Drawing a Picture of a Gun Results in School Suspension

A picture of a gun, drawn by a thirteen year old student, was enough to result in a school suspension:

“QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — A 13-year-old student who drew a picture of a gun on his homework at Payne Junior High School in Queen Creek was initially suspended for at least five days, but his father was able to slash it to three days.”

link: Student Suspended For Drawing Gun

Since the boy’s sketch was deemed a threat, it is curious why the police were not contacted:

“…Chandler district spokesman Terry Locke said the school is not allowed to discuss students’ discipline records. However, he said the sketch was “absolutely considered a threat,” and threatening words or pictures are punished.

The school did not contact police about the threat and did not provide counseling or an evaluation to the boy to determine if he intended the drawing as a threat.”

link: Chandler boy suspended for sketching gun

Since there is some perceived danger in the gun sketch, then why was remedial care not sought out for this boy. Does he become less dangerous after a three or five day school suspension?

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]picture, school, suspension, threat, security, police, counseling[/tags]