Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, May 17, 2008

No touching allowed on Minneapolis school playground

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — There's a new rule at a Minneapolis elementary school: no touching.

Officials at Armitage Elementary School say they issued the ban Thursday because students were being too rough with each other during recess. The ban applies mainly on the playground.

Principal Joan Frank says they're just trying to head off fights and kids getting hurt.

Parents and kids are sharply divided on the policy. Some say kids will be kids, and the new policy will be tough to enforce.

The principal says she'll send a letter home Monday clarifying the policy. She says hand-holding, hugging and other non-aggresive or non-offensive touching is not part of the ban.

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