Holding a Knife Too Long Gets Stanton 5th-Grader in Trouble

LATimes.com ^ | May 1, 2003

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

No one disputes that fifth-grader Keith Post was right to turn in the pocketknife he found Monday.

What is being called into question is the two hours Keith took to turn it in to his teacher after finding it in the cafeteria of his Stanton elementary school — and whether that delay is just cause for the boy to be suspended under the district's zero-tolerance weapons policy.

Although Keith's five-day suspension from Pyles Elementary was reduced Tuesday to one day, he and his parents say that being punished at all for doing the right thing is unacceptable. Administrators said they have no wiggle room in enforcing the Magnolia School District's zero-tolerance policy. The rules state that any child who has a weapon at school is to be automatically suspended for five days and a hearing held at the school.

[ClearCase_guy]

It would appear that knives which are found by children should be handled in one of two ways:

A) left where they are, and nothing should be said (see no evil)
B) discreetly picked up and hidden in a pocket until safely home (speak no evil)

To actually handle such a knife and actually approach the authorities with the weapon seems to run a serious risk that "you didn't handle this matter correctly" and then you get slapped down hard by the authorities. No thank you.

[Bobby777]

this kid could have hijacked a school bus ... thank goodness for such rules ... [/sarcasm]

America's school systems are insane ...

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...No one disputes that fifth-grader Keith Post was right to turn in the pocketknife he found Monday...

I do. I think he was a moron to turn it in and the school administration has proven me to be correct.

Besides, every ten year old boy should own a pocket knife.
Stupid commie bastards!

[tsali1927]

Where do these morons come from that run the schools today

[TexanToTheCore]

They have masters and PhDs in Education. Shows you what those degrees are worth.

[Liberal Classic]

It's not moronic. It's a calculated attempt to instill deep-seat fear of weaponry, and to teach children that any weapon no matter how small is cause for alarm.

[Billy_bob_bob]

They come from the self-reinforcing system of moronity that is our public schools system.

I'm convinced that there is only one way to truly reform our schools, and that way is to shut them down cold. Fire everyone who works for the government as an "educator". Force them to go find jobs in the real world. Suggest that they learn useful phrases such as "would you like fries with that", since that is about the only job they will be qualified to do.

If I had kids, and I wanted them to be educated, I would do it myself. Barring that, I would find someone who had never spent a day in a classroom, but who had done TONS of stuff in the real world. Teachers nowadays are people who have lived in ivory towers their entire lives. They know nothing about the real world, and these are the people who we allow to "teach" our kids? Brainwash them is more like it.

[ZULU]

These laws are idiotic and demonstrate only the paranoia of the Educational Establishment, otherwise demonstrated by defense of tenure and opposition to school vouchers.

[asformeandformyhouse]

and to teach children that any weapon no matter how small is cause for alarm.

Sorta works too. Ever think that a commercial airliner full of people could be hijacked with a boxcutter?

[bvw]

Zook's interested in these kind of things. He says he believes its typical for administrtators to make these false claims that the law allows no discretion. I know that at least in Pennsylvania, it does allow a great deal of discretion, and that in the legislative intent the PA version of this law was meant to allow administrators presumptive action against delinquints and risky cases.

[asformeandformyhouse]

Besides, every ten year old boy should own a pocket knife.

I agree. When my children turn 10, they recieve a pocket knife. It's just a small, key-chain style swiss army knife, but you'd be amazed at the pride it gives them.

[Liberal Classic]

I agree. We've been taught (generally speaking) to fear weapons, taught to obey hijackers, taught to obey criminals. Just obey and maybe you won't get hurt. That having been said, United flight 93 told me that all is not lost. We will, when confronted with certian death and the death of others around us, fight back.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Responsibility does wonders for kids.

Good for you.

[katnip]

Besides, every ten year old boy should own a pocket knife.

My husband and I just went thru this debate last week. He gave our 11 year old a very small pocket knife. I was angry he didn't discuss it with me first.

He said "no discussion needed, the kid gets the pocket knife".

So, my boy is a proud owner of a green swiss army knife. I have never seen him so proud of something before.

[txzman]

And people STILL wonder why our schools cannot educate our children? They can't even make simple decsions based on adult common sense, justice and fair play.

What do they teach our children? That adults are stupid, incapable of rational judgement and live according to very contradictory "rules" that are obvious doublespeak and lies.

[asformeandformyhouse]

He said "no discussion needed, the kid gets the pocket knife".

Don't be too upset by the 'no discussion' thing. For some, it's sorta like a male right-of-passage. Whatever my wife wants to do for my daughters that pertains their 'blossoming womanhood' is fine by me. Truthfully, I'd rather not know.

[RicocheT]

"..and to teach children that any weapon no matter how small is cause for alarm.

Sorta works too. Ever think that a commercial airliner full of people could be hijacked with a boxcutter?"

The hijack worked as we already had been indoctrinated to sit still, don't challenge the hijackers and wait for the hostage rescue team to save us. Never assume someone else will save your life when the chips are down!

[FreedomAvatar]

Zero Tolerance = Zero Intelligence

[gridlock]

Hubbie's right. Every ten-year-old boy should own a pocket knife.

I had a very wise aunt who bought me one for my tenth Christmas. It was small and silver and impossilby sharp. It had a lock blade, thankfully. I whittled and chisled and cut my fingers a couple hundred times. But I still have ten fingers, and you can hardly see the scars.

As an adult, I handle knives every day. I have not cut myself in years. I learned these things when I was ten, with that little pocket knife.

When are you supposed to learn these things? When you're twenty?