[SirPentor]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13105316/

Quote:

PITTSBURGH - A gum maker has come up with a snappy response to the sticky issue of a sixth-grader suspended for sharing its caffeinated product in school. GumRunners LLC of Hackensack, N.J., which makes Jolt gum, created a scholarship program and awarded the first one to Courtney Rupert, a 12-year-old who was suspended for three days last month. Stimulants are prohibited in the Burrell School District, about 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and possessing them is grounds for disciplinary action.

Here's an article from when the suspension first happened: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13027461/.

 

[tboroson]

Now, why on Gaia's Green Earth would Jolt gum be a "prohibited stimulant" and the soda that they sell on the premises is permitted?

Oh, yeah. I forgot. I'm living in Logic Hell.

 

[SirPentor]

Yes, logic hell 5|_|x()|?5. Their justification is (most likely) that the pop machines do not operate during school hours (according to the article from when this first came out). Personally I don't think that matters.

 

[chfriend]

If they forbid stimulants, does that mean there are no children in their school on Ritalin? ETA: Full disclosure: My kids drink coffee and tea some if they want. I don't have a problem with caffeine if it's not bugging the kid.

 

[orangebird]

All of these "no tolorance" type policies are so damn stupid. Ugh.

 

[pumpkinsmama]

Weren't there some recent studies showing coffee drinkers live longer? Medical "science" is a fluctuating field. I agree that most "no tolerance" policies are pathetic.

 

[aniT]

You know, I am all for not allowing controlled "substances" on school grounds, but could we PLEASE USE SOME COMMON SENSE?

This reminds me of the boy who was suspended after finding a pocket knife in his pocket on the way to school and went directly to the office and turned it in as soon as he arrived. Yet he was still suspended and if I remember right they tried to expel him.

Also several years ago I heard on the news about an 18 year old who had been moving into her own apartment over the weekend. She didn't realize she has a box a silverware in the back of her car which was seen by school personnel as they were monitoring the parking lot. I think they suspended/expelled/or didn't allow her to graduate because there were knives in the box.

Zero tolerance is one thing, stupidity is another.

 

[kama'aina mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tboroson Now, why on Gaia's Green Earth would Jolt gum be a "prohibited stimulant" and the soda that they sell on the premises is permitted? Oh, yeah. I forgot. I'm living in Logic Hell.

Quote:

The school has soda machines, but they aren't turned on during school hours and drinks containing caffeine aren't sold in the lunchroom.

from da article.

 

[orangebird]

Quote:

Quote: Originally Posted by tboroson Now, why on Gaia's Green Earth would Jolt gum be a "prohibited stimulant" and the soda that they sell on the premises is permitted? Oh, yeah. I forgot. I'm living in Logic Hell. Quote: The school has soda machines, but they aren't turned on during school hours and drinks containing caffeine aren't sold in the lunchroom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kama'aina mama from da article.

He didn't buy the gum during school hours either. Can a child buy a soda before school but is prohibited from drinking it until he gets off school property after school hours? Probably not.

 

[kama'aina mama]

Couldn't tell ya.