CLINTON - Clinton Junior High School officials have apologized for requiring eighth-graders to kneel to get their attention during a disciplinary assembly.

"We realized we made a mistake and we wish we were able to do it all over again, but we can't," Principal John Pine said Monday. "So, we are just going to be open and frank about it. I've answered every e-mail and returned every phone call on the subject.

"We had noble intentions. It just wasn't the right method."

The assembly was called Thursday to address a number of disciplinary issues, including swearing and yelling in the halls, inappropriate comments and conversations in the halls and classes, disrespect to teachers and staff, tardiness to class, loitering at water fountains and stopping at lockers before lunch.

Pine and Assistant Principal Karen Smith sent letters home with students Friday in which they apologized to parents and explained the assembly. Pine and Smith apologized directly to the students Friday as well.

Some parents said Monday the letter and apology to the students weren't enough, however.

"It's a form of corporal punishment and it's going to take more than an apology for the parents to get over this," said Mike Walker, the father of an eighth-grader.

"I don't see how they can assure us that something like this will never happen again." He said he has talked with two school board members and Superintendent Jeff Holmes.

"One thing we have learned is that even if only a couple of students misbehave, the entire class is punished," Walker said. "That's not fair."

Pine and Smith said the students were asked to be on their knees only a short time, "no longer than an ordinary tornado drill."

The students were asked to drop to their knees at the start of the assembly to gain their attention. After being allowed to sit and listen to the assembly, they were required to kneel again at the end of the assembly.

In the letter, the school officials wrote: "We apologize for having your child on their knees. In hindsight, we understand there are other methods to get their attention. We assure you the next time a discipline assembly needs to take place, a more appropriate method will be used to address our concerns."

The letter also included the school's mission statement, which stresses the importance of creating a positive, supportive and safe learning environment to help students make the transition from childhood to young adulthood.

Pine said Holmes also is concerned about the situation.

"If parents want to sit down with myself and Mr. Holmes, just myself, or just Mr. Holmes, we are inviting them to do that," Pine said. "People deserve to have their feelings heard, and we are going to allow that to happen."

kbarlow@pantagraph.com