Georgia School Is Breakin’ Out The Paddle!

A Georgia school is making headlines for its controversial decision to bring back paddling. Before you get your panties in a wad, know that it’s not as bad as it sounds. The Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics has sent home consent forms to parents. They won’t paddle your kid unless you give them permission to.

“There’s no obligation, it’s not required,” superintendent Jody Boulineau said. “A parent can either give consent for us to use that as a disciplinary measure or they can deny consent.”

On top of that, a student has to violate the rules three times in order for it to come to THE PADDLE.

“A student will be taken into an office behind closed doors. The student will place their hands on their knees or piece of furniture and will be struck on the buttocks with a paddle,” the form reads.

Here’s the thing, though. If a parent doesn’t sign the consent form, the punishment shifts to a 5-day suspension.

Last time I checked, kids actually liked getting suspended. It’s like a mini mid-school year vacation. It’s more of a punishment for the parents, honestly.

The reactions on this paddle measure are mixed, but Boulineau doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal.

“There was a time where corporal punishment was kind of the norm in school and you didn’t have the problems that you have,” Boulineau said.

“It’s just one more tool that we have in our disciplinary toolbox that we can use,” she added.

I’m not that old, but I went to a small Christian school from 4th grade on. We had a card pulling system in the classroom. I don’t remember the order, but I think it was fun sticker, green, yellow, orange, blue, red. Or maybe there was no blue? I can’t remember. I only had to pull my color ONCE to green, but that was because the teacher left and everyone started talking, including me. When she came back, she told everyone who was talking to be honest, get up and pull their color. I could’ve lied, but I didn’t. I got up with tears in my eyes and pulled my color. I was devastated. Mostly because my teacher said she’d buy me a Hershey bar if I made it through the year if I made it without pulling a color. I WAS SO CLOSE.

HOWEVER, there were a few kids in my class who frequently pulled their color to red, and they’d find themselves in the principal’s office. He was the NICEST man ever, but yes. He had a paddle. It was kind of an unsaid thing. We knew OF the paddle, but there was a lot of mystery surrounding it, which made it even scarier. As far as I know, only two kids were ever paddled, and they called the parents and got permission before doing it. (One of the kids was the principal’s son…so…)

Just the fact that we knew that was a possibility kept a lot of us in check.

Boy, have times changed.

The superintendent is right about one thing. Back in the “old” days, we didn’t have the problems that we have in schools today. I’m not necessarily saying that’s due to the absence of the paddle. I think it has more to do with the culture that went along with it. Kids were taught RESPECT and REVERENT FEAR. Now, so many parents are embracing “I’m a cool Mom” culture, and honestly, it’s wrecking so many kids. They’re snowflakes who can do no wrong.

So far, the school has received about 100 consent forms back. Boulineau said about one-third have signed off, giving the school permission to paddle their kid.

What do YOU think about this?

h/t WRDW