By Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The principal who suspended a 9-year-old boy from his Upper East Side classroom for two days after he pinned a "kick me, please" Post-it on a classmate's back said she was just following procedure, Department of Education officials said Friday.
The fourth grader received the sentence for the Jan. 25 incident at P.S. 158, where the city's zero tolerance for bullying policy — passed in 2008 — was strictly followed, the New York Post reported.
The prankster's mom told the paper he was "playing around," while another parent called it "maliciousness," rather than "kid's play."
Principal Darryl Alhadeff, of the Bayard Taylor School at 1458 York Avenue, reportedly wrote to the boy's parents: "This incident is in violation of the Discipline Code and is classified as 'infraction A37' -- engaging in bullying behavior -- and will result in a Principal's Suspension for a period of two days."
A DOE spokesperson said the "kick me" incident was "just the latest between the students," and said the principal had held parent conferences and offered counseling in response, in addition to the suspension.
The school only issues in-school suspensions, so the disciplined child was instructed in a separate classroom, the DOE spokeswoman said.
"The principal said she is available to speak with the parents if they have concerns," the spokesperson added.
P.S. 158 has high test scores, an active parent association and teachers who "attempt to accommodate children's quirks," according to InsideSchools.org.
The school received a "D" on the DOE's 2009 – 2010 report card with "fewer than half the teachers responding to the survey said they trusted the principal," the site reported.
