Tuesday, October 03, 2006

What is Wrong With People?

This turned my stomach. What makes people want to terrorize children? What is wrong with people?

Is any one else afraid to drop their kids off at school this week?

I am fully aware that there are millions of schools in this country and the odds of something so horrific happening at my kid's school are like one in a billion, but still.

I have issues with Jacob's school because each and every morning at least eighty percent of the parents walk their kids into the school. We were told in no uncertain terms that after the third day of school you were to be dropping them off at the door, but no, two months later same old parents walking those kids right to the classroom and no one says a word. These aren't just kindergarten parents either, I see plenty of teenagers being escorted in as well. It used to just be a nuisance with the parents parking their cars all willy nilly everywhere, and quite humorous to watch the same woman get out with her sweat shorts and Budweiser tee shirt each morning, but now I consider this a safety issue. With the sheer amount of adults wandering in and out of that building each day, any crack head weirdo could case the joint and see that he could get in just as easily with no questions asked. Visitors are supposed to go to the office and sign in and get an id tag to wear while you are in the building and that is all fine and good on paper, but last week when I went to chapel with my kid I was the ONLY one with an id tag and there were plenty of parents there. I pay a lot of money to send my kid to that school. I like his teacher and he is having the time of his life there, but I fully intend to make an appointment with the headmaster and give him my opinion on this issue. I am giving him through the end of the week to realize on his own that he needs to step up and enforce the rules, after that, watch out dude, I don't back down easily where my kid is concerned.

10 comments:

Amie said...

Although statistically, schools are very safe, every school that it happens in is one of those "we never thought it would happen here" things. I mean, an AMISH school? Very scary. Maybe teachers should pack a weapon.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean. That's three in one week. My hubby and I almost moved to Bailey, CO two years ago. He's an Assistant Principal, might have been working at that school. Creeped me out.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and on an unrelated, happier note,

You're it.

Lynsey said...

My mother-in-law just retired, she was a kindergarted teacher for 20 years. After Columbine, she said there wasn't a day that went by that she didn't try to mentally prepare herself for such a tragedy. I feel sorry for all parents and kids at this point...are we really safe anywhere anymore???

kelly jeanie said...

I think you're spot on about the safety measures at Jacob's school. It sounds like they have the rules in place, they just need to enforce them. You go, momma bear.

Lori said...

Right there with ya Andria. I say you schedule that meeting. They need to get their s..., ahem, stuff together!

My stomach is sick thinking about the people in that poor community, the families, those poor, poor girls! I think the youngest was 5? The bile is creeping up my throat as I type.

How do we protect our kids when we can't imagine what might happen next?? I'm at a loss...and my stomach hurts. Ugh!

Michelle said...

I couldn't believe the senslessness of that violence either. It is horrific and so very sad. This guy had a vendetta against something that happened to him 20 yrs ago! Those innocent school girls had nothing to do with whatever happened to him in the past! They and their families didn't deserve what he did to them, I just don't understand it at all.

I would bring your issues up too -they need to enforce the rules. We were able to walk Kayla to her classroom the first couple of days, but after that the teachers come out the door to meet the kids. And once school starts the doors are locked (at least the side ones are) and you have to go to the office and sign in.

andria said...

Yeah, the say the only door open during school hours is the one by the office but I know that isn't true because I watch plenty of people go in and out the other five doors when I go to pick him up around noon. It's just nosy parents who go in there STILL going right into the classroom and sitting for 10 minutes each morning and 10 minutes before school is out each day but they need to enforce everyone if they are going to keep anyone safe. It has been a pet peeve of mine from the beginning because the one time I went in to pay tuition I was stopped and told to send it in my five year olds back pack (not where I want to put money) yet the rest of his classmates parents sit outside that door all morning long. it's amazing.

OneHungMan said...

You bring up a point that OneHung doesn't understand. The schools around OneHung are all supposed to lock their doors, like you mentioned. However, only the high schools seem to do it.

OneHung has visited his old high school on several occasions and has the ring the buzzer to get in the place. At grade schools, that's not the case.

Are we to assume that crazy bastards only want to shoot up high schools and that our younger children are safer? Or is it a lack of institutional control at the elementary schools?

andria said...

When I worked in Virginia Beach, I had a portable building outside for 2 years and I actually had to beep security to let me in and out as well as the kids coming out to see me. That was the only place I have worked out that kept true to the doors locked rule. Every other elem. school I have been in is all open door all the time...shoot, I could sneak in late at the last school because I was the last class at the end of the hall and that back door was ALWAYS open. It makes me mad. There is no reason people need to be walking in and out of school once classes have started for the day. If nothing else, maybe this incident will get some complaints at some schools and they will have to start locking all the doors again.