PHILADELPHIA, PA—Following years of rampant crime under the Kenney administration, mayor Cherelle Parker is setting out to erase this trend with a multi-pronged approach. Following recent measures to ban James Bond-style license plate changers, mayor Parker is expected to pencil in a plan to get pencils out, banning the #2s in all K-12 grade schools.
Unknown to much of the public, these tools-turned-weapons have been used to threaten teachers since their integration into Philadelphia public schools. Teachers, who have always been wary of Scantron tests, have opted for oral, digital, and marker-based exams for their own safety. Contrary to what their names may suggest, nine out of ten teachers recommend Sharpie brand markers for their examinations.
One Philadelphia Middle School representative responded to a request for comment noting that “#2 pencils are the leading cause of threatened violence in middle school classrooms during standardized tests,” and stated that she is “ecstatic” for this upcoming change. School district officials are hopeful that getting the lead out of the classroom will put Philly schools at #1 in teacher safety.
The Humerus Daily 
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