List of classroom rules at Pueblo middle school sparks controversy

A list of classroom rules at a Pueblo Middle School is generating concern among parents and District 60. Many are worried the set of rules laid out by a 6th grade teacher are too strict.

On the first day of school, students in James Breslin’s 6th grade class at Heaton Middle School were required to bring home a list of class rules and etiquette. Both the parent and student were required to sign the contract.

The most controversial rule dealt with bathroom breaks. The syllabus indicated that students were are not allowed to use the bathroom during the first or last ten minutes of class periods.

Furthermore, students were informed that they could only use their bathroom privilege once per week.

The list also states that, “Talking is a privilege in [Mr. Breslin’s] classroom, not a right,” and, “This is not your home, you are not entitled to anything in my classroom.”

“[When I first saw the list] I said ‘you’ve got to be joking. This is insanity!” said Daniel Buehler, a parent of one of Mr. Breslin’s 6th grade students.

“First off, I have a little girl little and that could be a health risk” Buehler goes on to say, “Second, what if there is a kid with a bladder issue?”

After being made aware of classroom rules in question, leaders at Heaton Middle School and District 60 disavowed information contained within.

Thursday, students in Mr. Breslin’s class brought home notes from the Heaton Middle School Principal setting the record straight.

“The school has rewritten rules of that classroom,” said Dalton Sprouse, the District 60 spokesperson, “This is clearly not the philosophy of the school or the district, and it’s certainly not in line with our mission.”

Thursday afternoon, KRDO spoke with several parents waiting to pick up students from Heaton. Many believe the rules went too far.

“I’m sorry but anyone under the age of 18 is a child,” said Jeremiah Parish, a parent of an 8th grade student. “If a teacher tells a student they can’t go to the bathroom even in an emergency, they need to be fired.”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Janice Ortega, a grandparent of a student at the middle school. “You don’t know when kids have to go to the bathroom or not.”

However, a few parents say they believe the list of classroom rules are being blown out of proportion. They believe this is how classrooms should function.

Buehler disagrees.

“If you want to keep kids in an environment where they want to go to school so they aren’t out in the streets doing God knows what, you have to give them an environment where they are actually comfortable,” said Buehler.

According to Buehler, his daughter’s 6th grade teacher reached out to him. He says the teacher apologized, and said he messed up.