I am filing this under my regular adventures in zero tolerance land series. I plan to continue to document the ways in which our educational system is working to “PUSH” students out of school and into the prison system. We know and I have often written about the connection between educational failure and ending up in the penitentiary. The evidence is clear and in controvertible. If our schools continue to rely on zero tolerance policies and harsh disciplinary policies, they will sure be contributing to the ongoing expansion of the prison industrial complex. The absurdity of many of these school rules must be pointed out and they must be exposed. Here’s the latest that took place here in Illinois:

I am quoting some of the article below:

An Oglesby school child faces possible expulsion later this month for playing with toy cap guns at school.

Ethan Scaman, 6, and an unidentified six-year-old who has since moved out of the school district were suspended from Lincoln Elementary School Aug. 27 and 30 for playing with their toy cap guns on the school playground. The NewsTribune was unable to contact the parents of the unidentified child.

On Sept. 20, the Oglesby Elementary School Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. and could at that time choose to carry out the school’s disciplinary policy on bringing weapons to school. In summary, that policy states that any student who brings weapons or “look-alikes” to school or school events “shall be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year but not more than two calendar years.”

However, this requirement may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s decision can be further modified by the school board.

“We try to be as consistent as possible (when enforcing policy) but there are many variables,” said superintendent Michael Pillion.

Pillion added that during his four years as superintendent there has not been an expulsion. He declined to speak further on the matter citing confidentiality.

Amanda Milton, Ethan’s mother, said her fiancé Josh Scaman was notified on Aug. 27 that her son was in “possession of a weapon” that had been confiscated and told Ethan must be picked up from school immediately for safety reasons.

The weapon in question was a clear plastic cap gun with a bright orange tip and handle; it’s shaped similarly to a snub-nosed revolver, and was inoperable. It fired red, plastic ringed caps that are rated for children ages 8 and up.

When Milton arrived at Lincoln to pick up Ethan, she was told by a school official that Ethan had violated school policy and that he would be suspended. She and Scaman were told the decision to expel the two boys would be determined by the school board.

Truly let’s hope that logic and common sense prevail on the school board. I agree with this young man’s father who said:

“This could have been handled through conversation,” Scaman said. “Just tell him that he’s not supposed to bring those to school. Even if it looked real I might understand, but they kept bringing it up over and over that he could get expelled for this.”

Additionally, Ethan’s permanent school record will indicate he was in possession of a “banned object.”

“I don’t want them thinking they have to watch him until he graduates,” Milton said. “He’s only 6 years old — he doesn’t need to be branded like he’s a menace to society. I thought about letting it go, but this is ridiculous. I understand the school policy, but we’re dealing with a 6-year-old that looks like Opie Taylor, not a sixth-grader.”

I would add that even a 6th grader deserves to be talked to before resorting to expulsion proceedings.