(January 23, 2001) — The Glendale Unified School District recently revised its disciplinary policies on grounds for suspension and expulsion to include imitation firearms and terrorist threats. The policy states that when a student brings an imitation firearm that causes others to feel a serious threat to their safety or when a student threatens school officials or school property, he or she is subjected to suspension or expulsion. This applies even though the student did not have the intent of carrying out the threat. In those severe situations, administrators try to get background information and call in witnesses. Administrators also contact the school district for their interpretation of the events and to decide the degree of suspension. “It is never a one-person decision as to the number of days a student is suspended for,” assistant principal Joan Shoff said. The student’s parents are also informed about their child’s situation. Teachers are not required to help students make up missed work during their suspension. In order to return to school, the student must report to the assistant principal or to the dean of student services for clearance. In other minor offenses, a student may be given Alternate-To-Suspension (ATS). This allows students to stay in school during their penalty and to help out with school beautification. Other grounds for suspension include theft, possession of paraphernalia and sexual harassment. Some Clark students said they disapprove of the new policy and question the effectiveness of such suspensions. “Suspension seems to be too extreme for a simple selection of words,” said junior Michael Yu. “Will it really stop them from acting out their threats?” However, others have the opposite opinion. Junior Chris Marouk said, “Even though people might get suspended, it protects the school and its students.” Shoff said that these policies and rules are implemented for school safety. The School Board continues to review and revise the grounds for suspensions and expulsion and is also currently reviewing its “zero tolerance” policy.