ngdawg

My son is 13. He's a brilliant kid-math wiz, computer geek and a terrific soccer player. Normally, he is pretty mature about things, but this time......
There was a class trip last Friday. The kids rushed to get on the buses and another boy, thinking my son grabbed his backpack, called him a derogatory name. My son hauled off and kicked him, which prompted a return punch in the face. (My son has a ferocious kick and I'm at least glad he didn't do damage).
I did not know any of this. I was told by the school nurse it was a 'shoving match' and my son agreed with that assessment, however reluctantly.
I do not condone such responses at all-I have tried to encourage both my kids to talk it out, express themselves verbally at all times. But this is the second time he has responded with violence, albeit the last time, even the principal felt it justified.
Obviously, I am not going to physically punish him-that'd be just stupid. I just don't know how I should respond to this. The school is already punishing him with in-school suspension for a day. He, I'm sure will not talk about it and I am really hoping his father doesn't have a major fit.
I think I have a couple of options here. One, write an essay on the event. Two, take away the computer for the same amount of time as the suspension-about 8 hours. Do both?
What other options do I have here? He should be held accountable, but I don't want he to be even less talkative about things as a result.....