Cub Scout: Utensil Suspension Unfair

Zachary Christie, 6, Could be Suspended from Delaware School for 45 Days after Bringing Camping Utensil to Lunch

(CBS)  A 6-year-old Cub Scout recently suspended from school after bringing a camping utensil to the lunchroom made it clear he was not happy with the Delaware school district's decision.

"I think it's very wrong. It's not fair at all," Zachary Christie of Newark, Del. told CBS' "The Early Show."

"It's not fair for anybody," he said.

Zachary's excitement over joining the Cub Scouts may just land him in reform school for 45 days.

Zachary was suspended from his 1st grade class in Delaware's Christina School District after bringing a camping utensil - a combination knife/fork/spoon - to use at lunch, prompting calls to reexamine schools' zero-tolerance policy for bringing weapons to school.

Asked why he brought it to school, Zachary said he just wanted to eat lunch with the tool. "It's just a cool camping utensil," he said.

Zachary's mother, Debbie Christie, who is co-president of the PTA at her son's school, said she did not know Zachary brought the camping utensil (seen at left) to school, but disagrees with the suspension, saying her son willingly gave the utensil to a teacher when asked.

"He wasn't waving it around," Debbie Christie told "The Early Show." "He told her (teacher) that he was taking it to lunch."

Zero tolerance policies were instituted in many school districts across the country, at least in part due to violence at Columbine and Virginia Tech, the report notes. Their rigid enforcement is designed to eliminate the appearance of bias or discrimination on the part of school officials.

State Representative Teresa L. Schooley wrote the disciplinary committee, asking each member to "consider the situation, get all the facts, find out about Zach and his family and then act with common sense for the well-being of this child."

But the strict enforcement of the policy has its supporters.

"There is no parent who wants to get a phone call where they hear that their child no longer has two good seeing eyes because there was a scuffle and someone pulled out a knife," said George Evans, the school district board's president.

There has been a move to give school officials more flexibility in "weapon"-related incidents. After a third-grade girl was expelled for a year after bringing in a knife to cut the birthday cake her grandmother sent in to the class, a new law was passed allowing officials to modify punishments on a case-by-case basis. But that was for expulsions, not suspensions as Zachary is faced with. Another revision to the law is being drafted to address suspensions, according to the report.

For now, Zachary will be taught at home, which he says he likes, but misses his friends at school.

"I don't think the punishment should be this bad."

[ralphexpress]

A rule is a rule and should be applied equally to all. But common sense should be applied to the punishment. Remove of the item and discussing with the boy and parents would be a more appropriate response than 45 days away from school.

Ralph
www.tabup.com - a great place to have a conversation

[Scimajor]

Leave the kid alone for goodness sake! He's six! Fine the parents for being idiotic enough to allow their son to bring the device to school. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that bringing a knife in any form to school is wrong and will result in consequences. It does, however, take someone older than six to understand the issue. Get a brain parents!

[Srkotik]

A knife is a knife. Thats why box cutters are not allowed on airplanes. what would the out come have been had another child taken the "camping utensile" from this boy and stabbed him with it? Think thats far fetched? COLUMBINE! THAT was far fetched! But it happened. There is NO accountability anymore. And since the PARENTS cant be suspended......... because THAT is who is ultimayely in the wrong!

[casowa]

After being in Scouts for more than 20 years and as a leader in Cub and Boy Scouts he shouldn't have a knife in his possession until he has earned his Whittling Chip card. That doesn't usually happen until they are a Wolf or Bear or Webelo. There are also many camping utensils out there to take to school for eating that don't have a knife included.
I can see the school's point but I think the parent's should have known better in this day and age.

[lsc--2008]

When I was a Girl Scout in 3rd and 4th grade, I wore my scout uniform to school for each and every scout meeting. Attached to my belt in plain view was a Girl Scout knife, which had the same knives and tools as a Swiss Army knife (2 knives, 2 can openers, and an awl). This knife was freely sold to children, and NO ONE cared that we wore them to school! Needless to say, no one was ever stabbed, cut, accidentally poked, etc. Zero tolerance means zero intelligence and maximum stupidity.

[mrOhio]

Look people the oerson at fault here is the parents, not the boy and not the school. As a parent I am responsible for what my son takes to school. IF I give hime a "camping untensil" a Swiss Army style knife and allow him to take it to school, the consequences of having a knife in school is my fault. IT IS A KNIFE! Teach him appropriate behavior and not make excuses. Kids do not need knives in school, camping maybe, school never - no excuses.

[teacherview]

Even after a 12 hour day at school, I love the exchange of ideas here. Freedom of speech rocks!! I agree that the length of the suspension is excessive. Principals should be given the authority to judges office referrals on a case by case basis and assign consequences as they see fit. Yes, teachers are responsible for the electrical outlets, paper clips, pencils, etc. being used in an appropriate manner. In 15 years I've never had a student injured from these household items because of one vital component - SUPERVISION. I don't allow my teenage kid carry around a knife with a three inch blade. I certainly wouldn't have thought it was OK for him to take one to kindergarten. Bottom line - School administrators need to use common sense when doling out consequences and parents need to accept responsibility for abiding by school policies that affect school safety.

[EagleScoutMom2]

As a 6 year old (Tiger Cub) Cub Scout, he isn't allowed to even have that utinsel. And at any schoool he would not allowed to have it at school at any age. He is just a little guy, and his parents should be held accountable. Why would anyone allow a 6 year old to have a knife? No only could he get hurt, but he could hurt someone else. All schools have a zero talerance policy. Although, 45 days is a little much. Keep the weapons out of schools.

[DocD--2008]

What we need is a zero tolerance law against stupidity, but then again, we'd have no more adults left in some areas to run things, including enforcement and lawmakers.

[STHUYIAs]

Not you Doc.. docpeter1953

[STHUYIAs]

Where my girlfriend teacher there was a KINDERGARTNER whom told him mom to "SHUT THE F*** UP!"

Another kid who brought a gun to school. But it was something cool to show to his friends and teacher so it must be ok. Since he wasn't planning on shooting anybody. Oh, did I mention that the gun was loaded and ready to go?!

There is a kid who is well mannered, a good student with no disciplinary problems. And from what I gather from some of these posts is, if he had a Swiss army knife, sorry I keep doing that "utensil" that is all shiny that he likes and brings it to school. He shouldn't be punished. Yeah, OK! Did I mention that he was caught making a list? This list was like the "Bucket List" things to do before he dies. One of those items on his list was to "Kill a Teacher". Again, this kid was a good student with no disciplinary problems.

What if they caught him with the "utensil" but never caught him with the list?? Should they punish him?? What if he had carried out that item on his list?? Answer that for me. Explain to me how one would tell the family of the teacher; sorry he was a good kid. We found a "utensil" on him but since he was a good kid we didn't do anything about it. Sorry for your loss!

Zero tolerance is in place for a reason. There should be different levels of punishment for FIRST time offenders, with regards to their standing in the school (grades, behavioral problems). BUT THERE MUST BE SOME FORM OF ACTION TAKEN!!!

Otherwise the (1) rule to not allow weapons would be a novel specifically naming each weapon not allowed and clauses to say whom can bring weapons to school such as:

"If you?re a well mannered kid and are in the cub scouts, it's ok to bring certain weapons, I mean "utensils" as long as you are sure that the weapon, sorry "utensil", won't cause any harm to school property or person's, including yourself, and it shall be secured so that you are the ONLY one, at ANY time whom has access to the weapon, sorry "utensil", and can't/won't be at anytime used for any malicious intentions."

[Patsmom]

I am curious how they knew his camping utensil had a knife unless he pulled it out. Maybe this kid does know how to handle it, but I can say with confidence not all kids do, and had someone taken it from him, and hurt him, or another student, teacher, cafeteria worker, etc. would we feel differently?

[ludyhf]

CBS should be ashamed to air this story. You need to stop the hogwash about the little boy with the knife, you are just exploiting him at such an early age. His parents should wake up and see the hurt that this can do to him. Rules are rules. You certainly could not get through security at the airport with a utensil such as that. Find some real news to report.

[diro215]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31388323/vp/33294850#33294850

Dr. Nancy sums it all up along with another physician whom also mind you these two are BOTH PARENTS!!!

[cjra9898]

Zero tolerance means zero tolerance! This item would NOT be allowed on a plane it would be considered a "weapon". Even if Zachary would not ever hurt anyone, who's to say the kid sitting next to him at lunch is going through a family crisis and has anger issues and takes the item from Zachary and stabs someone with the fork or knife? His parents should have said NO you can't take it to school! As parents we are allowed to tell our children NO! 45 days may seem excessive but if that is what the school's policy is........then it's 45 days

[rtw88]

The zero-tolerance policies are in effect for a reason. This specific child may be a golden child, but if another had stolen this knife from him, then the "weapon" would be in the hands of the wrong person.

The parent is a PTA president. All students receive the same policy guidelines at the beginning of the year. If we make exceptions for 1, then we have to make exceptions for all.

Where is the parental responsibility in all this? The child is 6. Did the parent not know what was in his lunch, and if not the parent needs to be held accountable for neglect. I packed my childrens' lunches this morning - and they are 10 and 13.

The parent was on national news this morning stating that the child eats with this utensil all the time for dinner - the difference is he is HOME. Maybe it's time for him not to always get his way.

[delite70]

I 100% support a zero tolerance policy at school. I have always made my children stick to it. But, the schools choose to stick to whatever rules they want. They do not hold up their handbooks to the utmost. When my daughter was being bullied at school they began to trip over there words and was not quite sure what there policy was. When I called them on it and said according to your policy it is no tolerance now what ? No comment! I had to make them follow their policies. I believe that 6 year old boys are curious and he meant no harm and I think that the school went too far. According to the boy he gave it to his teacher right away. It seems that he follows the rules and he had no intention to harm anyone, I could see if he refused to give it to the teacher. Like I said they choose which rules they want to enforce. Come on now a 1st grader! Make the punishment fit the crime.

[budandsarahcantwell]

I don't understand why everyone is feeling so sorry for this boy and his family.
I am sorry but this boy is NO different than any other boy. WE ALL KNOW THE RULES AND WE'VE KNOWN THEM FOR SOME TIME NOW!
THEY ARE LUCKY HE WAS NOT EXPELLED FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR AS SOME KIDS HAVE BEEN.
Not only that but didn't ANYONE ELSE catch the fact that the Mother stated "He uses it ALL the time" and then the Boy stated "It was a NEW THING and he just wanted to try it out." What story best suits them?

[patty101558]

We have to come to terms with this world and keep our children home and teach them ourselves and the so called teachers who are waiting a paycheck ......no more...children at six from a nice home you know the deal and no cub scouts for any more or girl scouts .....if we americans teach our children how we view the world so be it because this child will never be the same after this and will not be as tolerate of idiot teachers ...this mother needs to quit the PTA and keep her child home for ever and teach him and as far as I am concerned ...the teachers get fired and no more food or electric or car ....you will be broke homeless and get what you deserve.........this situation upsets me more than anything I have heard in years.......

[budandsarahcantwell]

How can this remotely be a teachers fault?IT'S MY JOB TO KNOW WHAT MY CHILD IS TAKING TO SCHOOL WITH THEM!
TEACHERS Waiting for a paycheck? Yeah, BIG paycheck FOR TAKING MORE REPSONSIBILITY IN GUIDING OUR CHILDREN MORE THAN PARENTS DO!TEACHERS are MORE INVOLVED THAN PARENTS ON A DAILY BASIS,HOW DARE YOU MINIMALIZE THEM! I SAY "KUDO'S TO THIS ADMINISTRATION THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS. PARENT'S NEED TO GET MORE INVOLVED AND KNOW WHATS GOING ON WITH THIER KIDS-IDIOT TEACHERS? IT'S IDIOT PARENTS LIKE YOU YOU THAT BLAME TEACHERS FORlumbine happened because parents had NO clue what thier kids were doing nor what they were bringing to School.WAKE UP AMERICA, it's Parents Jobs to know whats in thier child possesion at all times! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY,YOUR KIDS WILL FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE. YOU MUST KNOW THE RULES,WHO DOESN'T? THE RULES ARE THERE FOR A REASON

[Richard_Saunders]

Zero Tolerance is foolish.

Every day instructors must make judgment calls on student performance and behavior. Disciplinary action is no different.

The object should be to treat everyone "Fairly" not "Equally."

Most situations have unique circumstances, which require thoughtful evaluation.

This is why we have judges and juries in our legal system.

[Sarak50]

I agree with the school board. It is easy to look at this and think of it as a very minor issue and that the child's INTENT should have something to do with the outcome. My granddaughter or grandson, the child of a family member could have been this child'sseating partner, saw the utensil and tried to grab it, look at it, use it etc. AS YOUNG KIDS DO! Parents need to wake up! This is NOT the worst possible scenario that could have happened here. The utensil could have hurt someone, killed someone, the child with the utensil could have been removed to juvenile custody, and the parents could have lost EVERYTHING due to a suit filed on behalf of the injured or dead child. If my child or grandchild were harmed or worse killed by this utensil, you better belive I would be holding the parents and the school board accountable. With all possible outcomes that DID NOT occur, we need to put into perspective the consequences that DID occur. Wake up and realize that if it had been one of your children injured or killed by this or any other such utensil (with no intent to cause harm), how ridiculous would the school board's decision sound then, and how quickly would you have run to sue THEM for not protecting your child. INTENT or no INTENT, your child, my child etc would still be just as dead.