jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A local middle school has had four bomb threats lately. The kids write warnings on the bathroom walls, and the school has no choice but to evacuate. I found the online responses amusing. One suggestion was to give the kids ID cards that they would hang around their necks. They would use these to get access to the bathrooms and other places. Of course, the person posting didn't consider the cost of producing a thousand badges and then installing electronic card readers on many of the doors in the building. This would be the kind of high security system you see in TV shows. I wonder if the kids would find a way to disable those devices so that no one could enter bathrooms or offices. I don't see how this would keep the kids from writing on the walls, though.

Parents are annoyed that the kids are missing out on a couple of hours of education. So they should remain in class while the bomb squad searches?

I came up with a good idea. Since the schools stopped teaching cursive writing, they should take the next step and stop teaching writing altogether. Oh, that wouldn't work. They could draw a picture of an exploding bomb on the bathroom wall.

I thought it was funny that all of the online hate was being directed to the school. It's the kids who are causing the trouble. Posting an adult in the bathrooms all day long is such a bad idea that no one has suggested it - yet. I think they should have a dozen hidden cameras in each bathroom with monitors throughout the school. That would not only keep kids from writing on the walls, it would keep them out of the bathrooms.

The ridiculous online responses to this situation are great examples of why folks from the community should not be on the school board and making decisions.

EDIT: Just posted: "the kids are out of control in that school. If it was real they never would have a chance because they can’t shut up for 2 seconds and listen to what they are supposed to do !!" 🤣

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The last paragraph says a lot.....

Then there's the "blame" thing, rip the schools, not the kids.... Sheesh....

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

It all boils down to lack of discipline.
When I strayed at school, I received "swats" and it was kept quiet because there would be more swats at home if it made it that far.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Swats"? The teachers can't even touch the kids, let alone swat them. They can't speak harshly to them, either. Parents have more clout in the schools than the teachers and administrators. There is always the threat of a lawsuit hanging in the air. The teacher can tell the kids to be quiet, but that's about it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Tex-s

Bad behavior from kids is about 98% linked to weak parenting and weak parenting is 98% related to either one-parent homes or substance abuse by one or more of the parents. And statistically, the rates of single mothers skyrocketed immediately after programs began giving benefits to these moms, but only if there is no father in the home……

It’s wholly incorrect to blame teens for all of todays modern school issues, and it’s overly simplistic to overlook systemic policy that is directly linked to these issues. Still, our ‘leaders’ will adopt one or both of these stances.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I was a teacher for 40 years - all public school - JHS & HS. I managed my own discipline. Part of a student's grade (10%) was classroom participation and behavior, 10% written work, 80% test scores. (I collected notebooks after every chapter test which was graded on completeness, organization and neatness). If a student misbehaved or missed a homework assignment, I assigned MY detention after school for 45 minutes. I also called parents or scheduled a conference to discuss the student's lack of performance. I also offered individual tutoring or what I termed as "extra help", before and after normal school hours. I did not have many discipline problems that I could not handle. Occasionally, I sought the support of the principal or vice principal. I will admit that I taught in excellent school districts.

I also realize the school scene is very different from when I was in the classroom. My grandkids fill me in with details.
It's disappointing and at times alarming.

Mark

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

I honestly do not know the answer to the school problem. All I can relate is that when I was in grade, junior, and high school we had discipline. We also had a dress code, it helped, but not by much.
Sure there were writing on the bathroom walls, but those took the form of "for a good time, call -------- 000-0000" or "------is free" or "----you," well, you get the picture.
But as far as the kids today, maybe an answer is to much TV. And to much blood and guts games?

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

While having cameras inside a bathroom would be illegal, there is no problem having one outside showing who is going into the bathroom. This may not eliminate the guilty absolutely but would be a deterrent and also greatly reduce the number of suspects to a handful that used the facility prior to the note being discovered.

Dannj

I’m sure teaching in “excellent school districts” had a lot to do with your success. When the Board, administrators, teachers, and parents are on the same page, the kids are set up for success. My wife is a retired teacher and worked in an excellent district and that was her experience also.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

In my opinion the problem is Public School Administration. The "participation award mentality" and total lack of discipline and consequences has made the only solution to somehow afford put your children in private schools.
The kids that want to learn should not be penalized by the ones that don't.

Canisdirus

I certainly remember bomb threats back in my youth...fake fire drills too.

Not exactly new...and I'm sure there has been an increase...due to the internet...

And...the reporting has sure stepped up...which changes perception as well.

In the end...it begins and ends...in the home.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

There was a reason why there were public executions. It sent the message loud and clear, "If you mess with the bull, you get the horn!"

We have created a society that lacks respect which is due to being "soft on crime". It starts with the tolerance of what is referred to as "broken windows". Getting away with throwing a rock through a window leads to bolder and greater crimes for, "what gets rewarded, gets repeated". It's a lot easier to let the Genie out of the bottle than it is to put it back in.