Mom Banned From School After "Nazi" Comment

[Fandango 1,440]

Mom Banned From School After "Nazi" Comment

Berks County mom begging school to allow her to attend her son's graduation after she was banned for making Nazi comment

By INDIA CHAPMAN and VINCE LATTANZIO

Updated 6:05 AM EDT, Thu, Apr 1, 2010

For a parent, a child's high school graduation can be one of the proudest moments of their life. But one Berks County mother may have to miss out on that special day with her son all because of her use of the word "Nazi."

Maurine Callmann says she was told she would not be allowed to attend the Kutztown Area High School graduation because of a heated meeting she had with administrators regarding detention.

"I wanna go to my son's graduation. I want to sit there with a smile," Maurine told NBC Philadelphia Wednesday.

The problems began for the mom when her son, Austin, was given an hour of detention for taking a picture of a friend in the cafeteria September 2009.

Austin claims he was allowed to take pictures around the school for a digital photography class, but nonetheless was disciplined.

After finding out about the detention, Maurine says she grabbed the school's student handbook to read up on their policy for camera use on school grounds.

The handbook clearly states: "Text messaging, taking photos/videos, and other uses of the cell phone during the school day are strictly prohibited."

But there's no mention about the use of digital cameras or camcorders or their use for school projects.

So the mom met with administrators to discuss the issue, however, the meeting became heated and Maurine admits she said some not-so-nice things.

"I wanted to know why in detention do these kids have to sit for an hour or two with their hands completely folded in front of him," Maurine said. "To me that was like being in a Nazi concentration camp."

Maurine's comparison upset administrators to the point where they banned her from school property and had her cited for disorderly conduct.

She says she paid the $50 fine associated with the citation and followed the restrictions, but when she asked to attend the graduation the school at first told her no.

"I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean for those words to come out, but I just felt for the kids," Maurine said.

Maurine has since said that she'd rather see the kids doing something constructive like homework during that time, rather than just making the students sit and let their anger "stew."

She said the assistant superintendent advised her to appeal to the district superintendent. Maurine wrote a letter in February, but has yet to hear back and now she's worried that her request has fallen on deaf ears.

"I've paid my fine, I've obeyed, I've stayed away from the school, I haven't done anything," she said. "I pose no threat."

The school district confirmed they did receive the letter, but have yet to make a decision on the matter.

"I've cried a lot over this," Maurine said. "It breaks my heart. This is my baby."

Austin says he'll attend the graduation either way, but hopes his school will let mom take part.

"It get's me down, you know, I go into the school, I look at them and am like 'Shame on you,'" he said.

First Published: Mar 31, 2010 5:34 PM EDT

http://www.nbcphilad...t-89641152.html

The school's stance is really stupid on this...but uh, Maurine? I don't think sitting in a chair quiet for an hour is anything remotely close to a Nazi concentration camp. Drama much?

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Edited April 1, 2010 by Happy Bunny

[Nagishkaw 510]

Maurine said. "To me that was like being in a Nazi concentration camp."

Why? Has she ever been imprisoned in one? To compare such an inane thing to a concentration camp is an insult not only to the victims, but to the survivors.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Stupid Nazis! Not letting a mother see her child graduate!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

"I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean for those words to come out, but I just felt for the kids," Maurine said.

Moron.

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes, what she said was stupid and ridiculous, but unless this woman did something beyond calling the school board nazis, surely this is a gross over reaction?