SCHOOL WAS JUSTIFIED IN SETTING MORAL STANDARDS

Re: Teen vows to fight 'zero-tolerance gone insane, March 28.

Our school authorities must be empowered to exercise just discipline so
that our kids can become disciplined leaders of tomorrow.

What lesson do we give our kids when we invalidate our schools' right to
discipline students if there is reasonable proof that inappropriate
activities have been occurring?

The authorities acted on a reasonable suspicion that they had a drug
problem at St. Matthew High School. The scent of marijuana was not picked
up on this boy's jacket because he was hanging around a clean crowd.

Our kids need to learn that there are consequences for being associated
with those who wish to break down the moral fabric of our society. Our kids
need to learn that inappropriate actions are still wrong even if they are
not caught red-handed.

Our kids need to learn that they should become better because of discipline
- -- not bitter. And if we have not learned those lessons ourselves, we
should go back to school.

We parents need to support our schools in their efforts to make our kids
strong contributors to society. During the last few decades, we have
focused so much on our own individual rights that the morality of our
society has been watered down to the point where it is barely recognizable.

The suspension, which was reduced to two days from three, displayed the
fairness of school officials. It was a justifiable form of discipline --
given the fact that no drugs were actually found. We are not talking about
a fine or a jail term for possession of drugs. I am happy to know we still
have schools with integrity. Let's support them.

Doug Rochow,

Orleans