Dad: Boy, 9, suspended for threat to use ‘Hobbit’ magic trick, make classmate disappear
A 9-year-old boy who wants to be a magician when he grows up was suspended last month from a Texas elementary school, his father says, because he threatened to use a magic trick and make a classmate disappear.
Inspired by seeing the movie The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies with his family, Aiden Steward told another boy that he could use a magic ring to make the child disappear, Jason Steward explained to the Odessa American.
The father, who says he was told his son was suspended for making a terroristic threat, questioned why a suspension was deemed necessary to address the issue.
Principal Roxanne Greer of Kermit Elementary School declined to comment, citing student confidentiality.
However, the superintendent of the Kermit Independent School District later provided a written statement to KOSA disputing the father’s account.
While the district can’t comment on a specific student matter, “We would, however, like to emphasize that our teacher and administrators are well-trained and have properly implemented the district’s policy and student code of conduct, and certainly do not base disciplinary placement decisions on literary or cinematic references as reported by the Odessa American,” the statement says. “Kermit ISD strives to keep all students safe, and to focus above all on providing them with the highest quality of education. There are many good things going on in Kermit ISD that deserve far more attention than this matter, and for that reason, the district will provide no further comment.”
At last report, Aiden was back in school and planning to be more careful about how he does magic tricks.
Hat tip: Reuters
Related coverage:
Christian Science Monitor: “Suspension for ‘Hobbit’ ring threat: How are schools handling discipline?”
See also:
ABA Journal: “Schools start to rethink zero tolerance policies”
ABAJournal.com: “School suspension of boy, 7, who chewed pastry into gun shape is upheld by hearing officer”
