A furious mother has slammed a Nassau school after her daughter was expelled for attending a party at which rap and reggae music was played.
The school was accused of having “boot camp rules” after the girl was punished for allegedly holding a party that violated school regulations.
Expulsion came after the student, Marquinique Taylor, refused to accept corporal punishment for the alleged offence.
Tiffany Fox, Marquinique’s mother, said she is considering suing Teleos Christian School for dismissing her daughter.
Last Saturday, Ms Fox threw a birthday party for her daughter which fellow students attended.
She claimed that when the students went to school on Monday they were beaten for attending the party.
Ms Fox said her daughter was called into the office by the school’s principal, Dr David Adams. She advised her daughter not to take any beating, but to tell the principal to call her.
Ms Fox claimed that Dr Adams told her daughter that he was not calling her, but she needed to call him. She said her daughter was held in the school’s office for the entire day.
Ms Fox told The Tribune she then received a letter from the school dated March 13 informing her that Marquinique was – expelled.
The Tribune received a faxed copy of the letter, which read: “It is with much regret that I write the following to you. Due to numerous infractions, including inappropriate conduct with the opposite sex, participating in (a) party that violated school rules which played music that promoted sexual immorality, taking drugs and sensual dancing.
“This party also had liquor, which is also against school rules. She being clearly aware of the school rules blatantly violated them and led others to disobey the school rules. Therefore, upon her refusal to accept the school’s punishment, we therefore have expelled Marquinique Taylor.”
Ms Fox denied any of the alleged breaches of rules took place. She stressed that there were no drugs and alcohol at the party.
A DJ was present, she said, who played all sorts of music, including reggae and rap. However, she emphasised there was no cursing in any of the music.
“I went on the mike and said I don’t want anyone touching nobody’s children, because I am responsible for them. The parents dropped the children off and picked them up. I had no complaints about the party,” said Ms Fox.
She said that a copy of the school’s handbook was sent home with her daughter on Monday.
A parent, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed her daughter was beaten for attending the party. She said her daughter received five lashes and, as a result, she withdrew her child from the school.
A faxed copy of the standards of conduct of the school outlined that: “Acts of immorality, profanity, gambling, lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and the use (or possession) of alcohol, narcotics and other dangerous drugs are unacceptable behaviours whether a student is at school or off the school grounds while enrolled at Teleos Christian Schools.
“Students are not to give nor attend any parties or get-togethers at which any of the above mentioned activities take place or are made available. Rock, reggae, or rap concerts, night clubs and the like are included in our definition of gatherings where unwholesome activities prevail and are therefore off limits for our students.”
Ms Fox said: “They are taking it to a different level and it is not fair to me or my child. It is also not fair to the students who got beaten because their parents allowed them to come to the party.
“The rules are boot camp rules because that ain’t any boarding school. My child lives with me.
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“As long as I am not mistreating her or she isn’t to school cursing and carrying on, dancing like she isn’t supposed to or coming to school high or, drunk, I don’t see that being his business,” asserted Ms Fox.
The Tribune contacted the school, but Dr Adams was said to be off the island. Other officials said they were not able to comment.
Source: ﾠThe Tribune
