This came home with Emma today:

On the afternoon bus ride on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005, the bus driver reported that Emma was talking on the bus and continued talking after he asked her to stop. The assistant principal had to get abourd the bus before it left campus to get the students quiet and orderly. Instructions were given for all students to be quiet and to travel the bus route that way. Emma chose to continue talking after the bus driver asked her to stop. This is Emma's third bus referral about misconduct on the school bus.

Emma is suspended off any bus transportation vehicle sponsored by Chatham County Schools for ten (10) school days. Emma can begin riding a school bus again on the morning of Monday, March 14, 2005.

I'm so very glad that Pittsboro Elementary School has solved all of their other problems and is now cracking down on the incredibly malicious act committed by the most wicked of children: talking. That's right, talking! I'm not sure what Mary Stephens, PES's Asst. Principal has against Emma. This is the second time that my six year old daughter has been suspended for something that seems to be utterly inconsequential. Once again, the school punishes the parents and not the child. Shouldn't the punishment fit the crime? This, to me, seems like a public execution for jaywalking.

In related news, this weekend Woods Charter School is having an open house. We intend to be there at 9am Saturday to take a look at their facility, meet the staff and begin the registration process. Can anyone think of a reason why Emma should continue to attend PES? I certainly can't.