Norfolk, Virginia Public Schools Have Adopted A Zero Tolerance Policy For Common Sense
By Dave Gibson (05/10/07)
Gabriella Nieves is an eighth grade student in Norfolk, Va. and was suspended from school, after another student gave her a Tylenol tablet for a headache. Though the school has reinstated Gabriella, she has now been ordered to enter a program for substance abusers.
Last week, Gabriella started getting a headache while sitting in her Northside Middle School history class. Another student offered her a Tylenol which she gladly accepted. Gabriella asked her teacher if she could leave for a moment to get a drink and showed the pill to the instructor. When the teacher saw the Tylenol, she immediately sent Gabriella to the principal's office.
The principal found Gabriella to be in violation of the school board's drug policy and suspended her. The Norfolk Public School system has a 'zero tolerance' policy towards drugs. Under their current rules, no student is allowed to possess drugs on school property, this includes Tylenol, aspirin, Midol, or even their own prescription drugs. Under this doctrine, a child caught with a Tylenol is viewed no differently from one who is caught with marijuana or crack cocaine.
Last year, there were eight suspensions handed out in Norfolk Public Schools for over-the-counter medication violations.
Once Gabriella's case received attention from the local media, her school ended the suspension after two days. However, her mom Dawn Settles received a letter from the school informing her that Gabriella would have to undergo "the drug/alcohol program assigned to her by Juvenile Justice Services."
Settles was infuriated that the school board wants her daughter to attend counseling aimed at junkies and convicted felons, and does not plan on placing her daughter into the program. Settles said: "It's a waste of insurance, it's a waste of time."
Gabriella is worried about the implications having a drug violation and suspension will have on her future.. She told a local reporter: "When they look at my record, when I try to apply for college and they see that I went to drug and alcohol counseling, a drug offense in middle school, they're going to reject me." she went on to say: "I think it's unfair that I have to go to a drug and alcohol counseling, even though it was over aspirin. I mean, they're making it out like I brought a gun to school."
Responding to questions about the situation, chief operations officer of Norfolk Public Schools Michael Spencer made the following absurd statement: "We're not trying to break this kid on the thing. I just want to make sure the next time she needs support like that she doesn't go to another student."
So Mr. Spencer is worried that Gabriella may once again turn to her fellow classmates for "support" for a headache?...I am worried that people with the intellect of Mr. Spencer is in position to shape the minds of children.
Unfortunately, while Gabriella's story is a ridiculous one it is not unique. Throughout the United States, schools have adopted a zero tolerance policy on drugs, which do not discriminate between heroin and Advil. Many students are suspended and expelled every year for keeping a bottle of aspirin in their locker and are treated as if they were selling crack on the playground.
Is it any wonder that our schools are failing so completely?...They are now being run by people who are incapable of applying common sense.
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