A 5-year-old Pennsylvania girl who told another girl she was going to shoot her with a pink toy gun that blows soapy bubbles has been suspended from kindergarten.
Her family has hired an attorney to fight the punishment, which initially was 10 days but was reduced to two.
Attorney Robin Ficker says Mount Carmel Area School District officials labeled the girl a “terrorist threat” for the bubble gun remark, made Jan. 10 as both girls waited for a school bus.
Ficker says the girl didn’t even have the bubble gun with her and has never fired a real gun. He says she’s “the least terroristic person in Pennsylvania.”
Thoughts, in no particular order:
- Bubble gun
- Terrorist Threat
- 5 years old
- Didn’t even HAVE the gun
Crazy, but over reaction is the American way, it seems. At my first grader’s school I pick him up every day. I signed a form at the beginning of the year that said he could simply leave school on his own (didn’t have to wait in the cafeteria for me to get him). I figured if I were delayed he’s smart enough to wait or tell a teacher I’m not there (but I’ve never been late yet). Since Sandy Hook they make all kids stand behind the cafeteria windows, parents outside, and they let kids out one at a time only when they identify their parents. Damned if I know how that increases school safety. It’s a pain and delays the process (though most kids take the bus so at least it isn’t all 400 students!)
Damned if I know how that increases school safety. It’s a pain and delays the process
They’re scared of litigation.