Zachary Christie, 6, Suspended for Carrying Camping Utensils

Thanks for this, swu!

Thank you Brian Ellis for saying what I didn't! Yes, Zachary's story speaks volumes about "school officials" lack of common sense and complete failure to understand development across the board. Thanks again!

This is utterly ridiculous!!..I just watched Zachary and his family on the "Today" show..what a hansome and smart little boy!! I understand the school policies on bringing "weapons" to school in light of all that has happened at schools all over the U.S. with weapons and innocents being murdered...but this is a 6yr old that had no intention of hurting anyone..only to eat his lunch with the utensil..yes..he made a mistake by not asking to take it to school..but I agree with what his Mom said about considering age, maturity, ect. In my opinion sending him to a "detention program" would not be a smart move as this could change him, his personality and whole life...why take a good kid and turn him into a bad one with the influences that would be at that program!! I don't think he should have been suspended from school either..good for Mom and the home schooling idea...good luck Zachary, Mom, and Dad..I'm rooting for you all!!!

From what I saw on the news, Zachary Christie was only wanting to eat with the utensil as a fork and had no intention of threatening another child or an adult with the knife.  He is only 6 years of age and was excited to have the pretty tool to eat with.  I have a 6 year old great grandson and I know how they think.  He meant no harm and the school board has and is going to far with this.  Each child should be considered by the type of person they are and their intention and not all should be treated as a criminal. The school officials have no common sense, love or understanding of the children they are teaching. Again, he is only 6 years of age.

This is just a sad thing, is this what are world is coming too. he's a yr old little boy, he's not 16 yrs trying to stab someone. He took it  to eat with...... GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! i stand behind his mom give them hell.

Good Grief!  Where is the class on teaching the children what is not appropriate to bring to school?  If you have a "No Tolerance" policy you have to have a special class for the young kids each yea (k-3rd at least) so that they know what is not allowed.Is this school so inadequate that a scout feels they need to "be prepared" to eat lunch?  Has the school informed the Pack that these tools are not allowed?  If they have then the pack leaders need to tell the pack that not only can they not bring their pocket knives to school but they cannot bring a mess kit either!As a scout leader fully involved with my local scouts, and having just had a tiger meeting last night, I can see why this child brought the item.  the school is at fault for not informing through classes for the kids, special letters for the parents, and by contacting the Pack about this kind of issue with their policies.Did you know that pencils and pens are thin enough to go between ribs and can easily be used as a deadly weapon.  Schools need to teach tolerance and actually stop the bullying behaviors, then we would not have need for taking education away from first graders who are excited to be scouts!

Hi buddies,
I cannot believe I understand these English words! A persecution of small boy who is just keen on his scouting (I consider scouts as a people with high character standards, usually Christians who learn how to live among people with joy and help to each other).
So, how is possible that in the country with democratic roots there is applied law wrong way without any sense and understanding?
Do not those responsible local "governors" understand that this approach is the best way how to break innocent character of a child and highly increase the probability that he could become real criminal suspect in the future? How children can recognize what is good and what is bad if responsible adults have lack of this resolution?
When small children approached to Jesus he clearly expressed that whoever would harm small children will not have a place in The Kingdom of God.
And apostle Paul inside Sanhedrin, when clerical governors tried to garble the law to persecute him, said to high priest: "God will beat you. You white-limed wall." (touching the fact that those priests were prayerful just officially but corrupted and unprincipled inside their characters).
I believe for that poor child that wisdom in a brain of some people will win at the end and they will express BIG pardon to the child and his parents.

My 7 year old recently made the same mistake. Two moms with a personal vendetta tried to make the situation this extreme also. Thank GOD his principal is a very honest and fair man. My heart and support go out to you and your family. Hang in there Zacharay!

Reform school?  I would strongly consider joining a homeschooling group and leaving the public system for this district.  At voting time, I would also become very active in attempting to bring people with common sense on to serve in my community.  This has to be very upsetting to a child that is trying so hard to be a good student.  Best wishes for great things in your life, Zachary!  

How sad that our educators are unable to use good judgement and common sense to resolve issues in our schools rather than a blanket rule to cover a problem.   

This is unbelievable.  I was so outraged that I looked the site to support this family.  COMMON SENSE IS GONE IN AMERICA!!!!!  One more thing.  I think they sould outlaw other dangerous items like pencils, pens and rulers.  I am a grandmother and am furious about this decision.  Prayers to this family and America.

i know right!!!

outrageous, stupid, dumb.

You need to change school districts, Mrs. Christie.

Poor little guy-looks like the "Witch Hunt" started a litttle early!  They ought to be ashamed of themselves for picking on such a defensless child.  I have 3 little guys of my own and they constantly want to take things to school.  While rules are rules, it's a constant and unfair struggle to try to get them to understand and accept the fact that there will be a swift, harsh and unfair punishment on them.   Our young children do not understand how the stars stay in the sky, how birds can fly or a Zero Tolerance Policy!!  I really feel that that you've been punished enough. A five day suspension is quite sufficient for a first offense.  I'd hate to see the action for repeat offenders...Jail time??  Good luck little buddy! My family and I hope & pray that things turn out well for you.  You have friends that support you in Arizona ;-)   

What about the responsibility of Zachary's parents?  Where was the supervision?  They are the adults and should be aware of the policy.  If they told Zachary he could bring it, they are at fault.  If they told him no, and he did it anyway, he is at fault.  The knife can not be at school.  It doesn't matter how cute Zachary is.  Zero Tolerance means just that.

If we had one, I'd report that school to the Department of Common Sense!  But who would we get to be the "Common Sense Czar?"