In the aftermath of Aurora, CO one of the most important questions that comes up is, "How can these incidents be prevented?"
The story from Oklahoma, where a cab driver heard a 17-year old boy talk about a Columbine-style massacre, gives us a clue.
The Denver Post also printed an article by Delbert Elliot and Beverly Kingston that, other than an obvious plug for their product, raised a great point. "A key violence-prevention strategy is good surveillance and intelligence."
The Secret Service published a study in 2002 that examined school attacks from 1974 through 2000. One of its major findings was that, "...school shootings are rarely impulsive acts. Rather, they
are typically thought out and planned out in advance. In addition, prior to
most shootings other kids knew the shooting was to occur - but did not alert an
adult."
There are four phases to emergency management: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. While taking courses for a Master's Certificate in Homeland Security this past spring, I learned that there are voices calling for prevention to become a separate phase, as it deals only with man-made incidents. Whether it does or not remains to be seen, but in our current climate, it takes on increasing significance.
Violence rarely, if ever, happens in a vacuum. The US Department of Homeland Security learned that there are signs that are displayed prior to the incident. If you compare school attacks to terror attacks, there are seven signs of an impending attack: 1) Surveillance, which may include the use of cameras (either still or video), note taking, drawing diagrams, or annotating on maps; 2) Elicitations, where people attempt to gain information about school operations, capabilities, or people; 3) Tests of security, which are attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses; 4) Acquiring supplies, such as purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons, ammunition, etc; 5) Persons out of place, which is students who don’t seem to belong in the that part of the school; 6) Dry run/trial run, where people and/or equipment are put into position and moving them around according to plan without actually committing the terrorist act; and 7) Deploying assets, where people and supplies are getting into position to commit the act. This is the last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.
What needs to be done is to create the kind of climate in schools where kids feel comfortable in approaching an adult and telling them of the signs they have seen that worry them, and to have school personnel who are confident in their abilities to recognize the seriousness of the information they are hearing, and to act properly on that information.
This can involve quick-fixes like hotlines and anonymous drop boxes, which are good ideas, but should involve the long-term actions that develop trusting relationships with students. Students will not bring forth information if they feel that their information will be ignored, or worse yet, when they get in trouble for bringing it up. That information is useless if staff members do not act appropriately on it.
Given the increasing number of stories like Aurora and Oklahoma, wouldn't it be prudent to take the time to develop the measures that can prevent such tragedies are occurring?
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Non en Meus Vigilo!
Showing posts with label school crisis preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school crisis preparedness. Show all posts
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Crop Dusting Safety Concerns High in Kern County
Bakersfield, CA
Three times already this year, pesticide drift incidents have been reported in Kern County. Farmers say the chemicals are necessary, and they're doing a better job than ever of using them. But, others worry about safety.
In March, suspected pesticides drifted over a school bus carrying about 30 children. The elementary-age kids were part of the Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School District. Firefighters who responded, said a crop duster slightly oversprayed and hit the bus near Stockdale Highway and Interstate 5.
One child was taken to the doctor by parents, Frankhauser said. He said the no other children had symptoms, they were checked as a precaution.
Three times already this year, pesticide drift incidents have been reported in Kern County. Farmers say the chemicals are necessary, and they're doing a better job than ever of using them. But, others worry about safety.
In March, suspected pesticides drifted over a school bus carrying about 30 children. The elementary-age kids were part of the Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School District. Firefighters who responded, said a crop duster slightly oversprayed and hit the bus near Stockdale Highway and Interstate 5.
One child was taken to the doctor by parents, Frankhauser said. He said the no other children had symptoms, they were checked as a precaution.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
A Powerful Article about Teacher Assaults
Lately, I have read several blogs and discussions concerning the under-reporting of crimes in schools. As both a school administrator and a Director of School Safety, this directly impacts my work.
Yesterday I came across this article in the San Francisco Chronicle "Teachers learning to file assault complaints". The article covers Connecticut teachers who face problems with being assaulted in schools. It provided a chilling statistic for Connecticut schools. "In 2010-11, the latest school year data available, there were 181 assaults on teachers and school employees in Bridgeport and 1,528 assaults in the state, up from 1,308 in 2009-2010." The article goes on to add more chilling statistics: "There were more than 6,400 reported incidents of physical violence against school employees from 2006 through 2010, according to data collected by the State Department of Education. (Connecticut)"
The first response from a person in denial is, 'That's just in Connecticut.' While it might be hoped for, that is not the case. "Using figures from the National Center for Educational Statistics, the study found that 253,100 teachers -- about seven percent -- report being threatened with injury, and 127,500 report being physically attacked in 2003-04. In 2007-08, according to the NCES, the number threatened had risen to 289,600 and the number attacked rose to 154,400. Reported assaults were more likely in urban districts and in secondary schools, the data showed." Seven percent of teachers across the country report being threatened with injury, and approximately 3.5% reporting being physically attacked, and it's clear that a major problem exists.
The American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a study which called violence against teachers a silent national crisis, with over 25% of teachers nationwide reporting being threatened at school. A preview of that study had a quote from the Task Force which conducted the study, "“These numbers did not differ by school setting, by gender of the teacher or by years of teaching,” said Task Force Chair Dorothy L. Espelage, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign."
The question always arises, "Why don't teachers report?" Many teachers are assaulted by young students, and they don't want the student to get into serious trouble. They may not want to get involved in a long, protracted legal procedure. Perhaps they fear retribution, or they may not feel that they have the administration's support. Sometimes teachers are dissuaded from reporting the crime, to help create the illusion that the school is safe.
This must not be.
School safety is a matter for all in schools, not just the children. We cannot attract the best and brightest to the profession of education if people will fear for their safety. People cannot perform at their best if they operate in fear. It is up to us, those that dedicate ourselves to the protection of others, to create an atmosphere of safety and hope. We cannot stand by as anyone is threatened or attacked.
Our society is in turmoil, with more and more children becoming aggressive. Yet, they are not the enemy. Their aggressive behaviors are, and it is from those that we must defend the other children, and the adults whose safety is our responsibility.
Sheepdogs protect the sheep from the wolves, from within the flock and from outside the flock. We cannot look the other way, we cannot falter, we cannot fail.
Don't accept under-reporting, and don't allow the denial of others to influence your duty.
Who is with me?
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Yesterday I came across this article in the San Francisco Chronicle "Teachers learning to file assault complaints". The article covers Connecticut teachers who face problems with being assaulted in schools. It provided a chilling statistic for Connecticut schools. "In 2010-11, the latest school year data available, there were 181 assaults on teachers and school employees in Bridgeport and 1,528 assaults in the state, up from 1,308 in 2009-2010." The article goes on to add more chilling statistics: "There were more than 6,400 reported incidents of physical violence against school employees from 2006 through 2010, according to data collected by the State Department of Education. (Connecticut)"
The first response from a person in denial is, 'That's just in Connecticut.' While it might be hoped for, that is not the case. "Using figures from the National Center for Educational Statistics, the study found that 253,100 teachers -- about seven percent -- report being threatened with injury, and 127,500 report being physically attacked in 2003-04. In 2007-08, according to the NCES, the number threatened had risen to 289,600 and the number attacked rose to 154,400. Reported assaults were more likely in urban districts and in secondary schools, the data showed." Seven percent of teachers across the country report being threatened with injury, and approximately 3.5% reporting being physically attacked, and it's clear that a major problem exists.
The American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a study which called violence against teachers a silent national crisis, with over 25% of teachers nationwide reporting being threatened at school. A preview of that study had a quote from the Task Force which conducted the study, "“These numbers did not differ by school setting, by gender of the teacher or by years of teaching,” said Task Force Chair Dorothy L. Espelage, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign."
The question always arises, "Why don't teachers report?" Many teachers are assaulted by young students, and they don't want the student to get into serious trouble. They may not want to get involved in a long, protracted legal procedure. Perhaps they fear retribution, or they may not feel that they have the administration's support. Sometimes teachers are dissuaded from reporting the crime, to help create the illusion that the school is safe.
This must not be.
School safety is a matter for all in schools, not just the children. We cannot attract the best and brightest to the profession of education if people will fear for their safety. People cannot perform at their best if they operate in fear. It is up to us, those that dedicate ourselves to the protection of others, to create an atmosphere of safety and hope. We cannot stand by as anyone is threatened or attacked.
Our society is in turmoil, with more and more children becoming aggressive. Yet, they are not the enemy. Their aggressive behaviors are, and it is from those that we must defend the other children, and the adults whose safety is our responsibility.
Sheepdogs protect the sheep from the wolves, from within the flock and from outside the flock. We cannot look the other way, we cannot falter, we cannot fail.
Don't accept under-reporting, and don't allow the denial of others to influence your duty.
Who is with me?
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Friday, July 20, 2012
Under-Reporting Discipline Issues in Schools
Bibb County, GA
Michael Dorn, of Safe Havens International, has been hired by the Bibb County school system to perform an assessment of their schools. One of their most important findings was, "The underreporting of on-campus incidents requiring student discipline."
There can be many reasons for this, chief among them is the desire to not be seen as a violent school. This is denial in its most damaging form. This is akin to a homeowner not wanting to know about the roaches, or carpenter ants, as that would give their house the appearance of being pest-ridden.
There are some very important reasons to properly report discipline incidents. One, you cannot take care of a problem unless you identify it as a problem. That's the first step in any type of recovery program. Shed the denial and recognize that there is a problem.
Two, schools can place themselves in some serious liability jeopardy by not reporting discipline issues. In Indiana, we are required to file a report of all suspensions and expulsions from that school year. Improperly reporting data is fraud. Having a student report a gun, and not reporting that to the police, is a crime. Do we want our school administrators acting dishonestly to maintain the illusion of a safe school? If school administrators are saying the schools are safe, and the kids know differently, how much respect will they have for school administration? Will parents be able to trust school administrators who are fraudulent?
At what point do those who are responsible for protecting the sheep become the wolves? This is a very real possibility when we operate by dishonesty, rather than honesty; on perceived notions of safety rather than reality.
Fraud and deceit are not the Sheepdog Way.
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Michael Dorn, of Safe Havens International, has been hired by the Bibb County school system to perform an assessment of their schools. One of their most important findings was, "The underreporting of on-campus incidents requiring student discipline."
There can be many reasons for this, chief among them is the desire to not be seen as a violent school. This is denial in its most damaging form. This is akin to a homeowner not wanting to know about the roaches, or carpenter ants, as that would give their house the appearance of being pest-ridden.
There are some very important reasons to properly report discipline incidents. One, you cannot take care of a problem unless you identify it as a problem. That's the first step in any type of recovery program. Shed the denial and recognize that there is a problem.
Two, schools can place themselves in some serious liability jeopardy by not reporting discipline issues. In Indiana, we are required to file a report of all suspensions and expulsions from that school year. Improperly reporting data is fraud. Having a student report a gun, and not reporting that to the police, is a crime. Do we want our school administrators acting dishonestly to maintain the illusion of a safe school? If school administrators are saying the schools are safe, and the kids know differently, how much respect will they have for school administration? Will parents be able to trust school administrators who are fraudulent?
At what point do those who are responsible for protecting the sheep become the wolves? This is a very real possibility when we operate by dishonesty, rather than honesty; on perceived notions of safety rather than reality.
Fraud and deceit are not the Sheepdog Way.
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Indoor Air Quality Coordinator - Another Hat
This morning I received training from the Indiana State Department of
Health on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). There is a new law out that affects
schools, and I was appointed the IAQ Coordinator for Southern Hancock
Schools, so I needed to go and see how the new law would affect our
operations.
No upholstered furniture in classrooms, no home carpeting, no stuffed animals. No furry, feathered or reptilian animals without an educational purpose. Small fish bowls are OK, but not large aquariums. No scented candles, air fresheners, or diffusers. Some teachers will need to make some major changes.
Nearly 10% of all children have asthma, which can be triggered by strong smells and animal dander. Nearly 10% of all adults have asthma as well. A couple of years ago we had a teacher with asthma who had an attack brought on by the scented candle of a colleague. She had forgotten her inhaler, and an ambulance had to be called.
I myself have asthma, so this hits home. I'll be looking over the info will and see what our course of action as a school corporation will be. It will almost certainly involve creating new board policies.
I'm going to need a hat tree.
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No upholstered furniture in classrooms, no home carpeting, no stuffed animals. No furry, feathered or reptilian animals without an educational purpose. Small fish bowls are OK, but not large aquariums. No scented candles, air fresheners, or diffusers. Some teachers will need to make some major changes.
Nearly 10% of all children have asthma, which can be triggered by strong smells and animal dander. Nearly 10% of all adults have asthma as well. A couple of years ago we had a teacher with asthma who had an attack brought on by the scented candle of a colleague. She had forgotten her inhaler, and an ambulance had to be called.
I myself have asthma, so this hits home. I'll be looking over the info will and see what our course of action as a school corporation will be. It will almost certainly involve creating new board policies.
I'm going to need a hat tree.
Our Forum On
Monday, July 16, 2012
Allentown School District Settles Central Elementary Lawsuit for $825,000
Allentown, PA
Allentown School District has agreed to pay $825,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit by four boys who claimed educators at Central Elementary did nothing to stop sexual assaults by an older student.
The settlement announced Monday afternoon ends more than six years of litigation over the attacks by a 12-year-old boy with a history of behavioral problems and acting out sexually.
School district attorney John Freund said the district will pay $50,000 toward the settlement with insurance policies covering the balance. The settlement includes all damages, attorney fees and court costs for the plaintiffs.
Allentown School District has agreed to pay $825,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit by four boys who claimed educators at Central Elementary did nothing to stop sexual assaults by an older student.
The settlement announced Monday afternoon ends more than six years of litigation over the attacks by a 12-year-old boy with a history of behavioral problems and acting out sexually.
School district attorney John Freund said the district will pay $50,000 toward the settlement with insurance policies covering the balance. The settlement includes all damages, attorney fees and court costs for the plaintiffs.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Teachers Attacked by Students Show Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Chicago, IL
Six years ago, Norma Brown, a Chicago Public Schools teacher for more than 30 years, took a stand against a fourth-grader who refused to remove his baseball hat in the school's lunchroom.
A fight ensued. A group of 11- and 12-year-olds surrounded Brown, yelling and cursing. One cocked his fist and punched her squarely in the left eye. Brown stumbled for the door and two girls, a sixth-grader and an eighth-grader, began punching and kicking her. She fought to remain standing.
"I knew that if I fell to the ground they would stomp on me," she said recently. "When you fall, you're dead meat."
What happened to Brown may be extreme, but police records show reports of violent attacks against teachers and school staff have risen sharply in Illinois over the past decade. As doctors and psychologists work to return these assault victims to the classrooms, there is growing acceptance that they may suffer more than physical injuries.
Six years ago, Norma Brown, a Chicago Public Schools teacher for more than 30 years, took a stand against a fourth-grader who refused to remove his baseball hat in the school's lunchroom.
A fight ensued. A group of 11- and 12-year-olds surrounded Brown, yelling and cursing. One cocked his fist and punched her squarely in the left eye. Brown stumbled for the door and two girls, a sixth-grader and an eighth-grader, began punching and kicking her. She fought to remain standing.
"I knew that if I fell to the ground they would stomp on me," she said recently. "When you fall, you're dead meat."
What happened to Brown may be extreme, but police records show reports of violent attacks against teachers and school staff have risen sharply in Illinois over the past decade. As doctors and psychologists work to return these assault victims to the classrooms, there is growing acceptance that they may suffer more than physical injuries.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Teen Makes Plea Deal in Teacher's Death
Crown Point, IN
A judge has accepted a Merrillville teen's guilty plea to a voluntary manslaughter charge in the slaying nearly a year ago of an 80-year-old Gary high school teacher.
The Times of Munster reports 17-year-old Royal Marshall received a 30-year prison sentence under the deal accepted Thursday by Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez. Prosecutors agreed to drop charges of murder, robbery and auto theft.
Defense attorney Eric Clark says Marshall always wanted to accept responsibility and receive his punishment for the July 6, 2011, slaying of Anna Schulz in her Merrillville home.
Marshall told the judge last month that he cut the woman's neck with a knife while fleeing officers investigating a burglary.
A judge has accepted a Merrillville teen's guilty plea to a voluntary manslaughter charge in the slaying nearly a year ago of an 80-year-old Gary high school teacher.
The Times of Munster reports 17-year-old Royal Marshall received a 30-year prison sentence under the deal accepted Thursday by Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez. Prosecutors agreed to drop charges of murder, robbery and auto theft.
Defense attorney Eric Clark says Marshall always wanted to accept responsibility and receive his punishment for the July 6, 2011, slaying of Anna Schulz in her Merrillville home.
Marshall told the judge last month that he cut the woman's neck with a knife while fleeing officers investigating a burglary.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
DA Files Five Felony Counts against High School Teacher in Alleged Fontana Hazing
Fontana, CA
The high school masonry teacher and an 18-year-old student arrested in connection with alleged hazing at A.B. Miller High School were charged Tuesday with felony counts including child abuse and false imprisonment, prosecutors said.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Emmanuel De La Rosa, 27, with child abuse, two counts of attempted sexual penetration by foreign object - one involving a minor victim older than 14 - and two counts of false imprisonment by violence and failure to report suspected child abuse to a child protective agency.
Student Fernando Salgado was charged with two counts of sexual penetration - one involving a minor victim older than 14 - and two counts of false imprisonment by violence.
The felony complaint states that there were two victims - John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No. 2.
Police said this week that the abuse was limited to one summer-school masonry class that began on May 31.
De La Rosa, police said, knew hazing was taking place and may even have directed it to discipline students in the summer school class.
The high school masonry teacher and an 18-year-old student arrested in connection with alleged hazing at A.B. Miller High School were charged Tuesday with felony counts including child abuse and false imprisonment, prosecutors said.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Emmanuel De La Rosa, 27, with child abuse, two counts of attempted sexual penetration by foreign object - one involving a minor victim older than 14 - and two counts of false imprisonment by violence and failure to report suspected child abuse to a child protective agency.
Student Fernando Salgado was charged with two counts of sexual penetration - one involving a minor victim older than 14 - and two counts of false imprisonment by violence.
The felony complaint states that there were two victims - John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No. 2.
Police said this week that the abuse was limited to one summer-school masonry class that began on May 31.
De La Rosa, police said, knew hazing was taking place and may even have directed it to discipline students in the summer school class.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Update: No Missing Kids, Despite Big Response to Reported Abduction
Boston, MA
Boston Police spent several hours yesterday scouring the Dudley Triangle after a report of a possible child abduction set off a huge response in the vicinity of the John Winthrop School on Brookford St.
Police say today that the report appears to have been false- and that no children have been reported missing overnight in the city of Boston.
The action started around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday when police were summoned to the Winthrop School. Three children who had been dismissed from the school returned to tell the principal that they witnessed an older while male stuffing a duffle bag into the trunk of a car on Hartford Street, about a block from the school. The witnesses— described by police as "very young"— claimed that they heard a girl screaming from the duffle bag. The suspect was described as driving away in a black sedan.
"All students at the school were accounted for, there was no indication of foul play and no missing children in the city," said Officer Grant. "We're handling it as an open investigation, but we're not sure the witnesses actually saw what they said they saw."
Police say today that the report appears to have been false- and that no children have been reported missing overnight in the city of Boston.
The action started around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday when police were summoned to the Winthrop School. Three children who had been dismissed from the school returned to tell the principal that they witnessed an older while male stuffing a duffle bag into the trunk of a car on Hartford Street, about a block from the school. The witnesses— described by police as "very young"— claimed that they heard a girl screaming from the duffle bag. The suspect was described as driving away in a black sedan.
"All students at the school were accounted for, there was no indication of foul play and no missing children in the city," said Officer Grant. "We're handling it as an open investigation, but we're not sure the witnesses actually saw what they said they saw."
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Take Tornado Watches Seriously
After a dynamic start to the tornado season, it has really quieted down some, with regard to severe storms. This provides time to discuss some tornado preparedness issues.
Schools often overlook the tornado watch. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a tornado watch is "issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches." Schools will often overlook this because during a tornado watch, the sun may still be shining, and local conditions may still be pleasant.
This is the danger. During a tornado watch, the weather may change quickly, and violently. The types of storms that produce tornadoes often produce down-drafts that can send straight-line winds miles from the storm. Thus, a beautiful day can change into one of carnage quickly. This is what led to the Indiana State Fair (video) stage roof collapse tragedy last year.
When a tornado watch is issued, curtail outdoor activities. Give yourself access to weather radar and keep an eye on it. Alert your staff, and have them be prepared to take shelter at a moment's notice.
Take tornado watches seriously.
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Schools often overlook the tornado watch. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a tornado watch is "issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches." Schools will often overlook this because during a tornado watch, the sun may still be shining, and local conditions may still be pleasant.
This is the danger. During a tornado watch, the weather may change quickly, and violently. The types of storms that produce tornadoes often produce down-drafts that can send straight-line winds miles from the storm. Thus, a beautiful day can change into one of carnage quickly. This is what led to the Indiana State Fair (video) stage roof collapse tragedy last year.
When a tornado watch is issued, curtail outdoor activities. Give yourself access to weather radar and keep an eye on it. Alert your staff, and have them be prepared to take shelter at a moment's notice.
Take tornado watches seriously.
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Police Investigating Yet Another Break-In at Scecina High School
Indianapolis, IN
Police are on the lookout for suspects responsible for another break-in at Scecina High School.
While someone did enter the school, officers don't believe anything was taken.
This isn't the first time the school has been broken into. Vandals hit the school back in April, causing a lot of damage. Three students were arrested for that incident.
Police are on the lookout for suspects responsible for another break-in at Scecina High School.
While someone did enter the school, officers don't believe anything was taken.
This isn't the first time the school has been broken into. Vandals hit the school back in April, causing a lot of damage. Three students were arrested for that incident.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
School Bus Driver Beaten into Coma Dies
Bronx, NY
A 65-year-old school bus driver beaten into a coma has died, his family confirms.
Juan Del Valle had been at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx since a minor traffic accident turned into a horrific beating.
Police say Del Valle was driving a school bus when he clipped a car's side mirror. Police say the car's owner, ex-con Joey Scott, beat the 65-year-old grandfather into a coma.
Surveillance video caught the vicious attack two weeks ago. Del Valle was inching his school bus down a narrow street in the Tremont section of the Bronx when he hit the mirror.
Moments later, Scott confronted DelValle and punched him twice in the face.
Del Valle collapsed, and his head hits the pavement. He never came out of the coma. His family made the decision to remove him from life support this week.
Del Valle worked for 8 years transporting the children of New York City safely to and from school.
A 65-year-old school bus driver beaten into a coma has died, his family confirms.
Juan Del Valle had been at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx since a minor traffic accident turned into a horrific beating.
Police say Del Valle was driving a school bus when he clipped a car's side mirror. Police say the car's owner, ex-con Joey Scott, beat the 65-year-old grandfather into a coma.
Surveillance video caught the vicious attack two weeks ago. Del Valle was inching his school bus down a narrow street in the Tremont section of the Bronx when he hit the mirror.
Moments later, Scott confronted DelValle and punched him twice in the face.
Del Valle collapsed, and his head hits the pavement. He never came out of the coma. His family made the decision to remove him from life support this week.
Del Valle worked for 8 years transporting the children of New York City safely to and from school.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
A Bullied Bus Monitor
I was driving to the School Transportation Association of Indiana state conference in French Lick, IN when I heard of the story of an elderly bus monitor being bullied by students on the radio. As soon as I had a few moments, I watched the video, which can be found HERE. I watched for two minutes, and then had to stop, because my blood pressure spiked.
This video angers me because of the example of sheer callousness on the part of the students who were bullying the elderly bus monitor. It angers me at the pain exhibited by this woman, being subjected to the verbal abuse being heaped upon her, and the obvious powerlessness she felt. It angers me because the monitor didn't feel empowered to either handle it on her own, or to notify the driver for assistance.
It would be easy to say this is endemic to society based on the few instances of this happening. It would also be easy to wonder why there is concern for this, rather than anger when this happens to children. I will address the second.
The elderly bus monitor represents authority. Peers do not. It is bad when peers bully each other, but it is a sign of a larger problem when people in positions of authority are bullied. If these students feel they can treat authority figures with such blatant disrespect, what will prevent them from bullying their peers?
I would be interested in seeing how the district handles this. Will they send the right message?
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This video angers me because of the example of sheer callousness on the part of the students who were bullying the elderly bus monitor. It angers me at the pain exhibited by this woman, being subjected to the verbal abuse being heaped upon her, and the obvious powerlessness she felt. It angers me because the monitor didn't feel empowered to either handle it on her own, or to notify the driver for assistance.
It would be easy to say this is endemic to society based on the few instances of this happening. It would also be easy to wonder why there is concern for this, rather than anger when this happens to children. I will address the second.
The elderly bus monitor represents authority. Peers do not. It is bad when peers bully each other, but it is a sign of a larger problem when people in positions of authority are bullied. If these students feel they can treat authority figures with such blatant disrespect, what will prevent them from bullying their peers?
I would be interested in seeing how the district handles this. Will they send the right message?
Our Forum On
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Bonita High Threatened With 'Columbine-Type Shooting,' Police Chief Calls It a 'Hoax'
La Verne, CA
Bonita High School's June 7 graduation ceremony was threatened with a 'Columbine-type shooting,' Chief Scott Pickwith of the La Verne Police Department revealed at a city council meeting tonight.
However, even though Pickwith said the threat was certainly a hoax, he noted that the school and the police took the threat 'seriously.' La Verne police officers were present at both the graduation rehearsal and the ceremony itself.
Pickwith said most of the city's small police force was mobilized to counter the threat.
Bonita High School's June 7 graduation ceremony was threatened with a 'Columbine-type shooting,' Chief Scott Pickwith of the La Verne Police Department revealed at a city council meeting tonight.
However, even though Pickwith said the threat was certainly a hoax, he noted that the school and the police took the threat 'seriously.' La Verne police officers were present at both the graduation rehearsal and the ceremony itself.
Pickwith said most of the city's small police force was mobilized to counter the threat.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Free Speech vs School Safety
In Griffith Public Schools, the debate rages: What is the line between cyberbullying and free speech?
Three girls made some comments on Facebook that may have been threatening. They discussed killing classmates; suggested putting someone in a bathtub of acid and setting it on fire; debated whether it was better to kill with a knife or a gun; and brainstormed ways to hide the evidence. The mother of a student who was mentioned by the girls brought in a print-out of the thread when her daughter became afraid to come to school. The principal suspended, then expelled them for violations of rules posted in the handbook.
The ACLU is suing the school for violating the free speech rights of the three girls. Their argument is that the girls were joking, as indicated by the use of smiley 'emoticons', and the text acronyms 'LOL' and 'ROFLMAO'. Gavin Rose, an ACLU attorney, had this to say, "The legal analysis asks whether a reasonable person viewing the conversation would conclude that the girls were about to inflict imminent harm. I think the use of emoticons and other forms of Internet-speak are simply one factor demonstrating that that was not the case."
A person who hurts others, and laughs while doing it, is not necessarily joking. True bullies take pleasure from the pain of others, so the use of emoticons is not convincing to me. What is missing is the knowledge that the local educators would have, the indicators that would indicate whether the girl's behavior was aberrant, or plausible. What is the disciplinary records of the three, if any?
In any event, cyberbullying is an area of school safety that is still being defined, both in schools, and in the courts. The bottom line is the protection of the students within the school.
Whether they're joking or not.
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Three girls made some comments on Facebook that may have been threatening. They discussed killing classmates; suggested putting someone in a bathtub of acid and setting it on fire; debated whether it was better to kill with a knife or a gun; and brainstormed ways to hide the evidence. The mother of a student who was mentioned by the girls brought in a print-out of the thread when her daughter became afraid to come to school. The principal suspended, then expelled them for violations of rules posted in the handbook.
The ACLU is suing the school for violating the free speech rights of the three girls. Their argument is that the girls were joking, as indicated by the use of smiley 'emoticons', and the text acronyms 'LOL' and 'ROFLMAO'. Gavin Rose, an ACLU attorney, had this to say, "The legal analysis asks whether a reasonable person viewing the conversation would conclude that the girls were about to inflict imminent harm. I think the use of emoticons and other forms of Internet-speak are simply one factor demonstrating that that was not the case."
A person who hurts others, and laughs while doing it, is not necessarily joking. True bullies take pleasure from the pain of others, so the use of emoticons is not convincing to me. What is missing is the knowledge that the local educators would have, the indicators that would indicate whether the girl's behavior was aberrant, or plausible. What is the disciplinary records of the three, if any?
In any event, cyberbullying is an area of school safety that is still being defined, both in schools, and in the courts. The bottom line is the protection of the students within the school.
Whether they're joking or not.
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Students Suspended for Viewing Porn in Class
San Diego, CA
Nine male students were suspended from Bell Middle School for allegedly masturbating while looking at pornography on their cell phones during English class.
Students were suspended during the month of May, the district confirmed in an e-mail to NBC San Diego. But the email also states, the district is "prohibited from commenting on confidential student or personnel matters."
The teacher, Ed Johnson, is reportedly under fire because he did not respond to students who told him about the behavior while it was allegedly happening – only saying he would give students referrals if he caught them – then went on reading at his desk.
Following the incident, there are reports of controversy from the faculty over how the situation was handled by the teacher.
Nine male students were suspended from Bell Middle School for allegedly masturbating while looking at pornography on their cell phones during English class.
Students were suspended during the month of May, the district confirmed in an e-mail to NBC San Diego. But the email also states, the district is "prohibited from commenting on confidential student or personnel matters."
The teacher, Ed Johnson, is reportedly under fire because he did not respond to students who told him about the behavior while it was allegedly happening – only saying he would give students referrals if he caught them – then went on reading at his desk.
Following the incident, there are reports of controversy from the faculty over how the situation was handled by the teacher.
Queens Teacher Banned From City Schools For Over-The-Top Sex Ed Class
New York, NY
A Queens teacher has been banned from all city schools after he allegedly made inappropriate comments and gestures during a sexual education class.
Former students told CBS 2′s Jessica Schneider that Dyrel Bartee, a teacher at Grover Cleveland High School was getting too explicit in his descriptions.
He has been accused of spreading his legs to demonstrate childbirth and grabbing his crotch to emphasize a point about sexually transmitted diseases.
Bartee was put on administrative leave in November when students complained that his lessons were becoming too racy.
Bartee began as a substitute Biology and Science teacher in 1999, and began teaching at Grover Cleveland in 2005. In April he was barred from working in all city schools.
The ban comes just days after Rafael Sosa was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a female student. Since January ten New York City teachers have been arrested on sexual misconduct charges.
A Queens teacher has been banned from all city schools after he allegedly made inappropriate comments and gestures during a sexual education class.
Former students told CBS 2′s Jessica Schneider that Dyrel Bartee, a teacher at Grover Cleveland High School was getting too explicit in his descriptions.
He has been accused of spreading his legs to demonstrate childbirth and grabbing his crotch to emphasize a point about sexually transmitted diseases.
Bartee was put on administrative leave in November when students complained that his lessons were becoming too racy.
Bartee began as a substitute Biology and Science teacher in 1999, and began teaching at Grover Cleveland in 2005. In April he was barred from working in all city schools.
The ban comes just days after Rafael Sosa was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a female student. Since January ten New York City teachers have been arrested on sexual misconduct charges.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
No Violence after High School ‘Gun Threat’ Rumors Spread after Message Left on Bathroom Wall
Hudson County, NJ
North Bergen school officials said last week that a gun threat written in a bathroom at North Bergen High School ultimately posed no danger, but it was taken seriously for the safety of the students and faculty.
Principal Paschal Tennaro and the police said the threat alluded to the date of Thursday, June 7, although he would not elaborate. Talk of the threat spread rapidly after officials sent a letter to parents earlier in the week informing them of the matter, and school activities were canceled on Wednesday night.
North Bergen school officials said last week that a gun threat written in a bathroom at North Bergen High School ultimately posed no danger, but it was taken seriously for the safety of the students and faculty.
Principal Paschal Tennaro and the police said the threat alluded to the date of Thursday, June 7, although he would not elaborate. Talk of the threat spread rapidly after officials sent a letter to parents earlier in the week informing them of the matter, and school activities were canceled on Wednesday night.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Core of the Training Issue in Schools
RJ Hilton returns to continue the discussion.
"This is the core of the problem.
What this boils down to is you have a certain amount of time that districts will allow for training on emergency and safety situations. You’re already past the point where you don’t have enough time to train people on the really likely threats. When an event triggers media attention to rare threats, it just makes things worse. The fact is, even with what you are teaching, people are failing to meet minimum standards.
A focused killer can be difficult to comprehend and schools feel helpless to defend against it. People will grasp for straws to make it less scary. Believe it or not you can be as clear and concise as you possibly can but still not have the impact you’d like. Explaining to them not to get carried away because active shooter is only a very small possibility, doesn’t make them feel less helpless, no matter how clear and concise you are. It’s likely many have already made up their mind, what they want to hear. They are simply trying to decide who they want to hear it from. Michael Dorn says, more or less, let's discuss the issue more. Schools have to decide if that will be enough.
The question becomes how do you tell schools what they want to hear in a way that doesn't do damage but at the same time fixes what isn't working. Time available is important but more importantly is how that time is utilized. From my experience and what I'm hearing here, the people aren't really engaged during their normal routine. When they're required to make decisions on things other then what they are immediately focused on, they mentally have to switch gears. The problem is, it takes time and it happens in pieces, so reaction is spotty at best.
Resolving the problem doesn't normally take a lot of man hours but it does initially take a lot of follow up. It's a matter of getting people to increase their normal range of awareness in their everyday life. The question is, is that type of thing possible logistically considering the bureaucracy. It requires a few minutes every one or two months, demonstrating they are still being paid attention to and what they are doing is important."
In real, practical terms, this is the core of the problem. Schools have very little time to provide for staff and student training. High-stakes testing drives the curriculum, and time is at a premium. Should schools use what little time they have to prepare for something that, statistically speaking, will never happen? Or should they spend their precious time preparing for identified hazards?
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"This is the core of the problem.
What this boils down to is you have a certain amount of time that districts will allow for training on emergency and safety situations. You’re already past the point where you don’t have enough time to train people on the really likely threats. When an event triggers media attention to rare threats, it just makes things worse. The fact is, even with what you are teaching, people are failing to meet minimum standards.
A focused killer can be difficult to comprehend and schools feel helpless to defend against it. People will grasp for straws to make it less scary. Believe it or not you can be as clear and concise as you possibly can but still not have the impact you’d like. Explaining to them not to get carried away because active shooter is only a very small possibility, doesn’t make them feel less helpless, no matter how clear and concise you are. It’s likely many have already made up their mind, what they want to hear. They are simply trying to decide who they want to hear it from. Michael Dorn says, more or less, let's discuss the issue more. Schools have to decide if that will be enough.
The question becomes how do you tell schools what they want to hear in a way that doesn't do damage but at the same time fixes what isn't working. Time available is important but more importantly is how that time is utilized. From my experience and what I'm hearing here, the people aren't really engaged during their normal routine. When they're required to make decisions on things other then what they are immediately focused on, they mentally have to switch gears. The problem is, it takes time and it happens in pieces, so reaction is spotty at best.
Resolving the problem doesn't normally take a lot of man hours but it does initially take a lot of follow up. It's a matter of getting people to increase their normal range of awareness in their everyday life. The question is, is that type of thing possible logistically considering the bureaucracy. It requires a few minutes every one or two months, demonstrating they are still being paid attention to and what they are doing is important."
In real, practical terms, this is the core of the problem. Schools have very little time to provide for staff and student training. High-stakes testing drives the curriculum, and time is at a premium. Should schools use what little time they have to prepare for something that, statistically speaking, will never happen? Or should they spend their precious time preparing for identified hazards?
Our Forum On
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