Post by title1parent on Apr 28, 2008 5:57:19 GMT -5
Thumbs up, thumbs down
April 28, 2008
SC North handles threat correctly
We don't envy school administrators who have to make decisions about responding to vague threats of violence based on limited information. But the number of bogus references to planned school shootings and bombings has reached epidemic proportions, with a high school or college somewhere in the Chicago area seemingly shutting down every day.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating: Unless there's credible evidence that an attack is imminent, schools should stay open and parents should send their kids to class. Otherwise schools are rewarding students with a day off because some idiot scrawled graffiti on a bathroom wall, which is exactly what the offender wants in most cases.
So we give a THUMBS UP to the way St. Charles North handled the latest threat last week. Police were notified, but classes went on as planned. And administrators publicly called the threat "nothing more than an attempt to extend the weekend."
The district even raised the stakes, offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. That's a hefty prize for any student who might know something, and we hope someone takes the bait.
Superintendent Donald Schlomann sent exactly the right message in an e-mail to parents: "North HS will continue to operate as scheduled and your child's attendance is expected. Only by working together can we ensure the work of our school can continue."
No more days off, no more excused absences and a big financial incentive for students to turn offenders in. That seems like the right formula to finally put an end to this nonsense.
School cameras lead to arson arrest
Speaking of students doing stupid things, the West Aurora High School security cameras purchased last winter with funds from the referendum passed a year ago led to the arrest of an alleged arsonist last week who set toilet paper on fire in a bathroom. The school was placed on lockdown for 90 minutes following an hour-long evacuation after the fire.
We give a THUMBS UP to voters who supported the School District's vision to improve safety and security in the schools and the decision to purchase the cameras. With the 17-year-old suspect facing serious felony arson charges, all students should now know they won't be able to get away with such behavior.
April 28, 2008
SC North handles threat correctly
We don't envy school administrators who have to make decisions about responding to vague threats of violence based on limited information. But the number of bogus references to planned school shootings and bombings has reached epidemic proportions, with a high school or college somewhere in the Chicago area seemingly shutting down every day.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating: Unless there's credible evidence that an attack is imminent, schools should stay open and parents should send their kids to class. Otherwise schools are rewarding students with a day off because some idiot scrawled graffiti on a bathroom wall, which is exactly what the offender wants in most cases.
So we give a THUMBS UP to the way St. Charles North handled the latest threat last week. Police were notified, but classes went on as planned. And administrators publicly called the threat "nothing more than an attempt to extend the weekend."
The district even raised the stakes, offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. That's a hefty prize for any student who might know something, and we hope someone takes the bait.
Superintendent Donald Schlomann sent exactly the right message in an e-mail to parents: "North HS will continue to operate as scheduled and your child's attendance is expected. Only by working together can we ensure the work of our school can continue."
No more days off, no more excused absences and a big financial incentive for students to turn offenders in. That seems like the right formula to finally put an end to this nonsense.
School cameras lead to arson arrest
Speaking of students doing stupid things, the West Aurora High School security cameras purchased last winter with funds from the referendum passed a year ago led to the arrest of an alleged arsonist last week who set toilet paper on fire in a bathroom. The school was placed on lockdown for 90 minutes following an hour-long evacuation after the fire.
We give a THUMBS UP to voters who supported the School District's vision to improve safety and security in the schools and the decision to purchase the cameras. With the 17-year-old suspect facing serious felony arson charges, all students should now know they won't be able to get away with such behavior.