Another case of Zero Tolerance.

This is an intolerable situation. For this honors student/scout to be punished so excessively is ridiculous. Wish there was some way to let the family know about the support they have here. It was in Boy Scouts that I first realized what an essential TOOL a knife is, I've carried one daily for over 40 years, and never used one as a weapon. I wonder if students are allowed silverware in the lunchroom, or just eat with their fingers?
 
The kid, his dad, and a representative from the school district were all interviewed on MSNBC just a few minutes ago. I must say that the district rep sounded more like a tape recording of recited policies. I betcha that if it were her child in the same circumstances that she would appeal for common sense and having the policies applied on a case by case basis. The zero tolerance policy is, in itself, intolerable because of the people who enforce it.

-Greg
 
E-mail is nice, but paper mail still carries a lot more weight.

Start with Mr. Freddie Gilyard, Principal, Hershel V. Jenkins High School, 1800E DeRenne Av, Savannah, GA 31406.

Also write to Ms. Diane M. Cantor, School Board President, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, 208 Bull Street, Savannah GA 31401.

And Ms. Virginia Edwards, Superintendent, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, 208 Bull Street, Savannah GA 31401.

Stress the fact that you understand the need to maintain a safe learning environment in schools, and that you understand how difficult that can be in a school with upwards of 1500 students. But, this sort of inflexible policy actually teaches students that there is no reason no thought in American "justice". It's no wonder that children grow up with no respect for laws and authorities when they see a model student expelled for such a thing.

I'll bet that there are students running around that school every day with big knives and guns too. They just know how to get away with it. That sort of "know how" just isn't taught in Boy Scouts.

So, please, write those letters. Make sure that your letter is calm and reasonable. Let these people know that in this on-line era, this sort of thing travels fast and makes their entire organization look bad from coast to coast.

BTW, you might want to cite their mission statement taken from their own web site:

Our Vision
A school system which enables every student to reach his/her full potential.

That's right next to Ms. Edwards name on the site.

I think there's one young man who a lot of potential who is not feeling particularly enabled right now.

------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com

[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 05-26-2000).]
 
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