January 25, 2010
Judge Tom
3

Peppermint oil at school results in suspension

The label on the bottle says it should be kept out of reach of children. However, ten year old Sara Greiner of Commack, New York brought peppermint oil to school in December, 2009. She put a few drops in her water bottle and shared some with two classmates.

Helena Lu

Sara’s mother explained that the oil is organic and contained no alcohol. She and Sara use it at home as a soothing remedy to flavor their water. The school saw it differently.

The school superintendent stated that the fifth grader violated the school’s code of conduct by bringing an over-the-counter substance to the school. Sara received a one-day in-school suspension. Her mother is asking the school for an apology and a clean record. The school stands by it’s decision and legal action may be taken.

For more about zero tolerance policies, see:  http://askthejudge.info/has-zero-tolerance-at-school-gone-too-far/237/

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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3 Comments

  • David
    January 25, 2010 6:20 pm count( 0 )

    So after Aircraft, schools are also banning liquid!

  • KellyAnn
    January 25, 2010 5:29 pm count( 1 )

    ya this is ridiclious! Thats like the flavoured-water or powders! especially after the mom explained! crazy what happens in schools these days….

  • donnie
    January 25, 2010 9:22 am count( 2 )

    wow, school systems have been gettn outa hand, they think they are our parent and they can controll us, nope! lol