“A lot of the information that’s been put out there is completely incorrect and inaccurate,” Nebo School District Public Information Officer Seth Sorensen told ABC4.com.
While Sorensen said there have been issues with harassment or students making others feel uncomfortable or unsafe, he said most of the claims online are false.
“The administration at the school addressed that with the entire student body and they sent out a couple of emails,” Sorensen said. “Some of those emails were misinterpreted, and parents took to online formats to voice some of their concerns and questions.”
Sorensen said students are not dressing up as cats and dogs, and because there is a dress code in place, he doesn’t think videos that have been shared online are from Nebo schools. Sorensen emphasized that the main goals of the district are open communication and student safety.
“Today, we had some students and parents choose to exercise their right to assemble, and do a little protest for what they perceived was something that was happening in the school,” Sorensen said. “It actually is not something that’s been occurring.”
He said the reports of students dressing as animals are “a little bit inaccurate,” saying students wearing headbands with ears are similar to students wearing bows and sports jerseys. Sorensen said dressing up is “just what students of this age do.”
“Interestingly enough, they really didn’t address us with anything they wanted changed,” Sorensen said of the protesters.
In high school I hung out with all the punks and skaters. A lot of them would wear the studded jackets with patches and stuff. I didn’t usually dress the part but I love punk music and I love the skate culture so I felt like I fit in there. We didn’t care what anyone else thought or said to us. Social media and cell phones also weren’t really a thing. Bullying is different now because of that and it’s a real problem in many places. I’m sorry you had to take your daughter out of that school. I hope she knows there are people like her, who like the same kinds of music or the same kinds of clothes and that she’s not a freak or a weirdo. School can be tough. Even as an adult people make jokes sometimes about the music I listen too, but you know what? I still don’t care! lol
Thanks. There are people like her in some ways, but she’s a unique person, which is what I love about her. She knows that kids into both the Dead Kennedys and Raggedy Ann doll collecting are not “normal” but she’s fine with not being “normal.” Really, I was the same way. I hung out with all the punks and skaters like you, but I was (and still am) more interested in 1930s and 1940s music. And her mom is similarly eccentric. So we knew she would always be a “weirdo.” We’ve taught her that she should be proud of who she is and that trying to fit in with the “normal” kids isn’t worth it.
I always think of the words from Millencolin’s song No Cigar.
Cause I don’t care where I belong no more
What we share or not I will ignore
And I won’t waste my time fitting in
'Cause I don’t think contrast is a sin