On-line learning (home) + toy weapons =Suspensions?

Our education system has had to adjust its operations for providing academics along with the social emotional support of students during this pandemic. The new challenge presented to us is how to keep the lines of communication open regarding virtual learning, and clarifying school "in-person" protocols and procedures while students are learning--at home.

Let’s be clear, there is a disconnect here. A virtual learning space at home is not the same as entering a school building with a weapon or of one appearing to be a weapon. Thus far, there have been numerous cases of youth with BB guns, or even nerf guns visible on camera, with authorities, sometimes police officers, being called to homes to investigate. On September 11th, 2020 in the Jefferson Parish School District in Louisiana, KaMauri Harrison was suspended for having a visible BB gun in the view of his Zoom class. KaMauri’s brother entered the room, tripped over the BB gun, and KaMauri picked it up and placed it next to his seat. KaMauri was suspended from school for six days and was recommended for expulsion. His family attorney stated that they hoped the school system would remove the suspension from his record. It has caused him emotional distress amongst other concerns.

The other two incidents took a different turn. A fifth grader in Baltimore had

authorities ask to see his room due to a call from his school where weapons were visible in his virtual class.

His mother, a Navy veteran consented to the search but expressed concern as to why they wanted to investigate “his room.” There was an apparent “screenshot” taken of them although her son has training in archery and firearm safety as a boy scout.

Another case occurred in Colorado Springs, on August 27th, 2020,

when an art teacher saw a gun pointed at a student during their on-line session. She was unsure of whether the gun was real, notified authorities which were sent to the 12 yr old’s house. There was a body cam video of the child’s father at home speaking with the School Resource Officer. His mother, Dani Elliot, told local news that when she was notified that authorities were being sent to her home without her being present, four hours later, she feared for her son’s life, and told her son to place the gun on the counter, and to hide in the basement. He subsequently received a five day suspension.

Is the assumption that the tough suspensions set a precedent for other families in other districts? There seems to be issues around harm, privacy,

More incidents without sufficient mainstream media follow up add to the stress of parenting with unclear expectations set by school officials. One point to note is that there are no virtual learning guidelines established by school districts for reference.

What do you think?: Should virtual environments be considered as if they were actual classroom environments i.e. on school grounds?