6 yr. Old Cub Scout Given Detention for Bringing "Weapon" to School

HYM810ANCE · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:35 AM

A 6 year old, straight A, first grade Cub Scout in Delaware (who has never been in any trouble) took his Cub Scout tool that had a spoon, fork and knife on it to school to use to eat lunch and was suspended and sent to detention for 45 days for "Bringing a Weapon to School" all in the name of ZERO TOLERANCE.

This is ridiculous!

It is a perfect example of people going through the motions and not using common sense. The mother has set up a website to try to get support for her son so the school district might reconsider his punishment. This is his website www.helpzachary.com . The petition now has over 27,000 signatures. Please help this little guy, I know me and my Cub Scout will.

computerworks · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HYM810ANCE

... took his Cub Scout tool ...

The other site says "...camping utensil.."

Are these softie euphemisms for "POCKET KNIFE?"

Mom never posted a picture of little Zachie's weapon on her site.....

HYM810ANCE · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Here is a pic I found on MSN...
It's a simple camping utensil. My son is fascinated with his too. Luckily, he knows not to carry it to school.

computerworks · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:13 PM

yaack...more than "three-finger" blade!

He couldn't even get on an airplane with that "utensil" in his pocket.

Maricopa · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:28 PM

A sad commentary on modern America...Over reaction on everybody's part. The idea of sending him to reform school, etc. is pretty stupid.
I carried my Swiss army knife almost every day throughout middle and high school. Never did have to use it in anger.

Still, 6 is a little young to be totin' a knife of any kind to school. It's a good rule.

Of course this line "Zachary's education and emotional well-being have been impacted because of the zero tolerance policy of the Christina School District. " is a sad commentary too. Poor Zach's mommy is causing him a lot longer lasting damage than some school detention.

computerworks · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maricopa

Poor Zach's mommy is causing him a lot longer lasting damage than some school detention.

Agreed...ol' Mom is conning the media as well...calling it a "camping utensil."

dcdoug · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:19 PM

Still 45 days for a camping utensil/knife is a bit severe for a 6 year old who hasn't had any prior problems (assuming we are getting the full story here)? Especially when the suggested alternative is a school for juvenile delinquents?

392cobra · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Especially when the suggested alternative is a school for juvenile delinquents?

Didn't bother me (too much).

HYM810ANCE · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:35 PM

People do tend to use words and phrases that better help their particular situation. That being said...The "knife" in question has been described on multiple websites including EBAY as a BOY SCOUT CAMPING UTENSIL, BS CAMPING KNIFE, BS UTENSIL KNIFE, BS UTILITY TOOL and so forth.

The simple fact remains that the little boy had no intention of using the knife to "shank" anyone...or to do anything other than use it for a "utensil". If we want to jump of that deep end then practically anything could be used as a weapon.

Lets not get away from the point. No, I don't believe he should have taken it to school, his parent(s) should have had that talk with him when he received it...but the child, the situation and the circumstances should play into the decision.

computerworks · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:48 PM

What part of "zero tolerance" doesn't mommy understand?

Didn't her website say she's on the PTA? I think the issue may have more emotional damage on mommy's ego.

Let the kid do his time... maybe he can get a badge or something for "time served."

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:56 PM

Excuse me, but bullsh!t. Zero tolerance means just what it says, and if schools start weighing individual circumstances...they end up getting sued.

I worked in a firm for several years which represented school districts throughout the State, and it didn't matter whether it was an anti-ditching policy, drugs/medication or even dress codes...anytime discretion came into play, someone down the road would sue.

Personally, I could give a rats ass whether the little moron was a boy scout or in the junior KKK, nor do I care about his record or grades...a weapon is a weapon. If they let him off, next time it will be a sixth grader bringing a switchblade, and he or she will claim some form of prejudice.

Rules are rules. Don't like the rules...change them, but I'm tired of idiots who whine about the enforcement of rules and end up wasting everyone's time and money.

Just my humble opinion, of course.

HYM810ANCE · #12 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:04 PM

Of Course.

I do understand your position but to pretend that everyone is treated "equally" in the first case is kidding no one. And you are right when it comes to "if you don't like the law, change it", sometimes it takes a situation like this to cause people to re-evaluate things and then make those changes. I deal with rules, regulations, requirements and restrictions on a regular bases, the idea of everyone being held to the same standard (no matter the environment) is truly a novel idea.

392cobra · #13 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:05 PM

With Zach getting 45 days,I think Mom ought to get 90 for not doing her job in stopping him from carrying a shank to class and for all the whining she's doing.

tcrist · #14 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:08 PM

The situation sucks. The child probably did not understand the issue.
That being said, What if a different child had brought one of those "camping utensils" to school and her child accidently got stabbed/poked with it? Do you think she would just say it should still be ok for somone to bring one to school? I don't think so.
Let them get away with it, then whats next?

Terry

392cobra · #15 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:10 PM

About time to let Bubba straighten out Mom and the Lil' Hoodlum.

Dan40 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:28 PM

Zero means zero. What happens when Denny Drugson brings a knife a little bit smaller to school?
And "detention" means staying after school, NOT "REFORM SCHOOL!" THAT is why Mommy Dearest is upset, it will upset her cocktail hour.

392cobra · #17 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan40

Zero means zero. What happens when Denny Drugson brings a knife a little bit smaller to school?
And "detention" means staying after school, NOT "REFORM SCHOOL!" THAT is why Mommy Dearest is upset, it will upset her cocktail hour.

You mean that Lil' Gang Banger is going to beat the charges ?

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:34 PM

Life just isn't fair! I reckon that is the lesson for the kid here, hard, harsh and true.

By the way,

Quote:

People do tend to use words and phrases that better help their particular situation.

Yeah, that pretty well nails the "right wingers" around here (OK, some left wingers too).

SPF2245 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:34 PM

I agree the punishment is a little steep, however, I'm going on the side of stop blaming the schools and blame the parents/kids. Let's not forget, he was not supposed to bring a knife to school (it clearly IS/HAS a blade) so rather then letting it go...let's ask for a punishment of 5 days and call it even.

OZCOBRA · #20 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:44 PM

At what age do you really think these kids can comprehend the Act of bringing a WEAPON yet alone the punishment 6yrs ....Not...... get real!!!
Common sense just doesn't exist in these situations anymore... The people enforcing and applying the punishment have the mental capacity of a 4yr old!!!