TELL US: Does 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' Condone Bullying?

Does the lovable children's holiday classic send the wrong message? Tell us your thoughts.

In October, Patch asked readers how they felt about one parent's view that "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" condoned bullying. Specifically, blogger DadCamp wrote that the show sends the wrong message to children because of its "continuous teasing and bullying" It's not the first time a parent has spoken out against a classic children's program with such a claim. Last December, news spread that author and special ed professor George Giuliani said that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also a program laden with the theme of bullying, considering how much Rudolph was an outsider due to his glowing red nose. Giuliani, as such, wrote a book titled "No More Bullies at the North Pole," which re-tells the story of Rudolph. What do you …

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Betty Smith

8:10 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I do see your point.   more ›

Students Talk About Recent Hazing Incident

Two Dedham High and one West Roxbury High student speak out about the recent hazing incident offering up what talk has been circling in their circles.

Due to the sensitive nature of the issue and their age, Patch has chosen not to use the names of those who spoke out concerning the recent hazing incident. As reports surfaced last Thursday about a hazing incident at Dedham High that involved five students, very little has become clear as neither the school nor the police will release a statement due to the age of the teens involved. At the end of last week, NECN and Boston.com reported that four students have been charged with alleged hazing, although offered no specifics on the circumstances. Going in and out of the many stores in Legacy Place, Patch sought out some high schoolers to explain what they thought about the incident and stumbled upon the rumors that have been floating around …

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Superintendent June Doe Issues Statement on DHS Hazing Scandal

The following is an official statement issued by the Superintendent.

  I am writing to you regarding the alleged violation of the district's anti-bullying/anti-hazing policies.  The allegation that the policies were violated by a number of our students immediately generated an internal investigation into the reported allegation.  It is disappointing and most disturbing since these policies are in place to protect all students in a safe and supportive learning environment. An investigation is still ongoing.  It is painful to report that the investigation has produced information for school administrators to conclude that there was a violation of the policies.  The Dedham Public Schools take appropriate actions in accordance with district policies and state laws.  We can appreciate that the community has a …

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New School Policy to Hold Students Responsible Over Summer

The Dedham School Committee will vote Wednesday on a policy that will extend its violence, drug and alcohol policy to year-round.

  Students who violate the Dedham Public Schools' rules on violence, drugs and alcohol during the summer could receive suspension from school activities the following school year, if the Dedham School Committee approves the new policy Wednesday evening. Currently, the school district only holds students responsible to these rules during school months. Offenses could include anything from drug and alcohol use to bullying and other violent offenses, according to a document posted on the school district's website Tuesday morning. The year-round policy will require Dedham Police Department cooperation to alert the district when a student is involved in an incident. "In order to achieve the goal of a safe, drug‐free community, the cooperation …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Nov. 29

Today's weather, a day of anti-bullying messages and latest gas prices.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. 

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