Students were forced to crawl on a hot track
Article content
A teacher in Lubbock, Texas, is furious after allegedly forcing more than a dozen middle school cheerleaders to perform “malicious” punishment that left students with burns to their hands and arms.
Article content
According to local ABC affiliate KAMC As punishment from their coach, a group of eighth-grade girls were forced to perform “bear crawls” and “crab walks” exercises on a hot track, resulting in first- and second-degree burns.
13 Evans Middle School girls say they were disciplined because of a cheer that their coach described as “disrespectful” and didn't want them used during a football game.
The unnamed coach/teacher instructed the young teenagers to “bear crawl” and “crab walk” for a mile on the school track at 2 p.m. on October 9. The temperature on the track was at least 125 degrees F (50 C), the outlet reported. ), quoting one parent who measured the area. Temperatures in this area in northwest Texas were around 35 degrees Celsius that day.
Article content
The two exercises the girls were forced to do involved crawling individually on all fours to improve core strength and mobility.
“I asked (my daughter), 'Is everything OK?' How was school? She put our things in the car, sat down and said, “Mom, do you want to know how my day was?” I said, “Yes.” She told me they were being punished and showed her hands,” Angel Thompson, one of the outraged mothers, told KAMC.
Some members of the cheerleading squad reportedly became ill and others were unable to complete the penalty due to intense pain.
Despite the girls' complaints, the coach allegedly threatened their future if they did not complete the competition.
“We told her our hands were burning and she said she didn't care and told us to get back on the track,” one cheerleader said.
Article content
When the high school students returned home, they had first- and second-degree burns on their hands.
Some of the students were treated by the school nurse, and one was taken to Texas Tech University Medical Center's burn unit.
Parents claim the school did not inform them about their child's visit with a nurse.
Recommended by the editors
-
Giants' Malik Nabers sidelined with concussion after attending Travis Scott concert
-
Travis Kelce's ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole slams Taylor Swift's “crazy” fans
“It was malicious. It was intentional,” one mother said.
The coach, who is a teacher in Lubbock ISD, was placed on administrative leave as police began an investigation.
“We are handling this matter with the utmost urgency and are fully committed to investigating the circumstances of the incident,” the school district said in a statement. “The teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We want to express our deep concern and regret for the pain and suffering this has caused students and their families. No child should ever be the victim of harm in their learning environment and we are fully committed to ensuring that such incidents do not happen again.”
Share this article on your social network
