**Also by Lucy Chen**
Five students face punishment under the Zero Tolerance policy after they were caught with illegal substances in two unrelated incidents. The Zero Tolerance policy includes a 10-day suspension, recommendation for expulsion and prohibition from extracurricular activities for a year.
Earlier this week, police arrested two female students for using drugs in a second-floor bathroom, administrators said.
A student reported smoke near the bathroom late Monday morning. Security guards checked the hallway surveillance cameras to identify students who left the bathroom around that time. The two students were taken to the Bethesda police station.
In another incident at the Nov. 4 home football game against Churchill, security guards caught three boys in possession of Four Loko, an alcoholic beverage that contains caffeine.
Principal Alan Goodwin emphasized that school policies prohibiting drug and alcohol use on school grounds will continue to be enforced in an announcement over the PA system Nov. 11. He hopes the harshness of the Zero Tolerance policy will prevent future incidents from occurring, he said in an interview.
Students received a letter Nov. 11 reminding them of the punishments for using drugs and alcohol on school grounds. The administration also has the power to search students’ backpacks, lockers, and cars for illicit substances, Goodwin announced.
“Those of you that happen to delve into such areas as drugs and alcohol, make sure you don’t bring anything on school grounds, in your backpack, the trunk of your car,” Goodwin said over the PA system. “I need you all making good decisions.”
For Goodwin’s full comments about the Zero Tolerance policy, read the next issue of the Black & White, which comes out next week.
anonymous • Dec 13, 2010 at 5:53 pm
violence is wrong
Dr.Bob • Nov 19, 2010 at 11:21 am
to “A. viking:” you mad
Thought about it • Nov 19, 2010 at 8:55 am
To “Think about it”:
Those involved have the free time to NOT do something they enjoy (like LAX) and that sends a message to the student body about making decisions and the consequences.
The masses see what occurred and the buck stops there.
Anonymous • Nov 17, 2010 at 10:35 pm
To Viking:
You think YOU’RE smart, but you’re an idiot. Clean up your grammar.
Think about it • Nov 17, 2010 at 1:08 pm
It seems weird that these boys got the same sentance as the seniors who were arested for armed robbery at smoothie king. Also taking away all their school activitys seems a bit disheartening, do school officials really think that taking all outlets away from them is going to keep them out of trouble. Not having any school sponced events to go to and being banned from sports gives them so much more free time to get into the thing the administration is trying to discourage.
viking • Nov 17, 2010 at 8:34 am
To “A. Geek:” You think your smart, but you’re an idiot.
jeffries • Nov 16, 2010 at 1:59 am
four loko in high schools? why am i not surprised…
Capitalsm....fail • Nov 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I think it really doesn’t matter. How can a person just ruin their life in such away. that’s crazy! even though Policies can be faulty, a Punishment must be carried out for doing illegal substances.
A. Geek • Nov 13, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Why is ‘Zero Tolerance’ in quotes in the title? Are you implying it isn’t what it claims to be? Also, you’re misstating the policy since there is a way to cut the prohibition down to 6 months. Can you print the statistic showing how many students avail themselves of that option, please.
I’d also like to see the research suggesting why the 1-year and 6-month periods make sense. To me, they seem rather capriciously chosen. And there is no explanation in the policy as to their rationale.