District on viral photo: 'It's not bullying - it's students having fun'
NAMPA, Idaho (KBOI) -- When this photo showed up on a Facebook page, it made waves in cyberspace.
Is it really a photo of members of a high school wrestling team in Nampa bullying one of their own?
The photo was taken at Columbia High School in Nampa.
As soon as they found out about it, school district officials checked into the situation. They say it's not a case of bullying, but rather a case of high school kids goofing around.
"When that photo was brought to our attention we immediately investigated it," said Nampa School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall. "We talked to the students, the coach and the parents. It's not hazing, it's not bullying. It's students having fun."
Westfall says there's no disciplinary action being taken. In fact, she says it provided a teachable moment about the power and perception of social media.
"For the public, don't believe everything you see on social media. we thank those people who sent us the picture and asked is this true?," she said. "And the (lesson) for students and families is to have a conversation about what's being put out on the social media and how it could be perceived by people who weren't there and what they could think about."
A photograph can create an illusion. And in this day and age, that illusion can go viral.
Is it really a photo of members of a high school wrestling team in Nampa bullying one of their own?
The photo was taken at Columbia High School in Nampa.
As soon as they found out about it, school district officials checked into the situation. They say it's not a case of bullying, but rather a case of high school kids goofing around.
"When that photo was brought to our attention we immediately investigated it," said Nampa School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall. "We talked to the students, the coach and the parents. It's not hazing, it's not bullying. It's students having fun."
Westfall says there's no disciplinary action being taken. In fact, she says it provided a teachable moment about the power and perception of social media.
"For the public, don't believe everything you see on social media. we thank those people who sent us the picture and asked is this true?," she said. "And the (lesson) for students and families is to have a conversation about what's being put out on the social media and how it could be perceived by people who weren't there and what they could think about."
A photograph can create an illusion. And in this day and age, that illusion can go viral.
Being a parent (and knowing nothing other then what the picture appears to depict), this picture would concerns me... especially if it were my son's school. To me, it is reassuring that the photo was brought to the attention of school officials and looked into. Â I am thrilled to find out that this was harmless fun, but in this day and age, that isn't always the case.
 @XoztedMama ??? the picture shows some kids have fun , what picture are you looking at?
If some of these people that spend 20 hours a day on their computer would mind their own business instead of everyone else's business, everyone would be better off.
 @souptonuts So ... you posted something on the computer about this ... pot, meet kettle
 @Howard Greenberrg What does pot have to with a kettle? Herbal tea or something? Are you saying he forgot to unplug his kettle from the wall socket after using it?Â
@souptonuts If you have no life of your own, then a vicarious life has its attractions. Soap operas, tabloids, reality TV, gossip columns, Dear Abby, TV stars, sports figures...the options are endless.
 @hewhoo Is dear abby like that oprah show , or is it on youtube?