16-yr. old forgets he had his knife in his pocket at football game, turns it in to security guard with note...

Yep... 10-day suspension, with expulsion hearing scheduled.  GAAAAAAH!  This honest young man realized his mistake and should have kept it quiet, I guess.  

The lesson to be learned here.  Kids... be dishonest and keep your weapon in your pocket, so you don't get yourself in trouble.

http://www.ryot.org/teen-david-schaffner-suspended-for-doing-the-right-thing/375377

Quote :

A 16-year-old teen in Pittsburgh was expelled for turning in a knife he accidentally brought to a football game.

In the woods before he came to the stadium, David Schaffner III was using the knife to “cut branches and whatnot,” his father describes. Unfortunately, young David forgot that he still had it in his pocket as he traveled to the game. Realizing his mistake, he intentionally turned in his knife to a security guard along with a written explanation.

As he headed in to watch the game the situation seemed handled. However, upon learning of the situation, the principle of the school immediately removed David from the game and now Schaffner is under 10-day suspension from Fox Chapel High School.

Fox Chapel School District’s zero-tolerance policies are designed to limit violence and drug use, with the inflexibility of the rules acting as a deterrent. The policies operate on the assumption that any violation of a rule, no matter the circumstance, is still a violation of the rule. These policies have harsh consequences, even if you try to do the right thing.

In addition to the absurd suspension, his case will be reviewed for possible expulsion on September 27th. To combat the charges the family has hired a lawyer. Attorney Phil DuLicente, in an interview with KDKA commented, “It’s utterly ridiculous. I mean, what are we teaching our youth today? To not be honest, to not be open and forthcoming.”

Schaffner’s father also expressed his outrage. “To me it sends a message… that you probably shouldn’t be honest,” he said, “because you’re going to get punished.”

I agree with Schaffner's father. The only lesson this young man learned was not to be honest.

Sad. Over-reactive, and sad.

Eric wrote:

Yep... 10-day suspension, with expulsion hearing scheduled.  GAAAAAAH!  This honest young man realized his mistake and should have kept it quiet, I guess.  

The lesson to be learned here.  Kids... be dishonest and keep your weapon in your pocket, so you don't get yourself in trouble.

http://www.ryot.org/teen-david-schaffner-suspended-for-doing-the-right-thing/375377

Quote :

A 16-year-old teen in Pittsburgh was expelled for turning in a knife he accidentally brought to a football game.

In the woods before he came to the stadium, David Schaffner III was using the knife to “cut branches and whatnot,” his father describes. Unfortunately, young David forgot that he still had it in his pocket as he traveled to the game. Realizing his mistake, he intentionally turned in his knife to a security guard along with a written explanation.

As he headed in to watch the game the situation seemed handled. However, upon learning of the situation, the principle of the school immediately removed David from the game and now Schaffner is under 10-day suspension from Fox Chapel High School.

Fox Chapel School District’s zero-tolerance policies are designed to limit violence and drug use, with the inflexibility of the rules acting as a deterrent. The policies operate on the assumption that any violation of a rule, no matter the circumstance, is still a violation of the rule. These policies have harsh consequences, even if you try to do the right thing.

In addition to the absurd suspension, his case will be reviewed for possible expulsion on September 27th. To combat the charges the family has hired a lawyer. Attorney Phil DuLicente, in an interview with KDKA commented, “It’s utterly ridiculous. I mean, what are we teaching our youth today? To not be honest, to not be open and forthcoming.”

Schaffner’s father also expressed his outrage. “To me it sends a message… that you probably shouldn’t be honest,” he said, “because you’re going to get punished.”

That used to be the policy here a LONG time ago until common sense took over...in this case the student did exactly how students here are instructed to do...don't tell others you have a knife or display the knife and tell and turn it in to any faculty member or the resource officer and there's not a problem...Can't imagine why any school district would not have similar guidelines...

mediawatcher wrote:

Eric wrote:

Yep... 10-day suspension, with expulsion hearing scheduled.  GAAAAAAH!  This honest young man realized his mistake and should have kept it quiet, I guess.  

”

     That used to be the policy here a LONG time ago until common sense took over...in this case the student did exactly how students here are instructed to do...don't tell others you have a knife or display the knife and tell and turn it in to any faculty member or the resource officer and there's not a problem...Can't imagine why any school district would not have similar guidelines...[/quote]
Reminds me of an old Navy saying - no good deed shall go unpunished.....