A Milford, CT middle school principal recently banned physical contact by students of any kind.

This includes hugs, high-fives, and horseplay of any kind.  The punishment, you ask – “Potential consequences and disciplinary action may include parent conferences, detention, suspension and/or a request for expulsion from school”, the school’s principal said.

The reason for this strict rule is because a student was kicked in the groin, and sent to the hospital.  The Principal, being reactive as he was, decided that a “no physical contact” rule was the best way to put an end to kicks to the groin.  Because clearly the groin is most vulnerable when receiving a high-five.

This is simply another case of an educator over reacting to a situation, where a simple “no violent contact” rule would suffice.  Think about how much fun their sports teams will have when they can’t even congratulate each other after scoring a touchdown, or hitting a home run.  Or how would one console a student while going through a difficult situation (loss of a loved one, etc.)?  I was going to say just pat them on the back, but you probably couldn’t even do that!

Bottom line is this restriction is too broad, as the crime doesn’t fit the punishment.  Fighting, or roughhousing are the types of things that deserve to be punished.  Not hugs and high-fives. Hopefully, with all the attention this has gotten in the media, and from upset parents, it won’t last too long.

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