KidNews note: These letters about zero tolerance came to us before the Santee, Calif., school shooting last week. Turn to Get Real for more on the shooting.
I am writing in response to “We zero in on zero tolerance” [Feb. 27 Tough News]. I thought the cases you included in your article were very extreme and didn’t deserve the punishment. However, I think schools have a right to enforce zero tolerance. Ever since Columbine and other serious school-shooting cases, many schools have been cracking down on students and things like fake weapons that could be threats to other students and teachers. They have the right to do this for your safety and well-being. Sometimes, schools make mistakes in interpreting things, but the schools don’t want to take risks that end up with someone getting hurt. The schools are not trying to be unfair; they just don’t want another tragedy. Everyone seems to be forgetting the victims of these school tragedies. They would have probably loved to have this enforcement. They would probably still be living if it was around before they were shot.
— Kim S., 12
To have zero tolerance or not? That is the question. The answer is yes. We need zero tolerance, to an extent. If the rules are explained properly to each child and they knowingly disobey them, they need to be called on it. If it’s not a black-and-white disregard of the rules, if you absolutely know the child had no clue he was doing something wrong, then that is a different story. There has to be exceptions to every rule; no rule is perfect.
I’m a little scared about what’s going on in our schools. I think everyone should be concerned about whether some unbalanced kid is going to blow you away, stab you, offer you drugs — there’s a lot of horrible stuff out there. The point that I’m trying to make is that if we, as kids, have to give up carrying our own aspirin or plastic knife for our lunch, that’s a very small price to pay for peace of mind.
— Jeff S.
I think that the entire zero-tolerance policy should be thrown out. Instead, I would leave it up to the principals and teachers of the school. I think that they should be able to decide an appropriate punishment for whatever the kid has done. For example, if a student is found with a loaded gun at school, there is no doubt that they should be expelled. But if there is a kindergartner who has a plastic ax as part of his Halloween costume, he should have the ax taken away and be told what he did was wrong. There is no reason for him to get expelled. Do they think that he is going to go around cutting people’s heads off with it or something? Also, there are some people who say they feel safer with zero policy, but I have not ever felt in danger at school. I just think that the punishment should fit the crime.
— Andy S., 13
Getting rich off Harry
I am responding to “Big Harry deal!” [Feb. 27 Backtalk]. I’m totally with Heather L. Warner Bros. has no right to just show up and make a profit off of something that probably means nothing more to them than money. Plus, if we boycott them, their whole deal is going to go down the drain, because we are their biggest consumer group. But in my opinion, I wish they weren’t making a movie at all. I think it ruins the magic of the book.
— Brenna M., 12
I don’t think companies should put Harry Potter on packages to make money. I’m not even going to see the movie until I read all the books. I think it will ruin my vision from the books.
— Kelly H., 11
Speaking up about free speech
Well, Katie B. [Feb. 20 Backtalk], some people could take offense to what you said, too, about KidNews’ “Taina” article. I didn’t, but the way you put it with “though the Constitution says we have freedom of speech, others might find it offensive,” it sounds like everyone should be careful about what they say and not express their opinions. Although some people might not agree with the “Taina” article, they shouldn’t take offense. And though the Constitution grants freedom of speech and the press, these amendments are not totally being granted. Businesses are screening e-mails and letters, and other people complain about things being “offensive” and “rude.” I think that the Constitution’s meaning is being lost and opinions being restricted.
We are learning about John Peter Zenger, a newspaper printer, in school. He wrote a true story about a dishonest governor. As a result, he was put on trial. He was proven “not guilty” and kind of planted the seed for the First Amendment. Is his work and our forefathers’ work being forgotten?
— Melina L., 11
Spiking secrets
I’m responding to “Dig volleyball? Then get set” [Feb. 27 Fun & Games]. I play on a club volleyball team, and a lot of these tips are really good for beginner volleyball players. But one thing: When you spike there is a special technique. It’s called an approach. Another thing is that when you dig, you don’t watch the ball hit your arms because it will ruin your control when you look down and you can’t see the setter. When you set the ball, you need to do a technique that goes like this: left, right, push off. That means you move your feet in left-right-push-off motion. Otherwise, these were good tips for volleyball players.
— Lizz, 13
Tuned in to Grammys
I was very impressed with the Eminem-Elton John duet at the Grammys. I thought the two of them put on a very good show. “Stan” is one of my favorite songs, and it was cool to hear it performed by two great different artists. I also thought it was sweet when they hugged each other. Finally, two artists with very different perspectives on life came together. The only aspect that could have been improved was Elton’s outfit. The duet was a great way to close the show.
— Kiran S., 15
I am responding to the article “Eminem ignites Grammys [Feb. 27 Backtalk]. I think the Grammys had too many of the same people get awards. For instance, U2 got at least four awards, Eminem had three awards, etc. Also, a lot of the people that won performed for the Grammys. For instance, Destiny’s Child got their award after their performance, and U2 got their award after they performed. I don’t think they had a lot of variety this year at the Grammys. There were too many of the same people and people kids don’t know, like Steely Dan.
— Katie B., 13
I think everyone needs to shut up about the Elton John performance at the Grammys. First of all, who cares? Eminem is amazing. He speaks his mind in front of the whole world. Most people wouldn’t. When people say Eminem’s lyrics aren’t appropriate because he uses violence and stuff like that, look at all the other rappers who use the same amount of violence in their songs! Bands like Insane Clown Posse have been around for more than a decade and speak their minds too. People are overreacting to Eminem. If you would just listen to his lyrics more closely and see where he’s coming from, it wouldn’t be so bad.
— Sera S., 13
KidNews note: Eight of our readers recently talked about Eminem with Tribune rock critic Greg Kot. Catch the story in next week’s KidNews.
Girls get all the breaks
Kara, I completely agree with you about teachers labeling kids [Feb. 13 Backtalk]. They do it all the time at my school.
Another thing that really annoys me is that girls are more favored than boys are. It happens all the time in my school: Girls are always the ones who the teachers let do things they would never give a boy a chance to do. There are many boys who are way better students than many girls in my grade, and even they would not be allowed to get away with some of the stuff we get away with. Once a friend of mine, who was a boy, was blamed for something he didn’t do, and some others and I knew he didn’t do it. Some who knew the truth were boys, but did he go to them? No, he came straight to me because he knew that a girl would be much more favorable to have on his side than another boy.
Another thing that you are judged by is how you dress and what you like. So what if you like “South Park” or listen to rap? It is not the teachers’ job to judge you by your personal life; their job is to teach you everything you will need to know to succeed in life. The only time that they should label you because of something is . . . wait, there NEVER is a time that the teacher should judge you by what you wear or like or what gender you are or what kind of grades you get in school or what your older siblings were like when they were in school. They should judge you by who YOU are and nothing else. Thank you for bringing up the subject, Kara.
— Megan L., 12
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, Chicago Tribune, 5th Fl., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. We won’t use your last name, but you must include your full name, age and phone number (we may call to make sure you wrote it). You can also send us letters by e-mail (ctc-kidnews@tribune.com).
