After his younger brother managed to acquire a simple bouncy-ball from somewhere, Conner and his brother played with it for hours. After they were done, it apparently sparked an idea.
Using money he earned from his job, Conner decided to order 250 similar bouncy-balls from Amazon.com and distribute them to his classmates.
While his parents knew of the bouncy-balls, they had no idea what he was going to use them for, and since he was an honors student with absolutely no history of making mischief, they thought nothing of it.
With a plan to put a smile on the kids faces, Conner went up and down the lunch tables during lunchtime handing out the balls. At one point, when he witnessed another kid bouncing the ball in the hallway, Conner told him not to.
But according to Diane, Conner’s mom, it wasn’t what did happen that caught the ire of school administrators, but instead what could have happened she was told.
After lunch, the Vice Principal of the school proceeded to pull Conner from his Honors Italian class (Conner is in all honors classes, and in the top five percent of his class), and then marched him down to In-School Suspension.
Diane was notified of the situation by the Vice Principal and left with the option of leaving him there in ISS or coming to get him, since he seemed very upset. The Vice Principal however seemed upset that Conner did not seem to understand why he was in trouble or what he did that they thought was wrong.
Diane’s husband, who was available at that moment, went to the school to get Conner and take him home. Diane was prepared to be angry at her son, not knowing the whole story, only what the Vice Principal had told her but she decided that it was truly an act of kindness. He just wanted to put a smile on the kids’ faces. She couldn’t help but actually be proud of him.
However, her anger did not go away. Its target was now the school. After posting the simple story on social media, the community blew up with support. Many feared retaliations from the school and started a community “#FreeConner” hashtag in support of Conner’s random act of kindness.
Once that happened, the school called Diane and assured her that Conner was never actually in trouble. They promised her that nothing ever made it into Conner’s file and that he was never actually in ISS. They just wanted a place for him to be while he was upset.
While Diane can appreciate that thought, when she was asked why he wasn’t instead taken to the nurse’s office, the school counselor or even just to wait in the administrator’s office while they called her, the school had no reply. In fact Diane has since found out that when other students asked what happened to “the boy with the bouncy-balls”, other teachers and staff advised that he was sent to ISS.
Diane expressed how proud she was of not only her son for his Random Act of Kindness, but also at the community rallying behind them. She never expected so much attention and said people have even told her they were reaching out to the likes of Ellen Degeneres to get the word out about what happened.
When asked how the social media response was affecting Conner (I was worried that it could be a double-edged sword reminding him of a bad situation) Diane expressed it was only affecting him in a positive way. She said Conner is excited to see her screenshots, and happy for the support they are getting.
Conner did not wish to be pictured in our article (or others) at this time, but has requested he be able to vote in our poll. So attached above is a poll asking if you believe Conner deserved the punishment he received or not. While we ran a similar poll on Facebook, Conner (who does not have a social media presence) was not able to join in. So even if you voted before, please vote again.
I and everyone at Ocean County Scanner News would also like to congratulate Conner for being inducted into the school’s Music Honor Society this evening. We hope you continue to make people smile.
Maybe I missed it, but what was the “could have been” reason it was an issue?
Steph VanPelt 240 small balls is the issue. But no ill intent on students part. He was trying to do something nice to bring smiles to classmates. Wasn’t a prank.
He’s an honors student. Never in trouble a day in his school life.
The school is afraid of the hazard from 250 bouncy-balls flying through the school halls. However as far as we know that never actually happened, and in fact, Conner asked one kid to NOT bounce the ball in the hall when he saw a student doing it.
Sharon Lynn Huber I’m sorry if my question wasn’t clear. I read the post, but it didn’t seem to explain precisely what “could have happened” which resulted in some disciplinary action. That’s all I was wondering about.
Ocean County Scanner News that’s what I inferred, but only a fine line lies between inference and assumption. I avoid crossing it.
Steph VanPelt people could have been hurt if a number of kids set them bouning in the halls. I feel bad for the kid but it shows poor judgement
Nancy Carolan is that the reason given by the school?
Nancy Carolan could have is not a reason for a suspension. A detention would have been more suitable. How badly could anyone actually have been hurt by these bouncy balls. Its really terrible when kids get suspended for doing good and giving a little fun and smiles.
Nancy Carolan and people can bump into each other .so maybe only 1 person should be in the hall at a time
This makes no sense to me. What was he being punished/not punished for?
Marie O’Neill giving people free balls
Punished for something that didn’t happen but could have…wow…complete bullshit
Patrick Brennan hmmm like calling off school because there might be some snow
Principal was probably pissed because he thought all these kids were gonna have a bounce ball extravaganza! Seriously, theres waaay more things they should be worried about then bouncy balls. And hes an honor student who’s never been in trouble. I would be livid if I was his parents, and the principal is an ass!
First off, the honors stuff is unnecessary and irrelevant.
Secondly, I’m extremely suprised that adults don’t realize what a potential hazard those balls could have caused, especially on stairs
Andy Nemec then why can’t the school give a straight answer as to why he was pulled from his class? Why is there a back and forth?
Andy Nemec you must be a Democrat ????
Andy Nemec first off, no one can say what is unnecessary.
Also no one knows what could have happened till it does
Spot on re that honors student rubbish.
Next time just hand out Jelly Beans .. .Oh wait .. no sugar allowed in school either..
Times have changed.Back in the late 50s Sister Sylvia told me if I play with my balls in school I ‘ll go blind !!!!
I think this is ridiculous. He should not have had the suspension. Just talk to the kid and see why he did what he did. And you suspend him because of ‘could have been’. Wow!
Was he told not to do it in the first place? If he was warned not to and did, then that a whole different thing… if he wasn’t told not to and was unaware of any rule prohibiting the act then no, There should have been no disciplinary action on any kind…. with out being there and knowing ALL the details it would be speculation…
so if he was Told not to be nice to other kids this is ok ?
Mark Tolbert he should have simply asked… he would have been told how and when and if to do it. People should learn rules. Not do what they want. Have a ball party at home and distribute them otherwise.
The entitled attitude even if he was passing around the Eucharist he needs to ask!
Is there a written rule that states one must ask before giving stuff to classmates?
Debbie Todd That’s not what was being implied… being nice is fine… but if he were told he could not do something and he did it anyway, then it’s wrong..
Idk. Maybe instead of straight to the gulog. You pull the kid aside and say “hey man. This is why we can’t do this” and everyone is on their way.
What do ya think Eleanor Seidel Vick ? Chelsea Dakota
Veronica Vick Thomas I don’t think the punishment is appropriate. However , he should not have handed them out in school where it could have caused issues. After school outside maybe??
Veronica Vick Thomas if this was a middle schooler I’d get it being upset /frustrated if all my
Kids had those it would cause chaos. A high schooler idk , I
Guess a time and place convo could’ve been had, but idk why he’d be pulled out and not just have the balls taken again with a convo.
Veronica Vick Thomas as an honors student perhaps he should have thought it through a little better?
Atleast it’s not weed being snatched by another kid in the bathroom … and students being threatened to get jumped at school about it( true story)….. But rubber bouncey balls , by far are a huge concern… makes no sense. Priorities….
Sound like some shit Manchester would do…FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
This is absurd… what could have happened?!? Here you have a child that is quite disciplined and dedicated to his education and he’s being recognized for it. He also earns his own money and then uses it to generously give a gift to his fellow students? He should be rewarded for this act of kindness not punished. Geez, what happened to kids getting in trouble for smoking in bathrooms and skipping classes? Can only imagine what happens to these kids. This system is failing children and it’s not the first time…
Karen Jackson sad to say, everything is looked at from a legal prospective. If someone got hurt, if someone sued. Nowadays you can’t even be kind.
Debra Russo it’s a shame…
So dumb ???? They’re bouncy balls, not weapons or drugs.
I would not doubt this happened my son was suspended for taken paper out of pond . What joke
This school is known for the entitled students who get away with murder and the kids who have finally had enough do something about it and they try to punish them… if you know some one or are a complete ass licker your kid can do no wrong. Hmmm.. only accountability is held for who they want. If your friends with the vp , your good!!!
Common in many schools. It’s obnoxious and very.distressing to the children and parents who are deemed “unworthy”.
Lol…. ummm so only “non” honor students do ummm questionable stuff… 1st Q: How old was the kid???? 8 or older, than I’de say …. well… I do remember quite a few “smart Alecs” that could pull the wool over the majority of adults eyes.
He needs to know to ask. Why didn’t he just ask when was a good time for the good deed. Did She teach him that?? That’s my opinion it’s school… we don’t get to grow up doing whatever we want even if it’s that lovely.
Meanwhile kids are being bullied in school and principles do nothing!!!! Still waiting on A response from Vice principle of Vets middle school for A month now ….. crickets
Helicopter parents need to mind their own business and let the school administration handle discipline. Kid got in trouble oh well too bad. And all the adults are on social media crying abuse but don’t even know the story. Every student that sees this will have less respect for admin and staff because in their mind, if they get disciplined the mommys and daddies of America will rally around them. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
The article said he was never in trouble rather put in ISS because he was upset. What was he upset about? An I missing something. Did anyone else read the whole article?
He WAS in trouble!! Vice Principal was very upset with him…sent him to ISS.
The next day, after seeing social media, the school district called back to do damage control to contradict what they said/did the day before!
Diane Zaccagna I missing something. Did they ever say why the VP was upset with him?
Get the kid passing the drugs around!
This is crazy he did nothing wrong
That’s barnegat for you . An I bet there 25 cops deep for this. Its bs. Worry about bullying not bouncy balls.
Skye Marie Williams amen to that. The bullying there is terrible, and ignored.
“no good deed goes unpunished”
Yeah RIDICULOUS, the school
Is WRONG