Melissa P. Upton, M.D.
At my children’s elementary school, they were required to sign “no weapons, no violence” honor code each autumn, and parents had to co-sign. No toy weapons were allowed, even with costumes, but, and addition, no object (pencil, book, bat) could be used as a weapon without suspension from school. This was a public school, and the rules were strictly enforced. My son was suspended, along with about 15 other students, for throwing snowballs one winter. Even in 1st grade, students were suspended for verbally threatening to “kill” or “shoot” others Even 5 and 6 year olds learned quickly the impact of words and the fact that threatening words comprise “assault”.
Maybe it is time to ask the students to consider developing a code of behavior and professionalism for themselves, including an approach to violence and weapons, toy or real. Surely enough of them are alarmed by the recent events of violence to cherish a goal of safe classrooms and hallways, and a game can be confined to a venue that is chosen by the students.
MU