Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Candy violation costly to honors student

A craving for Skittles has gotten an 8th-grade honors student in Connecticut in some hot water.

According to the Associated Press, Michael Sheridan was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles from a classmate.

School spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo says the New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy.

Michael's suspension has been reduced from three days to one, but he has not been reinstated as class vice president. Superintendent Reginald Mayo said Wednesday that the principal was just trying to keep students safe, but that he would review the decision to suspend the honor student.

With an epidemic of childhood obesity in the country, it's commendable for school districts to try and keep unhealthy snack food out of the school. The Pottstown School District has implemented a similar policy this year.

One thing Michael Sheridan may have against him is that he says he didn't realize his candy purchase was against the rules. You'd think a class officer and an honors student would know that having candy in the school was illegal.

But in this case, the New Haven school district's penalties against Michael Sheridan for an innocent transgression is a bit over the top.

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