Zero tolerance policy saves school from a possible dangerous person

[mad1]

Quote:

Zachary’s offense? Taking a camping utensil that can serve as a knife, fork and spoon to school. He was so excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts that he wanted to use it at lunch. School officials concluded that he had violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons, and Zachary was suspended and now faces 45 days in the district’s reform school.

“It just seems unfair,” Zachary said, pausing as he practiced writing lower-case letters with his mother, who is home-schooling him while the family tries to overturn his punishment.

Spurred in part by the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings, many school districts around the country adopted zero-tolerance policies on the possession of weapons on school grounds. More recently, there has been growing debate over whether the policies have gone too far.

But, based on the code of conduct for the Christina School District, where Zachary is a first grader, school officials had no choice. They had to suspend him because, “regardless of possessor’s intent,” knives are banned.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/ed...e.html?_r=1&bl

[B71655]

Mom and Dad got a wake-up call,eh? Pack Leader should say something a next meeting maybe?

[Chuckiechan]

Zero tolerance = zero brains. A program thought up by the very teachers who teach our children.

Oh well. Another innocent child burned by a government education.

[pickel]

Maybe the Cub Scouts will introduce a "Don't get Mad, Get Even" Merit badge, he'll be first on his block to earn it.
Go get 'em, Zach !!!!

[no1_vern]

UPDATE: they will NOT require him to go to reform school for his actions.

Quote:

School board makes hasty change to its strict zero tolerance code
Boy avoids reform school over camping utensil - Education- msnbc.com

NEWARK, Delaware - A 6-year-old boy who faced a lengthy punishment for bringing his favorite camping utensil to school — a combination folding knife, fork and spoon — has gotten a reprieve.

The school board made a hasty change to its strict zero tolerance code of conduct Tuesday night.

[GroundZero3]

Keep the toys at home kid, school employees already have enough real weapons to deal with

[Theophylact]

Boy, those Cub Scouts are a living terror.

[MD1032]

I think they should worry about guns more, personally.

[pickel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

Keep the toys at home kid, school employees already have enough real weapons to deal with

Yeah, sure, First graders and kinergarten kids are a REAL threat. . Guess the Cub Scouts didn't teach , Zach, to BE PREPARED for IDIOT Reactionaries. Hell of a way start the Scouts.

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent.



Christina School District - SCHOOL BOARD




The Mission of the Christina School District
- A Diverse Public School System -


To educate each student to succeed through:

*

Expectations of Excellence
*

Safe Working and Learning Environments
*

Respect for Diversity
*

Caring and Knowledgeable Staff Members


My @$$

[Toadman]

It's educational policy that's messed up. Let's say Ms. Teacher sees Kindergartner Zach with his Cub Scout tool or pocket knife. In a real world he/she would take him aside and explain, "Zach, we can't have those at school and it's against the rules. I need to take it so we both don't get in trouble. You can pick it up after the bell rings, ok?"

But no, the teacher has no classroom or playground disciplinary discretion and is required to report it or face termination and civil/federal prosecution under current laws and union requirements.