Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You suspend both of them.
This is the real-life decision made by principal Rick McDonald.
"It's a zero-tolerance scenario in our building, that if you physically
abuse another student, then you will be suspended," he says.
In a case like the one above, a principal will sympathize with the student,
but still follow the policy. Maybe they will give the student
just a one-day suspension. However, the aggressor might receive a three-day
suspension.
"There are scenarios where you don't want to suspend, because a student
has responded to being struck," he says, "but if they do strike back, then
it's a suspension."
McDonald says parents and most students understand the need for the strict
policy. Everyone knows what the policy is. They also know why it exists: to
encourage respect and a safe atmosphere.
"We can never prevent a student from striking another student," McDonald
says. "We can only create an environment in which that is not acceptable."