Darin Simak, was suspended from Martin School in New Kensington, Pa. His parents say he did the right thing when he informed his teacher about the toy gun. (The Valley New Dispatch)
The parents of a 7-year-old western Pennsylvania boy say he was suspended from school -- and could be expelled -- after telling a teacher Tuesday that he accidentally brought a toy gun to school.
Chris Simak and Jennifer Mathabell say their son, Darin Simak, was suspended from Martin School in New Kensington, Pa.
Mathabell says the boy left his regular book bag at a friend's house, so she packed him another one, not realizing the toy was in it. The boy's parents say Darin immediately gave it to a teacher because he knew it was against the rules.
"He found the toy gun on the outside pocket," Simak told The Valley New Dispatch. "He took it straight to the teacher and said that he wasn't allowed to have it."
He said his son "did the right thing, and we're trying to teach him the right way, and now they're teaching him the wrong way."
The boy faces an expulsion hearing Friday.
New Kensington-Arnold superintendent John Pallone wouldn't comment. The district's policy calls for a one-year expulsion for "replicas of weapons" but also allows the superintendent to modify the punishment on a case-by-case basis.
According to the newspaper report, the school's policy states: "the board prohibits students from possessing and bringing weapons and replicas of weapons into any school district buildings, onto school property, to any school-sponsored activity, and onto any public vehicle providing transportation to school or a school-sponsored activity."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report
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