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Post by novillero on Apr 29, 2008 11:48:27 GMT -5
Well, I had not heard of this until it was posted on nj.com/forums. The post speaks for itself, and I was wondering if we had anyone here who could shed some light on this... true, false, overblown, etc. sorry if my posting upsets you, but it is already out there and it may as well be cleared up as opposed to being speculate on (we know what happens then). here is the post from that other forum (you will see that I responded): 388. Razors at Borough Intermediate School
by inthenoo, 4/29/08 9:28 ET
"Treehuger" may be referring to the recent knife incident at the Borough Intermediate School.
April 10th 2008, a number of FIS students brawled and pulled out razors threatening serious harm to one other. Borough School Administration provided parents with diluted misinformation claiming they are "addressing infractions". Adding that "students exercised very poor judgment resolving a conflict". Students say the school has been growing dangerous throughout the school year.
There was a special meeting last Thursday between Borough School Officials and "concerned" parents. Various local street gangs had been brought up in the discussions. The School district employs a retired township detective who is investigating. www.nj.com/forums/freehold/index.ssf?artid=2309 |
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Post by admin on Apr 29, 2008 14:44:33 GMT -5
I have heard a bit that there was indeed some sort of problem with razors in the Intermediate school. All details appear sketchy and I hesitate to get too far into something that may be rumor.
I am glad it popped up on another site first, and not this one. We would get blamed for spreading bad info. Either way, it appears that something did happen, my sources are probably pretty accurate.
The bigger question is, if something is being covered up, what else may be? And are any alleged problems unique to our town? I think the answer is hardly. People would be surprised at the problems many affluent towns also have.
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Post by admin on Apr 30, 2008 16:44:10 GMT -5
As usual, when a tough topic like this comes up, I get emails. I will personally make a phone call or two and see if I can get any details as to what, if anything happened in the intermediate school.
With a topic like this, it is far better to get facts and squash rumors. Before you know it, someone will claim that the kids cannibalized themselves, getting rid of all the evidence.
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Post by andrewd on May 1, 2008 6:37:18 GMT -5
Due to the fact that this is an incident that is still being dealt with by the district, there is not a lot that can be said at this point in time. When information can be shared, I will share what I can.
Please remember that any incident that happens in our schools involves children that live in our town, and there are privacy rights that they all have which can not be violated, especially by anyone who works in the schools or is on the BOE.
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Post by andrewd on May 1, 2008 6:39:11 GMT -5
I will say this, however, the post that was copied above, which came from another site, does not contain the facts as I have heard them so far.
It is important to realize that just because someone posts hearsay, that does not make it fact.
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Post by sonofsilencedogood on May 1, 2008 13:39:18 GMT -5
I got it. Gunfire in the streets = the Boro is not doing a good job of controlling crime. Razors in the schools = privacy concerns & "addressing infractions". ....don't forget.... ignorant statements = arrogant people who think they know more than they do |
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Post by novillero on May 1, 2008 14:10:35 GMT -5
I got it. Gunfire in the streets = the Boro is not doing a good job of controlling crime. Razors in the schools = privacy concerns & "addressing infractions". ....don't forget.... ignorant statements = arrogant people who think they know more than they do funny, your statement comes off as arrogant too. oooh boy, the irony... |
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Post by richardkelsey on May 1, 2008 15:44:54 GMT -5
let's remember the rules -- and not make it personal.
Thanks
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Post by admin on May 1, 2008 18:22:29 GMT -5
As promised, I tried to get what info is available at this time on this incident. Remember, this did not hit our site first. I had hoped this topic would not find its way to the INTERNET, but it did. My concern is that rumors and hysteria will get away from us and that is not right, nor fair. It is for that reason I reached out to the schools and spoke with the FIS principal and office of the superintendent. They were all as helpful as they could be and are right in the way they are handling things at this point.
I see that Andrew posted a couple of things on this subject and he is right in everything he said. Andrew is right about the privacy issue. For that reason, if any participant posts the name of those involved, I will ban that participant.
Just as the schools are right to protect the privacy of the persons involved, they are also right to not advertise problems. Our town does not need it and we have to have confidence that situations will be handled the right way.
If this same thing happened in the township, we would see a very different reaction to how it appears in our town. That is a sad reflection of perceptions people have. I have said before, every town and every school has its problems, we are no different or worse than most.
The superintendent sent me a letter that was sent out to a number of parents. It is public so I feel safe in sharing it with all of you.
Above all, if any have concerns or questions, go to a BOE meeting and discuss them. The BOE members are accessible and happy to have people attend and speak up at meetings.
Here is the letter:
August 14, 2008
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I am writing this letter to inform you of an unfortunate occurrence that happened last week at FIS. Three FIS students exercised very poor judgment last Thursday in resolving a conflict. They chose to carry small/medium size utility knives to school in their pockets. Two of the students started fighting on the way from the gymnasium to homeroom. At no time were any weapons used. Teachers intervened immediately to break up the fight and Mr. Ribon, Mr. Latshaw, an Mr. Swinarski (Residence/Resource Officer) conducted the investigation. As soon as they discovered the students had a knife in their pockets, the police were contacted.
The initial consequence for any FIS student bringing any type of weapon into school is an automatic 10-day suspension, and the police are contacted. Depending on the outcome of the police investigation, the building principal may file a complaint against the student(s) on behalf of the district. Our district also requires the student(s) and parent/guardian to appear before the Board of Education for a disciplinary hearing with our Board attorney present. After the hearing, additional consequences may be imposed on the student(s).
This type of infraction is taken very seriously by the Board of Education and Administration, and we have been taking a proactive approach in addressing these types of infractions by our students. Several actions that can help schools move to proactive solutions are: smaller class sizes, emphasis on character development, improved instructional methods or practices, and improved classroom organization and management methods or practices.
Most of you know that the Board has supported lower class sizes and that we are piloting a new anti-bullying/character education program this school year. We have implemented new curricular models (IDEAL & LEADS) and have updated the scope and sequence for math, science, social studies, and language arts.
I believe that it is important to let you know what is happening in our schools, and that includes both good news and bad, rather than hiding the facts. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth J. O’Connell
Superintendent of Schools
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Post by quidproquo on May 2, 2008 5:49:06 GMT -5
You are right, if youth violence in school is on the rise a low profile is the best approach. Negative publicity must be controlled, who needs the bad publicity.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on May 2, 2008 12:47:19 GMT -5
This is getting more attention than it merits. I had seen the letter from the Super, and in a nut shell, these were goofy kids who exercised very bad judgment and thank god no one slipped!!!
I suspect a bunch of weekends performing SERIOUS community service will help these children develop the needed good character and better social attitudes.
Rather than reading anecdotal Internet reports..., just go to the next School Board Meeting May 12, 2008 7:00 PM.
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Post by novillero on May 2, 2008 14:21:36 GMT -5
This is getting more attention than it merits. I had seen the letter from the Super, and in a nut shell, these were goofy kids who exercised very bad judgment and thank god no one slipped!!! I suspect a bunch of weekends performing SERIOUS community service will help these children develop the needed good character and better social attitudes. Rather than reading anecdotal Internet reports..., just go to the next School Board Meeting May 12, 2008 7:00 PM. yeah, just goofy kids, right? And rather than reading the anecdaotal responses from a board of education official or the letter from the superintendent of schools, go to a meeting. |
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Post by admin on May 7, 2008 5:07:15 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0507/front_page/013.htmlStudents arrested after school fight FREEHOLD - Three Freehold Intermediate School students were arrested and charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon on school property on April 10. The intermediate school on Park Avenue houses students in grades six, seven and eight. According to Freehold Borough police Lt.MarkWodell, a call was made to police on April 10 by Freehold Intermediate School Principal Nelson Ribon at 10:01 a.m. Police officers responded to a fight involving three students - a 12-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy - at the school. Wodell said there were no injuries reported as a result of the fight. He said that when the boys were brought to the school office it was determined that each boy was in possession of a knife. The youngsters were processed on juvenile complaints and released to their parents. According to Wodell, the juvenile complaints were forwarded to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for review. The lieutenant said the school retains the right to take disciplinary action against the students. Freehold Borough Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth O'Connell said she could not release any information about the students, but said administrators were following procedures. She declined to say what those procedures were. - Clare Marie Celano
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Post by novillero on May 13, 2008 5:37:20 GMT -5
Three Freehold Intermediate School students charged in April altercation By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • May 13, 2008 FREEHOLD — Three Freehold Intermediate School students are being prosecuted over an incident that has recently received attention on local Web sites. On April 10, police were called to the school around 10 a.m. in response to an altercation among three students, First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. said Monday. During the investigation, it was determined that the three boys had knives in their possession, Warshaw said. The boys — 12, 13 and 14 years old — did not use the knives and no injuries were sustained, Warshaw said. All three were charged on juvenile complaints with unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon on school property. The boys will be prosecuted in the state Superior Court, Family Division, because they are juveniles. Freehold Borough Schools Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell has declined to release information about the incident, citing the students' juvenile status. In recent weeks, the incident has become fodder for Internet speculation. Posts about it have been found on various local news Web sites. Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS01/805130378/1004/NEWS01 |
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Post by admin on May 13, 2008 5:53:29 GMT -5
Three Freehold Intermediate School students charged in April altercation By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • May 13, 2008 FREEHOLD — Three Freehold Intermediate School students are being prosecuted over an incident that has recently received attention on local Web sites. On April 10, police were called to the school around 10 a.m. in response to an altercation among three students, First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. said Monday. During the investigation, it was determined that the three boys had knives in their possession, Warshaw said. The boys — 12, 13 and 14 years old — did not use the knives and no injuries were sustained, Warshaw said. All three were charged on juvenile complaints with unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon on school property. The boys will be prosecuted in the state Superior Court, Family Division, because they are juveniles. Freehold Borough Schools Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell has declined to release information about the incident, citing the students' juvenile status. In recent weeks, the incident has become fodder for Internet speculation. Posts about it have been found on various local news Web sites. Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS01/805130378/1004/NEWS01I had to laugh at the comments about the web sites that had discussed this. I think it is safe to say tha by the time the above article came out, we pretty much had the facts and were not speculating. |
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