The UVI-Small Business Development Center presents a seminar on designing Web pages from 6 to 8 pm. at the UVI computer lab in the CA Building.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
'WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN – PART II'
The UVI-Small Business Development Center presents "Writing a Business Plan – Part II" from 10 a.m. to noon at the SBDC training facility in Nisky Center.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SBDC PRESENTS 'WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN – PART I'
The UVI-Small Business Development Center presents "Writing a Business Plan – Part I" from 10 a.m. to noon at the SBDC training facility in Nisky Center.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
BUSINESS LICENSING SEMINAR HELD BY SBDC
The UVI-Small Business Development Center presents "Checklist for Going into Business: Starting a Business in the Virgin Islands by Finding the Appropriate Location and Obtaining a License" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the SBDC training facility in Nisky Center.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
For more information, call 776-3206.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OSWALD HARRIS COURT COMMUNITY MEETS
Oct. 24, 2002 – The monthly management/residents meeting for the Oswald E. Harris Court community is today at 7 p.m. at the Ruth Dazle Community Center. Representatives for the Housing Finance Authority will present information on attaining home ownership. Residents are asked to invite a neighbor or friend to the meeting.
Audrey Larmony of the V.I. Finance Authority will be the guest speaker. Updates on community services, management and Housing Authority police activity are part of the agenda.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Audrey Larmony of the V.I. Finance Authority will be the guest speaker. Updates on community services, management and Housing Authority police activity are part of the agenda.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OSWALD HARRIS COURT COMMUNITY MEETS THURSDAY
Oct. 24, 2002 – The monthly management/residents meeting for the Oswald E. Harris Court community is today at 7 p.m. at the Ruth Dazle Community Center. Representatives for the Housing Finance Authority will present information on attaining home ownership. Residents are asked to invite a neighbor or friend to the meeting.
Audrey Larmony of the V.I. Finance Authority will be the guest speaker. Updates on community services, management and Housing Authority police activity are part of the agenda.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Audrey Larmony of the V.I. Finance Authority will be the guest speaker. Updates on community services, management and Housing Authority police activity are part of the agenda.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SEE 'THE RING' BEFORE YOU DIE
Oct. 24, 2002 – "The Ring" begins with the premise of four Seattle high school friends spending a weekend at a remote Washington state inn, where the TV's botched reception drives them to play an unmarked videotape from the manager's lending library. A telephone call to their cabin immediately after they view the tape warns them that they'll die in seven days. Seven days later, the teens die at exactly the same time they finished watching the tape, in three separate "accidents."
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Sunny Isle Theaters.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Sunny Isle Theaters.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SEE 'THE RING' BEFORE YOU DIE
Oct. 24, 2002 – "The Ring" begins with the premise of four Seattle high school friends spending a weekend at a remote Washington state inn, where the TV's botched reception drives them to play an unmarked videotape from the manager's lending library. A telephone call to their cabin immediately after they view the tape warns them that they'll die in seven days. Seven days later, the teens die at exactly the same time they finished watching the tape, in three separate "accidents."
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the girls, is a reporter at a Seattle newspaper and starts an investigation that leads her to view the tape, too. She immediately gets a similar phone call saying she will die in seven days, setting the clock for her to save herself and solve the mysterious meaning behind the ring, an image victims are meant to see the moment before they die.
Rachel's ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), is a video technician, and she calls him despite their estranged relationship to help her figure out the source of the video, and he also views the tape one day later. They make a copy of the tape, which inadvertently is watched by their quiet, intelligent son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who happens to be communicating with a young girl's spirit that had told him his cousin was going to die, an event he drew a picture of the week before his cousin died.
Rachel's investigation leads her to an island off northern Washington, the site of a lighthouse seen on the puzzling videotape. Outside a horse ranch operated by Richard Morgan (Brian Cox), Rachel realizes she is standing in the picture her son drew back in Seattle, although he had never been to the island. Inside the Morgan home, Rachel realizes it is the house in the video. She calls Aidan back in Seattle, and he tells her the little girl, who shows him things, hates the barn because the horses keep her awake. She can't sleep.
Aidan can't sleep.
And neither will moviegoers after they see "The Ring."
Director Gore Verbinski has succeeded in bringing a truly suspenseful horror film back to the screen. "The Ring" is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese blockbuster, "Ringu," which has already spawned three sequels in Japan. Sound and photographic effects work together masterfully to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, alternately screaming and clutching their chests.
And "The Ring" provides heart-stopping scares while keeping a PG-13 rating, which goes to prove that suspense and a good script can be just as frightening as gore and violence — while allowing larger numbers of viewers to see the potent images on the videotape. Go see "The Ring" again in seven days. Just don't take your cell phone to the theater. But if you do, and it rings, whatever you do, don't answer it.
The 1 hour 45 minute film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images and language.
"The Ring" is playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SCHOOL HAIRSTYLE HEARING CONTINUING THURSDAY
Oct. 23, 2002 – School policy vs. freedom of expression. That was the debate Wednesday as the Board of Education met to decide whether a John H. Woodson Junior High School student will be allowed to attend classes wearing his hair in braided corn rows. A decision could come on Thursday and will be binding for students throughout the territory.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board on Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board on Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
SCHOOL HAIRSTYLE HEARING CONTINUING THURSDAY
Oct. 23, 2002 – School policy vs. freedom of expression. That was the debate Wednesday as the Board of Education met to decide whether a John H. Woodson Junior High School student will be allowed to attend classes wearing his hair in braided corn rows. A decision could come on Thursday and will be binding for students throughout the territory.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board on Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Anthony Gibson, 12, was sent home from school on Sept. 19 and again the following day for wearing the braids, which violate a school policy set forth in a newsletter issued by the Woodson principal before classes began this year.
Anthony's father, Shawn Gibson, had already requested a hearing on the matter by the school board when Woodson Principal Vaughn Hewitt sent a letter on Sept. 30 informing the boy's parents that he had been transferred to Arthur A. Richards Junior High.
Attorneys representing the Education Department and the Gibsons presented their case before the board on Wednesday in a Territorial Court meeting room on St. Croix.
"It's unbelievable, considering the state our educational system is in, that anyone would spend time and effort depriving students of their constitutional rights," Anthony and Shawn Gibson's attorney, Lee Rohn, said.
Rohn said Anthony prefers to wear his hair in corn rows as an expression of his African heritage and in remembrance of slavery. She cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a student's decision to wear his or her hair a certain way as a statement of beliefs or a religion may not be violated by the school board.
Hewitt, she noted, "adopted this policy for male students only."
She said the principal refused to meet with Shawn Gibson to discuss the matter and suspended Anthony without following the proper protocol. When Anthony was dismissed from school the second time, on Sept. 20, Hewitt called police to escort the boy and his father off the school grounds.
"The child was told, 'If you wear your hair in braids again, we won't call your father to come pick you up, we'll call the police to come pick you up,'" Rohn told the school board.
She also said Hewitt slandered Anthony by saying that boys who wear braids are usually members of gangs.
Rohn asked that the Education Department discipline Hewitt for his failure to follow suspension policy, award attorney's fees to Shawn Gibson, and rule that any future decision against the wearing of braids be disallowed.
Education attorney Tregenza Roach argued that the policy, which is at least six years old, is in place to protect students.
"It is an easy thing for people to misconstrue," Roach said Wednesday night after the meeting. He said the issue is not with Anthony in particular. "This policy in place didn't just drop out of the sky, and it didn't arise out of this particular incident," he said.
The school has had problems in the past with students identifying themselves as members of a particular gang or group by wearing the braids, Roach said. "It's easy for people to say this is a trivial issue," he told the board, "but they are not on the front lines; they are not dealing with the schools on a day-to-day basis."
School officials have seen a noticeable decline in gang-related violence on the Woodson campus since implementation of the policy, Roach said. He challenged Rohn's citing of the 1969 Supreme Court decision, saying that the case had to do with students wearing armbands as a political statement and that the nation's highest court has consistently refused to hear cases dealing specifically with hair.
"In fact, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dealt specifically with hair, and they said the school boards may determine those policies," Roach said.
For background on the corn rows controversy, see "Student's lawyer vows fight over hairstyle".
The hearing will continue on Thursday, Jorge Galiber, board chair, said, and after all testimony has been heard, the board will caucus to decide whether braids are acceptable.
Roach suggested that one board member, Claudette Petersen, recuse herself from the deliberations. He said Petersen, who also is president of the St. Croix Central High School Parent-Teacher Association, has stated publicly on radio talk shows that the braids should be allowed.
Prior to voting on the braids matter, the board will vote on whether Petersen should be allowed to participate in the hairstyle decision.
Board members present at the hearing in addition to Galiber and Petersen were Harry Daniel, Terrence D. Joseph, Keith Richards and Yvonne Williams. Gerald Hodge Sr. was excused, and Linda Thomas was absent.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
