Harsh school suspensions

[not2cleverRed]

Is it your suggestion that if a student walks in to a classroom that he doesn't belong in and attacks another student, then BOTH students should be subject to suspension. (Yes, because that's what happened here.)

How far do you take it. What if the student had ambushed the other student, stabbed him, and then the student, weak from the loss of blood, kicks the hand holding the knife. Should both students be suspended? I guess so...

How about a gun. What if the student walked in with a gun and didn't attack anyone. Another student sees this and tackles the student with the gun. Should that hero...errr...student be suspended? I guess so...

I happen to think that zero tolerance rules are stupid. They're too simplistic and allow for little common sense.

A good school administrator should know how to exercise discretion, and the rules should allow him/her to exercise it.

I find instead that you either end up with either one extreme or the other. Either someone administers the rules to the nth degree, or some idiot is lenient with criminal minors. (We've had some doozies in my child's school system - each extreme!)

 

[not2cleverRed]

And while OP's son might not have been charged with anything had this happened in the "real world", the fact is that there are circumstances where there would be consequences.

I imagine that if you were in an altercation at work, they could chose to suspend or fire you, even if you didn't start it.

 

[CElaine55]

I happen to think that zero tolerance rules are stupid. They're too simplistic and allow for little common sense.

A good school administrator should know how to exercise discretion, and the rules should allow him/her to exercise it.

I find instead that you either end up with either one extreme or the other. Either someone administers the rules to the nth degree, or some idiot is lenient with criminal minors. (We've had some doozies in my child's school system - each extreme!)

I agree with your comments about zero tolerance policies. Also, the school superintendent does have the authority to exercise discretion with the length of the suspension. He chose not too. This suspension certainly will affect his GPA for this final quarter and I am concerned about how this will affect him later om with sports or other activities.

Thank you for your comments.

 

[CElaine55]

Yes, that is understood...however, for many decades, there wasn't a video camera in everyone's hand. The OP says she has video proof that will show her son action purely in self defense. If that is the case, then it certainly warrants the argument that her son shouldn't be subjected to discipline.

HOWEVER, in this case, I think the OP knows that her son crossed a line, but feels he was justified, as indicated by her request for a lesser punishment, not a removal of the punishment. In that case, then I agree that the school likely acted correctly.

My son was involved in the fight because another student attacked him, that's all. That's why I wanted the suspension time reduced instead of eliminated.

 

[not2cleverRed]

I agree with your comments about zero tolerance policies. Also, the school superintendent does have the authority to exercise discretion with the length of the suspension. He chose not too. This suspension certainly will affect his GPA for this final quarter and I am concerned about how this will affect him later om with sports or other activities.

Thank you for your comments.

Even if it didn't affect his GPA, it could affect Honor Society membership. Like, even if his grades are high enough, he could automatically be booted out. (I've known people who were threatened with that.)

 

[CElaine55]

Even if it didn't affect his GPA, it could affect Honor Society membership. Like, even if his grades are high enough, he could automatically be booted out. (I've known people who were threatened with that.)

That is exactly what I'm afraid of. I did express this concern with school administrator and he said nothing like that happens,