Liz
I am not a chemist and this is not my 1st rodeo
- Joined
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Soldier suspended from school
Posted: Oct 8, 2009 02:26 PM PDT
LANSINGBURGH -- High school senior Matthew Whalen is the kind of student any parent would want.
He's an Eagle Scout, on the honor roll, taking Advanced Placement classes, and never been in trouble with the law. He's received commendations from the City of Troy and the Boy Scouts of America for saving a woman's life, and this past summer, he completed Army basic training. All of it was accomplished before the age of 17.
"I'm just trying to do what I can while I can," Matthew says.
His goal is to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a dream since he was in grade school.
But the dream could be in jeopardy, thanks to a two-inch pocket knife that officials at Lansingburgh Senior High School found in Matthew's locked car last month. The pocket knife was a gift from his grandfather, Robert Whalen, who's the Hoosick Falls Police Chief. Matthew says he kept the knife in a side compartment and never tried showing it off or threatening anyone with it. Instead it was a part of the survival kit that was his car. --> more
http://www.wten.com/global/story.asp?s=11283345
The school originally suspended Matthew for five days. But after a hearing, the school superintendent, George Goodwin, decided to suspend him for an additional 15 days. I think this is excessive punishment for this upstanding young man; and goes to show a lack of common sense in judgement.
Of course, after hearing about the little boy with the cub scout camping utensils in the lunch room being sent to reform school for 45 days, I guess Matthew is fortunate.
I wonder if the schools in NY allow baseball bats for softball. Or if the high school student who drive to school are required to remove their tire irons from their vehicles?
IMO, punishment in both Matthew's case and the little elementary school boy's case are beyond ridiculous. But that's just me.
I emailed the superintendent at the contact link in the url below. I think this punishment is so excessive, I may even contact the governor of NY.
George Goodwin, Superintendent, District Office
Lansingburgh School District
Posted: Oct 8, 2009 02:26 PM PDT
LANSINGBURGH -- High school senior Matthew Whalen is the kind of student any parent would want.
He's an Eagle Scout, on the honor roll, taking Advanced Placement classes, and never been in trouble with the law. He's received commendations from the City of Troy and the Boy Scouts of America for saving a woman's life, and this past summer, he completed Army basic training. All of it was accomplished before the age of 17.
"I'm just trying to do what I can while I can," Matthew says.
His goal is to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a dream since he was in grade school.
But the dream could be in jeopardy, thanks to a two-inch pocket knife that officials at Lansingburgh Senior High School found in Matthew's locked car last month. The pocket knife was a gift from his grandfather, Robert Whalen, who's the Hoosick Falls Police Chief. Matthew says he kept the knife in a side compartment and never tried showing it off or threatening anyone with it. Instead it was a part of the survival kit that was his car. --> more
http://www.wten.com/global/story.asp?s=11283345
The school originally suspended Matthew for five days. But after a hearing, the school superintendent, George Goodwin, decided to suspend him for an additional 15 days. I think this is excessive punishment for this upstanding young man; and goes to show a lack of common sense in judgement.
Of course, after hearing about the little boy with the cub scout camping utensils in the lunch room being sent to reform school for 45 days, I guess Matthew is fortunate.
I wonder if the schools in NY allow baseball bats for softball. Or if the high school student who drive to school are required to remove their tire irons from their vehicles?
IMO, punishment in both Matthew's case and the little elementary school boy's case are beyond ridiculous. But that's just me.
I emailed the superintendent at the contact link in the url below. I think this punishment is so excessive, I may even contact the governor of NY.
George Goodwin, Superintendent, District Office
Lansingburgh School District