Lots of people think of the law as a stogy old field that old men with white hair do. Well, sure. That's part of it. But, there is also an exciting, interactive and indeed even creative part of the law and I try hard to instill those creative aspects of the law in my teaching.
So, it is with some pride that I share some of my student's work with all of you. Sarah Zehnder is a math teacher in Lexington, KY that is training to become a principal. She thinks well in mathematics. So, when I asked her to brief a case, she submitted the typical case brief, but then she also submitted what she personally started with ... a geometry proof. So, below his her excellent and creative work on using a non-legal tool to understand the law. Great work Sarah and I hope the rest of you find this example helpful for understanding that creativity is possible within the law.
Prove: A basketball tournament is a school sponsored event regardless of location
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Statements |
Reasons |
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1. MCHS officials play a role in setting eligibility requirements for athletes and approve funding of equipment and also schedule games. |
1.School sponsorship may be found where a school officials schedule, set eligibility requirements for and fund an activity. (Poling v. Murphy - 872 F 2d. 757, 762) |
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2. MCHS educate students on more than just textbooks. |
2. The process of educating our youth for citizehnship in public schools is not confined to books, the curriculum and the civics class; schools must teach by example the shared values of a civilized social order. (Bethel School Dist. NO. 403 v Fraser) |
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3. MCHS officials encourage students to attend tournaments in which their teams are participants and thus sanctions their conduct. |
3. In the context of sporting events, student attendance at games, whether played at home or away, plays a large role in the success of the team as the so-called "sixth man" often is the difference between winning and losing. |
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4. MCHS officials must have greater authority at school sponsored events. |
4. Educators are entitled to exercise greater control over activities which "the public might reasonably perceive to bear the imprimatur of the school." (Hazelwood, 484 U.S. at 271) |
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5. The basketball tournament was a school sponsored event regardless of location |
5. This definition is in accord with the legitimate interest in teaching that which is vital to a civilized social order, not being perceived as placing its imprimatur on various conduct and promoting the safety of its students. (1,2,3) |