NOTE: Repost (from FreeRepublic.com, Threat Matrix, Thread 20) here minus the graphic. Click on this link to view original post.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1243381/posts?q=1&&page=227#227
To: All
Could Terrorists Enter our School System from Within?
Source: TT Exclusive | Elementary Teacher | 8:00:41 PM EST
Today we were alerted by an Elementary School teacher, one that would like to remain anonymous for specific reasons, of an event that has occurred at her school. This event occurs daily at schools across America. It's the simple act of using substitute teachers. With all the recent threats about the possibility of terrorists pulling off a Beslan operation in an American school, did you ever wonder if it was at all possible for a terrorist or terrorists to perhaps enter our school from within the system? Just how hard is it for someone to get hired as a substitute teacher? Could this be a direct gateway for terrorists to enter our schools?
In an effort to alert authorities and teachers nationwide of the possibility for this to occur, we are posting the following email as it was received, with permission from the sender.
"I'm an elementary teacher in a mid-sized district where the largest Exxon Mobil refinery and chemical plants are located. Yesterday, a teacher on my team was absent. The sub that was sent was a muslim with a heavy middle eastern accent. He was a devout Muslim as he said his prayers during the school day. Keep in mind, this is an elementary school, and my team teacher and I teach kindergarten through fifth grade. We had never seen him before, but he had the district credentials. Some staff members made comments about feeling uncomfortable about him. As we were picking up our last class of the day, he told me he wanted to come back in the morning and who should he talk to about it. (The teacher he was subbing for wasn't going to be out the next day, and he was very excited about the possibility of coming back to my campus.) Although I am not paranoid, it dawned on me the possibility of terrorism in schools coming in legit-wise through substitute teachers.
The whole thing was strange as our dress codes for teachers, including substitute teachers, require mens' beards be trimmed very neatly and close to the face. This sub's beard was long like osama's. One teacher commented "who let osama in here". I'm not an expert on the islamic faith, but I thought a man's beard represented something within their belief system.
I don't think anyone has thought of this, but in my opinion, this is a way terrorism could enter our schools without it being detected. At the least, the possibility exists for getting the layout of the school from an inside vantage point. Is there anyone you could alert to this possibly overlooked method of gaining undetected entrance into our schools? I know I wasn't the only one with the same concern at my campus about this. This sub will no longer be called to work at our school, but he had to be blocked through the computer system in order not to be called to our campus. However, this won't stop him from being called to other campuses in our district. In my opinion, this is a wide opened door for a terrorist to not only enter, but be on the payroll while he or she is carrying out or planning an attack.
Perhaps you can let others know on your website about this so others in the education field and parents of school kids can be aware. Thanks."
With regards to this message, our analysts quickly began to research the thought.
What exactly does one need to do in order to become a substitute teacher?
Although each school district is different with regards to how they hire their substitute teachers, many follow the exact same process. The process we will list below is from a school district in Arizona.
How to Apply to Substitute Teacher:
Submit a substitute teacher application along with a stamped and recorded substitute or teaching certificate.
Provide letters of reference from current or past employers for the last five years.
Provide evidence of teaching experience on application.
Attend a substitute teacher orientation. If selected, you will be scheduled to attend an orientation.
Bring original social security card and a picture I.D. to orientation. TUSD cannot hire anyone without an original social security card. If applicant does not have original social security card, bring in the receipt that the Social Security Department issues for social security card application.
Now, anyone can go about completing that process, but what exactly does getting a certificate entail?
How to Apply for a Certificate with the Arizona State Board of Education:
Check the Arizona State Board of Education web site for up-to-date information: www.ade.state.az.us/certification
First time applicants must obtain a fingerprint packet from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Applicant Clearance Card Team, at (602) 223-2279, P O Box 6638, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638. The Arizona State Board of Education will not release a teaching certificate without a fingerprint clearance card.
Applicant must submit official transcripts of Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Official transcripts do not need to be in a sealed envelope.
Applicant must complete four-page yellow Arizona State Board of Education application.
Applicant must submit class 1 or class 2 fingerprint clearance card.
Applicant must submit a check/money order for the total amount, made payable to the Arizona State Board of Education.
Entire packet should be mailed to the Phoenix Office – P O Box 6490, Phoenix, Arizona, 85005-6490.
Applicant must have certificate stamped and recorded by the Pima County School Superintendent’s office, located at 130 West Congress, 4th floor.
As you can see, Arizona is one of the more secured state's, going as far as requiring you to log your fingerprint on file with the state. Now, whether or not school's actually follow these policies when hiring substitute teacher's is anyone's guess.
If you're a substitute teacher, we would like to hear from you! What process did you have to go through, to get hired as a substitute teacher in your school's district?
Email us at: news@trackingterrorism.com
ORIGINAL STORY: http://www.trackingterrorism.com/Default.asp?dismode=article&artid=436
228 posted on 10/13/2004 5:15:44 PM PDT by fullwave (TrackingTerrorism.com)
http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/frontpage_lead/storypr/16872
"Terror alert issued to school bus drivers"
By Max Foster, Roundup staff reporter
Friday, October 15, 2004
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "According to Lockhart, the letter is partly in response to an advisory federal authorities sent to attorneys general throughout the United States regarding the possibility of terrorist activity in the next six weeks -- "the magnitude of the 9/11 attack," he said.
"We need a few more eyes out there and a heightened awareness," Lockhart said. "We don't want to alarm anyone, but we're prodding to be more vigilant."
Other than the letter to the attorneys general, Lockhart said there has been no specific terrorist threat that spurred him to have the bulletin sent.
He did say, however, that FBI and Homeland Security officers have served search warrants around the country on suspected terrorists and found school bus route schedules and information on public school systems."