Poppin' Bottles...In 3rd Grade

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by Fox Charlotte

Story Created: Sep 8, 2011 at 11:17 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 8, 2011 at 11:17 PM EDT

CHINA GROVE, N.C. - "You push, hold and you twist it," explains 8-year-old Natalie.  It's not the lesson most parents want their child to learn in school. 

Empty prescription bottles were passed out on Wednesday to third graders at Enochville Elementary School in China Grove.  A district spokesperson tells FOX Charlotte in part that "a local drug store donated clear, brown, empty prescription bottles to the class.  The students used these bottles as first aid kits.  Students...placed items in the bottle, such as a Band-Aid and a Q-Tip."
 
"Well, when I first seen (sic) it, I said 'Well, Natalie where'd you get it?' I said, 'Is that one of my pill bottles?'" China Grove resident Melony Puckett doesn't like the idea that her granddaughter can now open a prescription bottle.

The Rowan-Salisbury School District pointed out to FOX Charlotte that despite the push and twist open, the bottle cap reads "Caution: Not Child Resistant."  Puckett says, "I still don't like the idea that they taught her how to open the bottle."

China Grove resident Tamara Chapman agrees.  She says, "This child should not have this medicine bottle.  This child should not know how to open a medicine bottle."  Chapman's stepdaughter also made the "prescription bottle first aid kit" in class.  The little girl has been taught to always bring medicine bottles to a trusted adult.  But now, "She was confused, yeah," says Chapman.

Parents says it's also confusing for them because the district handbook outlines that students caught with prescription medication face suspension.

The principal says he's received no complaints from parents, but will instruct teachers to use a different container next time.  Smart move, says Puckett.  She suggests, "A Ziploc baggie coulda been better."

Kids also told their parents that the same teacher, on the same day, turned out the classroom lights and told kids he'd be "their worst nightmare" if they didn't quiet down.  The school district confirms the teacher did turn the lights off and then on and verbally reprimanded a child who refused to be quiet

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