I don't know what we would have done with our kids this summer if tag had been banned!
Springs principal bans kids' game
By Kieran Nicholson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/31/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT
Colorado Springs - "Tag, you're it!"
The seemingly eternal phrase that kids squeal on playgrounds and in schoolyards across the country won't be heard at an elementary school in Colorado Springs.
The pre-K through fifth-grade school at Discovery Canyon Campus, a Colorado Springs District 20 school, has banned tag on its playground.
"Students will not be playing 'tag' or 'chase' on the playground," a back-to-school letter dated Aug. 29 informed parents.
The letter, signed by the school's administrator, Cindy Fesgen, said the ban on tag is for students' safety.
"Students are still allowed to run races or run with their friends, but no tagging," the letter said.
In the letter, said none of the schools she's been with in the district over 20 years has allowed tag.
Some parents and students at the school are miffed at the ban.
"It's ridiculous," said parent Gina Casimiro.
Casimiro has a third-grader at the school and a sixth-grader at the middle school on the shared campus.
Jacob Hein, a fifth-grader, said kids played tag last year and they continue to play football on the playground.
"It's really unacceptable," Jacob said of the ban. "Last year, we did it all the time."
But Melody Hatten, who has two children at the school, supports the measure.
"I think it's a fine decision," Hatten said. "I think there are a lot of other things they can do on recess that is more constructive."
Parent Barbara Ball, who also has two children at the school, agreed with Hatten.
"It was a surprise, but I think it's a good thing," Ball said.
Ball said she recalled past situations in which her children told her about playmates going overboard and tagging too hard.
Fesgen could not be reached for comment, but a district spokeswoman said the ban is the school's decision and is within its rights.
"It's the school prerogative to make rules," said Nannette Anderson, a district spokeswoman. "Parents can discuss this at the school level if they wish."
The ban was generated by rough activity on the playground during the first two weeks back to school, Anderson said.
Fesgen's previous school, Pine Valley Elementary, has a long- standing ban on tag, Anderson said. She is not aware of other schools in the district that have banned the game.
Parent Kelly Pilipovich, who has a child in middle school and one in high school, but none in elementary school, was vocal on the ban nonetheless.
"It's a shame," Pilipovich said. "First dodge ball, now this. Kids can get wild, but you've got to let kids be kids."
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6764606
I heard this on the radio yesterday .... but dodge ball is banned, too? I wonder what's next in the pussification of American kids?
I'm guessing hide 'n seek will be next. Kids that nobody actually will look for are so traumatized by being unwanted that it destroys their self-esteem and they'll need counseling their entire adult lives.
Forget that they already have low self esteem because they are now picked on for being overweight because all of the FUN physical activities have been banned.
Last edited by SpursWoman; 08-31-2007 at 12:01 PM.
Pretty soon playing in general will be banned.
What manner of bull is this!?
I know that Cowboys & Indians is problematic. Very un-PC.
What a bunch of whiny pussies.
The school should just fund an activity room that is loaded with every gaming station imaginable. The kids could play video games for recess. No kids would get sunburned and no kids would get hurt.
First:
Second:
Actually many people over here think it's a factor (not necessarily the biggest one but a factor none the less).Forget that they already have low self esteem because they are now picked on for being overweight because all of the FUN physical activities have been banned.
im starting an "underground" tag league... anyone want in?
the first rule of tag league is...YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT TAG LEAGUE!!
the second rule of tag league is...YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT TAG LEAGUE!!
the third rule of tag league is.......YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT TAG LEAGUE!!
oh yeah and if its your first night...you gotta play!
God forbid someone's little darling will get tagged too hard! My kids were in school in Augusta, GA and their school had a strict "no touching" policy. No tolerance for physical contact in any form. Other than that, I really loved that school!
I support the decision. I always hated those geeky kids running around playing tag when I was off in the corner playing doctor.
Recess must be ing boring these days.
We had a party a couple of months ago and some kids were running around on the dance floor playing tag. Chopper Jr. caught a nice unexpected forearm to the back and did a nice face plant, biting through his lip. He gets up with blood all over his shirt. Of course we forgot to bring extra clothes and we're hosting this party for about 120 folks so we couldn't leave. So after we cleaned him up he just had to run around all night with blood on his shirt. Luckily it was white!
Anyway, after he stopped bleeding he went right back at it playing tag and actually learned a little about stronger footing as I'd watch him brace himself a little better or do a little juke move if some kid was running at him too fast.
Kids get hurt playing games but that's how we all learned to interact and take care of ourselves. You learn a lot from falling down a little bit. I'm sure this school rule has as much to do with lawsuits as it does taking care of the kids, but it's a shame kids can't be kids anymore.
good thing grab ass is still safe.
First:
Second:
Actually many people over here think it's a factor (not necessarily the biggest one but a factor none the less).
Seriously. Nothing gets your ass running harder if the threat of pain or the stigma of being "It" is involved.
"Come on Johnny, I'll race you to the fence!" (WTF? For what?)
or...
"You're ITTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!" (Not for long, !)
I was the best at playing tag. And at arbitrarily inventing/enforcing rules to avoid ever being "it."Seriously. Nothing gets your ass running harder if the threat of pain or the stigma of being "It" is involved.
We had a party a couple of months ago and some kids were running around on the dance floor playing tag. Chopper Jr. caught a nice unexpected forearm to the back and did a nice face plant, biting through his lip. He gets up with blood all over his shirt. Of course we forgot to bring extra clothes and we're hosting this party for about 120 folks so we couldn't leave. So after we cleaned him up he just had to run around all night with blood on his shirt. Luckily it was white!
Anyway, after he stopped bleeding he went right back at it playing tag and actually learned a little about stronger footing as I'd watch him brace himself a little better or do a little juke move if some kid was running at him.
Kids get hurt playing games but that's how we all learned to interact and take care of ourselves. You learn a lot from falling down a little bit. I'm sure this school rule has as much to do with lawsuits as it does taking care of the kids, but it's a shame kids can't be kids anymore.
'Smear the ' was always one of my favorites. Nothing better than catching a football and running for your life as 15 other kids try to tackle you.
Stephen King even wrote a book about It, that's how good It is. And now they are taking It away??
Is "Red Rover" still allowed? That's the game that was the most brutal at my school. Full tackles on pavement.
I don't really care.
Huh? That was the very first thing to go. My daughter got sent to the office in first grade for giving someone a hug.
I have no clue. I mentioned 'Smear the ' a little while back to some kids and they looked at me like I was nuts.
While I get that look a lot, I reasoned that there must be a more politically correct name for that game or it's faded from existence in our new litigative world.
That was the best game of all time. And my kids don't know what it is, so I'm going to say it's probably not, either.
Pussification of America strikes again.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
