Student handbooks are important in reinforcing the schoolwide code of conduct, rules and expectations for student behavior.

The mother of an eighth-grader, however, feels the school district went too far after her son received detention for giving up part of his lunch at an elementary school in northern California.Kyle Bradford, 13, gave a friend some of his chicken burrito because the student didn't like the cheese sandwich being served in the cafeteria that day. Kyle explained he wasn't that hungry and instead decided to share.School officials say Kyle received detention because of a policy that prohibits students from exchanging meals in an effort to avoid issues with allergies. District Superintendent Tom Barnett said because of safety and liability issues students can't be allowed to exchange meals.Kyle's mother didn't feel her son deserved a punishment for his deed. She said the school is responsible for educational instruction, but when it comes to morals, manners and compassion, that needs to start at home with the parent.As for Kyle, he said he would share his lunch again if a friend was hungry and asked him to.Perceived First Amendment violations regarding school prayer have also been stirring controversy in Arizona. In Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Gary Weiss, a volunteer coach, was ordered by school officials to tell players to stop praying or lose his position. When he refused their ultimatum, his position was terminated.Weiss said the student-athletes should be able to exercise their rights.Just days later, another coach at a different school in the state was suspended for praying with his team. At a charter school in Tempe, concerns over the separation of church and state caused school officials to suspend head football coach Tom Brittain for two games for praying with his players. The prayer issue became a revision in the staff handbook earlier this year, specifically forbidding staff to participate in student prayer.Dr. David Baum, the school's headmaster, said he didn't object to Brittain praying but that he can't do it with players. He believes his decision to suspend Brittain, who has taught at the school for the past 17 years, is an act that helps preserve the right of students who might choose not to participate in religious expression.The coach's suspension divided the community.Some believed that the coach's praying was inappropriate while others, like local resident Keith Wibel, called the decision "outrageous."Wibel said it's quite remarkable that both Ray Rice, a professional player, and Tom Brittain both received two-game suspensions for their recent actions.Many believe Rice got off light for knocking out his then fiancee in a casino elevator.Brittain's glaring offense was that he prayed with his players.By Jim Zbickeditor@tnonline.com