Thread: Should my DS be suspended?

Unless it is a privately owned bus system, yes, your child was on school property and should be punished. It takes 2 to fight, and your son evidentally escalated what started out as an argument into a fight by pushing the other boy.

If he hadnt been suspended, he should of, along with the other boy, been at least kicked off the bus for the appropriate # of days according to policy. Be glad it was only for one day.

If that's the rules where you live then they have to be followed. That's how it is here. It looks like your DS already learned a lesson as tough as it is for all of you and a positive can be taken from that. I'm sure his friend and he will stop and think before getting into anything again.

At least they are both in the same amount of trouble. They both were fighting, so they both get punished. Its nice to know your son is sorry, but i wonder if he is sorry that got in trouble or got in a fight? There is a difference. I have 2 teenaged sons, so I have been there and done that. I wouldn't fight it, I would be thankful that the asst. principal punished both boys equally and by him treating your son the way he did maybe he was just trying to make your son think twice about it next time, KWIM? I am glad that both boys are doing physically ok.

Thanks everyone for the input. This happened when they were walking to school as we dont have bus service here. However, I did read the school handbook and it does state that they will be suspended even if the incident happened either to or from school and not just on school grounds. Now that I have thought about it, I totally agree with the policy as a lot of things can escalate!

My DS is being punished and tomorrow he will be attending "Mommy school"....were I aint as nice has his teacher, I am sure. His teacher did send home work that they will be covering in class tomorrow so he wont miss out on much. And for recess, he will be vacuuming! LOL

You are lucky is was just one day. Average here is 3 days, and the students can not turn in ANY work that was assigned during the suspension: all missed grades are zeros (part of the punishment). Reading the handbook covers many situations that you may not know are considered school business.

Since your son pushed the other boy, did you ask what made your son think laying his hands on someone is OK?
(or maybe the asst. principal did, and that is what is upsetting your son). It is illegal to touch someone in an offensive manner (pushing, shoving, poking, hitting, kicking, tapping, etc.) It is criminal activity, and maybe the asst. prinicpal was trying to get him to see what he did was a crime.

You need to find out why he feels pushing/shoving someone is a proper response for any reason. Nothing that is said, or wrote down, texted, etc, should be reason to angerly touch someone. And strangely enough: it is not a defense in courts or schools.

Originally Posted by fleabones3

BUT I know that the zero tolerence policy applies to bullying, harrassment, fighting, etc. It dont matter who hits who first, both kids get automatic suspensions. UNLESS one kid can prove he didnt hit, push etc at all. My stepson got sucker punched and they were going to suspend him until I made the principal question other students and found out my stepson just set his tray down. turned around and bam.. got punched. and yes, no matter if you walk to school, ride the bus or whatever.. once you leave the house, you are considered school property

See this is the part I don't agree with in zero tolerance policies. I have told my children if they are attacked they are to defend themselves and I assure you if they are suspended for that they will not receive any punishment at home. I also agree with the suspension since the handbook confirms to and from school are covered.