I started the YES odds a little high (25%) because the school might change their minds due to voice mail complaints.

"If you’d like to express your concern over this incident, please visit http://www.winchendon.mec.edu/. To leave a voice message for Brooke Clenchy, Superintendent of Schools, please call 978-297-0031."
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3975

Another victim of government schools...

Being this dumb doesn't come naturally - one would need to have a Masters Degree and a Teaching Certificate.

Thanks for the links fingers.
If it is only a shell it poses no threat. The kid should be proud of the veterans he has met and is close to... and the shell.

I'm quite confident that the range of emotions that this incident invokes in the HD community runs that gamut from complete and solid support of the Toy Town school policy to those that are extremely put off. Count me among the latter; speaking only for myself, this is a copy of a letter that I'm sending to this Superintendant today:

Our mission is to enlighten, motivate, and educate all who pass through our doors. We will provide a safe environment that promotes an appreciation of diversity and preparedness for the future.

Ms. Brook Chendry
Superintendent of Schools
Winchendon Public Schools
175 Grove Street
Winchendon, MA 01475

Ms. Chendry,

It is with dismay that I read what at first I assumed was a parody, but in fact an actual incident in the Toy Town Elementary School regarding the fourth grade student, Bradley Geslak who is under your auspices.

My understanding of this situation is that student Geslak has been reprimanded and punished and stripped of a valuable souvenir under the apparent jurisdiction of a “zero tolerance policy” for bringing a pair of empty shell casings to school. These shell casings are as lethal as young Bradley shaping his hand into the image of a gun and saying, “Bang! Bang!”

I’ve included your Mission Statement in my letter here to you as a point of reference to myself to try and grapple with this policy that seems to have been taken to an illogical extreme. Which of these tenets were being used on this occasion? Enlighten? Reprimanding and confiscation of property… Motivate? More like intimidate… Educate? The lesson appears to be that firearms, even ammunition, even a casing that no longer holds ammunition are all inherently dangerous. No, it must be the safety clause. I wonder how many of Bradley’s relatives; Father, Uncle and both Grandparents would have had success in vanquishing enemies of the United States in times of war with reconciliation techniques, banter or the ever popular Time Out.

I have to wonder what the heirs of the soldiers that fought and died at the Battle of Bunker Hill and were some of the early and prominent founders of your community would think knowing that the school there today placed so much emphasis on Toys and had such disdain for the sacrifices that were made to allow the citizens such leisure pursuits.

I only hope that the students there under your charge receive a balance and comprehensive curriculum that celebrates the diversity of your local heritage and the ultimate price that many of your founders made to enable your kids to be free and safe today. Perhaps a field trip visiting a local cemetery where your forefathers are enshrined will remind the children of the rich heritage of their ancestors.

In closing, the motto of the state of Massachusetts:
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem ~ By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.

@valor: well said.

@valornhonor

Thanks for sharing that letter - I hope Ms. Brook Chendry reads it.

Nice letter valor! Would be interesting to know if you receive a response.

@ mrperfkt

Thank you. Nothing yet, although I included contact info. for Ms. Chendry to respond if she cared to.

It looks like the Principal may have been replaced

http://www.winchendon.mec.edu/toy_town_elementary_school%20-%20new.htm lists the vice principle's name as Mrs. Emily Soltysik, but the principle just says TBA

Hey! What do you know, perhaps I'll get a reply to my letter after all! If/when I do, I'll post it here for everyone to read.

FYI... I never did get a reply to this letter.