Zero Tolerance Nonsense

My comments follow the article...


School Graffiti Nets 4-Month Suspension

KATY, Texas - Writing "I love Alex" on a school gymnasium wall in baby-blue marker by a 12-year-old sixth-grader rated the same punishment as if she had made terrorist threats.

The Katy Independent School District rated the message, written by Shelby Sendelbach, as a Level 4 infraction - the same as for threats, drug possession and assault. Only murder, gun possession, sexual assault and arson are considered more severe. For her punishment, Shelby was assigned to an alternative school from Aug. 27 through Dec. 21, per state law.

Her parents have appealed and a hearing is set for this month. Lisa and Stu Sendelbach said they don't condone what Shelby did but think the punishment is overly harsh.

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Sometimes, I read something that makes me damned glad I homeschool my kids. This is one such article.

Coincidentally, a friend of mine is going through a similar ordeal, as her son is forced to go to court for putting a handprint on a school bus seat.

Come on, people! How many of us did these EXACT SAME THINGS as kids, and grew up just fine? What happened to making the kids scrape gum off the bottoms of seats as a punishment? Why are we going to these outrageous extremes?