Everyone once in a while you hear about a zero tolerance policy somewhere that has gone wrong. Now it’s happened in my area. Six-year old Zachary is (or more like ‘was’) a first grader at Downes Elementary School in Newark, Delaware. He plays Little League Baseball, is a Cub Scout, studies martial arts, is actively involved in his church youth group, and is actively involved in school activities. Last year he participated in the school talent show, the science fair, and the PTA “Reflections” Art Contest, for which he won first place in the State of Delaware for his film, “What Is My Job?” Zachary reads above grade level and has very advanced math skills as well. Sounds like a great kid! Right?
Well, at the end of last month, Zachary brought a camping utensil (spoon, fork, bottle opener, and knife) to school to eat lunch with. A teacher sees it and busts him right away. When asked what it was for he straight up told the teacher it was to eat lunch with. Well, the principal was notified and suspended Zachary since the Christina School District (in which Downes Elementary School is located) has a zero tolerance policy on weapons.
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