More fun in our schools

[BryanP]

I was just reading this week's issue of "This is True" and found a reference to this idiocy.

http://www.wfts.com/stories/2003/11/031111expelled.shtml

LaBelle high schooler expelled for drawing of shooting
an Associated Press report 11/11/03

FORT MYERS - A high school expelled a 16-year-old student after he showed a friend his drawing of one stick figure shooting another.

Ryan Richter, a LaBelle High School sophomore, was in geometry class when he made the drawing and passed it along to a friend.

"We were just joking around," Richter said.

A student told school authorities that Richter said the dead stick figure was a direct reference to someone and the shooter was a depiction of himself, according to Richter's account of a Monday disciplinary meeting.

Richter denied that the drawing was of him or anyone else in the school.

Richter was kicked out of LaBelle High and recommended for a 45-day stay at Hendry County's alternative high school.

Richter and his parents don't want him to go to the alternative program because they are afraid the assignment will tarnish his record as he plans to apply for college.

The school principal referred all calls to Superintendent Thomas Conner.

Conner said he didn't think the school district's zero-tolerance policies had gone too far, but could not comment on Richter's case because of student confidentiality rules.

 

[vmi93]

When stick-figure guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have stick-figure guns.


5 more home-schooling families are created in Fort Myers.

 

[P95Carry]

I am getting mightily sick of the so called ''zero tolerance'' deals these days ... they have reached and exceeded the absurd.

This is most obvious of course where guns are concerned ..... expulsion or suspensions ..... for stick figures, for ''pointed fingers'' .... for sketches of anything vaguely resembling a gun ...... even the word itself is I believe now on the ''outlawed'' words list!

Hate to think what'll happen to attendances when booger-pickin gets outlawed!!

 

[Moparmike]

I am only 20, and have all but decided that home schooling is the way to go.

 

[NukemJim]

I for one would like to know which professsional groups or govermental "experts" recoment "Zero Tolerance".

I have read up a little on this and have found that both the FBI and the (in)Justice Dept. do not recomend "Zero Tolerance". I believe it started with Reagan in the "War Against Drugs" but I was under the impression that the courts had ruled for proportionality i.e. not being able to sieze house for 1 marijuana cigarette. Lawyer or those in the know please jump in, I am not on expert on jurisprudence.

Seriously, who does recomend this ineffective, stupid, riculous program ?

Just Curious

NukemJim

 

[MarkDido]

Schools LOVE zero-tolerance policies.

It removes the responsibility from the administration to actually have to investigate an incident and make a common-sense decision.

Much easier for them to point to the zero-tolerance policy and say "See - it's policy! We have no choice to suspend little Johnny because he drew a stick figure gun!"

 

[Joe Demko]

Not quite right. School Boards love zero-tolerance. Partly for the reason you mentioned and partly for liability reasons. Remember, though, you elected the school board. Nothing, repeat NOTHING, in the way of policy decisions happens in a public school that can't be traced back to elected officials.