Student Suspended for Origami Weapon

A twelve-year-old student in Newport, Virginia, received a 10-day suspension after his toy pistol, made from a sheet of yellow lined notebook paper, fell out of his backpack in class. The suspension was reduced to two days after his mother appealed to the principal. The full story appears at <http://www.sierratimes.com/arnn110200.htm>.

California Curfew Produces Backward Results

A “day curfew” instituted in October 1994 in Monrovia, California, designed to ensure minors’ school attendance and reduce juvenile crime, may have had exactly the opposite effect. In light of increased truancy and other non-curfew juvenile arrests since the curfew began, city officials are now reconsidering the measure. See the full report at <http://www.cjcj.org/jpi/casestudy.html>.

British Schools Dispensing “Morning-After” Pills

To help reduce unwanted pregnancies among teenagers in England, school nurses may now dispense “morning-after” pills to public school students on demand—without parental consent or notification. The story, with comments from proponents and critics of the plan, can be found at <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001851641145319&rtmo=kCeNb37p&atmo=99999999&pg=/et/01/1/8/npill08.html>.

Pre-Teen a Successful CEO

Cyberteks, a Canadian firm specializing in “Macromedia Flash sound-and-animated graphics Web sites and electronic commerce,” founded and run by twelve-year-old Keith Peiris, claims annual revenues “in the six figures” and plans to go public in the next year or two. More information is at <http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/010104/5042896.html>.

Try, Try Again

After their youth curfew law was declared unconstitutional, the towns of Shelbyville and Huntington Indiana have put into effect a revised law with exceptions for children engaging in First Amendment activities. See comments at <http://crime.about.com/news issues/crime/library/blfiles/blsilly.htm>.

Libraries Fight Filtering

An amendment to a federal appropriations bill passed in December 1999, which would require filtering in public schools and libraries, is being challenged in court by the American Library Association. A report on the planned lawsuit can be seen at <http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2675701,00.html>.

Giving Son Condoms Illegal

A Baraboo, Wisconsin mother who bought a condom for her 13-year-old son and his 15-year-old girlfriend has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he confided in a police officer. The mother could face 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The story appears at <http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan01/condom15011401a.asp>.