Innocent or Guilty at 6

Today, I had just finished crossing the street to the school as the afternoon bell rang. Immediately I saw Principal Sorenson walking toward me with Aspen trailing a few head hanging steps behind. "Oh No", was similar to the phrase that exploded in my head. "Maybe the Principal's headed in a different direction" I hoped. Not so lucky. I know Sue personally, through our past related church work. She is kind, gentle, direct and to-the-point. These are the characteristics I appreciate in her- as a person and as my daughters principal.

"Jen- your going to have a few crazy years until this ones 21".
Glaring at Aspen, "Oh no, what's up Sue"?
"Aspen brought a knife to school today".
"A knife"!- thinking where in the bleep did she get a knife from. Just then Aspen hands me our spare key chain. On it hangs my miniature Swiss Army Knife. Deep sigh. "Oh, I see" I said to Sue, "we will take care of this, thank you for bringing it to my attention", as I removed my keys from Aspen's outstretched hand.
"This is a WHITE SLIP. Aspen and I have been discussing the reason why we don't bring knives to school is because we want everyone to feel safe, right Aspen? Just discuss this with her tonight, sign the slip and send it back to school tomorrow. She will not be allowed out to recess tomorrow without returning this slip".
"Alright, got it, thanks Sue". as I quickly grabbed at the "guilty" slip.

So this is what happens to Hardened Elementary Criminals. White slips and no recess. Fitting. I wonder how long this stays in her "file". Did this warrant a white slip, I considered. Yes, or no. Yes, because what if something had happened. Precautionary steps are in place for precisely that reason. I will support the schools efforts to maintain a safe environment and sign the parents signature line. After all, safety and security are two important comforts I want for my child, and for my peace of mind, as she takes part in public school.

The good news. At the bottom of the white slips, the yes box marked with a check indicates she accepted criticism appropriately. Wheww! For me, she felt very remorseful and didn't realize there was a knife on my key chain. I'm thankful she did not take it knowingly in defense of a bully, or in some sort of retaliation. On the way home I asked her why she took my keys to school.
"I don't know, I just wanted to have my own keys".
Knowing Aspen, I could picture her full of pride, whipping out the key chain to show her friends how "cool" she was having her own car and house keys, only to have her pride leveled by an attentive teacher or friend. I think this leveling hurt her most. Kids need to learn, I get that, but as her mother I sympathize with her experience. She didn't even realize she was doing anything wrong. I think she'll bounce back just fine.

Maybe Santa will surprise her with a new keyring and her own house key for Christmas. Absent a Swiss Army knife of course.