"Even positive messages can be disruptive and our schools must be fair and consistent in dealing with all our students."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Paul Hewitt, Fayetteville School District Superintendent
Missouri School Bans T-shirt with Bible Terminology
California School Loses Lawsuit Banning Pro-life T-shirt
Minnesota School Forced to Allow Pro-life T-shirts
Colorado School OKs Same-sex Marriage T-shirt
Federal Judge Overrules Ohio School's Ban on Homosexual Advocacy T-shirt
-- From "Teen told to change out of 'Virginity Rocks' T-shirt" by Sarah LeTrent, CNN 9/17/14
Eighth-grader Chloe Rubiano of Ramay Junior High said she got the tee at a Christian festival last year; on the back, it continues its abstinence message: "I'm loving my Husband and I haven't even Married Him."
After the incident, Rubiano's mother, Bambi Crozier, took to Facebook to write a lengthy post defending her daughter's wardrobe choice, stating she has always encouraged her children to stand up for what they believe in.
As for concerns over free speech, [Supt.] Hewitt said Rubiano's message has come through loud and clear.
"Just the attention this incident has been given has certainly given the student and her mother the attention they sought. This is not a major free speech issue," according to Hewitt.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Fayetteville Student Required To Change Out Of 'Virginity Rocks' T-Shirt" by Dillon Thomas, KFSM-TV5 (Fort Smith, AR) 9/12/14
Rubiano told 5NEWS she got the shirt at a Christian-based festival.
“I just really like the shirt because I was always raised that way,” Rubiano said. “I didn’t really think anyone would make a big deal out of it.”
Rubiano said her vice principal told her that the shirt could distract the classroom environment, with the possibility that it “opens up too many doors for conversations.”
Rubiano said she will still wear the “Virginity Rocks” T- shirt in public.
However, she said she has decided to not wear it at school again.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Public School: Girl Can't Wear T-Shirt That Promotes Virginity" by Zoey DiMauro, CNSNews.com 9/22/14
[Rubiano's mother, Bambi Crozier] added that she has never spoken to [Supt.] Hewitt, and denied his accusation that she and her daughter sought out the media spotlight.
Crozier also says that she and her daughter did not reach out to the news media after the incident.
“When my daughter made me aware of the situation, I made a simple remark on my Facebook [page] to all my friends,” she explained. “The next thing I know, I have a friend that called me at work telling me she shared my story with her reporter friend and he would be calling me. I didn't care if they wanted to run a story about it.”
“No distraction was caused when the Vice Principal requested Chloe remove it. She was instructed to remove it for FEAR of starting conversations,” Crozier said. “Chloe told me no student said anything about the shirt last week until she was pulled from class to change it. THEN there was plenty of distraction because all the students wanted to know WHY Chloe had to change it.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Virginity Rocks" by Karen Farris, Christian Post 9/18/14
This same school openly discusses all aspects of sex in their health classes and distributes condoms to those seeking to have “safer” sex. Yet, Chloe Rubiano cannot wear a shirt proclaiming her views on premarital sex. In Chloe’s opinion, virginity isn’t offensive; it’s totally appropriate. . . .
Students are continually asked to be tolerant of gender identity and sexual choices. In health classes across America, young students are provided comprehensive sex education. But isn’t it interesting how the idea of virginity is just a bit too much of a distraction? The one thing students need to hear is that more than half of all high school students are delaying sexual activity—so Chloe isn’t alone in believing that Virginity Rocks.
To read the entire opinion column article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Most Teens Want to be Virgins at Marriage
And read Abstinence Education Effective, Fed Study Shows and another study shows Abstinent Teens the Norm, Moral Sex-Ed Works, but nonetheless, President Obama Wants an End to Abstinence Education, Favoring Anal Sex
