With the concerns about allergies, drugs and weapons on America's campuses, and other legitimate issues that schools must confront, the pendulum obviously has swung to the extreme.
Through an incident at a Washington state school, it's now well known that every state except California lists sunscreen as a medication. For a student to be able to bring sunscreen to school or a school-sanctioned event, or to apply it at the event, a signed doctor's note is required, and the product is treated as an over-the-counter medication regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
And how is it that this fine topic is earning ink?
Two sisters, 11 and 9 years old, attended their school's Field Day and were not allowed to apply sunscreen. Not surprisingly, after five hours out of doors they got burned. The mom, Jesse Michener, took her children to the hospital when she saw the severe sunburns and blisters, according to news reports.
Zero-tolerance policies should be directed toward behaviors meant to disrupt and cause harm, not to punish the masses for exercising common sense. Such policies are fueled by concern over individuals quick to run to a courtroom, and sometimes do not allow critical thinking and discretion to be applied in situations.
So, parents, as you send your kids to a summer camp or to an outdoor school event next year, check the policy. Your efforts to prevent early exposure to burns that have proven to lead to skin cancer may land you in hot water over a zero-tolerance issue with zero common sense.