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After 35 year as a classroom teacher, I can tell you that, especially in recent years, teachers have absolutely no discretion when it comes to matters of policy or policing of established policies. Between incidents of in-school violence and lawsuit happy individuals, schools have become absurdly over regulated places. Reason and common sense have given way to a "zero tolerance" mindset based on worst case scenarios.
It's the kind of world we can expect to get more of unless people start to become more realistic and self- reliant. If we expect someone else to be responsible for making judgments for, and protecting us from, everything and everyone, it shouldn't be a surprise that the rules will get progrssively more absurd and pointlessly harsh. More often than not, rules simply provide for punishment after the fact. rarely do most rules have the power to prevent real problems.
Not so sure any grammar school kid needs to serve detention for drawing pictures of pirates etc.- especially in light of the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean. That kind of narrow interpretation of policy needs to be challenged. Sure, let the kid serve the detention, but then go to a Board of Ed. meeting and ask some thoughtful and politically uncomfortable questions.
Years ago, my sons (8 and 10) were told by a " school substance assistance that my wife (a non drinker) and I were likely alcoholics because they mentioned to her that I collected wine. After reassuring my sons, we arranged a meeting with the counselor, several other concerned parents and the school Principal. Turned out, the counselor was opposed to all alcohol based on personal religious beliefs. The matter was handled by district administrators after that. Some things need to be challenged.
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