Let’s face it, most of us respond, “Bless You” to a sneeze simply because it’s a tradition, not because of any religious reasons.
I’ve always wondered why one gets a “Bless You” for a sneeze but nothing for a cough.
I’m sure poor Steve Cuckovich wished his students had a cough rather than cold. Perhaps none of the circus act to follow would have eventuated:
Teacher Steve Cuckovich docked his students’ scores after they said “bless you” in the middle of class. He says talking of any kind is disruptive and takes time away from class.
Cuckovich teaches health at William C. Wood High School in Vacaville.
Some parents were furious with the teacher, claiming his rule was anti-religious.
Cuckovich apparently listened to the parents. He says he will no longer deduct points from assignments for the disruption, but he added he will continue to control his classroom.
On Thursday, the district made it first comments on the issue. Superintendent John Niederkorn said that Cuckovich thought the students were sneezing in dramatic fashion with the intent of disrupting class.
“It was brought to the District’s attention a few days ago that students were disciplined for being disruptive in class. The teacher believed that students were dramatically sneezing and responding in repetitive fashion “Bless You”. One of the concerns is the social convention of saying “Gesundheit”, “God Bless You”, or “Bless You” after someone sneezes. Of question is whether a series of these repeated remarks by several students constitutes freedom of speech or a classroom disruption and merits student discipline. Vacaville Unified’s Administration is continuing its investigation of this reported classroom disruption. We are reviewing the impact of this disruption and the student grading policy. Certainly a blessing by one individual to another after a sneeze is a welcomed acknowledgement of a social norm. Hopefully it is not abused as a disruption of classroom instructional activities.” Dr. John Niederkorn, Superintendent.
Let’s get this straight. Students erupted in a chorus of “Bless You” designed to disrupt Mr. Cuckovich class for their own enjoyment. He responds with a consequence (albeit a harsh one) and the parents, instead of seeking the teacher or Principal for a clarification, go right to the top with their protest.
And instead of taking responsibility for the poor conduct of their children they decide to make this into a religious scandal.
And what does the superintendent do? Does he:
a. Redirect the parents to the teacher or school?
b. Tell the parents not to take this minor issue out of proportion?
c. Defend the teacher in question?
Nope. None of the above. I’m afraid he takes the criticisms extremely seriously and conducts a full investigation.
What’s wrong with an investigation?
This whole ugly story shows how powerless and unsupported many teachers are. Here is a teacher who wants to do his job without disturbance. That is every teacher’s right. He isn’t a religious bigot or necessarily a bad teacher. But where was his defence? Where was the instruction to consult with the teacher before taking it to the superintendent?
How would the parents like to have such disturbances in their workplace? How would they like it if I turned up at their desk every 5 minutes screaming “Bless You”? How would they like it if while they were conducting a meeting I waltzed in screaming “Bless You”?.
I’m sure they wouldn’t like it. But they wouldn’t be able to stop me. That would be anti-religious!
Tags: Bless You, Classroom Management, Education, John Niederkorn, life, News, Parenting, religion, Steve Cuckovich, William C. Wood High School
Topical Teaching 
November 20, 2011 at 2:55 am |
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2043473/Parents-outrage-teacher-docks-grade-points-pupils-say-bless-you.html
According to Cuckovich, banning ‘bless you’ is not for religious reasons but because it ‘no longer makes sense’ to use it.
The father of three told ABC: ‘When you sneezed in the old days, they thought you were dispelling evil spirits out of your body.
‘So they were saying, ‘God bless you’ for getting rid of evil spirits.
‘But today, I said what you’re doing doesn’t really make any sense any more.’
He stated he banned it because he felt it didn’t make sense, which isn’t reasonable grounds for banning a religious practise. People have freedom of religion even if a figure of authority figure believes it ‘doesn’t really make any sense’
Despite what he says, that makes it religious grounds- the existence or non existence of evil spirits is obviously religious grounds. And the fact that he specially punished that practise but not the fake sneezing suggests he holds some special animus towards those words. Discipline should be based on classroom disruption, not on a dislike of a certain choice of words. The parents were reasonable in their concerns, and the school was right to stop it.
November 21, 2011 at 12:24 am |
I think the parents have too much time on their hands.