Third-Grader Suspended For Kiss On Cheek
Boy's Kiss Considered Sexual Harassment
POSTED: Wednesday, February 25,
UPDATED: 6:45 pm EST February 25,
2004
A third-grade student in Branson, Missouri, was suspended from school for a playground kiss on the cheek that school officials deemed to be sexual harassment, according to a Local 6 News report.

Stephen Fogelman, 9, kissed a female classmate on her cheek Monday after chasing her around a playground and was suspended for one day
The boy's parents said that their son didn't know the meaning of the words "sexual harassment" and did not know he was doing anything wrong.
The mother of the girl involved says she does believe the punishment
was fair, because her daughter felt unsafe and afraid. However, she
doesn't think it should have been labeled sexual harassment, since third-
graders probably don't know what it is.

According to the Branson school district student handbook, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other inappropriate verbal, written of physical conduct of a sexual nature or creation of a sexually hostile environment.
Because of a privacy issue, the Branson superintendent said he couldn't
talk about this incident, but says he'd be happy to talk to the parents
and that the district is always willing to review disciplinary actions.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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