Henry.Talk

By Koz

August 29, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

I’m surprised Henry hasn’t hired Barbara Pulliam as the new superintendent.

By Larry

August 29, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Connie, thanks for hitting on this topic! The Luella fiasco was caused by a kid who obviously needs some help with personal issues.

The schools, HCPD and Sheriff’s Dept. were all on top of the incident immediately and I commend all their efforts. I do not think anyone could have done a better job than was done.

On to your question: Do you believe the schools are safe?

Inside the buildings there is pretty good security. Locked doors, security cameras, etc. And there is a working lock-down system.

At the trailer parks, though, there is no security fencing, guards or other protection. Anyone can enter the grounds at any time.

Which allows segue into perceptions, rumors and “let’s keep it in-house.”

This year’s racial tension at UGHS brewed for a couple of days and (to the best available info) an altercation with student(s) got the SRO 3 days off due to injuries. There were painted racial slurs on the walls and students wearing ‘colors’ in solidarity. There were rumors that “something” would happen at the Friday football game. There was increased police presence at the school and the football game. Even kids at UGMS were told they could not be dropped off at the game - a parent or other adult must accompany them, they could not walk around the track and must remain seated during the game.

I have several problems with all this, not the least of which is that no information has been released to the parents (or press) regarding the altercation. No information has been easily obtainable, as if somebody is circling the wagons.

So in answer to your query, NO. Although the students directly involved in an incident may be chastised or whatever, the wagon-circling mindset deprives parents and community neighbors of their rightful involvement. I believe that creates an impression that more is going on than they want us to know.

By Larry

August 29, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

And a quick follow-up. Even though the Herald was notified with quotes from a county commissioner and the school superintendent, they decided there was nothing worthy of coverage in the daily paper.

This can make a parent feel like we are kept in the dark and “official sources” want it that way.

By Mary

August 29, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

I thought the school, officers, and everyone else involved with the incident at Luella High School did a great job of trying to find the “alleged” offenders. Yes, lots of money was spent in the search but would if had really happened and there were perpetrators on the campus? There was so much mass hysteria that should never have happened because parents went beserk. My daughter attends LHS and yes, at first I was nervous but I figured that if she was not okay they would have let me know. She could have easily texted me with an I’m okay message but did not. The school told kids they could not use cell phones to call or text - but kids were doing it anyway. She sat near a girl who called her mom at lunch crying to come get her that 3 kids had been stabbed and it was kids from another school. My daughter eats at 12:49, way after the incident happened and the lockdown had been lifted. She stayed and said the classes were small but they didn’t/couldn’t do anything because they kept getting interrupted by kids names being called to check out. She did enjoy the nice, quiet bus ride home.

By Lynn

August 30, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

What concerns me is riding by Union Grove High School seein three police cars,and my son coming home and telling me that they have more police presence at the school now,why doesn’t the school infrom us of what is going on? Why do they feel the need to keep us in the dark? The schools are always saying we want parent involvment if that is so then why are not parents incouraged to come to the school?Why do not school officials not hold a meeting with parents and tell us what is going on? What did happen was a black youth was told to pull up his saggy pants and he ended up attacking a school official because this black youth thought the rules did not pertain to him.

By roy

August 30, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

My child just graduated from Dutchtown and only informed us of what actually occurs inside the school. Gang recruiting, fights, threats, etc. I am glad we only heard about this after graduation, because we would have pulled our child out.

Is this what public school has become? A place to recruit and intimidate. The students know who who belong to gangs, but are scared to tell anyone in case of retaliation. So no, the schools aren’t safe.

By Lynn

August 30, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

What is going on at UGHS is that clayton&Dekald counties thugs have made their way to our schools and now are causing problems to a once wonderful school system. I appauld the new UGHS principal for taking a stand against baggy pants ultra mini skirts and other inapporiate wear and I support him in every way. But on the other hand all of us as parents should demand a meeting to tell us what is going on as we have a right to know!

By mary spencer

August 30, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

I have been an educator for the past 25 years. In this time I can fairly say that schools reflect communities and the times, be it loud music, baggy clothing, mini skirts or what have you. Teenagers of all races are perpetuating the fashion statements link to hip hop music,MTV (and other TV programs)which offers great visual aids for our kids to emulate. We get into troubled wateres when we attempt to link violence, malajusted behavior and other societal woes on clothing or music. Violence is a big factor in our society with media and the other venues. Why is it surprising that our children are acting out? Children mimic their environment.Lets get to the real issues and not the appearance of an issue. The real issue is the way we are raising our kids and the influence of “the lack there of” brings to the schools. And although we would all like to keep moving to other places, eventually we will run out of places to hide and must begin dealing with the issues face on. I think Henry County Schools acted appropriately for the situations.The amount of money spent to insure safety of our children is limitless. School officals must do what is necessary for the times. As a parent, all I need to know is that everything was done to ensure the safety of my child and other children while at school. That is the bottom line.

By Supporting our Schools

August 30, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Ms. MARY SPENSER! So well said! I believe that you hit the nail on the head. I hope you’re in my childrens school! My children are in Luella Middle School. I love their school and I love Mr. Schmuhl. There, dress codes are inforced and there is a definite handle on those that get out of line. This same attitude is there when it comes to their saftey. I witnessed it the day of the stabbing. Everyone was quiet orderly. I was quiet impressed at how the situation was being handled and also really appreciated the way the emergency responders reacted as well. I saw wonderful communication between the school system and the emergency responders. I believe that there are definite hazzards in our schools, yet I also believe that they may not be quiet as bad as some people want to believe! Fact of the matter is, it all really does start at home, and we should be raising our children properly. If we ALL did, gang activity and negative behavoirs would be very minimal.

By roy

August 30, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I agree the parents need to be parents and raise their kids properly. That would solve the majority of the moral issues.

With that said, what about the school district doing what they should and stop the county crossing kids from coming over. Those caught laugh at nothing being done to them. Even Clayton vent made fun of our situation when Monroe did a blog on the issue.

By Hey Larry!

August 30, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Larry,

Unless you work at the Herald, don’t assume you know what “quotes” that publication was privy to.

By Mary

August 30, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Okay, if the schools are going to try to enforce the dress code(baggy pants, mini skirts, etc.) then they need to start with the cheerleaders and their “booty skirts”!! I’m so sick of seeing these girls in those skirts.

By DawgFan

August 30, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Mary, The days of Cheerleaders wearing poodle skirts are over.

I’m a parent of a cheerleader and have not seen any “booty” skirts on any cheerleaders. At least not at the Henry county schools we’ve cheered at.

Believe me they are very highly scrutinized. Not just by administrators, but by parents as well.

Don’t give cheerleaders a bad rap just because you (or your daughter)didn’t make the squad and have held a grudge.

Most of these girls are outstanding students, athletes, and citizens.

As far as are my kids safe at school? I really don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling. An incident could occur at any given time. After what I’ve seen in the first 3 weeks of school I’d be surprised if mistakes weren’t made.

By Mary

August 31, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

DawgFan,

WOW! How dare you assume I am holding a grudge. You obviously don’t know me becuase I don’t hold grudges. I was a cheerleader in high school and my daughter has never been and will never be a cheerleader because she chooses not to be one. She has many other activities that she does and is very happy.

As for the safety of our children at the schools. Yes, that was a scary incident but I thought it was handled appropriately. It could have been much worse and thank goodness it wasn’t. My daughter has witnessed many fights already this year but I believe the school handles those as well.

By Larry

August 31, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

For all you concerned parents and members of the community, there will be a forum to discuss recent events at Union Grove High School:

From: J. Dinino (Staff, Union Grove High) [mailto:sender@edline.net] Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 8:00 AM Subject: town hall meeting

Are you concerned about recent events in our school? Come to a town hall meeting in the commons area at Union Grove High School on Thursday, September 6, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Come prepared to share your concerns and help search for solutions. Special guests will include Tom Smith, UGHS principal; Dr. Jack Parish, Superintendent, Henry County Schools; Dana Smith, Henry County Schools Diversity Coordinator; Sgt. Steve Fowler, Henry County Gang Task Force; Minister Kenyatta Bush, Ministerial Alliance of Henry County; and Mr. Thomas Hester, Henry County branch of the NAACP. Email questions and concerns you would like discussed to mvaughn@henry.k12.ga.us.

By GR

September 4, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I will say this, I took my daughter out of public school last year because she did not feel safe and was constantly ridiculed at school for being in 2 special education classes and for being very petite and small so naturally she was a target for un-mannered children. For years we did go to the school principal and counselor and complained of the constant bullying she received on a day to day basis but nothing was done. We were always told we will keep our eyes on your daughter to make sure nothing happens to her but her school administration must have been blind sided by the threats of being sued so nothing was ever physically done to say the least and in one of the many occasions my daughter and some of her school mates had to conform their class schedules to accommodate the bad kids from being in her and her classmates classes when instead the 3 boys initially should have been taken out of the class and sent to Patrick Henry for schooling for bullying and disrupting the other pupils and the teachers valuable time. But something good has come out of this the teacher that was trying to do the right thing transfered to OLA H.S. and she is happier and my daughter attends private school where she is not categorized as being a special education student but takes the same curriculumn as the other students and is doing just fine and Oh Yeah, she has not received one single threat from another student and she actually loves school now and looks forward each day to going to school. The extra overtime I work each month was so worth me putting her in private school and I do highly suggest it.

By Getitright

September 4, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

The only thing wrong a Union Grove is the parents and students who want unlimited freedom to do/say/dress as they please while having someone absolutely guarantee their safety. When they don’t get either or both, they demand action and that takes away attention from the business of teaching at the school. The dress code at UGHS leaves lots of room for individuals to be individuals while maintaining a sense of decorum. These parents are the same ones who sign the note indicating that they read the dress code and then send their child to school in pajama pants and flip-flops. Then they whine about how bad the dress code is. Check out some of the students’ myspace pages and you’ll see what the schools have to put up with. Oh, I have a daughter who has been in ELE/UGMS/UGHS since 5th grade. I’ve witnessed these spoiled parents acting worse than their spoiled brats when they are held accountable. Kids - GROW UP. Parents - GROW UP, TOO.

By blah, blah, blah

September 4, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Getitright has got it right, but it’s not just Union Grove. It’s rampant. The lack of respect for any form of authority is no longer subtle, it’s in your face overt and it starts at home. What we teach our children at home is how they behave away from home. The example we set is the example they follow.

Freedom of expression is fine, but it doesn’t have to be disruptive, disrespectful or dangerous. Our children have the right to go to school without fear of being bullied, recruited for gangs or distracted by other students who find “acting out” to get attention or socializing as the primary reason for showing up. Or by being subjected to the gang influence from other counties crossing over into HC because they’ve lost control over their schools.

HC schools need the ability to mete out punishment that fits the infraction, that’s not the case anymore. It’s either over the top, zero tolerance, or utter stupidity if the student is a minority and the race card can be played.

We have got to apply such pressure on the authorities that they enforce residency for HC school registration. HC schools are strained enough, we don’t need the continuing influx of out-of-county students.

We need some old fashioned basics, less of the politically correct BS that is killing our society now. We, as HC taxpayers, need to demand school reform starting with a uniform dress code, preferably a uniform. Takes designer labels, pajamas and gang attire off the table.

The focus should be on education, period. If they want to express themselves, let them do so in band, journalism, sports, academia, school leadership, etc. Parents, we have to support the schools, participate and get involved. Be part of the change for the better.

Wonder how many cross-overs we’d get if we required uniforms in all of our schools?

By JV

September 4, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

A kid needs to bring a proof of residence to school with them oneday to see if they are out of district kids. If they are, they need to go to a shcool in their district. It doesn’t matter if you are white or black. If that happens, most of the gang problem will leave. On the other hand, If you live outside the district, you have to be in a magnet program, have academic records, reletives working for the system, and willing to pay tuition. It is not a race issue when it comes around the dress code. There are white kids who wear gothic clothig aswell.