Mock grenade provides lesson for parents

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 26 (UPI) -- Officials at an Ohio elementary school say there is a lesson for parents in this week's show-and-tell hand grenade scare.

The grenade brought in by a third grader turned out to be a simple paperweight, although Columbus police had to be called to make certain.

"It wasn't anything secretive; the student didn't try to sneak it in," said district spokesman Lee Cole. "It's a teachable moment to make sure parents know what their kids are bringing to school."

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch said Thursday the student brought the paperweight in because his class was studying World War II, and won't be punished for the uproar.