What do you think? Did the school has the right to call the police because this girl brought a knife to cut her steak at school? Even though she did not threaten anyone?
QUOTE |
School officials say the Ocala 5th grader had brought a piece of steak for her lunch, and had brought a steak knife. According to the report, a couple of teachers took the utensil and called authorities, who arrested the girl and took her to the county's juvenile assessment center. "She did not use it inappropriately. She did not threaten anyone with it. She didn't pull it out and brandish it. Nothing of that nature," explained Marion County School Spokesman Kevin Christian, who added that it made no difference what the knife was being used for, they had no choice but to call police. "Anytime there's a weapon on campus, yes, we have to report it and we aggressively report it because we don't want to take any chances, regardless," Christian said. The girl now faces a felony charge for possessing a weapon on school property and has been suspended from school for 10 days. |
On one hand I think arresting a child for a steak knife is ridiculous, but on the other hand given the violence in US schools these days I am not surprised the action was taken. Also, I think some kids feel they are above policies and try to rationalize things. No knives means no knives period.
Name: Paige
Comments: OK "no weapons" is the policy. Weapons include knives; a- she had done it before with no one saying not to; b- she was using it in a manner appropriate with the guidelines of small steak knife; c- she was not treating it as a weapon she was using it for its intended purpose.
Source1: https://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Unlikely_Ar...eria_11954.html
That is hard! As stated before, the rules state NO WEAPONS, knives included.
I read this to my family and my son said he has taken his pocket knife to school on accident before--he has Scouts on Tuesday nights and often has it with him and forgets--I tried to explain that though that is true--they cannot take his word on it--they just follow the rules.
I can see where she may have not thought about it--bringing steak for lunch, knowing she would need it. It is sad that because of all the violence there is a need for rules.
For me, this is the cause of stupidity from the girl's parents or guardians. I am almost certain they know of this rule of no knifes, weapons, etc. Why would they give her a steak for lunch to take to school? Lunches should be something healthy and that can be easily eaten, even more at school with all these regulations.