Letter regarding zero tolerance - help requested

self ^ | 10.06.03 | E-mail

[Cathryn Crawford]

I got this letter last night, in response to my zero tolerance article of a few weeks ago. I was wondering if there were any Freepers that would give me some suggestions on how to respond.

Cathryn, my son has become what I would call a victom of the Zero Tolerance. He is 8 years old and it took what is called a multi-tool to school with him yesterday.He took it out to use the screwdriver function to try and repair his sunglasses and a boy saw him and turned him into the teacher. I got a call from the principal today asking me to come in and I did. She informed me that my son had a weapon at school and that he has been suspended for 10 days and will be recommendend for expulsion for one calendar year.

I am supposed to go a hearing before the school board Monday night to see if they are going to expel him or not.

Do you have any guidence on what I can do? Do you have any court cases in Mississippi that would be beneficial in my case?

Thanks,

I'd appreciate any advice that you guys could give to me for me to pass on to him.

[John Will]

I can make anything into a weapon. Damn NEA.

[DannyTN]

"I can make anything into a weapon. Damn NEA. "

I know. How can they allow paperclips, glue, heavy booksacks, string or even paper (papercuts) in school?

And shouldn't every kid that has received any martial arts training, be automatically expelled?

Zero tolerance indeed!

[VRWC_minion]

I'm going to give you contrary advice. You need to present a unified front to your son or you risk some major behavior problems in the future. Even though you disagree with the school's stand you need to work this out with them without his knowledge. If he see's that he can get you to fight against the school he can use this to his advantage in the future to manipulate you. Don't go there, its not worth it.

He broke a rule, he needs to learn to accept the consequences even if its a stupid rule. That is life and you shouldn't protect him from it. If you do otherwise you are planting the seeds in his mind to disrespect authority. That is dangerous for you and not a good role model.

Its okay if you work behind the scenes but avoid at all costs the impression that you and the school are divided and that he isn't responsible for abiding by the law

Sorry Freepers. Flame away, but I'm right.

[Cathryn Crawford]

It's not my son, but I'll pass it on.