Matcom News Update: 1st Graders Suspension For Squirt Gun OVERTURNED

[matcom]

<snip>

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Was it an overreaction or a safety precaution?

Either way, the Kansas City, Mo., School District has overruled local school officials.

The district overturned a 10-day suspension for a 6-year-old boy who brought a plastic squirt gun to school.

"They made a good decision. Everything is OK," said Daniella Womack, whose son Tawann Caskey was suspended.

On Monday, the first grader was suspended for bringing a two-inch plastic squirt toy to school. Womack said a school official told her that the gun was a weapon and that a girl saw it and reported to the teacher that Tawann had a weapon. That caused the school to suspend the child for a mandatory 10 days.

Since Tawann was suspended on Monday, the first-grader's story has caught the attention of many across the country. Community activists voiced their opinions on the issue.

"I think we went overboard with the gun-in-school thing. These people should use common sense," activist Mark Porter said.

The school district stands by its policy -- automatic suspension for bringing any toy to school that looks like a weapon.

"The code of conduct, as it stands for this school year, will remain," said Phyllis Budesheim of the Kansas City, Mo., School District.

The boy's mother said that she lost her temporary job because she had to stay home with Tawann. But she said she has found another job and can start working when Tawann goes back to school Thursday.

The district also said it would remove the class IV offense from Tawann's school record.

http://www.wftv.com/education/9901595/detail.html

[Midlodemocrat]

1. That's a disgrace. They should have locked the little fucker up for life.

Next thing you know he'll be bringing a hacky sack to school and potentially putting someone's eye out.

Parents today. Geez.

[LynneSin]

2. I say send the kid to Gitmo!!

I mean, he's probably going down that shady road to becoming a terrorist!!

[MrCoffee]

3. waterboard that kid. he's hiding something.

[LynneSin]

4. I would suggest full cavity search too

Can never be too safe!

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Now that they're not using torture, Gitmo's too good for him.

The little terraist.

[LynneSin]

8. Don't worry, Bush will get his way

This is just a roadblock on the superhighway of life for Bush's vision of the USA

[Gormy Cuss]

6. Why waste taxpayer money? Give him the chair.

:P

[kay1864]

7. This whole flap reminds me of an essay...

by Randy Cassingham, creator of the excellent "This is True" series (free by email!)

The problem is the "Zero Tolerance" laws (legislated in a wave of hysteria), that take away any judgement or authority from...those in authority.

Children are put into the position of being treated as felons by being suspended and/or expelled over obvious toys -- the very same thing that would happen if they brought real guns to school. What happened to the punishment fitting the "crime"? What happened to justice? What happened to the education of these children? All of that is being ignored in the name of "Zero-Tolerance".

http://www.thisistrue.com/zt.html

[madinmaryland]

9. Shouldn't Nancy Grace have the mother on

and interrogate her until she breaks down! Because according to Nancy, the woman is guilty and should be locked up.

:sarcasm: