On the Other Hand

Hey, it’s Dave, I’ve got the Skittles

By Nancy Spencer, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, March 17, 2008 (1 month, 3 weeks ago)
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On Wednesday, you may have noticed a small snippet on the back page about an eighth-grade honors student being suspended for purchasing a bag of Skittles from a classmate in the lunchroom.
Well, if you missed it, I’ll fill you in.
Portions of the AP update on the original story reads:
“A New Haven, Conn., middle school honors student, suspended for buying candy from a classmate, will have the discipline expunged from his record, the superintendent of schools said Wednesday night.
“Michael Sheridan also 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 last month from a classmate.”
Is this the worst this school has to worry about? Have they checked out the drug deals in the bathroom or the girls sticking their fingers down their throats after lunch? What about the students who routinely copy other’s work and cheat on tests? What about the bullies and their victims who are desperately seeking a way out?
How about their test scores and graduation rate? Are their kids coming to school?
No, they are worried that an honors student may have a Skittles buzz in class. They must have been a wee bit chagrined when the story made national news. How do you defend something like that?
I’m all for policies and rules and structure in school systems but I’m also a huge fan of common sense and the boundaries of power.
If this had been presented as a “hypothetical” scenario, what would you have thought?
Sheridan said he didn’t know buying candy was against the rules, but he noticed the kid he bought them from was acting shady.
Now I may have to laugh. I picture a gangly, sweaty, nervous boy in a trench coat with a hat pulled down over his eyes giving students a slight nod as they seek him out for their sugar fix. He quickly pulls a bag of Skittles from inside his overcoat and a dollar bill just as quickly disappears inside. The two separate hastily and go their separate ways. Other students avert their eyes. They know what’s going on but they may need a Skittle or two in the future and don’t want to jeopardize their chances.
The article goes on:
“The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy.
“An administrator busted Michael with the candy in his pocket. His mother says the student who sold him the Skittles out of a lunch box also was suspended. School officials say his suspension also will be expunged.
“A copy of the district’s policy states that ‘no candy or junk food fundraisers will be allowed on school grounds’ and that only healthy snacks will be sold in vending machines.
“The policy also prohibits bake sales and other food sales during school hours. The policy does not say anything about students sharing snacks when no money is exchanged.”
I suppose you could consider selling a treat from your lunchbox a fundraiser. The other kid was more than likely going to buy something else he wanted. He had Skittles but no funds, so he raised some.
Lunchbox items have been a form of currency in schoolyards and cafeterias for a long time. For many it was a matter of pride to see how much the food they had brought from home could rake in from lunchtime companions. A Twinkie for a pudding cup; a ham and cheese sandwich for PB & J.
Who knows what this disciplinary action on the students’ permanent records could have cost the boys. Could it prevent them from getting an afterschool job? How can you trust a Skittles dealer?
Would Harvard consider illegal Skittles sales on school grounds enough of an infraction to bar them entry? Skittles pushers don’t seem like good college stock.
We all know the world is not quite what it used to be. Students have a lot more to deal with and worry about. School districts are facing a nightmare with technology moving the speed of light and students catching up faster than teachers” it’s an uphill battle. They fight every day to engage minds and build our future caretakers into smart, effective, productive young men and women.
But please, let’s pick our battles. The teacher could have just confiscated the bag of candy and went on with the day. Mr. Sheridan would have learned the rules and life would have gone on with little or no notice. As it should be.
I’m sure makers of Skittles are thrilled. They probably have never had their name in print so much without paying for it.

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