Posted on 10/05/2006 8:39:27 PM PDT by Pharmboy
Three eighth-graders were given three days of in-school suspension starting last Friday after they brought toy weapons to school in order to participate in a class project on the Revolutionary War era.
But one parent feels this punishment is too strict in the context of the incident.
Page 19 of the Parents Handbook states, "Knives or other sharp objects, hand guns, toy guns, weapon replicas, slingshots, matches, fireworks, or any other explosive materials are forbidden at school, or at any school sponsored activity or trip."
"It doesn't say anything about intention and context," said Elena Driscoll, the parent of one of the students who received in-school suspension, about the handbook entry.
According to the handbook, the object in question will be taken away, and students in violation will be suspended for a minimum of three days. Both parents and the police are notified of the incident, and parents will be required to meet with the principal prior to the student returning to school.
Driscoll said she and her child knew about this handbook rule prior to the incident.
"Bringing weapons to school is against school rules," said Superintendent Mickey Brandmeyer. "Unfortunately the students and the parents knew the school rule and chose to bring a weapon to school anyways."
Driscoll said her son's class was asked to bring in Revolutionary War era props to class. Her son brought in a toy rifle, while another student brought in a carved wooden toy gun.
"Since the teacher asked for props the kids thought these replicas were excluded from that," said Driscoll.
Driscoll said the teacher did apologize for the end result. The instructions did not remind students not to bring in prohibited objects.
"We will review the rule with the faculty," said Brandmeyer, and the administration will ask teachers to remind students that they should not bring weapons to school.
In a letter sent home to all eighth-grade parents this week, Principal Sharon Hobbs explains the incident, the actions taken by the school and the reasons behind them.
"This event provided a dilemma for me as the principal and for students, parents, and teachers," Hobbs writes. "While the intent of bringing in the toy guns was not to threaten or hurt anyone, the handbook expectations and consequences are explicit. With our signatures, students, their parents, the teachers and I, have accepted these expectations and consequences."
"Our goal was to keep the kids in school so their learning would be the least disruptive," said Hobbs in a phone interview. "We decided that because the intent was not to be threatening or harmful that we wanted to continue their learning as undisrupted as possible."
Although students who receive in-school suspension cannot participate in class - they spend the school day in a conference room outside the principal's office - teachers are asked to drop off their work at the office. In addition, students are allowed to make up any tests or quizzes they miss during that period.
Driscoll said in years past students have had other topics of study related to battle, during which they were allowed to make weapons. She questioned why the rule was being enforced now when it had not been enforced before.
Brandmeyer said this is the first time he has had to deal with a weapon being brought into school.
"I've had a couple of requests over the years to have weapons in school," he said, including from the Lincoln Minute Men, who wanted to bring in their muskets for a demonstration.
Brandmeyer said he told them it was not appropriate.
The handbook is reviewed annually, and Hobbs said she plans to review the handbook with Student Council and teachers.
The parents of the three students each reacted differently, Brandmeyer said. One looked at the punishment as a learning experience; another was disappointed but glad the child would still be in school.
Driscoll, however, said there are a number of students and parents who are upset about this incident, and some eighth-graders have been circulating a petition.
"I think that shows the fact that nobody felt that they were threatened," she said.
Not unreasonable logic...certainly at least better than theirs.
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