Students reject weapon policy

Administrators at State College Area High School recently asked students to sign a policy stating they realize weapons found in their possession would result in immediate suspension and possible expulsion.

Some students, however, feel that the administration is acting out of boredom rather than good will.

"No weapon, a knife or a firearm, has ever been used against another student. (The administration has) a complete lack of issues so they have to create issues," said student government recording secretary and high school senior Paolo Sica.

Sica refused to sign the paper.

He said the administration may use the policy to root out students they see as troublemakers.

The administration implemented the policy in response to state legislation which says students may not have any kind of weapons on school property. The act expands the traditional definition of weapons to include pocket knives and baseball bats. Students can be expelled for up to a year for weapons violations.

"I would venture to guess there are a lot of kids who think there's nothing wrong with carrying a pocket knife to school, but that's against the law," said Constance Martin, school board president. "I don't believe that this law was specifically designed for State College. But it's the law and we're obligated to enforce it."

Martin's daughter graduated from the high school last year and Martin said she often worried about her daughter's safety, she said. General disrespect for traditional institutions and lack of common courtesy make both weapon control and violence problems, she added.

"We have a lot of work to do and the schools cannot do it by themselves," Martin said.

The administrators just want students to understand the policy, said Monica Rehring, co-president of the high school's Parent/Teacher Organization and mother of two high school students.

Rehring emphasized the paper does not ask students to agree with the policy. The paper asks students to understand the ramifications of carrying weapons to school, she said.

"I think it's sad that we've had to go this way. I think schools should be a safe haven . . . an extension of the home," Rehring said.

She said students have refused to sign the policy in order to be rebellious.

And while Daniel Belsky, student representative to school council, said he understands the state mandated the policy, he feels its implementation is intrusive. Belsky said he did not sign the proposal either.

"(The policy) didn't make a lot of sense. Because if I point at somebody non-threateningly with a spork, (the administration) could kick me out of school for 10 days," Belsky said. "They are handing out all these implements at the cafeteria -- it seems like both hypocrisy and overkill."