Let me start by saying I had no idea that we received a terror threat to our schools a few weeks back. I volunteered diligently at my son’s school for what was close to five hours and the day went on as scheduled. It was when I was in my car and doing a scope that one of my friends in my broadcast mentioned it. I immediately turned on 1010 Wins (our local radio station) and heard the news. I was upset about the district deciding to keep schools open and as you know, I am a teacher and a parent. Why did they take this threat so lightly? I wonder… and I am appalled.
I know New York City Public School won’t even close for hazardous and treacherous conditions in the winter. They’ll announce that the weather isn’t good to travel but they will send teachers, parents and children off to school regardless. Many times the classrooms are empty leaving teachers to shift kids of all grades around because teachers weren’t able to make it or just wouldn’t take the chance, refusing to put their safety in jeopardy. I get that snow is almost never reason enough to close, but a threat of violence wasn’t severe enough?
I side with the Los Angeles school chancellor who made the decision to close schools. He took the lives of everyone into consideration and didn’t take any chances. Who is anyone to say that a source isn’t credible enough in this situation? These are innocent lives we are dealing with. As a parent, I was in shock that in New York, we hadn’t even heard about it. Even when I spoke to the parent coordinator in our school a day later, she said she wasn’t aware of the threat either. Why was it kept such a secret? I don’t want to think of what would have happened had these terrorist really taken action and done something. Thank goodness they didn’t. My point is, why even take a chance? I would take EVERY threat seriously after all of the recent events in Paris and in Los Angeles as well.
As a parent, I want to know what’s taking place at school and these fact should allow me to decide whether or not to send my child to school. In case of a threat like this, I don’t want anyone making that crucial decision with my child’s life for me. I felt bad as some of my friends in LA questioned if the school district there was overreacting and I beg to differ. They took the proper precautions with these innocent lives. These children are OURS to protect and how dare them think or choose otherwise!
WE have to remember that we have endured too much terrorism around the world and we just don’t know what anyone is capable of any longer. Let’s be wiser and stop worrying about them missing one day over an “uncreditable source.” Let’s think of the ramifications of these threats if they were to come to fruition. It’s just too close to home and these babies are our most prized possessions. As parents, we must unite and let our government know that NO threat should be taken lightly… especially when it comes to our future!
Sound off: What do you think? Don’t you think we as parents have the right to know about a terrorist threat?
I agree we should be aware of what goes on. I think with everyone posting on Facebook and Twitter, before the schools inform upsets me more. I think it is the school to be one step ahead hearing that my children are safe and what current updates are. There can be a text tree to keep everyone informed
I completely agree with you! I may not live there but I am infuriated this school district took the matter so lighlty. How unfortunate if something would have happened. Shame on the school administrators for sinking to the level of secrecy. As parents of NYC you all need to have a meeting with your school administrators. There is never an excuse to let something like this matter go away.