First-grader and Cub Scout suspended for having scouting utensil in school

Published on October 24th, 2009

First-grader suspended for scouting utensil in school: Zero tolerance or just plain dumb? | NJ.com — This stuff just writes itself. Apparently a parental outcry has made these jerk-offs relent.

It’s a scary world when a six-year-old Cub Scout is sentenced to reform school for bringing a camping utensil to school.

That’s what happened to Zachary Christie, a first-grader in the Christina School District in Newark, Delaware, according to a story in yesterday’s New York Times.

Zachary, who is described by his family and teachers as a serious student who often wore suits to school, was so excited to use his combo fork, spoon & knife scout tool that he brought it to use for lunch. (Might I add that this is a tool very similar to the one Diego includes in his 5 in 1 Camp and Rescue set, which my son has owned since he was three).

20 users responded in " First-grader and Cub Scout suspended for having scouting utensil in school "

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# 1 bobbo, ex-Eagle Scout and Den Chief said, on October 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

No more mumbly-peg with 6 inch blades huh? I always held my breath the kiddies wouldn’t slice a toe off with a bad throw.

I’m still living a charmed life.

# 2 notolerancefrostupidity. said, on October 25th, 2009 at 12:30 am

He brought a dangerous weapon to school. He has to learn a lesson and become an example or other kids with think it’s ok. And if he’s a Scout, he’s from a conservative family that probably believes in violence, homophobia and racism. Kids like that need to be watched very carefully.

# 3 pedro said, on October 25th, 2009 at 2:07 am

#2 I think you should be watched carefully… in a padded ward

# 4 Schorschi said, on October 25th, 2009 at 2:17 am

Sorry, but isn’t this an old hat. Hit the news two weeks ago. Were you on the moon?

Besides, the US of A is a police state. What would you expect?

# 5 Kelly said, on October 25th, 2009 at 3:26 am

“Notolerance” is absolutely ridiculous as is the school policy.
Zachary sounds like a really good kid that had been living a very productive healthy life. I feel really bad for him and his parents to be dealt this neurotic abuse. All kids need to learn to use these items.

# 6 Dangerous Leftie said, on October 25th, 2009 at 5:09 am

#4 – it even hit this website 2 weeks ago:

http://tinyurl.com/scouting-tool-ban

# 7 BigBoyBC said, on October 25th, 2009 at 5:13 am

Geeze John, between you and Uncle Dave and his three-year-old article, it’s getting to look like “recycle old new day” around here.

# 8 Mac Guy said, on October 25th, 2009 at 5:18 am

Yep. Old news. And if I recall correctly, they lifted the punishment.

# 9 User7 said, on October 25th, 2009 at 5:28 am

I could have been worse. He could have brought 10oz of shampoo.

# 10 Dirk Thundernuts said, on October 25th, 2009 at 6:26 am

I would have brought this scout in for show and tell.

http://tinyurl.com/5j7su6

# 11 bb said, on October 25th, 2009 at 6:27 am

#8: Correct. And that story is 10 days old: http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910150346.

But the 16 year old with a knife a day later has a different ending: http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009310160012.

Good examples of why “Zero Tolerance” mean “I don’t have to think and thus have no responsibility for the decision.” Or (at the risk of invoking Godwin’s law) “I’m just following orders.”

# 12 StoopidFlanders said, on October 25th, 2009 at 7:19 am

Zero tolerance means zero thinking on the part of the school bureaucrats. The teachers unions have done everything they can think of to ensure their members use their brains as little as possible.

# 13 mentor972 said, on October 25th, 2009 at 8:01 am

Uncle Dave posted this almost 2 weeks ago…
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/10/12/zero-tolerance-school-policies-are-out-of-control/

# 14 Government Agencies said, on October 25th, 2009 at 8:29 am

The road to hell is paved with good intentions
Sounds like the Canadian Revenue Income Tax government agencies to me

# 15 comicbooknerd said, on October 25th, 2009 at 9:17 am

I got stabbed with a pencil in 4th grade. When are they going to get around to banning all sharp and dangerous weapons such as the number 2?

# 16 StoopidFlanders said, on October 25th, 2009 at 10:44 am

#14. You underestimate the power of the Pencil lobbyists. Apparently they’ve managed to buy off the Obama administration.

# 17 Cap'nKangaroo said, on October 25th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

These zero tolerance policies are more the result of school boards than teacher unions. The school board does not want to have to rule on anything (bad for reelection because it always p*sses somebody off) and Zero Tolerance makes it all so easy, while making it look like they are “tough on crime”.

# 18 Cap'nKangaroo said, on October 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

#10 I got kicked out of cub scouts for eating to many brownies.

# 19 Benjamin said, on October 26th, 2009 at 6:11 am

It was a cheap cub scout eating utensil that is no different than the silverware in the cafeteria. (Unless they took those away and only issue plastic sporks.)

# 20 The Monster's Lawyer said, on October 26th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

#18 – ROFLOL You win!!! I wet my pants.

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