Imagine getting a call from your kid’s school stating your child has been suspended … for selling SEX TOYS. That’s undoubtedly the feeling that overcame these Racine, WI parents when they learned their daughter, a student at Trinity Lutheran School in Racine, had been suspended for selling what they claim were merely sensory tactile fidget toys, which are commonly used to help students with Autism or ADHD focus, not sex toys. Or so the initial story went.
Now the school is speaking out to set the record straight after the story spread like wildfire in the news and on social media.
According to a statement released by Trinity Lutheran School, the principal did not mistake the sensory tools for sex toys at all, nor did she suspend the student in question for selling “sex toys.” Rather, the school suspended the student for breaking the no-selling policy it had issued in January.
The student was selling toys out of her locker to numerous fellow students. When the presence of these toys became known to the faculty a letter was sent (in January) to all of the parents of this specific classroom clearly stating that the students were told that no permission was given for toys to be in school under any circumstances.
So where did the “sex toy” idea originate? The school notes in its statement that one of the reasons students were banned from selling these sensory tools was because many who had purchased the items were “sexualizing” them, prompting teachers and parents to contact the school administrators with complaints, something that ultimately led to the ban on selling them in the first place.
Sale of the toys continued. Eventually, the toys were in the hands of a significant number of students. According to one of the teachers, many of the students sexualized the use of these toys which was disruption to learning that could not be ignored. Several parents had also complained to the administration about sexual overtones associated with these toys, based on what students were reporting at home, and they expected action to be taken. Selling toys, after clear communication prohibiting the presence of toys in school, and the disruption it generated in the school lead to the suspension.
As for the duration of the suspension, the school maintains the three days originally reported by news outlets was simply false: “The student served a one day only suspension.”
Though the parents kept their child enrolled in the school following the suspension, they did request further adjudication of the issue, which the school claims they complied with.
We honored that request and the parents were invited to present their position to the Board of Education. The Board reviewed the assertions of the parents, other sources of evidence that were causes of great concern, and communication from faculty, staff, and other school parents. The Board determined that the persistent sale of toys, in violation of clearly stated instructions, and in light of the educational disruption, warranted the disciplinary action. The Board considers that matter addressed and resolved.
Though we know truth usually lies somewhere between the stories that parties on both sides of an issue tell, it’s probably safe to assume the school did not intentionally humiliate the student out of nowhere by mistakenly accusing her of and punishing her for selling sex toys. It seems that, whether one agrees with the school’s policy or not, this student was in violation of an established rule, and as such, she was held to the consequences.
It’s just unfortunate that, as the student and her family claim, she learned a few things about a topic she wasn’t quite ready to delve into.
As for the rest of us, this serves as a reminder to think twice before unpacking our Jump to Conclusions Mat.
To see the full statement from the school and the updated story from the local news in Racine, click here.