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Millard South Students Suspended Over T-Shirt Save Email Print
Memory of slain friend at center of dispute
Posted: 9:39 PM Aug 28, 2008
Last Updated: 12:53 AM Aug 29, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

A | A | A

He could have been playing football Thursday night at Millard South's season opener, but Julius Robinson was shot and killed over the summer. Friends are holding onto his memory and some got in trouble for it Thursday at school.

Dan Kuhr keeps Robinson close to his heart. "I wear this chain with me every day to remember him." It has Julius Robinson's picture on it.

Robinson was allegedly slain by a gang member. Kuhr was one of the first on the scene that night. "There's not a five minutes that goes by in my world that I don't think about Julius. That was my best friend."

In Julius' memory, Kuhr designed T-shirts which he often wears to the Millard Learning Center. While the shirts are apparently okay there, they are not at Millard South.

Cassie Kuhr, along with at least three other students, spent Thursday at home suspended after they refused to remove the shirts at school. "I said what's wrong with it? She said the RIP and I said where does it say that in the handbook?”

The school says the students were wearing clothing or had markings on their clothing or bodies that were considered a disruption to the school environment by the school resource officer and administration, which is against school policy.

That wasn't good enough for Jeanne Kuhr, mother of three of the suspended students. "I don't see anything that's inappropriate about the shirt. I was not going to make my son take the shirt off.”

Robinson's connection to a gang shooting may be the reason for the school's concern. "I’m remembering my best friend, my brother, my family member and they're trying to tell me he's a gang member?” wonders Dan. “If anybody, I know this kid better than anybody, don't ya think?"

The students say they'll do it again on Friday. Dan says this is about Julius' memory and that's what they're fighting for.

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Posted by: dfsafdas on Dec 24, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Honestly, its not a big deal. it doesnt disrupt kids learning or anything. Only because the teachers and principals freaking take notice. Then they make it into a bigger deal than it should be.

Posted by: erinn on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:46 PM
i miss you.

Posted by: Erin on Sep 18, 2008 at 03:19 PM
How could they be suspended for respecting Julius? Come on, RIP on T-shirts disrupting class? It sounds like the school was looking for reasons to suspend them.

Posted by: Joe on Sep 18, 2008 at 01:54 PM
It's very unfair. they should be able to give respect to julious, they should be in trouble at all. THATS MESSED UP

Posted by: Jamie on Sep 18, 2008 at 01:48 PM
i think that the school is mentally challenged. You should be able to where T-shirts with the words rip on them

Posted by: cameron on Sep 18, 2008 at 12:32 PM
this was stupid he was awsome. that principal was and idiot hes doesn't know what hes doing. the school board is messed up in the head

Posted by: Jacob on Sep 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM
WOW! that is most likely one of the dumbest reasons to suspend a student i have ever heard. whats wrong with wearing a shirt with a friends picture on it?

Posted by: David on Sep 17, 2008 at 02:05 PM
That's messed up that she can't wear a shirt about her friend.

Posted by: vincent on Sep 17, 2008 at 02:05 PM
thats very messed up that they cant wear shirts that say RIP at a school by me they cant wear shirts tha have bands on them

Posted by: wow seriously on Sep 9, 2008 at 10:48 PM
people need to stop acting like they know all about julius and the life he lived and the things he did and the friends he had. As far as im concerened people need to mind there own business. and stop juding because of all the stuff theyve heard. true or not, but i gaurentee it wasnt true. JULIUS was an amazing kid and he is missed by so many people, and has touched so many peoples lives. and if his friends want to remember him by wearing a shirt they can. the school is the one making it a distraction from the learing at the school. and the school also lied it wasnt just 3 or 4 kids that got suspended it was over 100. people need to keep there mouths shut and get the facts strait before they start judging and saying stuff about an amazing person that they never knew. RIP JULIUS ROBINSON. ~ALWAYS LOVED NEVER FORGOTTEN~

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Julius was amazing!! stop hatin on him. millard south is over reacting!

Posted by: Former Millard South Student on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Dr.Case (the principal) is an idiot, as are the people working under him. The so-called "vice-principals." He obviously doesn't understand what it's like to lose someone close, no matter what walk of life they come from. Had it been someone who had grown up privileged, someone who had done something supposedly "great", I'm sure everyone would have reacted differently. Those t-shirts would have been regarded as tributes, rather than disruptions. I'm sorry to say I attended that school. Thank god I'm no longer apart of it.

Posted by: S on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:54 AM
IT IS A SHIRT... TAKE IT OFF AND WEAR IT WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. GAND MEMEBER OR NOT... HE IS GONE... DO YOU REALLY WANT TO RISK YOUR EDUCATION OVER A T- SHIRT?????? I AM SURE THESE MILLARD STUDENTS CAN THINK OF ANOTHER WAY TO HONOR HIS MEMORY... HOW BOUT YOU PLANT A TREE AT SCHOOL?

Posted by: Teacher not from Nebraska on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Just read some of the comments and boy the Nebraska school system needs to start focusing on teaching instead of a shirt that pays respect to a fallen friend. I support the kids wearing the shirt and if I was teaching at Millard South, I would be wearing the shirt as well. There is nothing wrong with the shirt. Maybe it's time for the Millard school system to wake up and realize we are in 2008, no more horse drawn buggies! Get with the time Millard South!

Posted by: Stunt Man Mike on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:59 AM
And in the end folks, after it's all said and done, who truly here was the greatest perpetrator of "causing a distraction"?, sure doesn't look like boy. Just remember everyone, most of our civil rights afforded us by our "freedom" we will never have to use. It's about that certain right being there, if and when the time should come that you need that right. Anyway enough rambling, gotta go, off to my job a Mickey D's that pays me 67k a year, I'm 35.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:42 AM
@Dan on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:09 AM: I couldn't agree more. When can we expect you??? And Bob, only one thing dude..HEIL!?!

Posted by: Bob on Aug 31, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Lisa, keep up the great attitude. I will love having you serve me a nice McDonalds hamburger when you are in your 30's.

Posted by: Bob on Aug 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Yes it is wrong Savannah. The Huskers are an institution of learning not a gang member. If you want to purchase yours some nice Patriot gear, you probably won't have an issue attending school.

Posted by: Savannah on Aug 31, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Fans dressing for big Red Success " you sure isnt GANG RELATED?" These kids are doing the same thing Neb Huskers are doing every season! Dressing to support the ones they Love! NOW DO YOU THINK ITS WRONG?

Posted by: Bob on Aug 30, 2008 at 07:14 AM
It is now more than three months since this tragedy. If your child is still mourning, maybe you should get professional help. A school is there to educate the youth of tomorrow, not to be used a a platform to make a point. Parents need to start doing the right thing and an end to this.

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:53 AM
This is my sister, niece and nephews and I am proud that they are standing up and speaking up and taking the consequences. That shirt does not look disruptive to me - no obscene pictures or words, no depiction or promotion of alcohol or drug use, just an expression of grief. Was a class interrupted by the shirts? Did students riot in the halls? If the school had let the kids alone there would be no disruption. Julius' death is a horribly sad and powerful lesson for these kids. The reaction of the schools is an instructive one.

Posted by: RIP JULIUS on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM
RIP JULIUS.. WE MISS U.. ignore the other people.. they obviously dont know what its like to loose a very special person..n if they do.. well lets just all feel sorry for them.. we know who u were.. an amazing person.. thats all that matters in the end..

Posted by: im embarassed to say i went to mshs on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:15 PM
for all you "moms" who are on MPS SIDE... i feel sorry for you.. and its obvious you have no friends..if u do.. wouldnt u wanna show ur love if one had died...ITS A TSHIRT!! GET OVER IT... AND ALSO TO THE SAME "MOMS" out there.. if your child was murdered wouldnt it make u happy to see kids all over the school remembering your child.. be grateful u still have your child.. find sumthing bigger to complain about and stop being selfish and put urself if other peoples shoes

Posted by: Former MillardSouth Student on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Before most of you ignorant people make an input.. The students at millard south wore it..TO MAKE A STATEMENT. Why is it when a child dies, its there for a week then hush hush? Here, lets have something tragic happen to your child and when they die having everything on the downlow. Doesnt make sense, just because he was some how had gang relations..seriously, people, yeah bad crowd, blahblah, not my type of people but hey, ITS LIFE. ITS REAL. DEAL WITH IT. Yeah, maybe he wasnt gods little angel all the time but WHO ARE YOU and WHO ARE THEY to say his life couldnt be cherished and to live on. Why? AND FOR YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE.. THEY WORE IT BECAUSE HE PLAYED FOOOOTBALLLLLL!!!!!!...FIRST FOOTBALL GAME, i dont know? that might seem to make sense or maybe because he went to millard south?It sickens me that alot of "adults" come on here to comment and do it negatively. just go to bed and night and pray and be happy you still have you child and stick to your day job.

Posted by: MM on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I am a 20 year old kid and after reading some of these comments from some of you people that may be well in u 30s, talking about following the rules that are set forth for us. Now i am not and angle at following rules myself and say w.e. u want about it IDC. But everyone breaks rules!!! Not wearing your seat belt, im sure everyone is perfect at that!!! don't preach to anyone on here about rules people cause u arent so perfect either this is about a 18 19 year old kid that was killed because he wanted a better life and was trying to do something with his life. As a friend of his i would know....and im not a GANG member for you people that read this and always jump to conculious. I'm in the United States Army and i support JULIUS for one and all the kids that i once went to school with for wearing that t-shirt, and if they keep wearing go for it, only tring to remember and great SON, BROTHER, AND FRIEND. so before you right a comment about rules and anything else think about wut you do

Posted by: Bubba402 on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I wish people wouldn't make comments about Julius, because most of u never knew him. There is no reason we should get suspended just because we ware a shirt the remembers our friend. Please Stop All of the Hate. FYI: 100 Students were suspended today. Much Love, Bubba402

Posted by: Re: Let me get this straight... on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:38 PM
there is no school rule against the term RIP. They are making it up as they go. Stop chewing your nails and get a backbone.

Posted by: Charlie on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Good for the students they are standing up for something they believe in. Aren't we all suppose to do that? I understand that the school has a policy, but I saw the shirts on the news last night and I really don't think they are disruptive to learning. I hope half the school gets suspended and the kids are heard and not just pushed aside like so many are!

Posted by: Tired of the whining! on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:23 PM
These students were not suspended because of a t-shirt! They were suspended because they refused to follow the rules as set forth by their policy handbook. Break the rules kiddies and there are consequenses. Or maybe mommy & daddy haven't taught you about those yet. Look at your friend Julius and his choices. Now he's dead - that a consequence. Life is tough - move on.

Posted by: Java on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Parents, what is wrong with you?? You had a chance to teach your kids that rules are meant to be followed. Yesterday was excusable but today you chose to teach them disrespect. Are parenting classes in order?

Posted by: Let me get this straight... on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:58 PM
...it's okay to break school rules - just as long as you're trying to make a point. Is that right mom? (nice example)

Posted by: Michelle on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:32 PM
WOW is this the same way the situation would have been handled if he died in a traffic accident? NO I DONT THINK SO. A death is a death and they should treat everyone with the same respect no matter what the situation. Was Julius a known gang member in the police data banks? If not then leave him alone, maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, noone will ever know. GO MOM KEEP SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDREN, and its not teaching them to break rules when you are standing up for what you feel in your heart is right.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:19 PM
To Beth: Sorry but Julius wasn't a gang member, Until you know the kids life story, don't assume He's a gang member, Many people judge other's by their looks, especially people's skin colors. Julius may have looked tough, but he wasn't, he was a hard working student and tried his best to make everyone smile. So shut up.

Posted by: Ada on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Maybe Millard should worry more about kids making terroristic threats to classmates than a silly t-shirt. All of you should be ashamed of the comments made about this deceased boy. Who are you to judge!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Go to school uniforms. Problem Solved. What a waste of time. Slow news day huh?

Posted by: jj on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:49 PM
and you can see how this woman kids are going to be.....

Posted by: Former Indian on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I'm sure the shirts aren't just "memorial" shirts. I've seen the thug/gang memorial shirts. They do nothing but start more trouble and incite violence. It's a little late to decide to memorialize their friend IMO. Why now? Why not when it happened. This is nothing more than gang members and wanna be members trying to peacock in school and stir up trouble. Parents open your eyes and don't let your child get sucked in. Otherwise he or she will be the next news story about a teenager getting killed - "for no reason". It's sad the school and police have to step in to prevent something that should have never happened. Parents need to know what their kids are wearing. Who they are hanging out with. Where are their children hanging out at. And most importantly WHY?? If parents aren't there to ask these things that leaves the kids to go out and do stupid stuff like this wearing of "memorial" shirts. Lastly face the fact the kid WAS a gang

Posted by: me on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:31 PM
So if a kid goes out and gets drunk and kills himself in a car accident. Then his friends make shirts in his memory would it be ok? No because he was a DRUNK and the school could then say, was connected with Alcohol. Well at least it is good to know that all the school systems are still image conscience, This is Death that we are talking about and they need to heal.

Posted by: John on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:20 PM
How about learning something first, like the rules. That's the problem with kids these days, they think they can do what they want when they want. It's obvious the mother in this case doesn't know much more. I guess that's where they learned it from. Kids try thinking about what could happen first before you act.

Posted by: millard mom on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Way to go MPS. It is a tough job keeping schools running smoothly and we don't need stupid parents encouraging kids to break the rules. We all have to follow rules in life we may not like, kids might as well learn that now. If the school says take them off, then grow up people and take them off!!!

Posted by: Dan on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:59 PM
HE WAS A GANG MEMBER!!!!!! GET OVER IT YOU LITTLE PUNKS!! Sorry but you don't always get your way in life. TO MOM--Thanks for assisting our youth in their destruction. How about next time you teach them that it's ok to yell at a cop and say/do whatever he want's to cause it's his right. I'll laugh then cause it'll be his right to go to jail, where it's known to follow the rules, or you get broke down. That's cool though, maybe more millard kids have to be shot and killed before the liberals out there wake up and realize that this is not the same place it was even 10 years ago.

Posted by: J on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:52 PM
"I don't see anything that's inappropriate about the shirt. I was not going to make my son take the shirt off.” Hmmmm. . . apparently respect for authority is not something taught in her household.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I can totally see this being a distraction. I understand they want to honor their friend, but this is not really the place. If he had any known gang ties problems will arise. I'm not sure why the mother didn't just tell her children to take the shirts off. Is all of this really necessary?

Posted by: JR on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Freedom of Speech? Face it how much teaching would be done if students would be allowed to get their way. If a student wanted to wear bikinis, tube tops, or messages with beer, drugs or sex, they would all have to be allowed and not worry about those that are offended. Perfect reason why dress codes are important. As a public school teacher I rarely side with private schools except when it comes to uniforms and eliminates problems like this. Go ahead and protest, you might be considered truent and be disciplined again. Every RIP shirt I have seen look like the art work of your typical 2nd grader (no offense to 2nd graders)with gang agenda attached. The signs may be initials or finger gestures or even color. Dont change dress code because what someone wants to wear.

Posted by: Millard South Mom on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:25 PM
J, do we get to pick and choose the rules/Laws that we live by as a society? No, rules are in place for a reason. While Julius' death is awful, memoralizing a known gang member just to stir up controversy is wrong. I believe that Julius got kicked off of the football team last year (as a senior) for his conduct. Not a role model for the students, friend to these kids or not. As a MS parent I support the administration 100% on this one. Thanks for putting the kids first!

Posted by: the original citizen on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Perhaps Child Protective Services should remove this lady's son and be charged with neglect. Oops, she's a different social class, she's exempt.

Posted by: Matt on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Genius Todd, first off Millard south is not an OPS school. Surprisingly it is still in the MILLARD school district. The school has every right to expel who ever fits that criteria. These students are not "remebering" a friend thay are being disruptive and a nuisance to fellow class mates

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Would the parents being still screaming "freedom of speech" if the friends and family of the gang member who SHOT Julius decided that they wanted to design a t-shirt honoring Julius' death??

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:15 PM
That school is not letting those kids mourn or remember their friend and classmate.What they are doing is very negative, they are teaching those kids to not mourn or remember the death of a loved one. I am very familiar with Millard South and have had nothing but "bad experiances" with them. It seems like they focas on the negitive of a student instead of looking at the positive. Its almost like they have forgot that they were all young and made mistakes at one point in their lives. If one of my children were in that school at this time, I would encourage them to wear the shirts, let them mourn and help them to mend. I myself would probably go and buy one of the shirts to wear myself. Way to go kids, stand your ground.

Posted by: Ex-Brit on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I'm sure Ms. Kuhr observes the dress code in her work place, so why set the example to her children that just because one disagrees with a rule it can be broken? Then parents like her wonder why their children grow up "entitled" and unable to accept authority. Doesn't make for a bright future in the corporate world or any career for that matter!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Another example of kids having no respect for authority. And the parent is a big part of it. If they wore the shirts again, send them home. If they let up, the kid will run all over them. Smame on that mother.

Posted by: Jake on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:12 AM
HE WANTED OUT OF THE GANG AND THATS WHY HE WAS SHOT

Posted by: Jake on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Millard south administrations way out of line.

Posted by: Unreal on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Shouldn't these schools have better things to do besides suspending kids with shirts.

Posted by: Joe on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:00 AM
All the more reason to have uniforms for school students. No gang wear, no group affilition. Just a bunch of look a like nerds.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:59 AM
After reading the other comments, there seemed to be a lot of reference to the 1st ammendment and Freedom of Speech. However, there have been court cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, Bethel School District v. Fraser, and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmaier. In these cases, it said that students had the right to free expression of ideas as long as these ideas did not disrupt the educational environment. As young people who are not of adult age, the students who enter public schools must wave certain rights in order for the school to provide each student with an EDUCATION. Because without education, how can we expect that these young people will use these rights justly when they are, in fact, Adults? With that being said, the students at Millard were not suspended strictly because of the shirts they were wearing. These students were suspended because they refused to listen to a school official.

Posted by: Me on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:56 AM
freedom of speech? they are at school! they were not told to burn the shirts they were told to not wear them to school. freedom of speech should not apply. think about what school would be like if every kid said what they want because of freedom of speech. that boy who said he was going to shoot kids should not get in trouble then because of freedom of speech he should be able to say what he wants right. I don't think so. It is called rules. Lets make our kids follow them. then maybe less kids would join gangs and get shot.

Posted by: Sonia on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Millard parents if you have the schools so much move your bratty kids to North Omaha and see how long they make it. Your kids will NOT always have their ways. You are creating MONSTERS for society. What make you think they can break rules.

Posted by: t on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM
All of you claiming freedom of speech: Get one of these shirts and wear it to work. Let us know how far you make it in the day before your boss tells you to take it off.

Posted by: Cathy on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Rules are Rules. I would never want to work for any public schools. Parents are disgusting me by taking the sides of students. Parents are letting their children break rules and create problems. This is why most of the youth today will never ammont to anything. When I grew up my parents had respect for the schools and faculty. This doesn't happen anymore and it is a fight betweeen parents and teachers. Parents grow up, quit trying to be friends with you children and learn to parent them!

Posted by: JC on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:47 AM
We tend to forget - whether he was a gang member or not - he was a teammate, classmate and friend to these kids who are being suspended.

Posted by: 1st Amendment on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:31 AM
When will people learn that I don't have the same clout in a private institution like a school? People should spend more time reading about me instead of using me as an excuse to break school rules.

Posted by: Lauren on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Well at the football game there was soo many kids that were wishing that he could be on the team but no. So like I dont get it. How other people can wear shirts that have other people on it but yet we cant wear shirts with him on it. I think that it is just really really rude that we cant do that. I think that they all need to come back. We all want him back but we will never see him. Why cant they just let them be worn.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:18 AM
To anonymous at 11:58 - you don't think that they're distracted by their grief anyway? I don't think a shirt is really making that big of a difference there. I'm sure just knowing that they're at school without their friend is distracting as well, should they just not go to school at all?

Posted by: Jake on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:16 AM
My grandfather passed away last year. I couldn't return to work the next day with a shirt that said "RIP Grandpa".

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:15 AM
On the one hand, I don't think the school officials should have said a thing about the shirts ... on the other, once they did, it is up to the parents to support the authority of the school leaders and reinforce to the kids that they need to do what they're told.

Posted by: Jake Brooks on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I think its messed up that lincoln east can remember one of there students that have died and made a statue of him at there school but the principals here at Millard South wont let us remember one of our friends even family. Ive talked to some students and we all agree that what we are doing is right. And i would appreciate if someone came up to the school some time today and talked to either me, Jake Brooks, or Brandon Hameling.Thank you.

Posted by: Mom of MLC Student on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I beleive that "Kathy" summed it up very well! "It's because it says "GOD" on the BACK of the shirt!". Something about the seperation of God and State. MLC has a somewhat higher tolerance for this kind of thing. Many of the students there are there because of their inability to make good choices. My son was one of those students. If Dan Kuhr was making good choices would he have been where he was the night Robinson was shot? Thank GOD for the staff at MLC who taught my son to make better choices. Maybe they can help Dan too...One student at a time...

Posted by: Bob on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:58 AM
When I saw the article on the news last night I was anxious to go out to the comment board and see how badly people would ridicule this mother for condoning her kids behavior. Man was I ever off base. I am in disbelief. Get over it. In real life you will be told what you can and can't wear. I have to abide by a dress code at work. If I don't like it, I don't have a job. If you don't like the schools policy, don't get an education. Be prepared for a long life of minimum wage at best or even better, welfare. Society gets worse each year because we have parents backing their children’s misguided principles. Hope you at least have enough money to support your kid that looks destined to end his educational career.

Posted by: Carol Schrum on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:58 AM
It's time for school uniforms! The rule is to not wear clothing that causes a distraction & now the entire city's talking about it. Memorialize by wearing the shirt at home and get one for mom too! 100% support to the school administrators trying to make a difference for the good kids, bad kids, all kids. They have a battle on their hands.

Posted by: Jessica Hurley on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:55 AM
This shirt is not wrong at all. Good for the students who decided not to take them off. Just because he was a victim of a gang shooting that does not mean that he can't be remembered at that school. The school administration should be ashamed of themselves for thinking that.

Posted by: barb on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Do the parents need to sit down with the faculty and explain there are worse things the kids wear these days. Let them remember their friend as I don't feel this t-shirt is offensive or disruptive. I would wear one myself.

Posted by: No Parents on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:53 AM
With a mother like that, it's no wonder the kids are in the Millard Learning Center. Freedom of Speech? You all know kids are not allowed to wear whatever they'd like to school. There are rules to be followed. I fully support MPS.

Posted by: Bob on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I think it is sad that a student cannot express grief in public for a fallen friend. I haven't been in school for alot of years but from what I have seen they are wearing alot worse things than the memory shirt that theses student were suspended for. I don't know if this young man was a gang member or not but the school system needs to be fair with all students. If it was a fund raiser shirt like for the young man from Northwest that was injured would it be ok? I know they were wearing his shirt in school and it was for good reason....Remembering and supporting him!

Posted by: S on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Keep the brats in uniforms and that would end the clothing problem!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:39 AM
i went to an OPS school(north) and wore an RIP dad shirt 4 my father which clearly said it on there, and they told me I had to cover it up because the "RIP" is "gang related"...it is stupid

Posted by: e on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:37 AM
this is total b.s. does it say anywhere on the t-shirt the name of the gang he was supposedly affiliated with? I dont think so! therefore i dont see what the problem is. i fully agree with the mom, i lost friends and loved ones as a teenager and had i been suspended for wearing a memorial t-shirt my mom would have stood behind me 100%.

Posted by: John on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Our daughter attending MSHS indicated that the students were suspended because the letters “RIP” were gang related. The following is an excerpt from the MSHS Student and Parent Guide (http://www.mpsomaha.org/mshs/schoolinfo/handbook/08-09%20MSHS%20Student%20and%20Parent%20Guide.pdf): 6. Clothing that has been identified as gang related by law enforcement agencies will not be allowed. I performed a web search with RIP and gang. While it was not an exhaustive search I did find a “notorious gang” in Baltimore called the Rip Raps in 1857. I can see nothing on the shirts glamorizing a gang, just a memoriam of fellow student. In my opinion this display serves more as a warning of gang involvement versus any type of glamorization or support. If MLC administration does not have an issue with the shirt, the administration at MSHS is more than likely way out of line on this issue.

Posted by: Laura on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I'm sorry, but this reminds of the girl who was expelled because she brought drugs to school. The "drug" was Advil, which her mother gave her because she was menstruating. But it was a "drug", so she was expelled. Same thing here. The kids are wearing tee-shirts with markings to honor their lost friend. But the tee-shirts have "markings", so they're banned. These zero-tolerance policies are getting ridiculous. We're human beings, not robots following our programmed orders. Situations like these should be evaluated sensibly.

Posted by: BJ on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I hope these spoiled brats go back to school with these shirts on and get expelled for the rest of the year. And that mother who showed her ignorance and lack of respect for authority on TV last night, she needs to be slapped up side her head hopefully not have any more kids. See people whats happening with our youth today.... no respect for authority and parents who are as stupid as their teenage kids. This generation scares me. Whats this world going to be like in 20 years from now???

Posted by: Annonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I think Pink Floyd would know enough that it's not the teachers that make the rules at the school. Also, kids that get suspended for 19 days are suspended for drug use...not for t-shirts. Half of the students with RIP on their arms are students that didn't even know him. When does it go from honoring to dishonoring?

Posted by: Sandy on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Wow no one knows if HE WAS A GANG MEMBER!!! Did you know him??? Or just read somewhere that he was??? Come on, If you don't know the truth shut-up and don't speculate.

Posted by: CQ on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:22 AM
...and, haven't Julius' family had to deal with enough. My heart goes out to them, especially his mother. I CANNOT imagine losing my son AND THEN having issues and accusations piled on top of it. And just to be clear ... I do not blame the students that are trying to honor him.

Posted by: angie on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:20 AM
i think that it is rediculus that they are kicked out. it is just a t-shirt. i don't see how that is disrupting our classes. they were just trying to remember someone close to them.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I would totally wear the shirt to school! I would get suspended for memorializing a friend! we want to remember out friend, why should we get punished for doing so????

Posted by: Dean on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Key thing is "they refused to remove the shirt". I stand behind Millard Public Schools. So often, these shirts do have gang ties or sometimes messages that the ordinary person cannot see. School is no place for them.

Posted by: Teacher on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:12 AM
RIP shirts are banned at the middle school where I teach. We banned them because of retailiation occuring from family members of the deceased. A lot of times there are gang related things on the shirts that the kids get but most of the staff don't understand. We have had fights and people coming up to our school from the neighborhood to settle scores brought on by those shirts. By the way, not all freedom of speech rights apply in public school setting. If any speech distracts the learning environment, we can put a halt to it. Just like we can search a kid or locker without notification. Julius was obviously a gang member at one time. So the shirts could inflame emotions from his murder. Don't be so naive that it won't happen at Millard South. The only thing Millard did wrong was was not having consistent rules at all of their facilities.

Posted by: Responsible Parent on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:12 AM
This Mother should be ashamed of herself! Whats next, allowing her ill equipped daughter to start dating gang member's She's a wonderful example of why we have gang members in the first place!

Posted by: Tim (R.I.P. J.C.R.) on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I believe what they are doing is right. I am tired of hearing people who didnt know Julius put him down. He was a good kid with a good heart. I hadnt seen him in about 8 months then I heard he was shot and its stunned me. Ill miss julius. He could make you laugh and he was there when you needed him. Thanks for remembering him guys and good luck.

Posted by: jk on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:06 AM
in response to "wondering" - are you sure it was gang related? and if so, how? better yet, if it was does that mean his death should not be mourned? i think you need to remember julius was a CHILD.

Posted by: Kim on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:06 AM
In regards to whether or not Julius was a gang member or not it does not matter. These kids are mourning the loss of their friend. I suppose there is no one out there that has friends who have ever made mistakes. Millard schools need to get there act together. You teach about freedom of speech yet don't allow it -- go figure. I have one child left at Millard and cant wait for her to graduate and get out of their clutches.

Posted by: tj on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Maybe I am niave...but do gangbangers go to school and play football on a regular basis? The fact that these students took the time to make these shirts to pay tribute to their friend tells me that Julius must of been someone with respected character; therefore, my thoughts would be that he isn't a big gangbanger...but thats just my opinion...props to the kids for making a stand...the "all knowing school board" make bad decisions all of the time...this is one of them.

Posted by: J on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:58 AM
they were only suspended because they "refused to remove the shirts at school". The suspension could have been easily avoided. Guess what? In the REAL world, we all encounter rules we might not like, but disregarding them isn't the answer. I agree with Dan; Mom sets the example that rules are made to be broken. This is one of those parents who is always making excuses for her kids. It'll be interesting to see how they all function when they have to get real jobs that dictate what you can and cannot wear in the workplace. P.S. to Todd: What "stupid" rules got you kicked out of Omaha Schools ?

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Take the shirts off, he was a gang member

Posted by: NO REASON???? on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Let's see...he died because of his BAD life choices(gangs). His friends get shirts made to remember the alleged banger. In my professional experience these shirts usually have said banger posing throwing up gang signs or holding a gun. Almost always the shirt is in the gangs colors. OPD has seen these shirts for years. I would call that "GANG ATTIRE". That, ladies and gentleman has NO place in a taxpayer funded institution. You can make bad parenting choices at home, but we can prevent them from occuring at school affecting the rest of society. Do you think maybe, just maybe, the learning center (or alternative school) may have more lax rules due to the clientele and the reasons they are not in general population in the first place??

Posted by: WHO CARES on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:52 AM
You wanna grieve forthe gang banger? Why don't these kids go scrub the "tags" that his gang marks Millard with? Then they can grieve and help the community clean up after their "buddy." Or better yet, have the parents of these misguided kids clean up after their "tags" maybe the T-shirts could be used to help wipe off the paint.

Posted by: Sooo on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:49 AM
What will these kids do when they graduate and wear this shirt at their joba nd their boss says take it off? Have mom come in? These kids are only viewing this from their perspective and need to learn that there are other reasons why this is not appropriate at school - because it is causing disruptions. Way to go mom... doing your kids and society a dis-service.

Posted by: CQ on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:46 AM
If what I'm hearing about the t-shirt is true...OMG! I'm hearing the the disruptive saying on the t-shirt was R.I.P....I have to think that I have been given the wrong information. RIP has been around for 100 years! It means REST IN PEACE for cryin' out loud. If that's true then I'll protest with the students!

Posted by: Chris on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Well, first of all, I don't recall Julius ever being proven an active gang member. I have personally witnessed how quickly some are to jump to conclusions. I do think that suspending student over this particular t-shirt is over the top. Since when is it not okay to memorialize a friend, a football player? If we want to raise respectful kids we need to offer them some respect. That said, you sure couldn't pay me enough money to work in the school system anywhere, I don't envy their position. We do need remember the whole freedom of speech thing and we as parents should be making the rules on what our children wear. It's too bad that the schools have to go to such extremes.

Posted by: Liz on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:41 AM
It is obvious that Dan Kuhr has considerable artistic talents and is also one slick & persuasive debator. I, for one,am not at all fooled by his pretend innocence. He's duping a whole community into beliving that all he is doing is honoring the memory of his slain friend, but he is also may be promoting a more sinister agenda. Good for you, Millard, for taking the hard line on this. You don't want the inmates running the asylum. And Dan's mom needs to get a clue! Here's an idea: Adults make rules and kids follow them!

Posted by: T on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I'm sure Julius Robinson was a great kid - thats why WOWT had his mug shot on file. Come on mom, teach your kids to obey the rules!

Posted by: Abbey Larson on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:40 AM
This is stupid. The district is taking this out of hand. They say that they are non discriminational but this is showing that in fact they do discriminate. If this was any other student who hadnt been involved in a gang they would have no problem with this. We are gettin suspended for having RIP Julius on clothing or on our body's because we are showing our love compassion and sympathy for soemone that many of us deeply cared about. Yes Julius WAS in a gang. Previous to the shooting Julius had left the gang. Julius was a good kid, ask anyone they would say that he was the sweetest kid. We was a great kid who just made bad decisions but you know waht EVERYONE makes bad choices including the Principals at our school. They are treating this unjustly and it needs to be stopped. The district is taking this way out of control.

Posted by: Glen on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:38 AM
memoris are certainly something that are important and should be honored. But so should the rules of any instutition and in this case I am sure the memories and the sufferings could be handled in a private manner. The shirts are an outward expression of an inner feeling and while that is one way to honor a memory it is obviously not the only way. Come on Mom! You are the adult here...teach these children that they can both honor and remember their friend AND honor their commitment to their schools civic responsibities.

Posted by: Da Drank on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I'm all about the gangs. But I dont think kids should be doing gang stuff in school. They should be learning about reading and writing and stuff. Millard moms should side with the schools and let their kids learn early on LIFE isn't always fair.

Posted by: Karma on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Dan~I think the mom is showing her kids to stand up for her rights. Which is a good thing in my opinion. Too many people in this city are too apathetic to stand up for their rights and their rights get taken without even knowing about it. Rules are rules, but this is ridiculous it is just a tshirt. This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of yet that this family can't show respect to a friend that lost his life. If I were this mom, I would home school these kids if I had to~if these are the values our schools are instilling in children and teenagers basically telling them they can't show sympathy for a fallen friend.

Posted by: Angie on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I am sorry to hear about your friend! Gang violence does strike the innocent as well. The school needs to recognize that. Keep fighting for what you believe in because if you don't, no one else will. RIP Julius!!

Posted by: Millard parent on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:24 AM
So what if he was a gang member that was someones friend and family if it was a kid who was not in a gang and died from an accident or anything else Millard would not have them take it off. just like Millard to pick and choose If they want to honor his memory so be it.

Posted by: Sam on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:20 AM
The OPS code of conduct prohibits RIP shirts for the first time this school year. And,yes,it is clearly stated in the student handbook. If the parties who are upset by the MPS's decison to suspend the kids could hear what the OPD gang unit officers have to say about this type of apparel, there would be a clear understanding as to why the administration suspended these students. These t-shirts are not only meant to mourn a friend's death, but can signify solidarity with a gang. They detract from the learning environment by upsetting or provoking some students. I read a lot of comments in the media about how schools are a joke & there is no control. In this case, MPS is doing their level best to create a safe environment for their kids. Doesn't everybody want that? These shirts can be worn outside of school on the students' own time. Those who are complaining have to realize that the schools are doing their best to curb gang glorification. Do the grown-up thing & support them.

Posted by: Here's a thought on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Sorry about your friend. But maybe instead of the t-shirts, you guys could do a fundraiser by making more necklaces and donate the proceeds to his family. That way everyone will have the necklace and the school won't think of it as such a distraction.

Posted by: millard south mom on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:09 AM
whether Julius was a 'gang member' or not, he was a human being with many friends and was a good student and football player (always a sign of a gang member) What has happened to freedom of speech? Yes the school has rules about "disruptive" clothing but what is wrong with RIP? They miss their friend and fellow student. My children are being suspended today because even more wore shirts today. There is close to 100 students in the Millard South office as I type this. I fully support my children in wearing a memorial to a friend, a person, a loving human being. The school is wrong and should apologize to parents and students.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:07 AM
This is not too hard. This young man was a thug who died because of choices he made. Now, so thug friends of his want to wear a shirt glorifying the fact that he was a thug? Good call MPS. That said, I am not surprised these parents are teaching their kids to NOT follow rules. It will be real intersting to see what these kids end up amounting to.

Posted by: DB on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:07 AM
It's not about education and it's surely not about common sense. The shirts are not about drugs, guns or alcohol. Let them wear them and get it off their chest and it will soon be over. Pick your battles. Even if he was a gang member (not that it's OK) he died and had some people that loved him. Love is a rare thing these days.

Posted by: good parenting on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Good parenting mom. When you disagree with your boss do you do it anyways at the risk of losing your job?? Way to set a GREAT example for your kid.

Posted by: K on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Obviously the kid they interviewed for this news piece is either a disruption or thug beings he wears the shirt to the Millard Learning Center. If the students feel it is necessary to pay homage to their thug friend then do so just do it away from school. Dont bring your lifestyle into a school and push it on students that dont want to see and hear about it. Would it be appropriate to wear that shirt to your job? No it would so would that mean your rights are infringed upon? Seriously maybe if you spent as much time worrying about what your kids are doing instead of this they wouldnt be in the Millard Learning Center

Posted by: Rich on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:56 AM
The gangsters in north o do the same thing with the t-shirts. GOOD job MPS, look OPS and the problems they have. If the schools don't make a stand the kids will take over. The kid that designed the shirt was in the Millard learning center, so he must not be good at following rules. If the parents have a problem with t-shirts, then they must have deeper issues and are in denial of their kids behavior. This is where the lack of respect starts. This is not a freedom of speech issue either. They can wear vthese shirts anywhere else but school. If the parents don't support the school then their kids are going to loose out and they will be wodering why their kids can't hold a job.

Posted by: w on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:51 AM
There are other ways to remember your friend WITHOUT going against school rules. One of the things that PUBLIC schools is to teach is to CONFORM WITH SOCIETY. Remember the Constitution starts with in order to create a more perfect union, not a bunch of individuals that do whatever they want or cry if they don't get it.

Posted by: Chris on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:50 AM
When are you people going to learn to read? Nowhere in the above article do they accuse Julius Robinson of being a gang member. He was shot by an alleged gang member. Do you assume gangbanger because of the color of his skin? These kids should be allowed to remeber their friend in a way that is significant to them untill it becomes a distraction. This is similar to the case in Bellevue 2 years ago when students at Bellevue West were allowed to put upside down flags on their shirts to protest the war in Iraq. They were and should have been allowed untill it became a problem which it did. Free speech has a limit and then it should and does end.

Posted by: Tony on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:45 AM
What needs to be done here is to implement a uniform program or a strict dress code that is enforced. It appears that the policy is in place and is being enforced. Wanna hear about how it was in the "old" days"? I graduated in 1965 from a High School in Southern California. NO jeans, only nice slacks.NO shirts left untucked, NO shorts, NO bare midrifts, NO punk or afro haircuts, and if your shirt (a nice sport shirt I might add) had a button down collar, the buttons had best be buttoned. We also stopped what we were doing at precisely 7:55 a.m and stood at attention while the National Anthem was played and the Flag of our great country was raised. We then had a minute of silence. You could pray if you wanted. All of this to say, you young children need to obey the rules of your school and the laws of this Country. It's heading downhill and I'm afraid that one day we will all be walking in fear for our lives-it starts with failure to obey the law and disrespecting authority.

Posted by: john on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Once agian a Mom trying to be thier childs friend instead of a PARENT. Your child has enough BBFs be a parent and tell them to take the shirt off and be RESPECTFUL. High School is training ground for the future. It trains you for your life of having a job. Try that at work.... See ya at the unemployment office. That kid will wind up living in Mommas basement for years anyways!

Posted by: Jane on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Its ridiculous to suspend students for honoring their friends memory. Yesterday was the first football game for South and Julius was a football player, thus the reason they wore the shirts yesterday. From what I hear Julius wasn't necessarily a gang member but was SHOT by a gang member. Wearing a T-Shirt is NOT a distraction and I agree, get the aclu involved. MPS need to be knocked down a notch.

Posted by: No shirts on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:36 AM
They shouldn't be allowed to wear them...Julius was KILLED...which means he probably got into a serious fight w/ a scumbag somewhere along the line & these kids are making themselves targets. The school did the right thing & the mother needs to be a paretn.

Posted by: DDD on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:36 AM
First of all, I would like to say thank you for remembering a human being. Way to go students. The shirts show the man was a person represented by whom he was and not what he was. We ALL have a shadow or ghost that we want to forget about. If you say you don't, your a lier! I complement the students for what there doing to remember one of thier own. A FRIEND AND FELLOW STUDENT.. My suggestion is that all of the students pick a special day and the entire student body wear the shirt. Lets see what the administration whould do then. Heck, If I had a shirt I would wear it on the same day and make my presence at the school. It's nice to see that kids these days can remember someone as a person. I think a majority of the adults need to take some lessons from thier kids.

Posted by: citizen on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Pick and choose rules. I agree that the mom is teach her son that it is OK to ignore rules. When I was in the Marine Corps (during Viet Nam) I once complained that an order was wrong to obey. My C.O. said that if a superior ever told me to jump in the lake that would be wrong and to let him know---BUT I'd better be wet. So, fine, fight it if its unfair, but obey first.

Posted by: AL on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:30 AM
WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DRESS CODE? WHY NOT ASK THE CHOOL FIRST TO SEE IF IT'S OK TOWEAR THEM..WHY TO GO MOM..TEACH YOUR KID TO DISOBEY DRESS CODES THAT WILL REALLY TEACH EM..C'MON PARENTS IT'S BAD ENOUGH THESE KIDS DRESS STUPID TO SCHOOL..DON'T MAKE EM ACT STUIPD..

Posted by: Keith on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:27 AM
They can mourn their freind all they want. Just don't do it on school grounds.

Posted by: Reply to J on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:26 AM
J, in a perfect world we could allow parents to decide what our children wear to school. Have you seen some of these girls walking around lately? I have seen bathing suits that cover more skin. The schools have rules that have to be followed and this happens to be one of them. I would not want my children wearing clothing immortalizing a gang member.

Posted by: anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:24 AM
I just love this mother supporting her daughter in Re: to wearing the shirt, what a message she sends! DUH! GET A CLUE! It leaves you with no doubt where the daughter got her smarts. You hang with wannabe thugs you eventually will pay the price. Hopefully the school stands their ground on this issue, its the right thing to do!

Posted by: Millard Resdient on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:19 AM
So what is the big deal. Millard needs to lighten up and let these kids mourn. Lets just brush the whole situation under the rug and bury our heads like nothing happened. Make these kids hold in their feelings and then sit back and wonder why this generation is so full of rage. Feelings have to come out and if this is the way these kids choose to do it then more power to them. Better that then bottled up inside waiting to explode. My hat goes off to the learning center for allowing our youth express their feelings and to allow then the chance to heal. Thank you!

Posted by: Craig on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:15 AM
In my opinion the issue here isn't whether or not the shirt is appropriate but rather does the school administrators have the right to enforce a code of dress based on whether or not they feel the dress creates a disruption. I imagine that the administration didn't just walk up the students and suspend them. I'm sure the students were given the opportunity to either remove or cover the shirt and the students protested. This action by the students turned the act of memorializing the slain teen into a protest of authority. The 1st Amendment does give Americans the right to free speech and the students exercised that right, however every student in that school also has a right to a non-disruptive environment in which to learn. The students who wore those shirts violated that right. Apparently Ms. Kuhr felt that the shirts were not inappropriate for school dress however that's not her decision to make. In this instance I feel the school administration made the right decision.

Posted by: Millard Parent on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Now if this kid was the star player of football, basketball or any other sport with a perfect backgroud they would be selling the shirts in their logo shop and having fund raisers for the kid. A death is a death and people should be able to morn that death. Millard South has been having dificulties for several years. They finally fired the resource officer that shuold have been done a long time ago and maybe with new staff it could turn around. I applaude the learning center staff and the students for standing up for what they believe in. If South has a problem with the "RIP" then remove that and lets see what they have to say.

Posted by: Donnie on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:00 AM
The parents that are supporting these students are exactly what is wrong with our society today. While it is sad whenever a young life is snuffed out, I can't say that I shed any tears over this young man or the "wannabees" that killed him. It is all about choices my friends, and you (specifically Jeanne) are leading your children down a very dark path. Quit trying to be a friend, be a parent! If the students ( and their parents) would put half the effort into school work and positive outlets, as opposed to glorifying gang life, they might actually grow up to be productive members of society. God help us.

Posted by: Odd on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:49 AM
The only disruption I see is coming from the teachers and staff. Typical for these times.

Posted by: Tyrone on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:32 AM
Nothing surprises me at Millard South. They got rid of their School Resource Officer who had been at the school for 6 years and had a great relationship with all of the student body including gang members. If she was still there this would have been a non issue. It would have all been handled in house with a fair compromise between the students and administration. Why did they get rid of her, because the students trusted her and would confide in her! The administration became very jealous of her relationship with the students. We miss you Officer Chizek. EIP Julius, no matter how THEY try you will not be forgotten. PEACE

Posted by: someone on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:21 AM
My guess is these kids planned it knowing it would create a controversial reaction. Kids always feel the need to push boundaries. I'm also guessing that had been warned not to do something like this. Either way, school policy is simple. They ask you to change, you change. You don't, you accept consequences. If this young man was a gang member, then no excuse about free speech is viable. In the real world, your boss CAN dictate what you can or cannot wear in the workplace, and the CAN and WILL punish, including perhaps fire you, for breaking that policy. Boundaries exist everywhere in life, so kids may as well learn that lesson early. Another thing? How many of these kids are true Millard students, and how many open-enrolled? Open enrollment can be revoked. I hope that is taken into consideration.

Posted by: Monroe on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:17 AM
Beth, a lot of people dont know this but The Millard Learning Center which for those of you that dont know is Millard's Alternative High School has a bunch of different rules than the other Millard Schools. I used to work there and Angie Bahnsen, the principal would allow students to go outside and smoke between classes. They will allow students to do ANYTHING just so they can pass and move on. They dont follow the same set of rules as the rest of the school district. They probably didnt even notice the RIP shirts the kids were wearing.

Posted by: John on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:15 AM
I wonder if there would be a simular ban if students were wearing t-shirts with Joshua Wayland's name and RIP on it.(Joshua was the Platteview High School student killed on Wednesday) I think that the school may be making more of a distraction than what the shirts would. Also perhaps it may be looked at as promoting making the right decisions about who you associate with.

Posted by: Danielle on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Schools MUST have rules and inforce them. These kids and their shirts are disruptive in school (I attend Millard South) and the mother is as big a loser as her kids.

Posted by: jojo on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Shame on you. Why don't students put this energy into learning and doing their job? You can remember your "friend" the rest of the 17 hours left in the day. But then you would'nt get the attention you want and interfer and distract the students trying to learn. You have the right to go to school and learn but you do not have the right to interfer with others trying to learn. The school has to have rules to keep things running as it should just like parents have rules as do jobs traffic and all things in a society. Perhaps if you had talked to the principal ahead of time to see if the T shirts would be OK the whole mess could have been avoided. But no' that would have been to easy--cause trouble instead. INstead a Parent got on TV and made a fool of herself and has made it hard on her daughter to deal with it aat school and with the other students. Your parents can let you wear what you want but what is approprate at school or on the job, the football field, the police, service men .

Posted by: ricochet000 on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:54 AM
I don't care whether he was a gang member or not, it is still a HUMAN LIFE...No one deserves to die...A for the school, What happened to freedom of speech!!! Is this not America???

Posted by: T on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:28 AM
How can one be sure he was a gang member? Was he gallivanting about in gang colors with a gun screaming his alliance to a certain gang when he was gunned down? I find it awfully silly what schools will pick their battles over. I was inappropriately touched by a person on the bus and when I reported it the school told me there wasn't anything they could do. They then called me down to the office to tell me this person had been suspended and would not be riding the bus but NOT because of what I had reported. But a T-Shirt? OMG get out now! Schools need to pick their battles a little better...

Posted by: Dom on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:10 AM
Despite him being a gang member, his FRIENDS are still allowed to mourn their loss. I swear...this city grows more and more heartless each and every day.

Posted by: Tim on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:09 AM
I say ACLU should be contacted on this. This is not drug or gang related. It not even sex. This is an expression of how they feel for someone in a non intrusive way. From what I have read these actions have been ruled in favor of the students in courts. I think it is time for schools to really look at what is important.

Posted by: MJ on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:36 AM
When I taught in Millard, the students who wore questionable T-shirts were sent to the principal's office. When they came back, the students were wearing the same shirts, only inside-out. Problem solved.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Get used to it. The more liberals we elect, the closer we get to losing our rights-including freedom of speech. Think about that the next time we vote. Remember, it was the 4 liberal judges in the supreme court who darn near took the right away this past summer. We only have the rights we're willing to fight for. While I myself would let my child wear the shirt on the weekends but not to school. That's because I'm in charge and what I say goes. It is nice that his friends want to remember him, but the tees should have stayed home in the closet until the weekend.

Posted by: andrew on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:30 AM
what a great parent, i agree with dan below me. mom's the one to blame.

Posted by: Dan on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:09 AM
WOW! Rules are rules. way to go mom for showing them how to break them. I can't wait till these kids grow up and are out in the real world.

Posted by: Todd on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:04 AM
I do believe the students have the right to freedom of speech in school and should be able to wear t-shirts with there friends name on it to remember them. But then again to Omaha school districts have always kicked out kids for stupid reasons.

Posted by: Beth on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:49 AM
He was a GANG MEMBER. It is sad that he died because of the choices he made in his life, but memorializing him is obviously a disruption at the school, unless glorifying the gang life is a good thing now. But I don't understand the discrepancy between MLC and Millard South. The rules should be the same at both places, because MLC should not allow shirts memorializing a gang member either.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:58 PM
The school might be be concerned about the possibility of his connection with a gang ... they may simply be concerned about students being distracted by grief when they see the shirt. Grief can consume you for hours after a reminder like that, and it might make it hard to concentrate in class. That said, I fully support the shirt, and remembering the victims of violence. My own parents were killed by a drunk driver a year ago, and once it's off the news, people forget all too quickly that someone died at the hands of an idiot who's still walking around alive, and something needs to be done about senseless, preventable crimes.

Posted by: KC on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:57 PM
I will side with the great Pink Floyd... Hey teacher... Leave them kids alone!!! Expulsion for remembering a fallen friend in a t shirt tribute... is this still America... land of the free?? Censorship is dictatorship if you ask me.

Posted by: shanon on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:41 PM
I have employees that go to this school and heard that there are over 40 suspended and for 19 days.For what? Wearing a T-Shirt In memory of a student.This is bogus and these teens have a right to start making decisions for themselves. I do not see where interupting their education and holding them back from making decisions for themselves in, a non hurtfull way, is a benefit.These are our adult children in a society of crime,let them come to terms with the finality of death. I am personally happy to see that they care.

Posted by: Marie on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Millard needs to just shut up and let parents make the call. Our kids are pushed to live up to these grand expectations so the school board looks good yet they aren't allowed to mourn a friend? Sorry but thats just plain bull. I just finished reading the handbook and it says nothing about the term RIP. Another case of making up the rules as they go.

Posted by: J on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:32 PM
First of all, administration lied. There were more than 4 students suspended. Secondly, what ever happened to the 1st ammendment? Freedom of speech??? Has Millard administration never heard of it? These students are simply trying to honor their friend. Where do these over zealous administrators get off by acting like nazi's? They need to back off and let parents decide what is appropriate for their children to wear to school. Millard totally thinks they can RUN our kids while they are at school. Someone should contact the ACLU! This is just another story where Millard is over the top and discriminating against certain students. They are all so power hungry..makes a person ill.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I'm sorry, Dan. I regret that you lost your best friend, but you are not a trustworthy source to tell us whether or not he was a gang member.

Posted by: Andrew on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:13 PM
This is a situation that has come up in the past. Where people were not able to wear certain clothing in school. Millard South "claims The school says the students were wearing clothing or had markings on their clothing or bodies that were considered a disruption to the school environment. Show me the evidence where that was a disruption to the school enviorment and then let the school talk about what they can and can not wear.In the case Vinker V. Des Moines boys tried to wear arm bands to protest the war in vietnam but when the case went to the supreme court and the defence asked who is be distracted by the arm bands the school had no response.

Posted by: stan on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:59 PM
The school said take 'em off.....so take 'em off. Enough said. Way to go "mom", teach your kids to stand up for a MISGUIDED principle. He was NOT an innocent bystander.

Posted by: Shawnee on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Julius was a student from that school, and therefore these students should be able to wear the t-shirt as a way of dealing with their grief. It allows the students to openly discuss their feeling and deal with this tragedy in a constructed manner. I agree with the mother, these students should be allowed to wear them as long as they want, as a matter of fact the principle should be wearing one as well.....

Posted by: Millard on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Ahhh! another one of the moms of Millard supporting their kid against the rules of the school. What a good example.

Posted by: Tom on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Schools