Well....common sense actually prevailed! It seems that after being inundated by over 1000 phones calls, national media attention, and a couple hundred protesters, the Christina School District Board has unanimously voted to change their "Zero Tolerance" policy. First grader Zachary Christie, who was suspended and ordered to go to Reform School for 45 days for bringing his camping utensil to school can return to school today. The rule has now been changed to be a 3-5 day suspension and then "counseling" if someone brings a "weapon" to school.
These people were out of control in this district - what a ridiculous thing it would have been for this little boy to have to go to reform school. Thankfully, he is back in school (I guess that's a good thing....personally, I think he would have been better off to be home schooled, but the family got their wish, so I guess it's OK).
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Zero Tolerance
Well, I live in Delaware and was very dismayed to see the Christina School District in Newark, Delaware not only on the local news, but on the national news this morning. It seems that little 6 year old Zachary Christie had just become a cub scout and was very excited about a new camping utensil he had received. It was a "combo" camping utensil that was a spoon, fork, knife combination. In his excitement, he brought it to school and wanted to use it to eat his lunch. This child is a straight A student, never gets in any trouble and even wears a suit to school some days because he takes it so seriously.
So, what happened to him? He got suspended for 45 days and is being sent to REFORM SCHOOL. His mother is instead home schooling him. Personally, I think the child is much better off being home schooled by his mom - she seems to be a level headed, bright individual who has a lot more sense than those idiots in the school system. However, the little boy would like to go back to school and feels that he has been treated unfairly. The family is not arguing that there shouldn't be rules about bringing weapons to school, but that each case be treated individually and look at the "intention" of the child. For example, if a child brings a weapon and is threatening people, or is waving it around, or has been in trouble a lot, then by all means, punish them accordingly. But this child (Zachary) had a camping utensil that he used at home to eat his meals and wanted to do the same at school.
Explain to me how "reform school" could serve any useful purpose in this situation. I am just appalled at the treatment of this little boy. I've already e-mailed the President of the School Board, George Evans (who is standing by the board's suspension) - not that I expect a reply, but I just felt like I had to do something. The district supposedly has a "zero tolerance" policy and is not budging. Ridiculous.
Certainly, the shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech were tragic, horrible events, but there has to be some common sense kick in at some point. Pray for little Zachary.
So, what happened to him? He got suspended for 45 days and is being sent to REFORM SCHOOL. His mother is instead home schooling him. Personally, I think the child is much better off being home schooled by his mom - she seems to be a level headed, bright individual who has a lot more sense than those idiots in the school system. However, the little boy would like to go back to school and feels that he has been treated unfairly. The family is not arguing that there shouldn't be rules about bringing weapons to school, but that each case be treated individually and look at the "intention" of the child. For example, if a child brings a weapon and is threatening people, or is waving it around, or has been in trouble a lot, then by all means, punish them accordingly. But this child (Zachary) had a camping utensil that he used at home to eat his meals and wanted to do the same at school.
Explain to me how "reform school" could serve any useful purpose in this situation. I am just appalled at the treatment of this little boy. I've already e-mailed the President of the School Board, George Evans (who is standing by the board's suspension) - not that I expect a reply, but I just felt like I had to do something. The district supposedly has a "zero tolerance" policy and is not budging. Ridiculous.
Certainly, the shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech were tragic, horrible events, but there has to be some common sense kick in at some point. Pray for little Zachary.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Obama - Still Waiting.......
Well.....the troops in Afghanistan are still waiting for Obama to decide whether or not he is going to send more troops over there (the request has been on his desk for how long????) But, Obama is very, very busy - after his trip to Denmark to try to bring the Olympics to the U.S., now, he is now campaigning to bring an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. So, yet another "obamanation" in the making.......
The troops still wait.......
The troops still wait.......
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize - Obama???
When I heard the morning news yesterday, I thought I was hearing things - Obama is being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.??? Now I know for a fact, that you don't really have to do anything to receive the Peace Prize.
Where do I begin? First of all, I understand that he was actually nominated for the prize after being in office only 12 days. He still hasn't done anything worthwhile, but most certainly in the first 12 days, he certainly didn't do anything to earn a Nobel Peace Prize.
I thought that GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, said it best. He said, "I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran." Very well said!
Here we have a president who can't make a decision on sending needed troops to Afghanistan, yet he can take the time to make a trip to Denmark to attempt to bring the Olympics to Chicago (a failed attempt I might add).
I guess his teleprompter isn't helping him much in making major decisions, hmmmm????
Where do I begin? First of all, I understand that he was actually nominated for the prize after being in office only 12 days. He still hasn't done anything worthwhile, but most certainly in the first 12 days, he certainly didn't do anything to earn a Nobel Peace Prize.
I thought that GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, said it best. He said, "I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran." Very well said!
Here we have a president who can't make a decision on sending needed troops to Afghanistan, yet he can take the time to make a trip to Denmark to attempt to bring the Olympics to Chicago (a failed attempt I might add).
I guess his teleprompter isn't helping him much in making major decisions, hmmmm????
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