Story Archive

How to Turn Kids Against School

“She’s always trying to share things,” says Ronald Souto of Pembroke Pines, Fla., about his 11-year-old daughter. She had a peach in her lunch at Silver Trail Middle School, and a friend asked for half. The girl used a knife from a flatware set that’s marked safe for children 36 months or older — otherwise known as a “weapon,” according to school officials quoting zero tolerance policies. “This is a set of a spoon, fork and knife for toddlers,” sputters the girl’s mother, Andrea Souto. “It is made for children to learn how to eat properly. She’s used it since she was baby.” No matter: the school suspended the honor-roll student, and called in the police. Incredibly, the police department referred the case to state prosecutors, so the family has hired a lawyer. Ronald Souto says the girl is “afraid now of the educators. She’s afraid of people at school.” (RC/WPLG Miami) ...Ridiculous school rules: a much more dangerous weapon, yet wielded without penalties.