Second Grade Loveland Student Suspended for Using Imaginary Weapon

Looking back into my pre-9/11 elementary school days, I can remember having so much fun during recess.  My friends and I would pretend to be X-Men, Power Rangers, and a ton of other superheroes protecting the world from evil.  One of the beauties of make-believe is that we had all the weapons we could imagine to use in our fight against the forces of evil.  Well, apparently, saving the world isn't something our schools want kids doing anymore.  In fact, they can get suspended for it.

According to the Loveland Reporter-Herald, second-grader Alex Watkins was suspended from Mary Blair Elementary School because he threw an imaginary grenade during recess.

Alex did not have anything in his hand at the time and made no threats towards other people, (Alex's mom) was reportedly told.

(Mandie) Watkins said that Alex's story matched up with the principal's account: he threw the pretend grenade at an imaginary box that had something evil inside.

[via Loveland Reporter-Herald.]

I can't be the only person who thinks this is absurd, right?

A child at play uses an imaginary weapon on an imaginary target (i.e. absolutely nobody was threatened or endangered), and that's grounds for punishment?

Only one thought really comes to my mind: