Major violation

While walking down the hall today I overheard a student drop the 'F-bomb'...something that is absolutely not allowed and is considered a major violation. I approached him and repromanded him and told him it was his warning and next time he'd be making a visit to the principle. I walked away and a few minutes later popped my head into another teacher's room and asked him if swearing was a major or minor violation. It's a major. Oh geez...I can't just let this slide. I knew if I was going to be firm it had to start now. The teacher encouraged me to go talk to the principle who ended up giving the kid an in-school suspension.....second day of school. Ahh...I felt so bad. I know he's a good kid. He came to my class late cause he was talking to the principle and the student apologized to me and wanted to make sure I didn't have the wrong impression of him. He was great the rest of the class and had been great the first day as well. But, I know that if I'm going to make a difference, there has to be some discipline. He's gotta learn, but man it's hard. It's odd...when you're in school you think your teachers delight in punishing you and turning you in but that's not true. I so wanted to give this kid a second chance and yet I knew to be fair and set a standard, I couldn't. tough love.