Controversial Punishment at Salem Private School Stirs Debate

The debate over who, where, and how a child is punished at home or at school will continue for centuries to come.

(SALEM) - The debate over how a child should be punished while at school is growing in Salem after a questionable form of punishment came to light Friday at Queen of Peace Catholic School in South Salem

The principal was was seen punishing students by using what some call child labor.

Two visitors to the school on Friday say they saw two kindergarteners, both boys, cleaning the base of a wall with a toothbrush.

When they asked a staff member about the situation, they say they were told that that is how the principal, Debilyn Janota, deals with punishments at the school, and has for years.

Bud Bunce with Archdiocese of Portland says the Archdiocese and parents of children who attend the school back the principal's form of punishment.

“The two students were caught fighting, and the principal felt the best way to punish the students was use their excess energy and have them clean base of the wall with a bucket of water and a toothbrush for the betterment of the school, we support that decision” Bunce said.

He says the children were going to pick-up trash on the school campus, but rain changed that to wall cleaning. He added that whenever a student is punished at the school, the parents are notified.

Bunce would not comment on if there had been any complaints in the past about punishments handed out at the school.

He also declined to comment on how long this form of punishment was going on, and if it was going on at other Catholic schools across the state.

Oregon Department of Education spokesman Gene Evans says the state of Oregon has no authority over the situation.

“Someone needs to take a stand and protect those kids, this isn’t the ‘good old days’ when this type of punishment is accepted, in my view this is a form a child abuse and the principal should be fired.”

But another resident, Mark Davis of Salem, says he is fine with the principal decision.

“I’m not Catholic, but I believe that children need some form of discipline other than the standard ‘sit in the corner’ when they do something wrong.”

“I feel that most religions would frown upon this, while Catholics feel that this is o-k, that is their right, and we should not have a say as to what they should or should not believe is the right form of punishment for their children.”

Some Salem-Keizer public school educators said that if they had used this type of discipline on their students not only would they be fired, but blasted by the public, and the media as well.

The school has students from kindergarten through grade six, and has a current enrollment of about 158 children.

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Slam; March 26, 2007 8:13 pm (Pacific time)

Tyler, what do you think? I'm old now sort of and remember several different tecniques used to discipline me and other ones who got in trouble, ranging from physically shaking me, to ping pong paddles, to writing my name so often on the blackboard I'll never forget it., to outright suspension or worse. It depended on what I did or what they thought I did. I was a trouble maker so now I figure I had it coming, though at the time that thought didn't occur to me., and mostly I thought they were "after me", but I made it in life anyway., in spite of their attempts at straightening me out.,how about you?

Tyler March 23, 2007 1:22 am (Pacific time)

Even though I am an underage I want to put in my opinion. At my school ( a public middle school ) our punishment is called "ISS" (In-School-Suspension) where we are handed scrubbers a bucket of water and we have to scrub the ground facing the sun until it is clean for about an hour or two. The teahers think that the blisters and hard work are a fair punishment what do you think????????

jmm March 4, 2007 7:38 pm (Pacific time)

One of the problems with our society today is the lack of consequences and personal accountability. I completely support this kind of consequence!

Hank Ruark March 1, 2007 11:57 am (Pacific time)

Linda et al: Did same with four sons, one daughter...now they make sure I conform to same house-rules ! NOT "abuse", but application demands commonsense and some basic understanding of child psychology; brute-force kicks back, too, but not so normally and nicely as loving-care and full, normal, direction.

Linda W. March 1, 2007 8:15 am (Pacific time)

Why channel their excess energy into a constructive activity that will cause them to think twice about fighting again? Some would think it's better to put those boys on Ritalin. I disagree. BTW - I make my teen-agers clean their bathroom and do their own laundry. Is that child abuse?

Hank Ruark March 1, 2007 8:08 am (Pacific time)

See Comment under story re Pastor Beats Son With Paddle.

Hard Labor March 1, 2007 12:13 am (Pacific time)

I was thinking of all the punishment I went through in parochial school. Writing my name 3000 times, etc. did nothing. I had problems at home. My parents hated each other and I suffered at home. When I acted out at school, I was punished for being punished by disturbed parents. Be a little psychological here and a little insightful!

the Devil; February 27, 2007 7:31 pm (Pacific time)

Matt, get a grip! I personally am not ignorant nor unaware of the Catholic's penchant for disciplinary programs,(see; "Spanish Inquisition" or "Reformation" websites), and in this case they didn't treat the cherubs like animals!, really Matt!, a gross exageration! When I was a Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps we used the same technique to instill proper hygeienic requirements for the recruits, it was only later they behaved like animals in the shoreside bistro's and arcades of life and liberty., of their own accord! I did't do it!,I swear it!., and neither did these particular Catholics!, which is saying a lot coming from me! Get A Grip!, they,(the cherubs), will recover with no visible "Carple Tunnel Syndrome"!, and can you think of a better way to clean the wainscoating?

Matt Johnson February 27, 2007 6:53 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry, but what a bunch of ignorant comments. All of you are the same people who have always allowed this type of BS to go on in the Catholic community. It is training to make people submissive and it is if not cruel, totally unusual in this society. So take your kids and have them treated like animals, that is your right, but it is very sad.

Kim February 27, 2007 6:06 pm (Pacific time)

Cleaning a wall with a toothbrush is considered child abuse!? These "whistle-blowers" are a bunch of whiners and comparing it to using a taser is ludicrous beyond belief. It's no wonder we have kids killing kids in schools when even the mildest form of punishment is deemed outrageous. Boo-hoo.

FRED QofP Dad February 27, 2007 2:45 pm (Pacific time)

MY KIDS GO TO QofP AND THEY GET A WONDERFUL EDUCATION. NO PROBLEM WITH THE SCHOOL STAFF. YOU WILL SEE THEM HEAD TO A FIRST RATE UNIVERSITY SOMEDAY. THANK YOU QofP for providing the kids with love and a Quality Education. They are never to young to learn how to get along with others. Let's end tooth bruches to Congress ... they need to clean that house. Have a grest day.

Grey February 27, 2007 7:56 am (Pacific time)

What a wonderful punishment. It's high time kids today realise they have a place and that place remains the same until they EARN the right to move up. They are more cynical and conceited than in the past and feel they are entitled to material and emotional good and services. However, none have earned the priveledge to demand these things, just by virtue of of age and life experience. Having to clean a wall with a toothbrush should be a sign to all that non-corporal, yet head-turning punishments still work and are the way to go.

Bill February 27, 2007 7:36 am (Pacific time)

After seeing the news yesterday with filmed beatings and inappropriate touching of female students at a middle school, it is obvious that parents are not doing their jobs or making excuses for their children. This punishment does not harm the students and maybe they will learn from this. And if you don't like this, your option is Public Schools.

the Devil; February 26, 2007 9:30 pm (Pacific time)

at this age they're the perfect size for scrubbing toilet bowls and tile grouting! It builds character!, and it appears their behavior was less than saintly.,so get real! They can use the toothbrushes later for.., arts and crafts too! efficient! effective! enduring!

rw February 26, 2007 2:09 pm (Pacific time)

When kids fight in public school they get to see the police, as do the parents, the school and anyone else that's remotely connected to the situation. Then the lawyers make an intrance and before you know it everyone's paying out the you know what for you know who's new town house in some place most of us will never go and the children in question haven't learned anything useful. In the end, the toothbrush is more cost effective and it actually teaches the children that actions have consequences.

Anonymous February 26, 2007 1:05 pm (Pacific time)

We did not leave the school because of their disciplinary policies. I'm all for keeping the kids in check - but cleaning the bathrooms, etc? Picking up litter on the playground, or staying in from recess are more age appropriate consequences for kindergarteners - not doing janitorial duties.

anonymous February 26, 2007 12:39 pm (Pacific time)

Get a grip. No one got hurt and they were taught that there are unpleasant consequences to anti-social behavior. I could understand the flap if this absurdity was over some corporeal punishment or humiliating debasement, but there wasn't, so the pansies who are whinning on here about how inhumane this is should get a grip. If parents didn't expect the schools to teach their children a moral/social order then this wouldn't even be an issue would it?

Anonymous February 26, 2007 12:30 pm (Pacific time)

I guess our society just loves to have children that think that they can do anything they want. Personally I feel that this is an excellent form of punishment - children should have consequences for their actions. Maybe next time they will think twice before they get in a fight or talk back to their authority figures. TEACH OUR CHILDREN SOME RESPECT. If I could afford it I would send all 4 of my kids to that school!

Anonymous February 26, 2007 11:51 am (Pacific time)

My child used to attend Q of P, but our family was so disappointed with the school's administration, that we moved to Public School. 10 other students from my child's class last year did the same.

I like it! February 26, 2007 11:38 am (Pacific time)

Let's get our public school doing the same thing!!

the Devil; February 26, 2007 9:19 am (Pacific time)

I think something like "miracle-made, (pat. pend.) tooth-brushes; keep the devils hands from play!", or.., maybe the little cherubs didn't know they were toothbrushes?, I mean they haven't been around all that long!?., early education is crucial, don't you think?, and may I say damn lucky they were'nt the Right Rev. Mrs. Phelps and the Baptist homophiles! They are ..,eccentric?, I plan on visiting them soon.

Anonymous February 26, 2007 7:47 am (Pacific time)

I can see the toothbrush company's new ad campain..not only will our toothbrush make your teeth whiter but Catholic school walls as well.

Jeff Albany February 26, 2007 7:36 am (Pacific time)

Why not just taser them like the guy down in Albany did to his kid. The principal and him must be related. What did she forget to take her pamprin??

Rob February 26, 2007 7:32 am (Pacific time)

Hell while they're at it, why not mow the lawn, wash her car, clean the windows, and make lunch for everyone. I'm sure a five to six year old is capeable of that?? Or are those punishments at the school too???

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Controversial Punishment at Salem Private School Stirs Debate

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