Wednesday, January 7, 2009

How safe are our kids at school????

ok, so I have decided that this is the year of change for me. Because I am severely bothered by several things right now.
The main thing is something that happened at my childrens school. My daughter wasn't the victim but she easily could have been and the whole thing has changed me. I have been a different person since the incident...which in some ways is good and in some ways its bad. Bad because I am bittter and angry. Good because it has caused me to take a step back and do some serious thinking.
A girl my daughters age was almost raped in the school bathroom.
It happened back in November I think. About the time I stopped blogging as much as I used to. Megan walked in the door after school and says "mom, a girl was almost raped in the school bathroom". She didn't ask what rape is so she obviously already knows. She says everyone is talking about it but that she overheard that the teachers don't want it "getting out". So she says not to tell anyone. This is where my blood started to boil and my face started to burn and I started contacting other parents. The school of course gives out minimal details so God knows I will never get a straight answer form them. They are such a bunch of clowns. There for the paycheck and that is it!!! It has been on my mind every second of every waking moment and I am so angry that I don't know what to do. I wish I could pull my kids out of school and never send them back. I am the most angry because How in the H*** does something like this happen at school!!??? The teacher now sends them to the bathroom in pairs. But that doesn't make me feel much better. I feel like by sending my kids to school I am just throwing them in harms way. And that is not a good feeling.There is a very good chance that my kids will be homeschooled for the remainder of their school days. Because I know that the world is falling apart and this is just the beginning. And I know that if something happens to my kids at school I will blame myself and never forgive myself. I would rather know they are safe no matter how little patience I have witht hem at home 24/7!!! Some parents are brushing this off like it happens all the time and it's no big deal. And that makes me ILL!!!!!!! So , it's eating at me and haunting me and bothering me like crazy. I really want to hear what everyone has to say about this. Don't worry about offending me, I honestly want everyones opinion. I know you read my blog,so come out of hiding and comment!!!What would you do?? Would you pull your kids out of school?

8 comments:

Ailyn said...

HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN?
I have been scared to death about sending my kids to school. I really feel like there just isn't enough supervision for that many children.
I think that there needs to be more done for parents at your school to feel that their children are safe. What about on the playground? Have they increased the number of teachers on the playground? Just sending them to the bathroom in pairs is not enough.
Raping in the bathroom may have been just one idea that the person could have had. The school needs to make sure that there is no possible way that this or anything else could ever happen again.
They need to be in contact with the parents to solve the problem.
If they don't do what you feel is enough then I would definitly pull my kids out. You have to think of their safety first.
I know alot of families who homeschool their children. They all seem to like it very much. Lots of them have 5 and 6 children. You could handle it.
I feel absolutely horrible for you and the girl who was almost raped. I send up some prayers.

Karen said...

How aweful!!! I can taste your anger in that post, and I second it. My kids aren't school age yet, but I already worry about the dangers out there. Someone (i.e. parents) needs to get proactive and find a solution because relying on the schools to do it is fruitless. You could definately homeschool!! You have to make the right decision for your family though.

Devri said...

I have a feeling a lot more parents will homeschool their children in the next few years...

Scary.. that is what I say...

Fast and pray, if it feels right do it..

Devri said...

I was going to tell you, that I am a chicken to homeschool my 7...

AMBER said...

This is a very touchy subject for me as I am a believer in sending my children out in to the world to be an example nd to follow the prophets words when they say to be in the world but not of it. On the other hand I want to hold my kids close so that nothing happens to them which is a reason I foster I am trying to help kiddo's from situations of horror such as this The only advice I can give you is to make it a matter of fasting and prayer the Lord will let you know what is right for you and your children!!!Take care

Cookie said...

This is a tough thing. Personally I wouldn't stop sending my child to the school. I think being a part of the school is an important lesson that you can't give them at home. And unfortunately rape or other crimes are part of life. Of course, I agree, these things shouldn't happen at school. We think of a school as a safe place. But the reality is that the school is part of our community. I'm so glad this didn't happen to your daughter, but i would use as a time to teach her how to protect herself, at school, at the mall, the library, wherever! Not just self defense type moves, but smart moves. Like checking to see if anyone else is in the bathroom before you go in. Maybe carrying a bottle of mace? Never walk alone and things like that.
Of course, I'd also be up in arms with the school and the school board! Do you know if it was a student? a teacher? someone who just walked into the school etc?
So sorry you have to deal with this :(

Rita said...

It's scary sending our kids out in the world period. I often wish I had the patience and ability to homeschool, but honestly, I don't think I could pull it off.

I'm so sorry you had to deal with this -- it has to be so upsetting. My son goes to a small, really nice public school, but a new boy in his class threatened to bring a weapon to school and hurt all his classmates just last week. It had us all upset, because nowadays -- you just never know. But we dealt with it as best we could and the school was very helpful and handled it well.

I hope you have found some peace with whatever decision you've made.

Unknown said...

Don't know what to say. that is awful.

Really though, every day we send our kids to school they are at risk. We just need to make sure to educate them about the dangers they face.

And pray like heck!

And I don't think that sheltering them through homeschooling is the answer just quite yet. They have to go out into the world. We are commanded to do that. And, really it isn't just children in danger today...all of us are.

You do have to have faith that whatever did happen will be handled properly by the administration...and if you don't have faith in that get a transfer..that is what we did.