The Associated Press
2/26/2004, 1:43 p.m. CT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- A third-grader suspended for bringing an inch-long, G.I. Joe toy gun to school was reinstated Thursday, after school officials decided the toy wasn't a violation of a zero-tolerance policy against weapons, the boy's grandmother said.

Vicki Stewart, who is also the legal guardian for 9-year-old Austin Crittenden, said her grandson returned to Sun Valley Elementary School three days after being sent home by Principal Teresa Ragland.

"They voided the suspension and said even the days he was out would be excused, and he would make up all of his work, and this would not be on his record," Stewart said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Ragland had suspended the boy Monday after deciding the tiny toy was prohibited by school policy against "possession of a weapon firearm replica."

But Stewart said it became clear at a Thursday morning meeting with Birmingham City Schools officials that the policy only concerns weapons replicas that someone could consider to be dangerous.

"Obviously, this little piece of plastic could not be perceived to cause bodily harm to someone," she said. [...]