|
Post by gatordog on Sept 29, 2008 12:52:42 GMT -5
I am pretty certain the incident happened outside the school bldg. Its not like there was any disruption within the bldg. Note, one arrest already had occured before the altercation. Maybe KM was refering to THAT arrest, knowing there was no issue related to that suspect getting apprhended and cuffed. I hypothesis that maybe she thought reporter was referring to the first arrest??
And then the police where busy getting these guys downtown. That could explain some lag in the principal getting the word?
A quick comment and important comment: I do want to salute the officers for some very fine policework. Nobody was hurt, and they handled the situation like the very fine professionals.
|
|
|
Post by gatormom on Sept 29, 2008 13:04:23 GMT -5
Yes, there are many demographics comprising society. And in an ideal word we would all get along with no violence. But if you think about it, many (most?) of us moved to this area to avoid some of the issues that are more common in other areas. If I decide to move from the ghetto (where I grew up, by the way) does that make me a racist? Should I simply accept and even cherish the "diversity" of the slums? You are basically asking people to broaden their horizons, yet the reality is that one of the reasons people move to this area is to essentially limit them. Many of those diverse families that many fear moved out here for the same reason. It only takes an incident like this to cause the painting of an entire area or school as "gang infested." Repeating it, whispering it causes the the words to become truth, to some. I do understand your fears. Its not racist, it is fear of the unknown. You don't know Waubonsie and so this incident is painting your perception. This incident isn't Waubonsie.
|
|
|
Post by gatordog on Sept 29, 2008 13:05:15 GMT -5
Yes, there are many demographics comprising society. And in an ideal word we would all get along with no violence. But if you think about it, many (most?) of us moved to this area to avoid some of the issues that are more common in other areas. If I decide to move from the ghetto (where I grew up, by the way) does that make me a racist? Should I simply accept and even cherish the "diversity" of the slums? You are basically asking people to broaden their horizons, yet the reality is that one of the reasons people move to this area is to essentially limit them. Very well said, asmodeus. I guess I am asking people to broaden their horizons. Please know, such horizons as experienced at WV have been deemed wonderfully positive for all these years to many many families in my neighborhood. So I am doing a little more than just saying "trust me, take my word for it" And for those that were hoping in someway to "limit" their horizons, and if that is why the moved into a place, again that is there choice. But dont expect me, and the broad majority of 204 families and taxpayers to bend over very far at all to facilitate them with there (unreasonable, in my opinion) behavior. Actually, asmodeus, your experience growing up would be incredible valuable. Because you know full well that there is no 204 neighborhood that you could point to that can fairly be classified as a slum or ghetto! I wish people in other parts of 204 would clearly see that, you can help them to understand. A little understanding goes a long way to dispelling perception issues.
|
|
|
Post by majorianthrax on Sept 29, 2008 13:07:55 GMT -5
Yes, there are many demographics comprising society. And in an ideal word we would all get along with no violence. But if you think about it, many (most?) of us moved to this area to avoid some of the issues that are more common in other areas. If I decide to move from the ghetto (where I grew up, by the way) does that make me a racist? Should I simply accept and even cherish the "diversity" of the slums? You are basically asking people to broaden their horizons, yet the reality is that one of the reasons people move to this area is to essentially limit them. I don't really give a d**n about broadening horizons or diversity. Among the reasons I brought my family to 204 was that it would be a safer area then most. My beef is with the newer residents who have no history with WV and are willing to call it a gang school without knowing anything about it. Funny WV never had this reputation until the new school boundries became an issue.
|
|
|
Post by wvhsparent on Sept 29, 2008 13:08:45 GMT -5
Okay, can we agree that something like this was/is more likely to happen at WV? If we cannot agree on that, we are simply not going to agree on much of anything. No, In my professional opinion, it was just as likely to happen anywhere. Did you not just recall the news events from a few weeks ago where right in downtown Wheaton, an Officer was jumped and his weapon taken? I had to analyze the bank video from that...it was chilling........
|
|
Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
|
Post by Arwen on Sept 29, 2008 14:15:33 GMT -5
Yes, there are many demographics comprising society. And in an ideal word we would all get along with no violence. But if you think about it, many (most?) of us moved to this area to avoid some of the issues that are more common in other areas. If I decide to move from the ghetto (where I grew up, by the way) does that make me a racist? Should I simply accept and even cherish the "diversity" of the slums? You are basically asking people to broaden their horizons, yet the reality is that one of the reasons people move to this area is to essentially limit them. I appreciate your candor and not beating around the bush about this asmodeus, but IMO, this is where the divide started in our district. It didn't start with the SB or administrators making some ill-advised remarks or publishing crappy memos about bridges. It started back with the first boundary wars when people stood up and basically said THEIR kids wouldn't go to THAT school, all the while implying that it was fine for our kids. I have always felt that WV was fine for my kids, the difference is, I also feel like it's fine for everyone else's kids too. Bad stuff happens in high schools sometimes no matter how much we try to shelter our children. Even in the Catholic all-girls school I attended, 3 girls were pregnant on graduation day. Kids drank and did drugs at parties on the weekends. Does that mean it wasn't a good place to go to school? Of course not. I got a top rate education there. The same is true for NV and WV and will be true for MV. If there is an upswing in incidents at any or our schools, I think the administration needs to address it in the school and communicate with the parents about it.
|
|
|
Post by asmodeus on Sept 29, 2008 14:59:12 GMT -5
I think you have hit the nail on the head. WV was considered a fine school from the start, but when NV came along, it was not only the Taj Mahal from a bricks and mortar perspective, but the boundaries made it a safe, homogenous community where there were few students from "disadvantaged" households. It was considered a more prestigious school, pure and simple. It doesn't matter that the curriculums of NV and WV are the same, just as Taft HS and Senn HS in the CPS have the same curriculum.
Now that people are forced to go to the school that was merely "fine," they are disappointed and now even scared when things like this happen.
|
|
Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
|
Post by Arwen on Sept 29, 2008 15:34:43 GMT -5
Now that people are forced to go to the school that was merely "fine," they are disappointed and now even scared when things like this happen. It is certainly understandable that people are nervous about changing schools. My sincere hope is that once their kids are actually attending WV that they will find that their fears were unwarranted and they come to appreciate it as much as gatormom, Dr. Who, momto4 and all the others who sing its praises. I do agree that situations like the one here aggravate rather than quell those nervous feelings. I think in this transition year, it is even more important for the administration to communicate effectively with parents and outline what they are doing to address any incidents. Clearly, the article doesn't portray the principal as doing this. I hope this gets addressed at a PTA meeting or other parents communication so the current and future WV parents will understand what the disciplinary plan is for any fights.
|
|