William H wrote on May 5, 2008 5:02 PM:
" Ahhhh, Kings County. Isn't it a great place to live and raise a family? "
to William H wrote on May 5, 2008 5:45 PM:
" Why is it when an incident happens..Kings County is a bad place? Unfortunately things like this happen all over. Sad but true. I grew up in Hanford, as did my husband and we raised two children here. Neither of us or neither of them have ever had a problem like this...thank God. People look for the bad...how about looking at the good. Like the young girl, from the same school that came up with the idea to raise money to help keep the July 4th fireworks? Her and others like her raised over 500 dollars! There are very positive things happening around you. So I think their parents would say...."Isn't it a great place to live and raise a family?" Some people just like to focus on the bad and not recognize the very good. "
and another wrote on May 5, 2008 7:15 PM:
" at a certain corcoran school 2 first graders brought knifes to school in the same week over 5kids were supended nothing in the the paper. Bettercheck it out hanford sentinel "
Whats going on wrote on May 5, 2008 10:46 PM:
" Ok a couple of weeks ago a couple of kids were arrested for setting off a pipe bomb at the High School. But this kid brings a knife to school and says hes going to hurt someone and the police turns it over to the school to deal with. Come on this is no diffrent then the other case. Yes the kid may be younger, but if you dont stop it now it will get out of control. This kid should have been taken to Juvinal hall . "
Angie wrote on May 6, 2008 1:25 PM:
" Shouldn't I have recieved a phone call from Hamilton school to let me know this incident happened? My seven year old gave me the details after she overheard my husband and I reading about it in the paper. I should have been notified and that kid should have been given a good scare and taken to juvenile hall for the day.
Thumbs down the disciplinaries in this town including that kids parents. "
to Angie wrote on May 6, 2008 11:57 PM:
" Why do you think you should have received a phone call? Was your child directly threatened? Was the school on lockdown? If you expect a call anytime a disciplinary issue arises at a school, be prepared for about 20 calls a day. Unless your child wat the direct victim, I don't think it was any of your business. "
Mother of the little boy wrote on May 7, 2008 10:22 AM:
" I am the mother of the boy this child wanted to stab. Shouldn't I be mad? Well, I am not. I actually feel sorry for the kid that brought the knife to school. Both his parents work and live in a great neighborhood, maybe next to you. I spoke with the mother and she feels confused and does not know why he would do something like this. I took this opportunity to talk with my own son. You never think it can happen to you. Yes, I was hurt and in shock because this young boy has been to my home on numerous occasions. Instead of focusing on punishing to make him learn the hard way, I asked that he see physicatrist to discuss what ever problems he is having. He is young, let's not give up on him now! "
re To Angie wrote on May 7, 2008 11:23 AM:
" YOU think the incident is none of her business? Are ya nuts? ANYTHING that pertains to her child is her business.
I do agree that it would be hard for the school to personally call every parent, but notification should have been given. Maybe a note sent home with each child THAT same day, or a bulliten on the school website, or a mass emailing. There must be communication between the school and the parents.
signed,
glad I homeschooled "
Hanford Mom wrote on May 7, 2008 1:18 PM:
" The police won't press charges on a nine year old, typically. The families involved were notified, it sounds like. That is procedure in elementary schools and it is not just in Kings County. We probably won't know what the disciplinary action will be as that is confidential in nature. From experience, I can tell you that this will be treated in a fair and consistent way. Kudos to the victim's mom for coming forward and not in anger or not judgmentally. "
other similar wrote on May 7, 2008 3:23 PM:
" I happen to know of another incident that didnt seem to be reported, at another local elementary where at least one school staff member was assaulted with a knife by a student. luckily no physical injury but it was close enough that their clothes were cut by the knife. seems that didnt make the news though... "
name them wrote on May 7, 2008 3:34 PM:
" "The identity of the student was not revealed due to his status as a minor."
BULL!
he ADMITTED "he brought the knife to school with the intent of injuring another person," that makes him a DANGER to others, not just at the campus!
For all you know he lives next door and is playing with your child right now!
I'm sick and tired of the 'not revealing names because of a minor'.. if they are old enough to do a crime (or be a danger) then they are OLD ENOUGH to be IDENTIFIED!
Maybe there would be a few less out there causing problems if they knew that other people would know what they are up to and not be able to hide behind the age!
Too many commit serious crimes, get their records sealed as a juvenile, never get named, and go right back out and commit more crime!
Look at how many repeat juvenile offenders we have doing robbery, theft, etc! "
Watchdog wrote on May 7, 2008 5:31 PM:
" To Mother of the Little Boy - (The Dog Says) you handled this situation marvously, it couldn't have been handled any better other than for it not to have happened. But you are right at age nine there is something bothering this young man and it needs to be dealt with now not when he is in the Prison System. More forethgouht like yours and this community would be much improved. Not every action deserves a jail sentence reaction, Juvenile Hall or not. Some people have problems dealing with day to day stuff that we have no concept even exists. Remember that you people in glass houses wanting to throw stones. "
Angie wrote on May 7, 2008 5:41 PM:
" Excuse me? I should have been notified and you sound just like the school official I talked to at Hamilton. I don't care if my child wasn't directly involved and this wasn't just another "disciplinary action" This was a Felony! And it IS MY BUSINESS! There should be open communication about things like this. I don't need to know the child's name (my daughter told me anyway) but I would have talked to my child about the situation and dealt with her questions and feeling but I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT! "
Joe Johnson wrote on May 8, 2008 9:59 AM:
" To Name Them: Hamilton School didn't reveal the name of the student, nor did the Hanford Police Department when I briefly spoke with them about the matter. You may want to discuss this with them. Even if we knew the name, though, the paper probably wouldn't have run it. Most media outlets have policies against naming kids in criminal stories, unless it is a particularly violent crime and they are being charged as an adult.
And to respond to the claims of unreported stories of school violence: Unfortunately, I'm the only person covering criminal matters for the Sentinel, and things slip through the cracks. Especially when it comes to cases like this, where no real official mention of it is given anywhere except a small note on a police blotter.
If you hear of anything happening, feel free to call me at 585-2425, or email me at jjohnson@HanfordSentinel.com and I'll follow up on it. Otherwise, well, one guy can only cover so much. "
I sold the knife wrote on May 8, 2008 10:28 AM:
" Shouldn't I have been notified that my ex-knife was taken on to school grounds?
Let's get an auto-response alert system in preschools, too.
I think everyone from Kings County should have been alerted via flares in the sky.
Thoughts? "
Alan G. wrote on May 8, 2008 12:31 PM:
" "Name them" you CAN'T be serious. You want nine year-old children named in the press? Do you have any concept of the social implications such a thing would cause? You would have young children stigmatized in their community for something the little puppy brains did in the 4th grade? At nine years old, kids still need a lot of guidance and branding them as criminals at nine and subjecting them to public humiliation will just hurry them in that direction. You really gotta see the bigger picture. "
whiteey wrote on May 8, 2008 1:38 PM:
" my Step son took a knife to school at simas elementary. He was wanting to show off. He was expelled. "
should have been notified wrote on May 8, 2008 3:41 PM:
" The school district has an automated call system that was even just recently used with the pipe bomb incident a few weeks ago.
It only takes one recorded message and a few buttons to let the parents know on the phone number they have on file that there was a weapons incident at school.
Yes, the parents should have been notified, it would have taken less than 2 minutes to send the message out. "
Whos to Blame wrote on May 8, 2008 4:18 PM:
" Sad, as another reader pointed out, this has occurred at other schools and handled or reported differently.
I blog for one reason only, to encourage parents to talk about this with their children. It's not just sex and drugs anymore, ADD these "horrible images" they see on T.V. (Columbine, Virginia Techs., etc.) which send the wrong messages to our kids.
Since they play so many violent video games, see "cold" lessons played out on T.V. (murder, sex, etc.,), thus teaching our children to problem solve in incorrect, non-realistic ways and hardens them to life's unfortunate strife which sometimes includes bullying, teasing etc., and how they should appropriately react to that.
It must be taught that the things they see on T.V., are NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS BEHAVIOR THEY SHOULD ACT OUT.
I think martyrism has been glorified long enough in the press; fueling the problem and Inducing the idea to model the behavior to be on T.V. or in the paper.
I want ALL children safe at school, but I ALSO realize that the school cannot do EVERYTHING, IT MUST BE SPOKEN ABOUT IN THE HOME! "
cynic wrote on May 8, 2008 4:31 PM:
" Why, Angie, is it your business? It didn't affect your child, having a knife on a campus is NOT a felony, and you can STILL talk with your daughter about it. What are you going to talk about anyway? "If you see a knife, run"? When something affects an entire campus, (a lockdown or the like or threats against the entire student body) then by all means call parents. When one student threatens another specific student - it is none of your business. "
whitey wrote on May 8, 2008 5:03 PM:
" i posted a few posts up. accidentally spelled my name wrong. my bad. My Step son has repeatedly gotten in trouble at school. Not only did he get expelled for bringing the knife to school, he will most likely get put on probation. he is 12. this is the second time ive had to take him to the probation office. i hope they punnish him to the fullest extent at the probation office so that way he realizes he needs to pull his head out of his butt and start behaving like a young man instead of a hoodlum. "
Learn Krav Maga wrote on May 8, 2008 6:07 PM:
" ...and you'll learn how to disarm a knife-wielding assailant. It's pretty easy. I'm a woman in my 40s and I can do it. "
Angie- To Cynic wrote on May 8, 2008 6:24 PM:
" Well, you're wrong. Taking the knife to school may not have been a felony but planning on hurting someone with it is. My daughter sees knives everyday beacause I cook everyday so, no, she shouldn't run every time she sees a knife. I mean, c'mon don't be so stupid about this. I have talked to her about knives being WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T BE then she should definately run and tell an adult. If my daughter walked in the bathroom and kids were smoking pot it may not affect the whole campus but I darn sure would want to know she was exposed to it! "
Hanford Mom wrote on May 9, 2008 12:53 AM:
" EXACTLY, Angie. If your daughter had come upon a group of students in the bathroom smoking pot and she made an adult aware of it, then by all means you should be called. However, it does not appear that your daughter was in the boys' bathroom when this knife was displayed.
Also, if all of you responding read the article carefully, it was indicated that the boy was no longer in any of the HESD schools. "
cynic wrote on May 9, 2008 11:34 AM:
" "Planning" on doing something is not a crime either - I can think about hurting someone or robbing someone all I want - I can even TELL you I'm thinking about it - last time I checked there were no "mind police" - it's not a crime until you do it - or you pay someone to do it - neither happened. Knives ARE against school rules - the child should be EXPELLED. But it is STILL none of your business. If your child caught someone smoking pot in the bathroom - you WOULD know about it - but that doesn't mean every parent at the school site shoulc have to be notified. Get real. "
to cynic wrote on May 9, 2008 3:58 PM:
" Columbine started out as just a planned target on one specific group of students also.
If they cannot have the proper though process that hurting someone with a knife is WRONG I doubt very much that they would have the sensibility to hurt the one and one only.
Or is it honor among thieves you are referring to? They have the mental capacity to stop at one but not the mental capacity to do it at all?
Come on, be realistic here. "
Angie-To Cynic wrote on May 9, 2008 5:00 PM:
" What do you mean planning on doing something to harm someone is not a crime? Where have you been? It's called plotting, conspiracy, lying in wait, etc. This situation may not be in the same caliber as these crimes but it's in the same ball park. What happened to "it takes a village to raise a child"? There should have been notification- not to codemn this kid but to be aware. Just AWARE! What's wrong with that? What if he's on somebody's birthday list of guests and he brings a knife to the birthday party? You'll probably say that's nobodys
business either because no one was hurt and he only intended to cut the cake.
Get out of your bubble. "
Angie-To Hanford Mom wrote on May 9, 2008 5:09 PM:
" Well if he isn't in our school district he sure is in somebody elses school district. Who's going to make sure he goes to counseling and be guided along so that he won't do this again?
My friends son went in the restroom with a couple of boys to go "see the knife" and my friend was NOT NOTIFIED! So, that's a flat out lie that the parents will be notified if their children are involved in any way. You should get out of your bubble too. "
Joe Johnson wrote on May 9, 2008 5:51 PM:
" To Cynic: Actually, if you were planning to commit a crime and told someone that you were thinking about it, you could be arrested and charged with "terrorist threats" if the person turned you in. It shows up all the time on the Kings Jail booking logs. "
To William H wrote on May 9, 2008 11:56 PM:
" You cant be serious about when you sarcastically mentioned that Kings County is a great place to raise a family. If you live here, move. Better yet, move one county north (make it simple for you-Fresno) where they take a baseball bat to the campus cop. Where would be a better place to raise a family? When I get your answer, I will look at crime rate and real estate costs and then WE can move there. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 10, 2008 7:18 PM:
" Regarding the incident at Hamilton School, you would think the school would send a notice to the parents of the students that day. The schools are required to send notices when a child is found with head lice. But this incident?
A friend of mine has a child that attends Hamilton. She called and asked questions regarding the incident. The assistant informed her that the knife was found in a toilet and the police was notified. Sounds like the schools may need to communicate to the parents rather than hearing from the local paper. Atleast have the same story. "
ALEJANDRO wrote on May 11, 2008 6:35 PM:
" Sticking to the facts:
"The student said he brought the knife to school with the intent of injuring another person, according to a police report."
I would like to ask Alan G. what he means when he says (concerning identifying the child by name):
"...You really gotta see the bigger picture."
and after first asking us this sensitive and politically correct question:
"Do you have any concept of the social implications such a thing would cause?"
Which is more important: preventing a possible future Virginia Tech or Columbine or local area assault and attempted murder, or the delicate nature of an unknown nine year old's "little puppy brains" who wanted to knife someone at his school?
How would YOU handle this "bigger picture" and adequately protect the community, Alan? "
Proud Dad wrote on May 11, 2008 11:50 PM:
" To Cynic...way to go...bury your head in the sand and you would probably be the first one to complain when something bad (that could have been prevented) happens to you or your family. Awareness is paramount to raising kids. You don't need to know the name of the student(s), but we as parents need to know the situation was dealt with. What would be next for this student? Trying to impress or scare their fellow students, who knows what else this student would have brought to school. Oh wait... you would rather let the school officals control what you hear, while someone you care about gets hurt. "
cynic wrote on May 12, 2008 12:07 PM:
" You're right Joe, if he told someone, he should be arrested. I'm not condoning this child's actions - my original point was and still is - it's none of your business. The school did not send out a recorded message to parents and shouldn't have to. Who this child is and what happened is none of your business. Administration and teachers are there to protect (and teach) your child and they did their job - that's all. You do not need the gory details. What would knowing them have accomplished? We should raise our children to make wise choices and stay away from dangerous situations. I'm not sure how knowing the details of this child's crime will help you do anything more than gossip. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 12, 2008 2:28 PM:
" I had posted a comment a few days ago regarding this incident. Reading concerns and complaints from several citizens is obviously a red flag to the elementary district here in Hanford.
Hanford Sentinel, would it be possible to follow up with them and find out exactly what has been done since the incident and why different stories of the scenario were said rather the actual truth?
Hanford Police Department may not want to press charges against the minor due to age. But what is wrong with citing the parent(s) and having follow-ups with the parent(s) and the child in the future? The system will cite parents for poor attendance of the child but not when the child brings a knife to school? I find this to be a serious issue and appear to be with the citizens. We are adults and we trust in the adults in the public schools to care and look over our children's safety. For this is why the circle of violence will continue due to our own children not feeling safe themselves- then taking ‘their’ situations into their own hands.
"
To those AGAINST Parental Notification wrote on May 12, 2008 3:02 PM:
" You're all nuts! ANYTHING that involves MY child IS MY BUSINESS.
Now, by parental notification I mean a simple not being sent home the same day saying, "Today a student brought a _________ to school. The situation was diffused and called to the attention of the Hanford Police. The child is or is not attending Hanford Elementary (or whichever school) at this time. If the child returns, you will be again notified."
Simple, to the point and NO GORY DETAILS including the students name.
Don't ANYONE EVER TELL ME THAT SOMETHING/ANYTHING THAT COMES NEAR TO AFFECTING MY CHILD IS NOT MY BUSINESS! "
cynic wrote on May 13, 2008 12:06 PM:
" And what exactly would that little, gore-free note accomplish? You wouldn't know anymore than you do now - it wouldn't help you protect your child anymore than you already do. Tell your child there are people out there who make bad choices and to stay away from them. The school is not obliged to inform you everytime someone makes a bad decision. Your child was not in danger. The child involved in the threats and his/her parents were the only ones with a RIGHT to know anything else. And about those CAPS - let's not yell at each other. Use an occasional CAP to emphasise - but a whole paragraph of CAPS is yelling. We can disagree - and we obviously do - without yelling at each other. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 13, 2008 2:21 PM:
" For Cynic..
The only reason we heard about this incident is because the newspaper informed us as well as our children. Would it not be professional and courteous to present a notice sharing the situation with the parents rather then hearing from the 2nd hand? Plus, with notification we can teach and explain the real world to our children. As parents, this is our job to speak and teach our children. Therefore, it is the school's responsibility to share a situation like this with us. Why would they not? We don't care for the minor’s name. We don't care for what others will think. And frankly, I hope the best for the student that brought the knife, but WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN. Yes, there is no secure place in the world. What is wrong with working together and getting stronger rather then making lame excuses to ignore the facts.
One more thing, everyone knows the minor that informed school officials. If anything, in the real corrupted side of the world- that minor is considered a snitch. Now how do you plan on protecting that child?
"
cynic wrote on May 13, 2008 3:45 PM:
" I don't think teaching and explaining the real world to your child is dependant on knowing the details of another child's choices. This was not Columbine. No one was injured or even threatened. The child was planning. The article said he was planning - not that he shared his plans with the intended victim. I still don't see how knowing the details will help you be a better parent - just a nosy one. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 13, 2008 5:48 PM:
" To be nosy is one thing. Let's see. How about you define nosy? And I shall define naive. For one, it is showing that you do not know anything about the penal code or realistic issues. You have continued to make more excuses for this child rather an official and concerned note. I have yet to hear one positive thing- mainly excuses according to your words. You seem to defend the child who brought the knife to, which concerns me. You have yet to say any hopeful words for the parents of both the victim and the aggressor. Regardless the outcome was not like Columbine here in Hanford or the stories of the Bronx- this was a crime.
And yes, we do have to teach our children. You probably don't have any and my suggestion- you shouldn't have any to protect other kids.
Just a thought
"
to cynic wrote on May 13, 2008 7:09 PM:
" So this child that had the knife was not with other children before school? During lunch? Just him and the intended assault/murder victim in one room alone all day long? Many children were exposed to this dangerous child and a note or a phone call letting parents know that something above the ordinary run-of-the-mill school yard incidences would have been appropriate. Letting parents know generally what happened, how the adults in the situation handled it, and a refresher on what school rules were broke would have instilled confidence, trust, and credibility on our children's time at school instead of hearing multiple versions of the incident second hand by word of mouth and newspaper. "
cynic wrote on May 14, 2008 5:15 PM:
" I am an educator (21 years) and a parent of two (24 years). I do both very well thank you very much. I also don't make personal attacks in my comments. I stated my opinion based on my parenting and teaching experiences. Charges should be pressed and the student in question should be expelled. Having the knife at school does not make every student on the playground an intended victim nor does it mean every child on the playground was in danger AND it does not mean every parent at the school should have the RIGHT to hear about it. That's what it comes down to - people's self perceived "rights". I often hear people say things like "I have a right to know" or "You have no right to say that" - Our "rights" don't extend nearly as far as we seem to think they do. And yes, nosy is the word I'll use. We don't need to know everything that happens with school discipline. You wouldn't believe the stuff that happens on the playground. Do you really want or need to have 10 messages a day? "
still a cynic wrote on May 14, 2008 5:23 PM:
" And, no, I don't condone or downplay anything this child did. And, you're right, D., I don't really have anything encouraging to share with the child either. The kid needs help and I hope the parents will get him/her some soon. But we have to get over this self entitled belief that we have the RIGHT to know everything. Will Rogers said "It will take America fifteen years of steady taking care of our own business and letting everybody else's alone, to get us back to where everybody speaks to us again." This goes for local AND international nosiness. If you still just really think you have a right to know - well, don't hold your breath and don't base your happiness on whether you are informed. Now, feel free to bad mouth my opinions - they are after all opinions - mine AND yours. Last I checked this was a forum to air opinions and not be so nasty to each other. I'm done with this topic - you stay home and wait for the phone to ring.
"
Proud Dad wrote on May 14, 2008 9:56 PM:
" To Cynic: It would be nice to stand back and not worry about what is going on at our local schools. Unfortunately with the way things are going, we need to worry...take a look at the prison overcrowding and gang problems that we are experiencing now. As an educator (my hat goes off to you by the way) if you are teaching K-12, you probably are annoyed with "nosy" parents. Most "nosy" parents are trying to make sure that their child is getting the best education possible, most teachers do a great job, but there are teachers that should not be teaching. The "nosy" parents are going to make the school administrators take action. The only people that I truly trust with my children's welfare is my wife and I. "
Proud Dad wrote on May 14, 2008 9:57 PM:
" To Cynic cont: If I hear about numerous problems at a school my children are attending, then I need to look into transferring my children to a different school. That is my "right as a parent." I am not going to stress out about an isolated incident, but if kids are bringing knives (or other LIFE THREATENING contraband) to school is becoming a common theme, then it is "my right" to seek education for my children somewhere else. We cannot allow school administrators to sweep problems under the rug at their own choosing to make their jobs easier and to make the campus look better. The phone does not have to be utilized all of the time, for example a monthly summary of problems would work or place it on the website. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 14, 2008 11:07 PM:
" First, the child may have not pulled the knife directly to each and every student that walked the hallways. But, this incident has left a guaranteed mark on the victims soul and surrounding friends. Remember, the childs mind is like a sponge and they will intake every little bit into their mind and work with it. It is our demand to control any other thoughts and/or actions that may come from this- now or later.
Basically, we do have the right to know. In fact, the principal shared with all the students the day of the incident. So if the children were informed, why would the parents not have the right to know? This disagreement is based only on the fact that our children were informed and not the parents.
I don't degrade anyone through my opinions. If anything, I will speak the truth. In this case, it is because I have seen and been through enough to know what needs to be done. I am a mother, a citizen, a student of crime investigations and I deal with crime on a daily basis. I will only speak the truth.
"
Joe Johnson wrote on May 15, 2008 10:07 AM:
" D. Hernandez: I can try to do a follow up if it will relieve some fears around here. That said, I think it’s likely that the people reporting different variations on the story just don’t have all the facts about what happened and were just saying what they’d heard. Unless it came directly from the Principal, the School District or the Police, I’d take it with a grain of salt.
And on a personal level, as far as punishing the parents goes, officials with both the police and the school mentioned that the parents were pretty horrified and shocked by what happened. I can’t imagine that citing them would serve any greater good, aside from making some concerned citizens feel as though “justice was served.” If I was in the situation of the parents, just hearing that my son or daughter did something like this AND was thrown out of the school district would be all the wake-up call I needed. "
D. Hernandez wrote on May 15, 2008 1:12 PM:
" Joe,
Thank you for your response. If any follow up would be needed, I would have to say what action plan has been set for future incidents such as this one. I understand not one of us will have the correct answers at the first sign of a mistake. However, our job as teachers, superiors, parents, caretakers, etc. is to make sure we do not repeat the same mistake. We have an emergency plan for fire, earthquakes, lock downs, etc. It appears we may not have one when a student appears to be a threat?
I may sound extremely worried and with this I am. What would have happened if something worse came from this? How about ‘next time’? Let’s get prepared for the worse. Preparation seems to work better than ignorance.
Again, thank you.
"
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 2:32 AM:
" To Allan G. and Cynic - first of all a parent should have the right to know when their child leaves home for school that they are going to be protected and threat free while on campus. Making excuses for a nine year olds future thought processes and place in society comes in second to the security of whoever he/she has threatened or is going to threaten at knife point. You both claim you have children but are not taking into consideration the average parent is not familiar with the exact handling of discipline problems on an elementary school campus. Cynic you see it first hand you are comfortable with it, that's good for you. But it doesn't help D. Hernandez or any other parent feel comfortable with your explinations and telling them they are nosey when it comes to their requests regarding their childrens safety. Ask yourself how you would feel if a 24 year old pulled a knife on your son or daughter in a public place, would you want details and all the information you could get? Would you question the cops about punishment and the end result for the accused? "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 2:41 AM:
" To Allan G., Cynic, Joe Johnson - sometimes the clarity comes from putting yourself in the position of the other person and seeing what your own feelings and reactions might be, before you call them nosey and telling them they have no rights. I have never seen any document from any school district that said in order for your child to attend here you cannot request information regarding their safety and well being. If it exists print it in the Hanford Sentinel and see what the backlash is you will receive at the School District as you should. Being misinformed is not being nosey it is simply requesting answers to valid questions and concerns Cynic if you feel that pressured by those things perhaps 21 years is where you should end your teaching career. It was my understanding that teachers were taught compassion, sensitivity to children and parents and are great communicators, where did your education fail you Cynic? You have been rude, disrespectful to D. Hernandez questions and comments not responding with anything other than she has No Rights and is Nosey. It's teachers like you that give teachers a bad name. "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 2:49 AM:
" To Joe Johnson your response was very good and it sounds like you do possess compassion and concern, however, I think you left one group of people out of the need to listen to list. That is the children who came home with stories that needed telling. They should be listened to, this could have been a serious incident, Thank God it wasn't but that is no reason to discredit what may be very serious to an entire group of students in Hamilton School. It sounds as though the school, police and other authorities responded correctly. But every student in thst school was probably effected by this incident if not by direct contact, through the rumor mill, you know how fast something of importance can run through the school yard. As it goes along more detail evolves more students become involved with the threat and before you know it, you have a Columbine. What happens when the next knife is found and the A student never had any behavioral problems says" Well I had to protect myself you know what happened'? I believe that was D. Hernandez point. "
Alan G. wrote on May 16, 2008 11:38 AM:
" To Watchdog, I answered many of these questions in a previous post that for some reason was censored and never made it to the blogs. My final comments (same as my previously censored post) are that expulsion and counseling should be mandatory in this situation and others like it, in my opinion. Should the names of nine year-old's be published in the paper with mugshots? No, I don't think so. The fact that he was removed from the school system is sufficient, I believe. And I'm not without sympathy for the parents who are totally flabbergasted by this. It's my sincere hope that they will get him into counseling, solve the problem and hopefully integrate a nice, happy boy back into the school system at some point down the road. "
Joe Johnson wrote on May 16, 2008 12:09 PM:
" To Watchdog: While I understand the need to listen to what the kids have to say about this incident, I was talking from a purely "Parents needing all the facts" perspective. Unfortunately, kids have a tendency to exaggerate and report only hearsay. When I was in elementary school, I took a bullet casing to school once that I found in the mountains. A day or so later, I was called into the office on a charge of having a LIVE ROUND with me, possibly with a GUN nearby. This is because one of my friends went home and told his mom about the COLLECTION OF AMMUNITION I had in my backpack. For reasons like this, I encourage speaking with the higher-ups for clarification on what happened.
And to D. Hernandez: I will see what I can find out about future response plans to situations like this. I'll also ask our education reporter, Shannon Milliken, to look into the matter as well. "
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