Without notice to their parents, he and his friends were suspended and sent home. Fourth-grader Michael Hagood planned to launch spitballs at the girl using a rubber band. The flag was listed as a prohibited symbol of racial hatred. In February of 2001, the leadership of the American Bar Association voted to recommend an end to zero-tolerance policies in the nation's 14,000 school districts. For every child killed by a gun, four more are wounded.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens.
Obviously violence in our society is a serious issue and everyone agrees on the need for safe schools. The million dollar question is how to deal equitably with youngsters who make immature decisions. Russell Smith is an educator and freelance writer who lives in Sweetwater.