8" is the typical size for scissors. I just measured 3 pairs of my many pairs of scissors - 8" & they're no big deal. A 10 yr old is beyond the days of using the tiny plastic, hope it will cut, pre-school scissors and I would expect her to use regular 8" scissors. Typical scissors do not have a sharp pointed tip; even my razor sharp scissor blades have rounded tips.

I have shorter, pointed tip sewing / clipping scissors more dangerous than my 10" round tip, spring loaded cutting shears.

Yes, I could inflict great harm w/ each pair mentioned. I could also kill with a pair of pre-school scissors. Thankfully, the majority of children don't think in that manner. Exceptions are made for child psychopaths.

I will always remember the words I learned years ago from a wise senior citizen, "In life, one must temper justice with mercy and common sense."

Unfortunately both mercy & common sense are often forgotten when "no tolerance rules" are applied.
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This comment comes from the same poster that defended a school for suspending an 11 yr old girl for doing unsupervised cartwheels at lunch & recess.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ght=cartwheels

"In life, one must temper justice with mercy and common sense."