Student Suspended Over Story

NewsDay.com ^ | January 16, 2004

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Dylan Finkle likes scary movies. The "Halloween" series is his favorite.

But when the aspiring writer modeled a fictional story after the films in his creative writing journal for English class, Dylan, 11, of Syosset, was suspended from Harry B. Thompson Middle School for more than six weeks in October. His parents, who gave the sixth-grader permission to write the story using his name in place of celluloid slasher Michael Myers and his friends' names as supporting characters, were baffled. "It's such an overreaction," said Andrew Finkle, Dylan's father. "We were aware of the story ... and we had no problems with it."

District officials said they could not comment specifically on Dylan's case, but spokeswoman Randi Sachs said, "The reason something like this happens is because our first concern is for the health and safety of all of our children. If something is seen that is a possible threat ... we cannot ignore it."

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Now, had the story included a gay wedding, betcha he would have recieved an "A" and some sort of special 'recogizing diversity' award.

[martin_fierro]

This kid has a career waiting for him at the NYT.

[Hatteras]

From the article:

"My favorite thing to do is write," wrote Dylan just before returning to school, "my least is feeling down ... I am proud, I am adroit, I am clever, I am Dylan."

1. adroit, clever, ingenious -- (skillful (or showing skill) in adapting means to ends; "cool prudence and sensitive selfishness along with quick perception of what is possible--these distinguish an adroit politician"; "came up with a clever story"; "an ingenious press agent"; "an ingenious scheme")

An 11 year old Bill Clinton..

[Prodigal Son]

Dylan's 11-chapter story, titled "Costume Party," described flying knives, blood and killing several of his classmates, some who agreed to have their names in the story. As a top student who has won awards for his writing, Dylan said he hadn't meant the story to be a threat.

"I thought it would be cool if I took that exact kind of setting and put it in this kind of thing," Dylan said recently.

He read the story on Oct. 3 in English class without incident. But when a teacher read it to herself later that day, she became alarmed. By the end of the day, principal James Kassebaum had issued the maximum 5-day suspension possible without a superintendent's hearing.

Good grief. Stephen King is lucky he isn't a kid in today's world.

[Blzbba]

"I am adroit, I am clever"

I am redundant.

[drhogan]

clearly the school mishandled this and over-reacted. but why would his parents let him write such a story. i told my 13 year old daughter a few years ago not to write anything violent. these parents should have told this to clever and adroit dylan.

[OXENinFLA]

Here we go again.....................

[brewcrew]

"...I am proud, I am adroit, I am clever, I am Dylan."

Hear me roar in numbers too big too ignore.