District Should Talk to Parents About Problems

* We are writing in regard to the recent article about the four La Habra students who were suspended for inappropriate behavior during an assembly (“Students Start Drive to End Suspensions,” May 10). We have some comments and some questions.

While we do understand the safety issue of “moshing (slam dancing)” and recognize that the students were first assigned detention, it seems to us that perhaps communicating with the parents would have prevented the need for the suspensions and subsequent arrests.

Without all of the facts at our disposal, we ask: Was the demonstration a violent one?

Is not demonstration, including walking out of a class, a part of basic freedoms? Do students not have the right to peaceful assembly? If merely walking out of class and demonstrating warrants arrest, why weren’t the Canyon High School students protesting with Orange Unified School District workers arrested?

It would appear that the administration may have overreacted and come perilously close to abuse of authority.

Negotiation by the principal does not have to be seen as “giving in.”

Schools need to realize that just because they are considered surrogate parents while the students are in school, they cannot abrogate the student’s personal rights.

ARLEEN BROWN,

KATHY KIRLIN,

and SANDIE GONZALES

Committee For Concerned Parents

Mission Viejo