Double standard at school?

Your son was given a disorderly conduct citation by the police which caused the school to sanction them by excluding them from the two games. It is probably stated in the school by-laws that this would be the consequence of engaging in any behavior that would get them into trouble with the police, during the school year.

The kids at the basketball game were caught doing what they did, at school and that was the disciplinary measure taken. It's as simple as that. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Don't read to far into this, even though I know you are watching out for your son's best interest.

I think your first step is to research the school's by laws. It could be that because the police were involved, they HAD to follow the rules and suspend your son from playing those games. Punishments for stupid pranks on school grounds caught by school officials may be less severe, as stated in the aforementioned bylaws.

HOWEVER- if there is nothing noted in the bylaws reguarding such instances with the police, THEN you may take your concern to the school board.

Whatever you do, do your research. You dont want to get up in front of everybody and look like an idiot. Your son might not be too grateful then...

One I think the school has no right to do anything to kids if something happens off school grounds and during NON school hours unless it DIRECTLY affects students safety.

Two that is an unfair punishment

Three Those bastids stealing chairs should have gotten a WORSE punishment since it involved stealing.

What happened to freedom? Do kids have zero rights at all? The video made should have NOTHING at all to do with police, school, city govt, state+fed govt. Might as well start arresting kids for getting colds since it could be viewed as assault and battery with infectious disease

I think that someone should have pursued filing theft charges on the others that were stealing the chairs in order for it to be equal. The school/ coach probably looks at it as a criminal charge being the cause for the suspension instead of the prank itself. Unfair I agree, but unfortunately I doubt there's much that can be changed.

Sounds like more of this increased overreacting from schools against students. Sounds like a bit of harmless fun to me considering your son and his buddies were not out to hurt anybody...sh*t they could be doing a lot worse. Last time I checked stealing was a crime, not video taping yourself falling down on a sidewalk. The school systems are getting ridiculous and this is coming from somebody who grew up in Denver, CO so I've heard all the Columbine High School stuff. It's time for schools to start understanding what they do have the right to control and what they don't. This kind of stuff drives me crazy. I hope your son jacks it up on the team he plays his next basketball game against...jacking it up as in good natured hand shaking fun of course...what crap! Let kids be kids!

I agree. What happens off of school grounds should not affect him at school. Who banned you son from playing basket ball? Was it the principal or the coach or someone else? I would make a stink to the school and if that didn't work then I would go to the school board. You can't have a punishment for 1 of you aren't going to enforce it for all studnets. I would say that they are being racists. I see this alot at the school where I teach. They give punishments to who they want and let others off. It is not fair.

You didn't tell the whole story.

Police officers don't have to make decisions about kids making a home movie.

I'd say your kids deserved what they got and they should learn from it.

Dont just forgive the principal.By turning a deaf ear to this matter would encourage the principal and concerned administration.