Conn. Student Suspended For Buying Candy In School - Page 3

Sparta · 03-12-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

My only issue is that they used a guide to issue a punishment without looking at the case. I object STRONGLY to any zero-tolerance policies, because they discourage administrators from looking at a given case.

A school suspension of any sort constitutes an academic punishment, since the student is not permitted to attend classes. Some actions warrant such a punishment; others do not. In light of the student's previously untarnished record, he should have been reprimanded, perhaps given a single day of after-school detention, and then let the matter drop.

If he does it again, then sure - draw and quarter him. But zero-tolerance polices are BS, regardless of their intent.

I recall reading about a honors-student who was suspended from graduation because of a zero-tolerance policy. She had been helping her older sister move into a new apartment. Some silverware spilled in her car, and she unknowingly parked her car in the school parking lot with a steak knife sitting on the rear seat. She never had it on her person; it never even left the car. And it was not a hunting knife or throwing knife; it was a kitchen knife. But a school administrator saw it through the window of the car, and it resulted in a suspension.

I agree to a point, but how do you know there wasn't some sort of history with this kid?

metheron · 03-12-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparta

It's been policy at every school system I've had involvement with that children are not permitted to exchange or sell food, this seems to be a saftey issue.

I wonder how common that is. Here in MI, it is commonplace for kids to trade or to share lunches, that sort of thing. It has always been this way. I wonder if this is the way we are headed, where we can't share our lunch with a classmate. I find that sad.

Djinn · 03-12-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparta

I agree to a point, but how do you know there wasn't some sort of history with this kid?

I'm just going by what the local article said:

"Michael’s mother, Shelli Sheridan, is lobbying to reduce her son’s punishment, claiming he’s a top student with no previous disciplinary problems."

If this is true (and I recognize that the source isn't exactly unbiased) then I stand by what I wrote.

Sparta · 03-12-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metheron

I wonder how common that is. Here in MI, it is commonplace for kids to trade or to share lunches, that sort of thing. It has always been this way. I wonder if this is the way we are headed, where we can't share our lunch with a classmate. I find that sad.

Allergies and whatnot, we know much more today about wheat based allergies, and I would assume others, than we did when we were trading lunches back in the day.

Djinn · 03-12-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metheron

I wonder how common that is. Here in MI, it is commonplace for kids to trade or to share lunches, that sort of thing. It has always been this way. I wonder if this is the way we are headed, where we can't share our lunch with a classmate. I find that sad.

The article covers that as well:

The policy does not address snacks shared between students at school when no money changes hands.

metheron · 03-12-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

My only issue is that they used a guide to issue a punishment without looking at the case. I object STRONGLY to any zero-tolerance policies, because they discourage administrators from looking at a given case.

A school suspension of any sort constitutes an academic punishment, since the student is not permitted to attend classes. Some actions warrant such a punishment; others do not. In light of the student's previously untarnished record, he should have been reprimanded, perhaps given a single day of after-school detention, and then let the matter drop.

If he does it again, then sure - draw and quarter him. But zero-tolerance polices are BS, regardless of their intent.

I recall reading about a honors-student who was suspended from graduation because of a zero-tolerance policy. She had been helping her older sister move into a new apartment. Some silverware spilled in her car, and she unknowingly parked her car in the school parking lot with a steak knife sitting on the rear seat. She never had it on her person; it never even left the car. And it was not a hunting knife or throwing knife; it was a kitchen knife. But a school administrator saw it through the window of the car, and it resulted in a suspension.

I agree, that I am not a fan of zero tolerance policies. What I do believe in, though, is having a standard punishment for everything. I don't believe in making exceptions because one is an honor student. It should not be subjective. If the policy was broken, this is what the punishment is period. Otherwise, teachers favorites will be getting away with things that other kids can't.
I think that the honors dinner that people think is excessive is probably just part of his one-day suspension. Generally, if you are suspended you cannot take part in any of the school activities, including dinners such as these.

Sparta · 03-12-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

I'm just going by what the local article said:

"Michael’s mother, Shelli Sheridan, is lobbying to reduce her son’s punishment, claiming he’s a top student with no previous disciplinary problems."

If this is true (and I recognize that the source isn't exactly unbiased) then I stand by what I wrote.

No that's fair, and I understand where youre coming from, can't say I disagree with the zero tolerance policy question. It's reasonable to assume there's a possibility he was dealt with off the record before. I think if that's not the case we'll hear more about this.

Notmyrealname · 03-12-2008, 11:15 AM

Djinn that absolutely correct.

There's a huge gap in discipline between doing nothing and this zero tolerance crap. Esspecially when your considering a "health food program" infraction.

Destroying this kids accomplishments for buying a bag of candy is counter productive to their cause. Do you think this kid is going to appreciate the "health nazi" values this system is trying to teach? He just lost everything he worked for. To me the motivation behind this program sounds a lot like social engineering type stuff, then trying a promotion of a healthy lifestyle. I doubt this kid stops eating skittles because of this incident. In fact it will probably demoralize him so much he'll enter a level of manic depression and commit suicide.

What exactly is the danger of a bag skittles in school? Is it the multitude number of colors?

Bourne · 03-12-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notmyrealname

Djinn that absolutely correct.

There's a huge gap in discipline between doing nothing and this zero tolerance crap. Esspecially when your considering a "health food program" infraction.

Destroying this kids accomplishments for buying a bag of candy is counter productive to their cause. Do you think this kid is going to appreciate the "health nazi" values this system is trying to teach? He just lost everything he worked for. To me the motivation behind this program sounds a lot like social engineering type stuff, then trying a promotion of a healthy lifestyle. I doubt this kid stops eating skittles because of this incident. In fact it will probably demoralize him so much he'll enter a level of manic depression and commit suicide.

What exactly is the danger of a bag skittles in school? Is it the multitude number of colors?

The danger here is that if you rationalize changing the strictures of the rule for this young man you invite others to "push the envelope" and expect the same consideration. The result is that discipline is seriously eroded.

Sparta · 03-12-2008, 11:21 AM

The danger of selling skittles in school, hmm, some kids have diabetes, an allergy to yellow 5 is common, children with ADD can become hyper disruptive, and if you allow skittles you have to allow M&M's, and if you allow M&M's you have to allow Peanut M&M's, nut allergies are also common. All these foods contain gluten, can result in a severe allergic reaction resulting in spasms, difficulty breathing, headaches, and cancer among a host of other gastorintestinal problems.