PRO-CON

I applaud Corona Del Mar High School for implementing and following

through with their new policy regarding student disrespect, obscenities

and belligerence (“No tolerance for disrespect,” Nov. 18). As for Serene

Stokes feeling each school in the district should not have to adopt this

policy, she needs to take a walk through each of our high schools and

middle schools during the day and her opinion on this issue will surely

change. The school board needs to take a serious look at this issue and

how to deal with student anger management.

As a Newport-Mesa employee working directly with high school students, I

witness disrespect, obscenities, inappropriate racial slurs and every

form of foul language directed at teachers and staff on a daily basis.

We, as adults and role models, instill respect by giving respect and that

only can happen with rules that reinforce what is acceptable and what is

not.

MAXINE MACHA

Costa Mesa

I was surprised and somewhat shocked that Corona del Mar High School once

again has decided to step in a nightmare of situations giving rise to

possible further lawsuits for a new policy regarding the use of

obscenities on campus or perceived disrespect to teachers (“No tolerance

for disrespect,” Nov. 18). Does that mean during a basketball game or a

football game, if the athlete happens to cuss? My question is: Is he

suspended immediately during the game or do we have a hearing? Or how

does the football coach deal with it? And what happens in the film room

when the player misses a block or misses a shot and the coach uses an

obscenity? Is the coach suspended?

This could open a wide range of issues and possible further violations of

First Amendment freedom of speech rights. I was surprised to see Serene

Stokes say it is better to leave these issues at a local level with each

school.

If that is the case, why do we have a Draconian zero-tolerance policy

that is enforced at a district level without any respect for individual

situations on campus? Just more lawsuits. What a mess. More big

government in the lives of students and in the lives of individual

families. It is a sad, sad situation.

BRIAN THERIOT

Costa Mesa