Story Archive

An Apple a Day Keeps School Away

Tenth grader Da’von Shaw planned to give a demonstration about eating a healthy breakfast to his speech class. “I put in the slogan an apple a day keeps the doctor away because it was first period,” Shaw said. Intending to show how he prepares his food, Shaw pulled out apples, craisins, and a knife for cutting the apples. “When I took out the knife the teacher then told me that I couldn’t use it, so I didn’t hesitate, I just gave it to her,” Shaw said. He didn’t think much more about it until he was told later that day he’d be suspended for five days for bringing a “weapon” to school. Superintendent Sherman Micsak said that while the suspension could have been up to a year, he feels the punishment fit the violation. Shaw’s mother, Shakila Wilson, is furious. “I can take off my belt and use that as a weapon,” she said. “Pens and pencils can be used as a weapon. You can’t take a person with no intentions to harm and put them as a criminal because that’s what you normally do.” (MS/WOIO Cleveland) ...Be quiet, or you’ll be suspended for bringing a pencil to school.