No More Fun

      The things that I loved most about pre-school and grade school, other than recess, were the parties. Who didn't look forward to getting dressed up for Halloween, parading around the school in a costume, and eating tons of candy with lunch? Valentines Day was a lot of fun too. We would decorate a shoe box and bring valentines for the whole class. Birthdays were also a great excuse for more cookies and more cupcakes. Someone's mom or dad would always come to school at snack time, bring us a treat and read us a story. While there were rules about when to hand out birthday invitations, everyone seemed comfortable with the rest of it. All of those nice reminders that we were just little kids have changed for some Maryland school children. 

      After the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, a county in Maryland has implemented some strange new security measures. In an effort to make schools physically and emotionally a "Safer" place, St. Mary's county has banned birthday party invitations, hugs, and a push on the swings from someone other than your own parent. Cupcakes are out too. Parents who visit their own children within the 17 public schools in this county must be registered as volunteers, and can not have any physical contact with anyone other that their own child. Within the school district, there are approximately 8,000 children. Their motto is "work hard and be nice", but apparently now it is "but not too nice".

      While I feel that it is very important to be sensitive to safety issues, it really feels like these restrictions do little more than potentially suck the joy out of childhood. To view to article click on the link: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/19/17373726-maryland-school-district-restricts-hugs-party-invitations-and-cupcakes?lite--