The Observation Deck

well Stephen things have changed since 9 apparently.

You think that would be breaking news???

Well, not every student knew about this situation yesterday. My 10th grader didn't know anything about it. I had to call the school after I dropped her off to find out what was going on. She did call me this morning when she found out the boy with the bad heart passed away, as she was friends with him and his family lives on our street.

There is chaos at the school this morning and I still don't know what to make of it...but we should have been notified yesterday. I let her go home.

Dee, if the family needs anything, please please post it on the deck. That is horrible tragic news. We will all pray for his family.

Justine Cooper wrote:well Stephen things have changed since 9 apparently.

Do you know what time he was caught at? (according to the text message)

Stephen Eisel wrote:

They did NOT ensure my child or others were safe by lining them up outside UNLESS this kid was in jail already which I am still waiting to hear! Please do NOT minimize my concern over this handling. We entrust our children when they go to school and if nothing else, this should be a learning experience for the whole district to yes put metal detectors up and yes have an emergency response better than this, and yes arrest any and all that make a threat.

I am sure that the Lakewood Police have more common sense then you give them credit for.

Stephen I know you like to fight every chance you get, but leave me out of it. Don't mix my words by playing up to the police. I didn't criticize the police department. I have valid concerns over how the school district handled this. Quit using this for manipulation. A child died and another child was possibly arrested for bringing a gun that could have killed a number of people. I do take this seriously. And I am damn allowed to have an opinion without you twisting it around. If a kid was in school with a gun today we have a problem that needs addressed. Metal detectors and better emergency response. This could be learning lesson that potentially does save lives in the future so quit twisting it around and focus on the tragedies that need to be addressed here.

rumors can spread faster than wildfires. "My friend's friend said her cousin saw a _____"

Are kids REALLY being held up for iPods? Bikes? At gunpoint? Would I be concerned. Of course. And, I would call the police, talk to Ed Favre and find out if any such activity had been reported.

Kids with guns at schools? That is scary as hell. But a text message of "Did someone have a gun?!" Turns into "there was someoe with a gun" to "there was someone with a machine gun" as the kids embellish, exagerate and misunderstand, with a ready electronic device to pass along rumor, innuendo and misinformation.

Don't misunderstand me. We should be concerned. But, we should be concerned over facts and not rumors. Before we go indicting the system for failures, or begin participating in a panic, let's find out the facts.

Jeff

And we are all waiting for the facts while rumors are being reported as rumors. Still waiting. And yes those kids were held up at gun point.

I am sure that the LPD would not put any children in harms way as they lined up the students outside of the school. This is not about fighting Justine but about using common sense.

They did NOT ensure my child or others were safe by lining them up outside UNLESS this kid was in jail already which I am still waiting to hear! Please do NOT minimize my concern over this handling

Justine,
Clearly this is something that is very emotional. If I'm reading this correctly it seems that Stephen's comments were to put confidence in the PD that they are in control of the situation. The better safe than sorry comment seemed to be in reference to the attempt to screen the students, I can also see how lining them up outside can raise concerns though.
I concur with Jeff on this, what are the facts, what is the situation?

I forgot you are full of common sense. Sorry but I do react from emotions too, especially since my husband was potentially a bus ride away from being shot. I have a different perspective from you, but don't assume you have more common sense than me because of that.

Guys -

Justine is a mother of a LHS student and a teacher - of course she's upset. There was just an incident at the school her husband teaches at.

It's condescending of you to tell her to settle down. She'll breath easier knowing what steps were taken to intervene before these things happen.

This isn't a John Wayne movie where you can just say "Calm down little lady". Help her get the info she needs - that is the only thing she needs - no to be told how she should be thinking and acting.

The whole "Let cooler heads prevail" think doesn't cut it guys.

Get the info and talk about that.

Shawn I am hoping we do get the facts soon. That is what I have been asking for, while reporting on the "rumors". I know exactly the purpose of Stephen's posts.

Shawn Juris wrote:Justine,
Clearly this is something that is very emotional. If I'm reading this correctly it seems that Stephen's comments were to put confidence in the PD that they are in control of the situation. The better safe than sorry comment seemed to be in reference to the attempt to screen the students, I can also see how lining them up outside can raise concerns though.
I concur with Jeff on this, what are the facts, what is the situation?

Yes Shawn... You read me correctly...

Facts:

There was a student at LHS who was terminally ill. (Student A)

There was a student at LHS (Student B) who made crass and hateful remarks regarding Student A to the friend (Student C) of Student A.

Student C took issue with the remarks and hit Student B.

Student C has been suspended.

Student B has is out of school pending expulsion/suspension hearing.

Sadly, Student A has passed away.

In midst of this tragedy, calls to the police and school threatening the high school were received. Crisis response teams were mobilized.

Students arriving at LHS this morning were searched and parents were given the option of taking students home.

Things at LHS are presently calm.