Halloween Controversy

Personally, I believe this young man made a very poor decision. He obviously has a very poor attitude and no respect for others or their feelings. However, he also is exercising his right to free speech, guaranteed to all citizens by the U.S. Constitution. That said, part of your responsibility when you attend public school and get a free education, is to follow the rules. I'm sure he signed an agreement or a Student Conduct pact stating he would follow all rules at all times. When a student chooses to disobey the rules, the appropriate punishment, which is probably already determined, should be given. In this case, Petryk should be suspended for 10 days because he willingly chooses to wear a costume when the principal has stated there will be no costumes at school.

As far as the other students are concerned, I must agree and say it isn't fair that all students must suffer because of the idiocy of one classmate. I don't know if I agree with all students being banned from wearing costumes. My thought tends to be to punish the student who makes the mistake and use him/her as an example to others of what could/would happen should they choose to blantantly disobey the rules.

What saddens me about this case is this boy obviously has not been taught pure decency. What he did would be the equivalent of someone at an all-black school coming dressed as a part of the Ku Klux Klan. Granted it might make you chuckle to think about it, but in all reality any decent human being would never do it because they would know it was wrong and completely disrespectful. I would be completely ashamed if Walter were my son.