Free Republic

Save the Children by: Deborah Lambert, July 17, 2008 First it was dodge ball, then it was tag. Now it is sack races and three-legged races that might cause children harm. These games were recently cancelled right before an Edwardian-themed school sports day, which affected hundreds of kids, according to the London Telegraph. The move was criticized as “completely over the top.” But teachers at the John F. Kennedy Primary School in Washington, Tyne and Wear, defended the decision, saying that although games that involved running and hopping would still be played, the cancellation of the three legged-race and sack...

A day after a sixth-grader at Perry Hall Middle School accused a construction worker of sexually assaulting her in a school restroom, the principal said that renovation work has been curtailed while a separate entrance to the work area is created. "We're trying to make [the school] as secure as we can," said Allen H. Zink, principal of the 1,500-student school. "I'm confident that we'll do what needs to be done to make sure kids stay safe." Baltimore County police said yesterday that they have identified the man who the 11-year-old girl said assaulted her but have made no arrest...

Yet despite many advancements in school safety, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of School Resource Officers, 55% of the school administration respondents said that school emergency preparedness is inadequate and a full 95% of them said that schools are “very or somewhat” vulnerable, particularly to terrorism…as Lancaster County most certainly was.

Just a few thoughts on the Amish school tragedy and others. Such a sad tragedy. So many young innocent lives lost over a senseless act of murder. Unfortunately there is no short-term solution, because there is no quick fix for people with severe mental disorders. We as a society tend to regard mental disorders as someone unable to organize, plan and or have forethought. Worst yet we regard it as a stigma, but it is so far from the truth. A mental disorder is a disease and if left untreated only grows worse. If we really want to get ahead...

First of three parts BETRAYAL OF TRUSTSunday, June 25, 2006 Betrayal of trust Attentive parents are best safeguard Monday, June 26, 2006 Six allegedly abused by coach say school officials share blame Abuser realizes his victims could wind up like him Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Background checks on coaches can help It comes down to a kid versus a respected adult Antonio DeJesus has no secrets left to hide, not behind prison bars and razor wire.  He readily admits seducing three boys. They were kids who trusted him, who looked up to him -- until he molested them.  DeJesus is...

CONCORD - Mt. Diablo High School's college-bound students are fed up with classmates who disrupt school. They've had it with violence, thefts and disruptions they say are damaging their education -- and they cut class Thursday to say so. Dozens of Advanced Placement biology students led a demonstration to protest conditions they say have driven away a top-notch teacher, Daniel Solwren. "Our most dedicated teachers have decided they can't take it any more," said senior Cecilia Flores. "They can't work in that environment." "We're hoping we can keep Mr. Solwren and make this a safer place to learn," said senior...

"An Iraqi man with suspected links to terrorism had a computer disk containing crisis planning information for San Diego and other school districts when he was arrested by U.S. authorities in Iraq, 10News reported. The man's intentions were not known, and there was no indication that schools in San Diego or any other district were targets for terrorism, according to San Diego law enforcement officials ... 'The clear message is that your children are safe and our schools are very well prepared, as well as our school district,' San Diego School District Police Chief Don Braun said." One can only...