Thoughts on the Recent Faked Gun Attackby Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger 16 May 2007 12:09 PM In a previous homeschooling article, Andrea discussed how the poor judgment of others made her glad that she homeschools her children. The article was brought on by teachers' faked gun attacks on a group of sixth grade students during an overnight trip. The incident resulted in a group of scared children, angry parents, and two suspended without pay school employees, a teacher and an assistant principal. Like Andrea, the whole story greatly concerned me. First, it was my understanding that the students were ending a weeklong trip on the last night when the faked attack occurred. I am uncertain why it would be necessary for a group of sixth grade students to be on a weeklong trip. This I think was the onset of the poor judgment. I realize that it is very hard to leave your children in the care of another person. That is why we must speak out when bouts of bad judgment occur. I am very proud of the parents for ensuring that some type of disciplinary action took place. I have know of occurrences in the past that parents let slid due to not wanting to cause trouble or make others angry. However if we do not stand up for our children, who will? I was also very pleased to see that the two responsible employees were suspended without pay. Until recently, suspended teachers in our county received pay until a verdict was reached. I realize that in our country one is innocent until proven guilty. However, why should teachers who commit questionable actions be asked to stay home and receive pay? Like in all professions, there are 'bad' teachers. There are teachers who do not have the children's best interest at heart and teachers who are not passionate about their job. Just as there are doctors and lawyers and police officers that are the same way. We, as parents and co-workers, should demand better for our children and call out those that give less. Learn more about Lyn Newton  Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing. Relevanteducation tags User Comments  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 16 May 2007 01:27 PMThank you for following up on this story. I had not come across any resolution to date. Why week long trips are taken by school children floors me. I believe parents fall for it out of peer pressure of not wanting to look more protective than the next kid.  Lyn Newton (3966) 16 May 2007 02:29 PMI think so too. Although field trips can be educational, I also wonder how much instructional class time the students are missing.  Valorie Delp (49340) 16 May 2007 04:08 PMI have to disagree. . .when I was in 6th grade the class went up to the mountains for 4 days and when I taught I took my own class up to the mountains as well. We went to an outdoor lab school to study ecology, nature, biology, etc. and get experiences that frankly we couldn't get in the classroom. It was a fantastic opportunity and was well supervised by staff and parents. I hope these yahoos whose lapse in judgement in faking a gun attack doesn't ruin what otherwise is a fantastic educational opportunity. Lyn Newton (3966) 17 May 2007 12:26 PMWow! I guess maybe I am just overprotective. I don't like my children going to their grandma's for more than a night! We didn't take overnight trips until I was in high school.  QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60106) 17 May 2007 12:56 PMTwo topics going on: Fake gun attack IMO was wrong, wrong, wrong! Overnight trips for school children. Yes, both my kids in Lutheran school were on Mon-Fri trips at the local Lutheran church camp during 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade. Parents had to volunteer to stay overnight and help each day. Teachers are there the entire time. Kids are busy every hour with a new topic and learning. Even all the local public schools do this locally at the same camp. This has been in the curriculum for many years, nothing new. They stay in a conference center with girls on one level, boys on another level. Each room is filled with bunkbeds and large bathrooms. As Valorie noted, there is so much more to learn in the real world, not just in the classroom. Topics include Communication, Science, Biology, Conservation, Classification, Weather, Hiking, canoeing, & swimming (PE), Stars & Planets at night, Cooking, Using a compass and following a trail, English - with a daily journal of all the activities, and even math! My boys really enjoyed these week long camps and have fond memories. Andrea Hermitt (5512) 17 May 2007 02:56 PMRegarding class trips. Alot more goes on then parents and teachers are aware of. I went on a weekend church retreat when I was in 5th grade, and never spend another night away from home until I left for college. I was sexually harrassed and ridculed by other kids, and dismissed by adults for over reacting. Needless to say, overnight trips that young make me uncomfortable. Lyn Newton (3966) 17 May 2007 03:02 PMI hate your bad experiences, Andrea. Your trips sound great, QueenAngie. I guess if our county took more trips such as those with younger students I wouldn't think it odd. It is all what you become accustom to. Only special groups such as those paying for the Washington DC trips or special groups such as the band take long trips in my area. Other overnigh trips occur in high school or middle school (7 & 8). I am all for field trips, as stated in previous blogs. I know they can be very educational. I just hate that the poor judgment of the adults turned a great learning experience for the children into a terrifying one! I also hate that the trips will be frowned upon by some for the furture children. Community Tags poor judgment, school news, school violence Discuss this article
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