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Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > October > 30 > Entry

Police respond to school threat

By Megan Gildow | Thursday, October 30, 2008, 11:10 AM

Hundreds of parents and guardians have gone to Springfield High School to get their children out of the building following panic over an Internet-based threat of school violence.

Police are working with Springfield High School officials to investigate an Internet-based threat and believed there was no reason to evacuate the school of 1800, district spokeswoman Kim Fish said.

Fish said that the message district officials heard about and reported to the police — which police say was removed by Thursday morning, if it existed — was posted to an Internet site, possibly MySpace, and indicated that anyone who wanted to be safe should leave before 1:30 p.m.

Parents were lined up throughout the lobby trying to get through the process to remove their children for the day.

Students have been text messaging parents about the rumors, prompting many of the parents to go to the school to get their children. It seemed that a “better safe than sorry” mentality had taken hold of most everyone there.

“Any time I hear about any shooting or bomb threat… I take it seriously,” said Debbie Springer, who said she spent more than an hour trying to get her daughter out of the school. “They need to take it very seriously. It’s a cry for help.”

Janita Aikens said she came to the school for her son after he sent her a text message about the rumored threat.

“It was the tone, his tone, that told me he was scared,” she said. “Tomorrow is another day, but today I’m taking my son home where he’s safe.”

Students are not supposed to have or use cell phones at the school, Fish said. Schools have been grappling with how to enforce cell phone policies for years as they have become more common and smaller in size.

Rumors spread rampantly throughout the school over text messages and in conversation, students said.

“I wasn’t scared but I got freaked out because everyone was leaving,” said Freshman David Antonio.

Some students questioned the threat’s credibility.

“I don’t think it’s true,” said Senior Jessica Payton. “There’s been threats before.”

“I don’t know (if the threat was credible) but we’re not going to play around with it,” said Josh Williams, a senior exiting the building.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Permalink | Comments (128) | Post your comment | Categories: Springfield City Schools

Comments

By lsw

October 30, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Sad to say, it is a matter of time. Not enough sro’s, no mental health support in the building with 2400 kids and 4 guidance counselors who have to deal with testing, schedules, and so on. How could it not be heading in this direction? I have kids tell me all the time how scared and alone they feel at SHS.

By Concered Parent

October 30, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

I lived in Colorado for 17 years and seen the Columbine shooting and the Platte Canyon High School disater. Trust me when I say you need to think of the children in the school first. The Columbine killers posted all of their information on the internet and look at what happened. You need to evacute the school then figure out who is responsible. I have nieces and a nephew that go to that school and I would be really upset if anything happened to them. All I can say if you wait it most likely will not have a good outcome.

By Richard

October 30, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Children shouldn’t be texting in class; they should be learning. If kids paid attention in school we wouldn’t have many of the problems we do today. When was this threat posted to the internet? I wonder if there was time to react before the middle of the school day.

By commonsensegal

October 30, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I firmly believe in SCS and I wholeheartedly believe that lsw is right on track with the comments they made! Support for programs like the Safe Schools, Healthy Kids program do not receive proper credit for the fine work they do every day with the students. A large school, such as SHS needs to have proper counseling and mental health services for its students. Helping programs hurt no one!

By LizardKingLives

October 30, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Why do the students have their cell phones in class to be able to text?What kind of learning environment does that create?School should not be interupted.Increase security and allow the police to investigate and handle-but the education process should not be halted over a threat.That will only result in further threats by unruly students who think it is humorous to disrupt the learning process.

By LizardKingLives

October 30, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Why do the students have their cell phones in class to be able to text?What kind of learning environment does that create?School should not be interupted.Increase security and allow the police to investigate and handle-but the education process should not be halted over a threat.That will only result in further threats by unruly students who think it is humorous to disrupt the learning process.

By null

October 30, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Why not say what is really going on, we segregate and seperate our classes into north and south side of town, how did you think kids who barely get enough food to eat will react when put in school with kids who drive $30,000 cars? Everyone in this city knew it was bad news, but you still let the politicians step up and put money and fiscal savings over your kids safety and ability to learn and succeed!! Everyone saw this coming, I saw it every time I visited Springfield.

By student1-1

October 30, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

I am a student at SHS and I just was taken out of school for the rest of the day. This “shooting” is supost to happen at 1:30. A lot of the kids are very upset about all of this, and believe that we all should be released, just incase. The police or whoever may not think anything is going to happen, but it very well could. Us kids should be released to go home, and should be allowed to use our cell phones to contact our parents to at least inform them about the situation and let them decide if they want to get us. The school is not even calling parents to inform them about what is going on, which many find wrong. No one knows what is going to happen, but hopefully everything gets worked out and no one gets hurt.

By null - Teacher

October 30, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Listen to this kid, they were there, they know what’s going on. WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? until the gun is found get them out of there, if it becomes a problem with these threats, go from there, but right now it is an isolated incident and needs to be handled promptly and with all seriousness. How stupid would it look if they are kept there and a shooting does occur? Stop putting yourself and your stupid policies first, use some human common sense and put the kids first.

By null - Teacher

October 30, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Listen to this kid, they were there, they know what’s going on. WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? until the gun is found get them out of there, if it becomes a problem with these threats, go from there, but right now it is an isolated incident and needs to be handled promptly and with all seriousness. How stupid would it look if they are kept there and a shooting does occur? Stop putting yourself and your stupid policies first, use some human common sense and put the kids first.

By null - Teacher

October 30, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Listen to this kid, they were there, they know what’s going on. WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? Until the gun is found get them out of there, if it becomes a problem with these threats, go from there, but right now it is an isolated incident and needs to be handled promptly and with all seriousness. How stupid would it look if they are kept there and a shooting does occur? Stop putting yourself and your stupid policies first, use some human common sense and put the kids first.

By null - Teacher

October 30, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Listen to this kid, they were there, they know what’s going on. WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? Until the gun is found get them out of there, if it becomes a problem with these threats, go from there, but right now it is an isolated incident and needs to be handled promptly and with all seriousness. How stupid would it look if they are kept there and a shooting does occur? Stop putting yourself and your stupid policies first, use some human common sense and put the kids first.

By null

October 30, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

It does not surprise me at all that this is going on. Im shocked that it took this long to happen. They better get good security in the school and take that damn cell phones away. How can the learn if they are texting all day? I wish they never put these schools together. It is going to be hell! I will do my best not to let my kids go to that HIGH SCHOOL!!

By null

October 30, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

It does not surprise me at all that this is going on. Im shocked that it took this long to happen. They better get good security in the school and take that damn cell phones away. How can the learn if they are texting all day? I wish they never put these schools together. It is going to be hell! I will do my best not to let my kids go to that HIGH SCHOOL!!

By null

October 30, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I’VE JUST SPENT 1 HOUR & 15 MINUTES IN A LINE WITH OTHER CONCERNED PARENT TRYING TO GET THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF HARMS WAY! WHO’S IDEA WAS IT TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM IN THIS MANNER! IS THAT PERSON ALSO GOING TO ACCEPT THE RESPONDSIBILITY WHEN SOMETHING REALLY DOES HAPPEN? IF THIS WAS THEIR BEST PLAN TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM IT DIDN’T WORK! THIS IS HOW BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN THEIR REALLY WAS NO PLAN AT ALL!

By High school Mother

October 30, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

My daughter texted me from the girls bathroom where she was hiding because she was scared!! This is suppose to be a place to get and education! The board of education thought it was a joke and when I went to pick up my kids the princapal was laughing in the hallway as parents were coming to pick up there kids…ya some joke look what happend the last time someone that something like this was a rumor (columbine) Never take things as a rumor act on them!!!!I am taking my kids out and putting them in the county…this is not a joke this is real!!!! This world is crazy and crazy people are having crazy kids and our kids are in there range of fire!! That is why they need a male princeapal in that school not a lady that was a Elem. princapal..these kids mean buisness, not a slap on the wrist!!!!

By Stan

October 30, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Students have cell phones in class for a few reasons: one, parents will not keep their kids from taking them to school and two, when the staff tries to take the phones from the students, for using them in school, the parents become belligerent because we as teachers try to force their kids to pay attention to the rules. It creates a horrible learning environment but until parents begin to help enforce the school rules then back the school when it enforces the rules, then learning will not be effective. And what’s happening in the school is NOT a North South thing.. ask the students. Fights are still old rivalaries from with in the old school or amongst lovelorn kids who have been taught all their lives that violence solves everything. Don’t you DARE blame the behavior of these students on the schools. Behavior is learned and reinforced long before kids are in school and during the 17 hours they aren’t in school.. not the few hours they are.

By null

October 30, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

I agree with almost everyone’s comments. Thank God those kids have cell phones to inform their guardians of what is going on because obviously the school has done a p**s poor job of passing along any kind of information. I knew it was a bad idea to merge the schools … I expect many more incidents like this in the future!!

By null

October 30, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

I agree with almost everyone’s comments. Thank God those kids have cell phones to inform their guardians of what is going on because obviously the school has done a p**s poor job of passing along any kind of information. I knew it was a bad idea to merge the schools … I expect many more incidents like this in the future!!

By North High Alumni Class of 2008

October 30, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

This whole situation is crazy. There is no reason why the Students should not be Released. If there was a threat someone was going to bomb your house at a certain day or time I’m prety sure you would not be there to see if it was going to happen. It’s really sad that they destroyed North High School just so they could Build another South. Bringing the school’s together is going to cause problems like this. The Staff members could barley control the kid’s when they weren’t together what made The School Board think they could control all of them under the smae roof???….As far as cell phones go I think I would like to notify my Parent if there was a chance I was going to get shot while in school, but hey thats just me.

By student.

October 30, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

students should be allowed to use cell phones in class for this very reason! there could be a shooting happening and teachers are worried about kids breaking cell phone rules?! its ridiculous. if it were their kids in the situation they would throw a fit if a teacher wouldnt let them contact them. the school is putting kids in danger because “they think” nothing will happen! we are talking about teenagers. teenagers typically arent predictable. and the school is willing to risk hundreds of lives because they “think” they have it “handled”? if something does happen id like to see how well they have it “handled” then! combining the schools was a bad idea from the start but now they’re all just being ignorant. how can school be considered a “safe place” when all they tell you is that “they have it handled”?

By null

October 30, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I am a SHS senior who was at school today. First of all, the students still don’t know what is going on in the school. In the middle of the day is not the time to handle a situation like this either. I was not scared until a teacher told me how many cops were in the front of the building and advised me to leave. Being held in a classroom when you know you’re parents are unpstairs trying to get to you only makes you more scared. As to the cell phones, teachers were still in the dark and wanted to protect their students as well. If you think about it, even though it started as a rumor, would you want your child to stay in that environment??

By Rick

October 30, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Evacuate first, ask questions later. In a post-Columbine world every student should have a cell phone to communicate with parents in an emergency. Heads should roll for the way Springfield High handled this. I expect they’ll lose a few students over this debacle.

By null

October 30, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Stan:I agree that the blame should not be put on the school. However, you have that many students, a minimal amount of authority figures in that school, plus the students who’s parents don’t put forth the extra effort to be a part of their lives and discipline them … to teach them to have a drive to learn and to act like a human being and be respectful. Not all students get over on their parents and throw a fit when they can’t have their cell phones at school or in class. I am thankful that my step daughter had her phone so someone in our family could some idea of what was going on!! If it were up to me, both of my step children would be in county schools (and I’m a SCS graduate).

By shs parent

October 30, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Lizardking, your comments do not get any recognitionfrom me, you are obviously out of touch and as for Nulls comments regarding desegregating-are you serious?! I don’t think you realize the adults (some)are more apprehensive than the kids are about race, etc. Also, I agree that the counselors do nothing and finally, if there are students who are lonely then the best solution is a student driven campaign to befriend and embrace all students. Lets give these kids a break, they are far better kids than we give them credit for. As for the school not notifying parents—shame on you all. Get a valid plan in motion or face these parents if something bad were to happen.

By student1-1

October 30, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

My fellow classmates are still contacting me from school and are all really worried about the situatioin. The school should not be taking this as a joke. Even is this is just a rumor, it can happen. None of us understand why no one is actually taking action and trying to keep us safe. There are plenty of other ways the “shooter” can enter the bulding than just the front door. Or they might already be in there. Why is the school being stupid and not letting us out or at least trying to let us know what is happening?!!?

By null

October 30, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Okay, first off, for the schools—this is how you are trained to handle a situation like this ! Well, thats a real safe practice, basically there is no plan, because again Springfield shows its ignorance by not learning from other schools mistakes. Secondly, I love that the SPD determined that they seen no reason to be alarmed by a school threat, really….. why is that, was it their lunch time and no one wanted to go check it out, had a 10/99 call I suppose right. Columbine was written off as a “kiddie threat” too and we see what happened there. Thirdly, whoever stated whatever about the reason this is happening is because kids that are starving are going to school with kids driving 30,000.00 is way off base also. The closest to being on base is whoever said that the school is too big with not enough help services. To add to that everything doesnt have to be racial either if its not made that way by everyone. Finally, what in this world is there seriously blogs being posted about the kids texting their parents and concerned about the education if they are texting in class ? Umm they had their phones probably on them, pretty sure they dont text all day during class, that has nothing to do with this situation at all.

By onelovelyandalivestudent

October 30, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

im currently at the school and it is 1:40pm. nothing happened. i was reading the comments you guys posted and i just wanted to say that, when i was at shawnee last year, EVERYONE was freaking out because they thought there were going to be soooo many fights between north and south. and yes, there have been many fights, but thats from all the drama of highschool students!! not because of some lame rivalry that you think is going on!! so shut up already about how much south students want to jump all the students from north because thats NOT why this shooting threat happened. this kid must have had some serious issues that NO ONE helped/talked to him about. and i compeletely agree with the person who was talking about how the guidence counselors arent able to help BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY’RE NOT. this is just one of the many incidents that will occur if something doesnt change about that. there are so many problems in a teens life these days that no one realizes. parents, teachers, if you think something is wrong with your student, if you think something is just A TEENSY BIT OFF??!?!? talk to them about it please! we want you to. we’re just waiting for someone to notice. and if you dont do it, soon…it will be too late and they may end up like Zach Miller or they may even be the next bomb threatener. so effing stop complaining already and go save yourself BEFORE its too late.

By shs student

October 30, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

i was just taken out of school and i am so mad. these stupid problems are getting old and this is the second time this has happened in the last two weeks. From what i have heard it is gang related. we need to get all of these gangs out of school because they are disrupting my education. they don’t want to learn and they are all going to be in jail soon anyway. why should i have to leave the schools and they can stay and terrorize it? i am ready to be out of springfield city schools.oh and i am a junior and nothing like this happened before this big ol school came to be

By grandparent

October 30, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

A shooting and you are concerned about cell phones??????? come on people get real you need to be concerned about weapons instead of cell phones, if they didn’t have cell phones they could have easily been shot, if you want to have a high tech school please take some of the tax dollars that you get and put in metal detectors, duh!!! there are too many kids there to begin with, they should have left the schools alone, seems like no one is happy until someone is hurt or killed, get a grip, personally I think ALL the schools should be closed and everyone should be “home schooled” at least they wouldn’t be shot!!

By global perspectives student

October 30, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

okay so i just left shs and i know i was scared and whatever teachers try to tell you they are too, i hope this kid doesn’t do this i really don’t want to lose me friends and as for us using phones during school how ese are our freakin parents supposed to find out when the school isn’t doing their job by letting them know?! wel i don’t care i used my phone, my friends used their phones and we are all out so better safe than sorry and i would rather get out and use my phone then stay, and posibly get shot and not using my phone..whoeve is doing this…you are an absolute a*****e!!! and i hope you die!! i know that sounds mean but if any of my friends die i will be extraordinarily angry and so will the rest of the school…we new this would happen and i know the are at least three fights everyday at this school and i hope this teaches them a lesson!!! and if anything like this happens again the administraters better not sit arond like idiots tlike they are now!!!

By SHS student

October 30, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

OH and as for the cell phones, try to take mine away from me when something like this happens. this was an emergency whether it was true or not. we needed our cell phones.

By SHS Senior

October 30, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

I was at school today when this entire fiasco occurred. Honestly I don’t think I know of anyone who isn’t still at the school who didn’t have a way home. I wasn’t worried at all until my dad informed me to get home and that was only after I had sent him a text asking if he knew anything. My father works for the school system and if he tells me to get out of school I’m going to do what he tells me and advise my friends and classmates to do the same. As for the cell phone issue, personally my parents got me a phone so that they could get a hold of me if they ever needed to. Today was a prime example of that. No student had a clear idea of what was going on and that prompted me to contact my father when the school offices will not let you contact anyone with their precious phones. If its a matter of safety, do what you have to do to remain safe.

By SHS Senior

October 30, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

I was at school today when this entire fiasco occurred. Honestly I don’t think I know of anyone who isn’t still at the school who didn’t have a way home. I wasn’t worried at all until my dad informed me to get home and that was only after I had sent him a text asking if he knew anything. My father works for the school system and if he tells me to get out of school I’m going to do what he tells me and advise my friends and classmates to do the same. As for the cell phone issue, personally my parents got me a phone so that they could get a hold of me if they ever needed to. Today was a prime example of that. No student had a clear idea of what was going on and that prompted me to contact my father when the school offices will not let you contact anyone with their precious phones. If its a matter of safety, do what you have to do to remain safe.

By shs parent

October 30, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Thanks lovelyandalivestudent very well said. There are parents that care and know how difficult it is. So, if any of you out there are a student and need to talk, please do not wait to be asked. There is someone who will be glad to listen without judgement. And as for you wonderful SHS students, why not put together a ‘wishing well” rally to make sure every student feels a kindred connection to their new school and their new classmates? You guys have so much to offer us older folks in your bright futures.

By onelovelyandalivestudent

October 30, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

as for the senior, i totally agree. all students should have a cell phone in case of an emergency and the school needs to stop freaking being stingy about their phones. anyways, those of us who did not go home are still safe and sound in our lame seventh period class. [[2:05pm]] and in all honesty, at first i wasnt scared at all. i thought it was some stupid joke, but now that ive read that the some of the school board and staff and whatever were freaked, well…now i just wish i had left in case something HAD happened. but we’re safe as of now. so no worries :D!

By SHS Senior

October 30, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Its nice to know that everyone’s safe still but to think that something serious could have happened is more than a little nerve-racking. My friends and I believe that the teachers knew what was going on and the fact that no one told any of the students is seriously wrong to me.

By SHS Senior =]

October 30, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

onelivelyandalivestudent: Amen. I’m so happy nothing did happen but that I completely understand why my parents, and so many others, took us out of school. I don’t want to weigh my life against a threat. True or untrue it’s not worth it. And cell phones were used to actually calm down many parents. Why all you people are freaking out about cell phones is beyond me. This didn’t start with cell phones and it won’t end with cell phones. The problem at hand is the bomb/ shooting treat and the safety of my fellow classmates.

By NORTH Alumni

October 30, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

So all of this is just one huge mess. I’m glad that the students are still safe. With threats like this people like Kim Fish should not be trying to solve cell phone use problems in school. You should be wondering if The kids in class are going to be shot. It should not be a question to release the kids. If they had more help in school problems like this wouldn’t happen. If teachers are advising students to leave if possible I think that says it all THERE IS A PROBLEM!!! I hope everyhting is resolved ok and evryone is safe. The police better find who made the threats.

By onelovelyandalivestudent

October 30, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

you are very welcome and thanks for the agreements. im glad you understand. and yea, i realize how serious it could have been. i guess everything just took a sec to register in my head. haha. ^//^ im now honestly considering about starting one of those club things. dont students do that? like, what do you all think about a club for troubled students?? yes?

By fed up parent

October 30, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

First of all..everyone needs to shut up and quit whining about the two schools merging. Whats done is done. Today had nothing to do with it. I, too, picked up my student early today. What I saw was a bunch of ignorant parents teaching their kids how to be ignorant.I also witnessed school officials and police officers trying to maintain some kind of semblance in a bad situation. Everyone can sit back and blame the schools,and blame the police, but the ignorant person that started all this is the only one to blame.All the loudmouthed ignorant people caused more problems,rather than helping the situation.

By onelovelyandalivestudent

October 30, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

whatever ‘fed up parent’ just said is gospel to me ;3

By S. Vienna

October 30, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Thank God they DO have their cell phones to use in such an emergency. Obviously they texted their parents about it because they were scared. If they aren’t using them in the classroom, I hope they do have them on their person for this very reason. Remember Columbine, they called their parents from their cells. I am sad to hear of this, but how can you blame the schools for the threat?? Maybe if the school could enforce rules without parents getting involved, they could discipline the kids the way the USED to-with a paddle!!!

By null

October 30, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

GOD BLESS CELL PHONES! IF WE ARE SENDING OUR KIDS OF TO THE NORTH BATTLEGROUND THEN WHY NOT EQUIP THEM WITH THE SECURITY THEY NEED! I’M GLAD MY CHILD HAD THEIR CELL-PHONE AND CALLED ME TO COME GET THEM! I GOT TO SEE THE MELTDOWN & CHAOS THAT IS SPRINGFIELD HIGH! AFTER WITNESSING THAT TODAY I THINK WE NEED NEW OR MORE MONKEYS TO RUN OUR CIRCUS!

By Christine

October 30, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Why are people worrying about kids texting in class. The issue is that someone made a threat that could of come true. Worry about your own children and you won’t have time to worry about why kids are texting.

By Jenn

October 30, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

WOW is all I can say about all of this. My daughter called me from Roosvelt and told me about it. She was scared for all her friends there. Next year, when she attends SHS.. she will be loaded with a CELL PHONE for this very reason. I will NEVER take a chance with her life or my son’s.. SPRINGFIELD CITY SCHOOLS.. you’ve been given a warning.. please take it and implement some security and a plan for these types of issues.

By Pam

October 30, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I think it sounds like some of the students have more sense than the adults that are suppose to be in charge. We need more prayer and working together in our schools and less fussing and fighting. Cell phones have nothing to do with education. Those who want to get an education will and those who don’t will continue to do the things like we saw today.

By sarahlafalot(We Survived!)

October 30, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

i am a senior at SHS. i didnt hear anything about this until my 4th period. and by then a lot of students were gone. i didnt hear anything directly. so i figured it was another dumb threat like we always had at south. i dont text all day but i do hav my phone on me and on vibrate. i dont text all day because my friends are with me. but anyways my phone was in my pocket and it started vibrating.(this was in 7th period) and i took it out to look at it. (there was only 4 people left in class. all the rest went home) anyways i check my phone and it was my mom calling me! she works in london, ohio and she heard this rumor all the way there! she was calling ME! wanting to know if i was ok! come on now. this thing must have been pretty serious if there were like 20 cops and people all over the school. the only time i was really scared was in lunch. because theres so many people in there. (even tho alot had gone home there was still a lot of people in there) but i didnt take it as serious as everyone else because as soon as i got in my 4th period class our teacher told us there was nothing to worry about and the cops had investigated it and found the starting point of the whole rumor! from then on EVERYONE all around us was talkn about that dumb rumor. and about goin home. come on people it was a dumb rumor and was already investigated. it shoulda been over before it even started. parents were hearing about it on the news and everywhere else and started calling their kids to make sure they were ok. but i thought of this too the school should have called all the parents or on the news said it was investigated and students were fine because what if you had a gun to ur head and ur mom called and asked if u were ok. that gunman wuld tell u to say ur ok. soo ur parents would think ur fine but really u got a gun to ur head! so the school should hav said something on the news or called our houses something! well thats all i got to say. candy time. Happy Halloween everyone! ps there is like 15 fights a day in this school there was a riot yesterday of i heard 7 people fighting. real great school huh? dont get me wrong i LOVE this new school! its awsome but i watched the other day a very good teacher (principal of a small school now) in the middle of a fight. she even fell with them and was getting hit while trying to break them up! that was rediculous! come on now people. a few more years and youre free of this place! dont ruin it by getting in a fight! be matture!

By sarahlafalot(We Survived!)

October 30, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

i am a senior at SHS. i didnt hear anything about this until my 4th period. and by then a lot of students were gone. i didnt hear anything directly. so i figured it was another dumb threat like we always had at south. i dont text all day but i do hav my phone on me and on vibrate. i dont text all day because my friends are with me. but anyways my phone was in my pocket and it started vibrating.(this was in 7th period) and i took it out to look at it. (there was only 4 people left in class. all the rest went home) anyways i check my phone and it was my mom calling me! she works in london, ohio and she heard this rumor all the way there! she was calling ME! wanting to know if i was ok! come on now. this thing must have been pretty serious if there were like 20 cops and people all over the school. the only time i was really scared was in lunch. because theres so many people in there. (even tho alot had gone home there was still a lot of people in there) but i didnt take it as serious as everyone else because as soon as i got in my 4th period class our teacher told us there was nothing to worry about and the cops had investigated it and found the starting point of the whole rumor! from then on EVERYONE all around us was talkn about that dumb rumor. and about goin home. come on people it was a dumb rumor and was already investigated. it shoulda been over before it even started. parents were hearing about it on the news and everywhere else and started calling their kids to make sure they were ok. but i thought of this too the school should have called all the parents or on the news said it was investigated and students were fine because what if you had a gun to ur head and ur mom called and asked if u were ok. that gunman wuld tell u to say ur ok. soo ur parents would think ur fine but really u got a gun to ur head! so the school should hav said something on the news or called our houses something! well thats all i got to say. candy time. Happy Halloween everyone! ps there is like 15 fights a day in this school there was a riot yesterday of i heard 7 people fighting. real great school huh? dont get me wrong i LOVE this new school! its awsome but i watched the other day a very good teacher (principal of a small school now) in the middle of a fight. she even fell with them and was getting hit while trying to break them up! that was rediculous! come on now people. a few more years and youre free of this place! dont ruin it by getting in a fight! be matture!

By Jordan, SHS Senior

October 30, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Today was a very disappointing day to me in both the essence of the shooting threat, but also how the school administration decided to handle it. When first being notified of the threat, the school should have been lockdown. The police should’ve been brought in and the search dogs should’ve been let loose. There should have also been a reassurance from the administration to students throughout the day. I found out from my mother, yes through my cell phone, at about 10:30 am and it shouldve happened sooner than that. As parents began to come to pick up and call in for their children to leave, our Campus Director, JoEtta Cooper, continued to instruct parents over the loud speaker of what to do to get their children. And yet no reassurance the rest of the student body was okay. It’s sad to me that I can walk from one class to another and hear screaming from a student throughout the hallways, “We’re all going to die!” That is not the type of enviroment I want to be no matte what the situation.That right there should’ve triggered that the student body needed to be addressed, and yet still nothing. I left after my lunch period and that was long enough. Yes, it may have been a joke, but thats exactly what happened before Columbine, everyone thought it was just a joke. Springfield High school has turned into a conflict zone. Not between those from North and South, but between the so called, “gangs.” It is seriously getting ridiculous.I am an open enrollment student and I attend Springfield for the academic programs that only Springfield offers. But I,as a student, am very unsure of the safety and security of this schoo.

By D Wright

October 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

I have 3 kids in the school, when I pick them up I always see a group of black kids standing to the west of the school. I am by no means predudice, but my daughter was hit in the face last week lucky she wasn’t beat up. My kids tell me that this is an everyday thing. Why doesn’t the school do anything about this? Would it be considered profileing?

By lsw

October 30, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Wow! I am glad to see everyone commenting. I work for Safe Schools Healthy Student in SCS. I counsel kids in the middle school, and I am outraged that after this year I will no longer be able to do my job and give kids the help they need because the school district is only concerned with scores, not the child as a whole. Please tell me what child can learn that is also dealing with emotional turmoil, problems at home and school, with friends? I am confused that many people (adults) still don’t even know our program exists and we have been in the schools almost 3 years. Well, the grant is up, and parents I am sorry your child may not get the services they need as a result. This is not about reactions, it needs to be about prevention. Every child goes through stuff and needs a helping hand. I am praying for the future of our students.

By leary

October 30, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

About the kids standing to the west of the school. I drop my son off in the morning and they are there at that time also.I am talking about 15-20,I would guess that constitutes a gang? Why are these groups allowed to congregate there?Why are they not in the building?I know I would not want my child to walk by them.

By SHS Senior.

October 30, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

This is ridiculous. Everyone knew the merging between the schools was a bad idea, but the school board did not listen. The administration wants “unity” between the North and South students and it’s not going to happen. I can’t believe Kim Fish thinks it was unnecessary to evacuate the school, yet students were running up to other students they did not know and proclaiming, “You’re going to die today.” My mother tried to contact all of the school offices several times for an hour, but each phone call went to an automated message before I just gave up and left. I wasn’t going to stay and risk my life. No one has felt safe in this school since day one, teachers and students alike, and nothing has been done to stray our opinion. Something major needs to be done at SHS before several parents begin to withdrawl their children due to safety issues.

By student-4

October 30, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

i am a student at springfield high school the teachers were not taking the threats seriously i mean come on people collum bien was a threat and look how it truned out i just think that they need to understand a threat is a threat it should be taken seriously and not be just chill about it.

By Alumni 88

October 30, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Gangs were starting to be a real problem 20 years ago. It sounds like the students posting here have a major problem now. Truly sorry. Can’t imagine that along with everything else inside school. SHS has an opportunity here to address this right now and in a big way. Hang in there kids. Focus on success. Try and lead by example. Go talk to Spurgin. We’re all pulling for you and SHS to excel and you will. Next year coach..

By momof2shskids

October 30, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Both my girls have cell phones and this is the main reason why. I worked for springfield city schools and they never do anything to make sure the students are safe…they want to wait it out and then see what happends. I’m not waiting. If my kids had not have text me about it I would have never knew about it. And what if it did happen and my kids got shot because they wanted to wait it out!!!! That place is out of control. They should have released the kids and been safe about it instead of keeping there with some crazy kid with a gun…ya there really looking out for our kids. I am taking my kids out of that school tomorrow and home schooling them. At least I know they wont get shot here at home and I know that they are safe with me and I know what is going on. TO ALL THE SHS KIDS…TEXT ALL YOU WANT, WITHOUT THOSES TEXT MESSAGES WE WOULD HAVE NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS MATTER!!!!!

By hold the school accountable at the next board meeting

October 30, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

wow. how SAD that the principle was busy “laughing it off”. as many have already said, the school should have been locked down.i don’t know a thing about the threat, but until it is investigated it should be considered a substantial threat to protect the lives of the students and teachers. the board needs to investigate the way this was held and you, the parents of students at SHS should show up at the next meeting to demand answers.

By shs parent

October 30, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Yes, lovelyandalivestudent Students can initiate a new group. Seek the aid of other groups and or a staff member that you favor to get ideas of how to go about promoting this to others. Perhaps in light of this the school will allow a ‘lets get together’ rally. Or something. If you promote yourselves as a group of students 4 students doing well together and make it a goal to create a network to spread friendship and convey that everyone deserves a smile to brighten their day, a nice comment, help with a difficulty, or a network of outside groups and churches that kids can turn to..or even a weekly ‘chat live’ group so people can speak out annonymously. Spreading positive messages can be the mission or motto and this can spread. Good luck, I hope you do it and turn a negative into a positive :)

By Parent of Two

October 30, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

D. Wright, My two kids attend as well and everytime I pick them up, I see a group of ‘white kids” standing on the east side of the school. I also see “latino kids” on the north side. And let’s not forget the “asian kids” on the south side of the building. D. Wright, I’m not sure what you’re implying about those “black kids,” but after reading your posted comments and your inability to correctly spell “prejudice” and “profiling,” it doesn’t appear you’re very well educated which probably explains why you have such a narrow view of those who are of different ehtnic origin than you.

By because I care

October 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I am a teacher for SCS and am proud of the direction MY school is heading. (My school is NOT the high school.) Kids in MY classroom know that they can come and talk to me. Kids in MY school know they can go to a mental health worker if they have issues that need dealt with. Kids are needy; growing up is hard. Let’s make sure the high school is staffed with people that kids can talk to. If you are an employee of SCS, tomorrow look around you… do you see anyone that needs you? Take a minute to care.

By because I care

October 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I am a teacher for SCS and am proud of the direction MY school is heading. (My school is NOT the high school.) Kids in MY classroom know that they can come and talk to me. Kids in MY school know they can go to a mental health worker if they have issues that need dealt with. Kids are needy; growing up is hard. Let’s make sure the high school is staffed with people that kids can talk to. If you are an employee of SCS, tomorrow look around you… do you see anyone that needs you? Take a minute to care.

By Matt SHS Student

October 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Hello I am a senior at Springfield High I would just like to say that the administration handled what happened today very well. There were so many parents at the school to get their students that they handled the situation to the best of their ability. The ones at fault today were the students. Sadly they handled this in a horrible way. the students shouldn’t have overreacted and called their parents, if they thought that they were at any risk then they should have let the administration know instead of letting mass chaos break out, because what we have done here is let the people behind this get exactly what they wanted. and also in doing this we are letting them know that if things don’t change they can do it again, when ever they want. I wish I could instill the pride that I have in my community and my school in all of the students that attend Springfield High because if that were the case then we wouldn’t have any problems. whether we like it or not this school is the cornerstone of this community. When people come to Springfield they are going to look at this high school, and right now they are not seeing what they need to see which is the world class high school that I know that we can be :)

By Matt SHS Student

October 30, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Hello I am a senior at Springfield High I would just like to say that the administration handled what happened today very well. There were so many parents at the school to get their students that they handled the situation to the best of their ability. The ones at fault today were the students. Sadly they handled this in a horrible way. the students shouldn’t have overreacted and called their parents, if they thought that they were at any risk then they should have let the administration know instead of letting mass chaos break out, because what we have done here is let the people behind this get exactly what they wanted. and also in doing this we are letting them know that if things don’t change they can do it again, when ever they want. I wish I could instill the pride that I have in my community and my school in all of the students that attend Springfield High because if that were the case then we wouldn’t have any problems. whether we like it or not this school is the cornerstone of this community. When people come to Springfield they are going to look at this high school, and right now they are not seeing what they need to see which is the world class high school that I know that we can be :)

By parent

October 30, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I just called my son who is a freshman at SHS and talked with him about the situation. My first question to him was, “Do you feel safe at school every day?” His immediate response was, “Yes!” His perception is what matters to me, not what posters here say to disparage the good that happens every day in my son’s life at SHS. Am I angry? Yes…but my anger is directed at the person who allegedly posted the threat, not at school and police officials. Sick individuals make threats all the time, and I am content to leave it to the experts to determine if the threat is credible.

By sarahlafalot(We Survived!)

October 30, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

woops. dont push the “post your comment” button more than once. it sends it for everytime you push it. it takes a little bit to send it. just dont oush twice. =] just letting you know

By Matt SHS Student

October 30, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Sorry its me again and I would just like to say that as a student that the violence at the High school is not a North and South issue. It is just the students are seeing a chance when they can advantage of the chance to get all of the attention that a fight brings with no real danger (they get broke up in a matter of minutes) this is not the rivalry between the two former schools. these rivalries are between kids of different (unnamed)groups that is a very ignorant and over used phrase in this city that needs to quit now .

By Holly NHS c/o '08

October 30, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

It’s wonderful to know how much the community cares about the students and staff of the school. There was a threat and all anyone can complain about is the fact that students had their cell phones in class and were using them?! Wow. Maybe some of you should pull your heads out of your butts and realize what’s more important.. The saftey of those people in the school or the fact that, God forbid, they used their phones to get out of there. Why take the chance/risk to leave everyone there. Whether the threat was real or not, it was smart not to take the chance to ignore it. Why risk something like that?

By SHS Junior

October 30, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

What happened today was horrible. I missed out on a day where i should have been learning and studying for tests tomorrow. When we go to a school with the best curriculm in town, we shouldn’t have some idiots ruin our school. Our school likes to hide things from us, we should have been today as soon as possible, and we should have been on lockdown. I don’t care how serious the issue was. They need to find the students responsible for this crap and expel them. They do not deserve to be in a school where so many kids actually want to learn. It’s sickening that I can’t even go to school without worrying about fights, shootings,bomb threats. yeah..maybe we should just re seperate the schools.

By Richard

October 30, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

I have to laugh at all these morons who use terrible grammar. If you didn’t use cellphones during class, maybe you would’ve learned something. And to the parents with bad grammar who let their kids go to school with cellphones, it’s obvious where your child’s lack of enthusiasm towards success comes from. Kids need to focus on studies, not on texting or gang activity or sex.

By Richard

October 30, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

I have to laugh at all these morons who use terrible grammar. If you didn’t use cellphones during class, maybe you would’ve learned something. And to the parents with bad grammar who let their kids go to school with cellphones, it’s obvious where your child’s lack of enthusiasm towards success comes from. Kids need to focus on studies, not on texting or gang activity or sex.

By sarahlafalot(We Survived!)

October 30, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

we culd hav better grammar if we could stay in school and have a normal day for once. When did sex become a part of this? And texting isnt even the issue. The issue is that there was a BOMB threat and a SHOOTING threat! But I do agree that the whole thing was blown up into something really stupid. The whole issue was takin care of before half the kids even knew about any of it…

By grandma of 3 students

October 30, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

All of the students should have left the building.I’m glad the kids carry cell phones. They should be able to get in touch with their parents when needed or their parents with them. I think every student should have one. Why are the school authorities saying it was nothing to worry about? Don’t they read the news? It is a dangerous world. We put our loving babies in your hands 5 days a week all day long. We expect you to take care of them while they are at school. Shame on you! I pray that something good will come from this.

By casey

October 30, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

this is casey martin any1 i no posting commentS?

By missing the point

October 30, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

There is a time and a place for cell phones. Just like adults who decide to carry on full conversations in a store when they should be paying attention to the clerk trying to take care of their transacion. (How RUDE) I have students at the high school, I don’t have a problem with my children having them at school as long as they are using them at appropriate times. (after school to be picked up from practice, or in an emergency.) The real problem here isn’t cell phones, the real problem is the safety of our society as a whole. This could happen ANYWHERE not just at school…McDonald’s has had shootings. The problem is we live in a fallen world and things like this are going to happen. It is how we deal with those things that truely matter. As adults it is a shame how people are so quick to point the finger and blame everyone else. “it’s the city’s fault for forcing them together, it’s the principal’s fault for not controlling the situation before it got out of control, it’s the south end, it’s the north end, it’s blacks, it’s whites.” It’s sin people…plain and simple. It destroys a person, it destroys families, and it destroys communtities. All we can do is look to God for help, take RESPONSIBLITY for our own actions and EXPECT the same out of our children.

By SHS TEACHER

October 30, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Here is a funny twist on all the cell phone comments, if the students were not using cell phones, than this threat would not have made it around the building. However, as it stands the threat went from one phone to the next, inciting panic. Follow the rules people, they are there for a reason. To the parents that wanted the students released, studies have shown that the worst thing you can do in these situations is release the kids. First you lock it down, which would have left most parents out on Limestone St. Only after the situation is controlled do you evacuate the building. I am not trained to do all of your jobs, but I am trained to do mine, so instead of questioning everything we do, why don’t you try to support our efforts.

By SHS Parent

October 30, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

1) I let my highschooler stay at school, and I think that was fine. Kudos to the teachers who were calm. Sounds like the police thought that was the right thing to do too 2) I am glad my student has a cell phone at school - it is never abused. Cell phones are not the problem here. 3) I had assumed before today that SHS had a very clear system for dealing with every type of threat, including questionable ones. I’m not so sure now. If there is a plan, parents need to be reassured and informed of the plan. The thing I take away from all these comments is that parents were very worried, and that means we do not have a plan that works.

By SHS Parent

October 30, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

One more comment - I also agree with what many are saying - that students should have been informed. That might have helped. Let’s all learn from this.

By SHS Sophmore

October 30, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

first of all if we didnt have cell phones then yes no one would have known but neither would our parents and personally i dont want to wait to die to find out and as far as lock down goes cant lock down a school when the locks on the outside doors dont work!!!so warning to the staff BEFORE!!!something actually happens like this dont stand around like ignorant people and not do anything because as for i saw today nothing was being done and if it was dealt with then we should have been told about it since its our lives in danger!!!!!!(as far as we knew)

By SHS Parent

October 30, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

As the parent of 2 children at SHS, I am very concerned about the fact that this threat wasn’t taken seriously. When you have 2 of my 3 childrens lives in your hands, I would hope that any threat would be taken seriously, especially with all the tension that has been created by combining the schools. Personally, I am shocked & sickened by the fact that parents weren’t notified. Events like Columbine, Virginia Tech, & Paducah, KY are the reason these things should be taken seriously. Our school system has a plan in place for these situations, but someone decided that the threat wasn’t serious enough to take action & implement that plan. My question is, what gives that person the right to decide what should be taken seriously & what shouldn’t. If the school hadn’t intended to follow the lock down procedure the parents should have been notified, at least to reassure the parents if nothing else. As I seen posted in an earlier comment from a teacher—-rules (and plans) are in place for a reason, FOLLOW THEM.

By Sara

October 30, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

I’m a Wittenberg student, and we heard about this today. We have a system the sends emergency text messages to registered cell phones in case anything like this ever happens. Our parents get notified, and we get notified. If you think some high school students aren’t smart enough to pull something like this off, think again. Take a look at what’s been going on at different colleges across the U.S. with these things. Make resources available, open SOME line of communication, instill a zero-tolerance policy for these threats, let students go home if they feel threatened and don’t put up with any of this nonsense. I don’t want to go to college in a town where they can’t even handle a few unruly high school students. Take care of the problem NOW, not later.

By SHS Senior 09

October 30, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Okay well today was just stupid like how the schools are combined. Half of teh classrooms are empty and around the doors is all glass. So my first concern is that the high school doesn’t even have a lock down system set up yet. Second, yes we should take things like this seriously and would you rather have your kid be killed or be safe. I mean i go to a school with 2000 other people and you don’t know who half of them are. You don’t know lifestyles or anything. The staff at the school doesn’t know what kids go through in their home lives to maybe make them think that the only way to solve anything is by violence or maybe they get picked on and are tired of it. I mean a few years ago I was almost in one of these things happening. I had no cell phone no way to contact my parents or anything. I was scared cause all I heard was what the teachers were telling us. They found the kid, who was going to do a Columbine, and now i have no idea where he is but i know he is still around. I mean if he really wanted to do something like that then his family life must of been rough. But all-in-all kids should not have to feel threatened by other students their age and the staff at Springfield High should be able to make the kids feel safe not scared for their lives.

By Jenny

October 31, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

I am so tired of hearing everyone say that the kids shouldne be texting in school. If the teachers and police will not inform the parents of a serious threat then I would hope the kids would. In this day and age we need all the help we can get, threats of school violence is no joke and I would rather my son be alive and well and sitting in detention for texting me then dead! My son goes to Roosevelt Middle School and I also took him home as I heard there was a threat made. You should NEVER take these kind of threats lightly!

By JJ

October 31, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

SCS can use that automated phone system to annoy—er, call—me three times a day to tell me football tickets are on sale, but utters not a peep as to why there are six or seven cop cars and a news crew in front of the building. Then when we go to pull our children out, school personnel won’t let them come to us. Often I feel as if SCS has forgotten that we are the parents, not them. Whether we always know best or not, we do the best we can to protect our children. I’m terribly sorry if we pesky human beings make education hard, but without us it’s not really necessary.

By stan

October 31, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Didn’t take it seriously? really? The police were called. They investigated and found nothing. Should the school call parents every five minutes and tell them everything is ok.. no need to worry?! I agree that better communication with students, staff and parents could have calmed the situation and that will be addressed. The most frightening part of the day for this teacher was seeing all the unknowns in the building, the people here to get kids, because I didn’t know who THEY were and what they would do if they didn’t get their way or who might just slip by security in the confusion. I agree, next time, lock it down. Keep the kids in and the unknowns out. Then everyone is safe. And to responde to JJ, we know you are the parents, but there are a few, and, JJ, probably not you, but a few who better start acting like parents and taking control of their children and stop blaming the schools and the teachers, because it’s their children who are causing these situations. To paraphrase then quote Barack Obama, institutions aren’t the ones “who makes sure their children are in school on time, helps them with their homework after dinner, and attends those parent- teacher conferences. No (institution) can turn off the TV set or put away the video games or read to your children. But (schools and teachers) can help parents do a better job.” And that’s what schools are trying to do.. is help everyone do a better job. It cannot be done by one or the other of us, but both of us!!

By Tom

October 31, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t there a big meeting where concerned citizens asked that security people not be removed from the high school? Didn’t the high school beg central office for more help in getting this school off the ground? You watch - the big-wigs of the district are going to blame the teachers and principles when they only have themselves to blame.

By PARENT

October 31, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

AFTER READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY SO CALLED CONCERNED PARENTS… DO YOU REALIZE HOW DUMB YOU SOUND?! CELL PHONES ARE NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE! MY CHILD TEXTED ME YESTERDAY TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE SCHOOL DIDN’T CONTACT ME AND TO BE HONEST, THE SCHOOL STAFF SHOWED NO CONCERN FOR THE THREAT!!! I PICKED MY CHILD UP YESTERDAY AND WATCHING THE PRINCIPAL LAUGHING AS IF THERE WASN’T A THREAT, IS VERY DISTURBING! THERE SEEMED TO BE NO CONCERN FROM ANY STAFF MEMBER AT SPRINGFIELD HIGH! MY CHILD WILL CARRY A CELL PHONE FROM NOW ON AND SITUATIONS LIKE YESTERDAY MAKE MY DECISION EVEN EASIER. AS A PARENT, I SHOULD FEEL SAFE THAT MY CHILD IS IN SCHOOL BUT MY CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFER WALKING THE STREETS. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED IN SPRINGFIELD CITY STAFF AND THE PRINCIPAL. FOR ALL I CARE, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR THE POSITION! I WANT SOMEONE IN THAT POSITION WHO ACTUALLY CARES FOR THE STUDENTS AND THEIR SAFETY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN KICK ROCKS FOR THEIR SO CALLED COMMENTS… THAT’S WHY TWO MOTHERS GOT SHOT AND KILLED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPT. DID EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO PROTECT THEM. MY TAX MONEY IS BEING USED POORLY!!! FOR ALL THE PARENTS THAT ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN… PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK FOR GOING TO THE SCHOOL AND GETTING YOUR CHILD EVEN WHEN THE STAFF AND POLICE STATED THAT THEIR REALLY WASN’T A CONCERN! GREAT SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY… ITS A JOKE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REALIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By PARENT

October 31, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

AFTER READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY SO CALLED CONCERNED PARENTS… DO YOU REALIZE HOW DUMB YOU SOUND?! CELL PHONES ARE NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE! MY CHILD TEXTED ME YESTERDAY TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE SCHOOL DIDN’T CONTACT ME AND TO BE HONEST, THE SCHOOL STAFF SHOWED NO CONCERN FOR THE THREAT!!! I PICKED MY CHILD UP YESTERDAY AND WATCHING THE PRINCIPAL LAUGHING AS IF THERE WASN’T A THREAT, IS VERY DISTURBING! THERE SEEMED TO BE NO CONCERN FROM ANY STAFF MEMBER AT SPRINGFIELD HIGH! MY CHILD WILL CARRY A CELL PHONE FROM NOW ON AND SITUATIONS LIKE YESTERDAY MAKE MY DECISION EVEN EASIER. AS A PARENT, I SHOULD FEEL SAFE THAT MY CHILD IS IN SCHOOL BUT MY CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFER WALKING THE STREETS. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED IN SPRINGFIELD CITY STAFF AND THE PRINCIPAL. FOR ALL I CARE, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR THE POSITION! I WANT SOMEONE IN THAT POSITION WHO ACTUALLY CARES FOR THE STUDENTS AND THEIR SAFETY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN KICK ROCKS FOR THEIR SO CALLED COMMENTS… THAT’S WHY TWO MOTHERS GOT SHOT AND KILLED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPT. DID EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO PROTECT THEM. MY TAX MONEY IS BEING USED POORLY!!! FOR ALL THE PARENTS THAT ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN… PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK FOR GOING TO THE SCHOOL AND GETTING YOUR CHILD EVEN WHEN THE STAFF AND POLICE STATED THAT THEIR REALLY WASN’T A CONCERN! GREAT SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY… ITS A JOKE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REALIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the1andonlyjewel

October 31, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Instead of complaining about what is wrong with the system work together to fix it. The schools are combined deal with it. With so many students attending this school of course more staffing is needed. Security, metal detectors, mental health staffing, and teachers. Get it together Springfield.

By Dennis Kelly

October 31, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

If the school needs a “media consultant” to speak for them instead of a principal or superintendant with enough common sense to put together an intelligent response,it goes a long way toward explaining why this district, and every public school district in this county, is in trouble financially and otherwise. Oh, exactly WHAT is the plan for such a contingency and why wasn’t it followed if they DID have a plan?

By james

October 31, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Funny how over 500 parents could come get their kids by 1:00 pm and no where near that come to parent teacher conferences. Just like everything else, all anyone wants to do is complain, no one ever wants to do anything about anything in Springfield, complain about it, that will fix it. The school had parent volunteers who came in to help with security…how many of you volunteered? Part of the solution or part of the problem.

By CCHS parent

October 31, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

This is exactly why my kids do not attend City Schools. Forget the whole cell phone issue, that is nothing more than a diversion created by the schools to take the attention off of the real problem, the fact that no standard procedure was followed in this matter. The school should have been placed on lockdown and the parents informed by media, phone, or by child contact, that everything was under control and that the children were safe. Not informing the parents or the students of the status of the situation caused the panic. Last year there was a gunman holding a relative hostage about a block away from Catholic Central High School. Not only was the high school put on lockdown, but so was the elementary school on Lagonda Ave. Parents were informed by their children, the news media, and when they called that their children were safe and that everything was under control. SHS has too many students for emergency procedures not to be followed and/or implemented. As for the whole other subject of gangs that came up in this forum. Gangs are gangs, color has nothing to do with it. D. Wright, you are a fear monger who will hopefully not pass on that distorted view of race on to your children. I wonder are you just as scared if your child(ren) have to pass by a group of white kids, or any other race for that matter. I do agree that the kids should not be allowed to congregate in front of the school, for safety reasons, but then again that is an issue with the school and not the students. As for the principal who laughed at the parents who were concerned for their child’s safety…Shame on you! You should be reprimanded for your actions!

By null

October 31, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

who is Fish anyway? Who is paying her? Why couldn’t one of the principals or the superintendent or even a teacher be a spokesperson. Are we wasting more money on her? I’ve never even heard of her before.

By stan

October 31, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

To Parent: The staff showed.. the teachers stayed even though many of us felt unease with the situation. And get your facts straight. The police showed there was no threat.. just a rumor of a threat. TO CCHS parent.. the school did NOT bring up the cell phone issue, the public did. Parent did NOT say the principal was laughing AT the parents.. simply laughing. Are we as humans not allowed to have some emotion?

By KR

October 31, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

SHS held an assembly this a.m. in which the students were told they handled the situation childishly. Imagine that, children handling a situation childishly. Did the adults handle the situation responsibly? Where is the communication between the school and the parents? Parents should have been notified - we receive automated messages for everything else. All “rumors” regarding physical threats need to be taken seriously.

By KR

October 31, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

SHS held an assembly this a.m. in which the students were told they handled the situation childishly. Imagine that, children handling a situation childishly. Did the adults handle the situation responsibly? Where is the communication between the school and the parents? Parents should have been notified - we receive automated messages for everything else. All “rumors” regarding physical threats need to be taken seriously.

By CCHS Parent

October 31, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Wow Stan, here is a quote took directly from the article above, “Students are not supposed to have or use cell phones at the school, Fish said. Schools have been grappling with how to enforce cell phone policies for years as they have become more common and smaller in size.” Doesn’t “Fish” work for the school district? And as far as laughing at or just laughting…..she WAS laughing at an inappropriate time and apparently it was taken offense too. You need to get YOUR facts straight!

By LizardKingLives

October 31, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

To those who say the SHS staff did a bad job handling this - UR an idiot.I live half across the country & knew about it by noon.The SHS parents need to step and take action with every child that has a cell phone in their possession on campus and eliminate them all together.I went nearly all my life with no cell phone and got along just fine, in fact Great.Never did I have to make/recieve an urgent call the entire time I was student or a staff member working the school systems.If I did then the office staff are excellent at communicating messages on a timely basis.U can not give a legitimate logical explanation why students or staff possess cell phones while on the campus.

By commonsensegal

October 31, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

It is my understanding that Fish is paid with your tax dollars. Just FYI

By LizardKingLives

October 31, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

shs Parent.I have taught in the district and still have close friends in SCS district.I think I’m very much in touch and it is ignorant parents throughout the district that creat much of the problems that are prevalent within that district.The staff in the district can not discipline or take any other actions to control the environment without a parent stepping in a trying undermine that authority.A parents job is not to undermine the authority of the education system, but to enhance that system through support.In 3yrs teaching in SCS not a single parent asked me what they could do to help their kid perform better academically.I spent hrs of my time devoted to trying to improve the education of the students in my reach.A school district is only as good as the community around it…Spfld it is time for you to open your eyes & stop blaming those who are trying to help the children.Oh by the what legitimate reasoning is there to allow students or staff to use personal cell phones while on campus.

By shs parent

October 31, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Why were the kids told ‘they’ handled this situation in a childish way? I saw students and parents who where genuinely frightened. Not taking someones feelings seriously is what likely caused this (kid to do this). Shame on the faculty that said our students were immature because they felt the need to leave school grounds after hearing about this threat. Shame on you. And I would like to know when the next school board meeting takes place, anyone know?

By Class of 2004

October 31, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

I read all of the comments that have been posted. There were a few huge mistakes in the way that the situation was handled. The first being that immediately the school was not locked down. Followed closely by the fact that the parents weren’t contacted. I have a 4 year old that is suppose to start into the SCS in the fall. If serious situations aren’t going to be handled properly then I will have to look outside of the school district. I feel that I received a very well-rounded education throughout the SCS but safety should be a first priority for the students and staff.

By shs parent

October 31, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

And fyi-Lizardking…I am thankful you are not employed by our schools any longer. As a parent my job to to advocate for MY child. I take my job seriously.

By Class of 2004

October 31, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Come on adults lets act our age! I didnt say this the first time because I didn’t realize that the 1 parent and former employee were going to go at it! You both seem to want the best for the children but lets show them by example. We all need to voice our concerns to the school board, as some have said, and leave it there. I think this is another example of how some Americans love to complain but not take action. I know that I will be in attendance for the meeting or I will make calls followed by appointments. I am challenging all of the others-students, parents, and community members to do the same.

By parent shs

October 31, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

There are real threats, and then there are rumors of threats. Both can cause panic. The fact that one is based only on rumor doesn’t change that yesterday there was panic, and the district needs to have a plan for panic as much as for real threats. You can choose to scold parents and kids, which is apparently what happened today in the assembly. Why not instead have a district plan for panic, even when there is no threat? Why would it have been so bad for an announcement to have been made, that there were rumors of a threat, the police had investigated, they had it under control, and students were to stay focused and study? Or was such an announcement made and we just don’t know about it? I’m curious what office staff said to parents (I personally don’t know) and what teachers as a whole were told yesterday. In today’s paper it says that the plan is not to inform parents of a rumor-based threat. Well, the newspaper sure had the story, and as a parent, I had to go online and read the newspaper at 1 pm to find out whether it was a real threat or a rumor. So wouldn’t it be better to find a way to communicate with parents? By the way, I think the police handled this well. And because they seemed to have it under control, my kid did not leave.

By JAN

October 31, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure what to say here! I’m totally disappointed with most of the comments. It’s sad that we are so critical of the SHS administrators and teachers! I don’t have children of my own at the school, but I do have family (students & teachers)there and if I could I would pull each and everyone out of the schools just to get away from all of the garbage that keeps filtering through the city of Springfield. We need to concentrate on fixing whatever problems there are by working TOGETHER. Not placing blame on this group or that group. Adults, Grow up! Stop encouraging the students’ drama with your’s! Help our youth become responsible adults. Some of the student comments made more sense than the adult comments. Sad day in Springfield!

By shs parent

October 31, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Well, I actually work outside of springfield and muct commute 2 hours a day. I would love to be able to attend the meeting if time will allow. My son tells me that today at the assembly a rep from the teachers union spoke to the kids and said,’ why fight in school, a real man would take it to the streets” Way to go and incite more violence. Who told you that you could speak on behalf of us parents? Why are these adults making statements to and decisions for our children without our input?

By Michelle

October 31, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

This is exactly why my children are homeschooled. We don’t feel safe sending our children to school anymore. The day my 2nd grader came home and told me they had a drill where they told the kids to “duck and cover” if someone came into the school with a gun, I realized that’s not where I want my child to be.

By null

October 31, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Here’s a thought: Your child is in DANGER of FAILING a class, or FAILING the OGT - parents don’t show up for conferences - they don’t have time,they can’t be reached on the phone, they are busy. Does anybody care? NO.

By Rosey

October 31, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Who was that guy that said “Be the Change you wish to see in the world”? Oh it was Gandhi - the man who freed India, who also influenced Dr. King. Sounds like good advice. Try asking what you can do to help and stop trashing the school. Get to know the teachers - ASK what YOU can DO to help. SHOW UP to conferences, get involved and have a voice that will be respected rather than disregarded as trash talk.

By Michael Vrooman

October 31, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

I am a graduate of North High in 95’. There is a reason that we all moved out of Springfield and will never come back. We have all heard about this “Springfield High” thing… and the reaction is the same among all of us…”Wow!” The stupidity of SCS administrators is unbelievable. North and South never got along to begin with, you can’t force people to be together and expect them to get along. The only thing that will be accomplished by this is the destruction of a great town. All of the people who actually WORK will move out of Springfield because they will not send their children to school with a bunch of thugs! Oh yea, and you might want to check and see how many of those”1800” kids actually attend. Your attendance is FAR below that.

By Mike 95'

October 31, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

I forgot to mention the fact that when I went to SNHS, we had 1200 students and SSHS had roughly 1500… You do the math! When your school system fails… so does the city. Say Hello to rising crime rates!

By 96'Grad

October 31, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Thanks for erasing what was North High School as well! Panthers? Red and blue? Anything? Gee… who made this new school? Bound to failure you are! I will enjoy watching your dis-function for the next several years until you actually figure out that it does not pay to hire a P.H.D from Grambling to run your schools. Good Luck! I… and the rest of my tax dollars will be in greener pastures.

By Karmine

October 31, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

If you look at the comments on this message board, you can obviously tell some people were educated at North and South. The spelling and grammatical errors are horrendous. If parents would spend less time bickering and arguing about things happening in the district and more involved with their childrens’ educations, the better off they will be and Springfield as whole. Springfield will continue to go in a downward spiral until parents, teachers, administrators, staff and the community work together to build a better school system and have a stronger moral fiber in this town.

By Mike 95'

November 1, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Amen Karmine! Actually, both North and South were good schools. The only difference is the fact that many at both schools either chose not to attend or did not choose to learn. You also can’t teach everyone. Some people are just too stupid to learn. This is where “The no child left behind act” failed. You can’t teach stupid! Currently, our teachers are wasting their time trying to teach a rock how to do Algebra! You can’t do it! Sorry parents! The world needs ditch diggers too. Some of these kids would be better suited with a shovel. Do not even get them near a computer… because… well… We all see what happens then.

By Springfield High Student

November 1, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Well im glad everyone who had there cell phones did. What if the rumor was true, and noone had a cell phone to pass it around or tell our parents, we would be dead. The school should take these things seriously. There no way i would risk my life for that. And i HIGHLY DOUBT a teacher would jump infront of a bullet for us. Its just ridiculous.

By 92 NHS grad

November 1, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

It is extremely sad that your children do not feel safe at school. When I attended North, we always felt safe. Spurgin was a counselor there, so you people who blame him are just wrong. The real fault here is your administration. You have one rogue superintendant(underqualified and a product of Affirmative Action). When you have cerebrally challenged adults making decisions for your children… then you have a problem. She made the issue for one school and took a ton of public challenge! Parents do not normally get involved, but in this situation, it was obvious to everyone but her. She lied to you through the newspaper to make you think that everything was ok… It was not, it never will be, and they can only lie to you for so long. This situation has the possibility of some serious litigation. I hope that all of you “concerned” parents join together and file a class action. If you were really “concerned”, you would take your job, sell your home, and move out of Sringhole as fast as possible. SCS is not getting any better.

By teacher

November 2, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

The racial joke above my comment is devisive and not helpful to any situation. As a teacher, I do not believe SHS administration took the kids’ feelings of fear and uncertainty seriously. They certainly did not communicate well with the students which would have avoided the panic. Communication goes a long way to avoid panic. Talk to the teachers, the staff, and the students and you would have had a better outcome. Instead you chose to laugh off the threat, go through the motions of getting the police involved. You should have locked down that school, sent dogs in, and then addressed the problem. If my child text messaged me that she/he was scared because of a threat rumored or real I would have beat my brains out to get them out of that environment. Better safe than sorry. Get the children out and ask questions later. Safety now, safety first, and always. What if this rumor became true. How many have to die before you idiots in administration start taking people seriously

By Michelle

November 2, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

I understand a lot of people who say that cell phones don’t have any place in schools, and certainly they can be disruptive. I’d be hesitant to take them away completely simply because they give a lifeline to students who are involved in any kind of violent or emergency situation while they’re at school. If it were my child sitting there, I’d feel a lot better knowing they were able to call for help if necessary. How about just teaching them that any other use is completely inappropriate during school hours?

By springfield mom

November 2, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Crude jokes won’t solve anything ‘91 grad. This whole thing is a mess. My son says there are fights everyday. He said there were 3 fights at once last week. The staff didn’t know which fight to break up first. He also says this is not a north/south thing. It is south kids fighting with each other and north girls fighting with each other. I believe that we as parents should have been notified immediatley. My son wasn’t worried but I called the school and had him released anyway. That is my choice as a parent that couldn’t live with herself if something had happened. He did not call me or text me. I work out of town and was called by his older sister who graduated 2 years ago. That call should have come from the school. As for the police I lost faith in them years ago, so having 20 officers there did not make me feel better.

By 91 grad

November 2, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Yea, my joke won’t solve anything… Maybe it will make you understand the fact that your administrators screwed up. Tings will not get any better unless you switch back to North, and South… You are retarded, cell phones are not the issue. The fact is… you got screwed… I bet you love Gary, Indiana because youmight as well move there. They probably have lower crime rates.

By 91 grad

November 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

By the way… devisive is not a word. Learn how to spell… Did they teach you grammar on the short bus?

By 91 grad

November 2, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

I think that thw word that you were searching for is dIvisive… Tardo.

By SHS Sophmore

November 2, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

first off 91’ grad that was a very inappropriate joke and racial comments like that are very offensive and are the root of high school drama. Comments like that one are often the reason why kids feel the need to make these threats because if we told a school official what was going on it would only make it worse. I am also very offended by the fact that supposedly im stupid because i attend springfield high honestly if i had a choice i wouldnt go there either but not all those kids that go there are that way and its definatly not a racial thing so please dont talk about things that you dont know about. The whole problem with this situation was simply non communication not a north and south thing either so dont act like your better than everyone cause you’re not. You dont go to school now and trust me things are obviously different so any comment that you felt the need to put out there was strictly irrelivant. Also for correcting peoples spelling and grammer you might want to look over your comments before you send them or decide to get on someone else over a mistake. We’re only human.

By someone looking from the outside

November 3, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

The insensitivity of this community is so appauling!I was a graduate of North and my three children attended this “wonderful” school system we have. Look at how everyone is pointing the blame.From cell phones,parents,teachers, police,etc.There is way more than enough blame to go around.The student, aliveandwell,can someone listen to her or him?A few of these students are telling someone-and eveyone is still making racial jokes and fighting.Teachers and couselors are overwhelmed-look at the class size.They know they are outnumbered with no disipline to back them up,and no school board to back them up.These teens have a lot on there plate…last month how many suicide attempts?How many followed through with these kids cry?Here is a cry for you…My son when attending 6th grade(sometimes the cry takes time to break out).He was skipping school,hiding out in the bathrooms,then the fighting started,bad grades(and yes,we tried at home helping with homework).He would come home and tell some of the events of the day.He was told many times he was a waste of space here many times by one particular teacher.I watched and listened.I went to a meeting for my son along with the teachers.I met this “wonderful teacher”.And you know half way through that meeting she said that exact comment to me.”He was a waste of space” Thank-you to one in particular counselor who talked to my son as a friend,pulled him off the side for lunch,just to see how he was doing.After that incident he now attends a school out of that “wonderful” district.He has B’s and C’s.He also wrestles.When I met the teachers his first year out in a diffrent district.The team of teachers met with us a lot through the year.And one of these meetings,something was said…one teacher spoke up, after about an hour long meeting;we will not give up on him.These kids in all grade levels sense that,if you are for or against them.Another visual,I was visting with my daughter’s teacher.When a student come in and said,I can’t get my homework,because the guy that shot me is in there.I’m not allowed in there.This student was home from the hospital,due to this shooting,and needed his homework.When did teachers need to be a referee in shooting battles? Oh, just a thought,because of all these new schools built,I think we can afford lot more metal detectors than you think.I know you would be surprized what you find…. Take these threats seriously…displine and get down to the root of why the threat was made.The is a reason.It wasn’t because they were bored one day. Another thought…how many teachers,couselors,school officals,school board members children and grand children attend a Springfield City School?Maybe a few. I know mine don’t now.

By null

November 3, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

Or, better yet move out of the city like my parents did 25 years ago. They said then that city schools were not a place to raise your kids. How many of you even care enough to make a sacrafice like that? It ALL starts with the parents!! It has gotten A LOT WORSE in the last 25 years! Why keep supporting an unsuccessful program? Get your kids outta there!!

By Teacher

November 3, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

The 91 grad needs help with his social skills. He calls everyone retarded and does not know the correct definitions of the word. Still falala. When he gets off his butt and works 2 jobs and does the things for the community that I do, and works to better himself by continuing his education the way I do then he can say whatever. But he doesn’t so I’m not worried. As far as Springfield City Schools, it isn’t a North/South thing, it’s a SCS administration thing. They choose not to listen to anyone except themselves. The community does not matter, neither do the parents or children. This is the way it has always been. This district needs more than an educational and financial overhaul. They need the whole administration removed and new blood brought in at reasonable salaries. Only when the foundation of SCS changes then the rest will begin to get better.

By lsw

November 4, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Wow, I feel dirty after reading all of this since my last post. I really believe the problem lies with all of us. I believe things were handled poorly, and as a parent, am glad that my kids do not attend in the midst of chaos that exists daily. I also believe many parents who have not had good relationships with the school system in the past are not welcomed in to be a part of their own child’s education. I do meetings as a school social worker in SCS all the time and am appalled at how daunting we make things for these parents. I believe we all need to come together as a community to help our parents and teachers educate our children so they can become successful adults. I only hope one day the system will see the importance of mental health in every school before something like Columbine takes place here, because bullying is a HUGE issue. I spend my days putting out fires and building relationships and safe zones for kids so they have a place to go before things get to this point. Who’s going to do that next year??? How many kids have to kill themselves, how many fights, how much violence???? I am so sad. I want to work with everyone to make this better, but it is extremely hard when the people making all the decisions only pretend to hear you, and then make the decisions they want.
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