<p>Yorkyfan, How wonderful! Thank you for sharing that great family history.</p>
<p>When my son attended Texas public elementary schools ten years ago, corporal punishment was legal. It still is. I think this CNN article will be a real eye opener for many in this thread, [More</a> than 200,000 kids spanked at school - CNN.com](<a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/20/corporal.punishment/index.html]More”>More than 200,000 kids spanked at school - CNN.com)</p>
<p>I found out about this when my son brought home a stack of papers the first day of school explaining their discipline rules and a form we could use to “opt out” of letting the school strike our child. We thought it must be outdated and called the school. Upon learning it was true, we made an appointment and met with the principal. Before we went I did a little research and found cases of children being hit whose parents had not given permission but those forms got “lost.” </p>
<p>During the meeting, I expressed my disappointment that a public school chose to deal with it’s most troubled students by hitting them. The principal tried to reassure us by explaining the so-called logic behind it, which only made the whole thing seem more barbaric. We also brought a letter with us explaining that our son was not to be touched by anyone in the school for punishment, we were to be called instead and if they ignored that we would press charges and sue. We signed it in front of the principal and had copies made for our son’s file and teacher. </p>
<p>It’s shameful that this is legal. Truly shameful.</p>