A dangerous weapon
How far should schools go to uphold their zero-tolerance policies? Recently, school officials at a Kansas City, Mo., elementary school suspended a 6-year-old first-grader for 10 days for bringing an orange plastic squirt gun to school. The squirt gun was about 2 inches long, hollow and bright orange with no trigger. The officials stated it was a simulated weapon.
So what does a 10 day suspension do for a 6 year old?
What happened to common sense and dealing with real threats in our schools. Many high schools don’t suspend students 10 days for smoking or drug possession.
posted by Anonymous at 6:21 AM
15 Comments:
Common sense went out the window long ago. Other than our public schools, who else equates aspirin with cocaine?
Many high schools don’t suspend students 10 days for smoking or drug possession.
Until supported, this is hearsay.
I have had 3 students from 2 different school systems in the past 6 months caught at shool or in their lockers and have had 3 days suspension and/or required drug counseling.
I agree that common sense does need to be interjected in this case and those like it (even though I know it's subjective).
10 days for a squirt gun IS ridiculous.
You should either hire a "fact checker" or use more up to date souces. A ten second internet search found the following regardin this case:
The Kansas City, Mo., School District overturned a 10-day suspension for a boy who brought a plastic squirt gun to school.
"They made a good decision. Everything is OK," said Daniella Womack, whose son Tawann Caskey was suspended.
Good! I am glad someone was reasonable regarding this case.
However, it shouldn't have gotten that far.
In a country of almost 300 million people there are individuals doing really stupid things every second. The point is that this one was corrected.
If you read the article that was in the local paper out there, the school followed the letter of the system's rules which prohibited any weapon or TOY which looked like a weapon. I haven't seen a picture of the actual water pistol, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it necessarily looked like the one on this blog. I would guess that the principal was concerned about creating a precedent regarding exceptions to the rule. Real world situations are seldom as "black and white" as HB sees them.
This is quite interesting. Your omission of critical details in the story in an effort to make a point casts suspicion on all your posts. How often are you not telling the rest of the story? Although it wasn't that great to begin with, your credibility has been greatly diminished. I appreciate those who have held this blogger accountable on this story and have posted additional information.
However, had the rest of the facts remained hidden on this blog, I would still support the school system's actions. In light of recent news headlines, there is no room for tolerance in schools. It is mind boggling that some are still blind to the daily threats faced by school officials. Until you are in their shoes, far be it from you to second guess their decisions.
Oh give it up Anony 8:18PM, you are trying to make something out of nothing. HB didn't make up this story, it happened and it was overturnes as it should be.
Anony 8:18PM must live a boring, dull life.
the point is we have many people who are not using common sense for some problems.
This should not have needed to be overturned as it should never have gotten that far. It cost time, money and a lot of emotional turmoil for those involved.
anonymous evidently has a personal grudge which is ok. He/she is entitled to their opinion as well.
"Common sense" is not an absolute, except in the mind of the person using the term. HB, you have a very strong tendency to see everything in black or white, good or evil ways. Many situations involving humans are much more complex and can be viewed from multiple perspectives. You, however, almost always describe anyone who disagrees with you as incompetent, dishonest, misinformed or, in this case, lacking common sense. You really need to lighten up some.
I disagree and state my viewpoints openly unlike so many others. I do see things more black and white than some others. It doesn't make me wrong any more than it makes those who don't.
Some people like to rationlize behaviors and decisions because it prevents accountability. We have become a society where people are afraid to call a spade a spade.
OK...you win. I give up on being understanding and trying to see your point of view. MedRep was right. You ARE a kook...and you should be accountable for it instead of getting a pass because you have "MD" behind your name. You are a religious and political extremist who has a lot of trouble living within the mainstream of society. You have a negative personality and you make a lot of people uncomfortable--not because you hold them accountable, but because you are just weird.
Thank you, Anonymous 12:28. Many people in this community agree with you.
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