielding teen and almost killed. The knife-wielding kid got away and the 15 year old teen victim almost bled to death from having his throat cut. Shouldn’t matter if the kids are good or bad, they should have responsible adult supervision, or they should be turned away at the gates.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
Parents, you heard it from a policeman and dad. Don’t be blind to the fact that teenagers do and will do things when out of your sight. You will save yourself a lot of grief. Some of us have been there, so we know. Kids are just that - kids - and they aren’t grown and like police dad said other may mean them harm, especially girls. Mature teenager is an oxy moron
By Sam
October 27, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
I am a active parent in the high school football group. The worse thing about a friday night game are the kids that roam around looking for trouble to get into while the game is going on, heck there parents might be in the stands for all we know. Most of the high school kids are there to watch the game, it is the younger kids there just to see there friends. Kids need places to go and parents need to be active in there lives. Football games are not babysitters.
By Amy
October 27, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
I am a parent who has yet to encounter this dilemma. But I have already thought about how I could monitor my children even IN high school - 1) I don’t think even “good children” won’t experiment with bad bahavior and 2) What the policeman and another parent says - I want my kids to be safe from OTHERS. After what I’ve heard about fights at games, I am worried about the “good kids” being safe. Aren’t you?
By Amy
October 27, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
Guess I got in on this one too late.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
@amy - yes i am. I will give you a good example of why to be worried. Lets say you child basically is a good child and usually resists. What if they are in the company of some who aren’t good children and the group as a whole is blamed for something. Like it or not your child will be guilty simply by association.
By Mom of Two, Parkview Alum
October 27, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Mark Albertus, the Assistant Principal at Parkview, made this rule for a reason: it is necessary. As the administrator in charge of the safety and well-being of the kids there, he understands that adult supervision of elementary and middle schoolers is essential to everyone’s safety and enjoyment. He also understands firsthand what happens when adults shirk their responsibility and send young kids into a public area alone and unsupervised.
Obviously, the parents who are most upset at this are the ones who were relegating responsibility for their children to everyone else. And may I suggest that the sign-up sheet responsibility fall solely on the shoulders of the person who suggested it. Please. Our teachers and administrators have their hands full doing their jobs, and their jobs do not include babysitting children who do not even attend the school. Kudos to the teachers, administrators and coaches who have done such a good job watching out for our kids, and thank you!
By Amy
October 27, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
Whatever happened to the days where parents and children enjoyed things together? Is it truly such a stigma to be seen with your parents?
By some people change
October 27, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter whether it is or not, its our job to be a parent, not a friend. They will get over it. Maybe even one day thank you.
By Elizabeth
October 27, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
Amy, as much as it pains me to admit this, my daughter was mortified when I signed up to be a chaperone for Marching Band. But I said “Tough luck! You’re my only kid and I want to be involved. Get over it!” It’s funny because as much as she rolls her eyes when she sees me at a game or competition, if she doesn’t see me (if I’m not chaperoning I’m in the stands) the first thing she asks me afterward is “Were you there?”
By Amy
October 27, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
Also, I am of the opinion that the mom fighting for leaving her children is not familiar with much tragedy or problems in her life.
By Amy
October 27, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
@ Elizabeth - I am a firm believer that children feel safer with the boundaries we set - they are (somethimes) relieved when they can tell their friends “I can’t do that because my Mom says …”
By Dookie Boy
October 27, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
More hysteria about nothing from you liberals.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
@dookie boy - your mother called and said you shouldn’t cross the street by yourself
By Amy
October 27, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
How did I become a liberal with my posts?
By Dookie Boy
October 27, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
All you “concerned” mothers are raising the next crop of wussy-boys which will be even more wussier than the prior crop.
If you have raised your kids properly they will behave accordingly. I guess thats why the hysteria…all you mothers have been allowing the TV to do the parenting.
Yes…it all makes sense now.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
Obviously your mother was not a good parent
By Dookie Boy
October 27, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
You didnt become a liberal with a post. Butt it was a good confirmation that you are a mental defective ie IDIOT.
Its you silly, hysterical, do-nothing women that feel the govt must pass a law everytime something doesnt go your way or do this or do that. Never any longterm thinking seems to apply.
Just more hysteria. And while you think about that think about this. The govt, schools systems do not enforce the majority of laws, rules on the books now SO what makes you think “your” new, even MORE STUPID, rules/guidelines will receive enforcement.
Please stupid females…try to think more that 15 seconds into the future.
By Amy
October 27, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
Did I say anything about passing a law? Believe me, I know no government is gonna keep my kids safe. Have a nice day.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
Maybe I was wrong. Both parents took a look at you and booked. The psych ward called and said it is time for your diaper change
By Dookie Boy
October 27, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
Some people change…they grow older and and more irresponsible, while blaming everyone butt themselves for their self-inflicted sorry plight in life…kinda like YOU. Just a mindless atomiton you must be…all full of hysteria and manipulated by the media/govt on a daily basis.
I would be willing to venture a guess that not one original thought has ever entered that dookie filled head of yours. You are just too much of a simpleton to have orignal thoughts or anything clever about which to speak.
Please do us all a favor and climb back into the toilet from whence you came.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
After you, your anal oughtness……….
By Dookie Boy
October 27, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
Oh brother…absolutely nothing clever to say…nothing witty…zero whimsical banter…just idiocy…PURE IDIOCY.
You people are a complete waste of time. No good to yourselves or anyone else.
By some people change
October 27, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this
Its okay dookie boy. God loves you.
By Mom of Two
October 27, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this
Dookie Boy - You are a walking - or should I say e-mailing - example of what parents most fear their children will turn out to be. Perhaps instead of spewing names, venom and hatred, you should stop a moment to consider that parents who are concerned enough about their children to supervise them are not hysterical, but simply good parents. I’m going to venture a guess that you may have missed out on that, and I am sorry. I dearly hope you have not spawned any children of your own. If so, I pray for them. Speaking of that…
what adult uses the term “dookie-filled-head”? Could it be that you are actually one of these middle-schoolers, perhaps at lunch? Get back to your class.
By Amy
October 27, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
I’m done. Thanks to you all who actually interacted with me about mutual concerns. It was nice for a few posts. Have a great weekend.
By Mother of Two
October 27, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this
oh, and Dookie Boy, it’s automaton. If you are going to insult someone, try to at least spell it correctly.
By Jan
October 27, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this
WHEN old Dookie Boy Has ANY-thing Man-Size, he should blog again, but until then, he should just go TRY to do his homework!!!!
Males that “talk” like him - ALWAYS have small “packages”, it’s a Fact!!!!!!
I’ll BET ALL your clothes look good ON THE HANGER$!!!!!!!
By Mom of Three
October 27, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Thought I’d check back here to see how the “discussion” was going.
Thank you to the police officer for posting an insightful perspective on things. I respect your position and unique insight to this very real issue.
I feel quite comfortable with how I raise my children. One poster mentioned that I probably didn’t have much tradegy in my life. You are right. I am perhaps too optimistic with human nature because of it. You have all given me “food for thought” and I thank you for it.
It saddens me to see that the most vocal posters, and the very same ones who claim they are much better parents, are the same ones who are spewing all sorts of name-calling and non-niceties in response to any posts that aren’t for this ruling. Supervision or not at these football games aside, what type of children are you raising when you can’t behave in a mature manner towards people who have a different opinion than you? I wouldn’t tolerate the name callling and other poor behavior I’ve seen in the posts here if I had seen the same from my children. But then again, I’m the bad parent.
Best wishes.
By a high school mom
October 28, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
It’s a good rule. And, why wouldn’t you want to go to a game to see what goes on? If you’re contemplating sending your middle school children to a high school football game without supervision, think again. Go with them. Make a surprise visit…my dad’s favorite tactic. Sit on the opposing side if you must. It is quite an eye opener to see what some of these kids do among their peers. Yeah, even those of us who have trustworthy kids. My husband and I would go to the games even if our son was not on the team. I want to know where and with whom he is associating.
The fact is you don’t know everyone with whom your child comes in contact. And, your sweet young one is not going to tell you everything. If I had a 7th or 8th grader, I certainly would not want them hanging out with kids with whom I am not familiar. Peer pressure among their own age group is fierce enough. Some of these upper classmen can be as old as 19, way too old to be hanging with a 13 or 14 year old.
And, when the call comes, it’s always the same response from the absentee parents: their kids were not involved in any questionable activities; their kids were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time…every time.
By C&M in Buford
October 28, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Mark Albertus is 100 percent correct in creating this policy. The policy is not overly restrictive. Albertus is simply looking out for the well-being of all kids. (He’s a great American!) The point is not whether you have a “good” or “bad” kid or whether you are a “good” or “bad” parent - the point is the safety and well-being of your kids. The best person to look after your kids is you - the parent! (The policy does say you can have another adult watch your kid too.) It shouldn’t take a village to watch your kids - just you!
By Jan
October 28, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
to Mom of 3, why do you thank the police dad, but you just about argued with me????? You were about to stress me out with your continuous banter about HOW good your kids are,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I think you did finally see the Point/Points being made, and that makes YOU a better person/parent for being Open minded, even though it took a little prodding, best of luck to you and Your Kids. as always - Peace
By rob
October 31, 2006 07:16 AM | Link to this
yeah, this is fine and all, but who is watching the parents?????
By some people change
October 31, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
@rob - they are being watched. Have seen quite a few taken aside for alcohol and unnecessary comments and other trashy behavior.
By John Dunn
November 1, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Is it possible to buy an ad for your Snellville homepage, specifically?
By KA
November 1, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
Pretty sad that parents would let their elementary aged kids attend a football game unsupervised! Parkview is correct to require adult supervision, IMO a no-brainer….
By Joe
November 1, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
Brookwood is trying this, putting all the Middle school kids in the stands. Crazy doesn’t even begin to describe it.
At Brookwood, there is no reason they can’t create a General Seating area behind the scoreboard in the grass. Clemson University has “The Hill”, If Brookwood did the same, the area could be supervised without making the kids stay seated. Not to mention the room it would save in the stands for people who actually care to watch the game.