School District at Center of Memorial Controversy

[Rhino]

School District at Center of Virginia Tech Memorial Controversy

Friday, April 20, 2007

By Sara Bonisteel

It was designed to be an act of remembrance. But for one of Virginia's largest school districts, "Hokie Hope" has turned into a public-relations nightmare after a leaked memo said schools would not require student participation.

Parents were voicing anger Thursday after learning the 58,000-student Chesterfield County school district would discourage participation in "Hokie Hope" day on Friday, according to local media reports. Virginia Tech alumni organized the event, which calls for those across the country to wear orange and maroon...

....."It's been misinterpreted," Debra Marlow, the Chesterfield County Public Schools director of community relations, told FOXNews.com. "So today in the best way that we can, we've rescinded any thoughts that we're not supportive of the governor."

The trouble began Wednesday afternoon, when Marlow sent an e-mail to the principals of the district's 60 schools clarifying the district's plan for "Hokie Hope."

Individual students, the e-mail said, would be allowed to wear the Tech colors, but it would not be a requirement for all students. If principals had already scheduled activities, they could go on as planned......http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,267194,00.html

I see knee-jerking is still a very popular sport.

[Riverboat]

Evidently, some people who haven't mastered the art of reading comprehension decided that the district was DIScouraging students from wearing orange.

According to the e-mail, "Individual students would be allowed to wear the Tech colors, but it would not be a requirement for all students. If principals had already scheduled activities, they could go on as planned."

We all realize emotions are running high, particularly in the Old Dominion, but, geeze, take some deep breaths already.