Zero-Tolerance Watch
Michaela Boyd, a 6-year-old first-grader at Matthews Elementary in Sikeston, Mo., is in trouble over a bag of dirt, reports Cape Girardeau's KFVS-TV:
After finding the [empty] bag much like the one disposable utensils come in, Michaela says she decided to make her friend a bag of goodies, "They said what did you make this out of, and what did you tell them. I said out of dirt. And what else. I made it with rocks, clover and dirt."
Her mom, Michele, says after Michaela put the mixture into the bag, she tied the top with a purple ponytail holder and gave it to her friend saying,"here's a bag of dirt."
After recess was over the student gave the bag of dirt to their teacher.
Michele says after meeting with the teacher and principal, she was told that the bag of dirt, "looked like a bag of weed."
Michaela says, "They said it was kind of a drug. I don't know what they are I only see cigarettes. That's all I say."
Michaela's punishment: two days' detention.
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Today's Larry Elder TV show was about zero tolerance
and no commonsense, no understanding this has created.
Great stuff--
larryelder.warnerbros.com
<snip>
Today’s educational system faces more potent threats than ever before in the form of drugs, violence, gangs and sexual activity. However, growing zero tolerance policies at schools around the country have prompted concern from parents who fear for their children’s privacy. Is zero tolerance bettering school safety or is it an unfounded excuse to rob students of their rights? Find out more below:
After an anonymous tip was called in to Andy’s school, the 18-year-old student was pulled from class and forcibly searched for drugs despite lack of evidence. Upon searching Andy’s car, school officials found a knife in his fishing tackle box and two empty marijuana roaches under the seat. Though the car was parked about half a mile from school property, Andy was still expelled from school. Having recently obtained his GED, he is now running for the school board in an attempt to keep the same injustices from happening to other students.
[my comment--- this guy -- articulate and points out the pot
didn't get him expelled, it was a very small short knife
in a tacklebox with fishing poles (he noted) that got him
totally gone! and the car was across the street in a church
parking lot....
geez I use to carry a pocketknife to school as a CUB scout-
the Boy Scout Master was my teacher--I got in trouble telling
him the truth with what happened with a bandaged hand (I cut
myself with that pocket knife whittling) and never got a merit
badge.....that still bums me out.<g> but I told the truth.]
Zero tolerance policies are now permeating even kindergarten students, as evidenced by Jerome’s case. After acting up on the bus and in school, Jerome was handcuffed twice and taken away in a squad car by police. Jerome’s mother Aroni was not notified by the school and found out only after Jerome complained that his arms hurt from the handcuffs. When she confronted the principal, Aroni was told that he felt the scare tactic was necessary. Aroni was outraged and has now pulled her children from the school.
[my comment-- this kid didn't want to speak- and Elder
is gently prodding him to say something (his mom is doing the
talking) and Elder says "Did you hit him?"
and the kid says "yes"
Elder (can't remember the exact thing) well How did you hit him?
the Kid: "Hard"
I fell out of my chair.] |
