Wesmere first-graders made paper hearts as a "random act of kindness" on the 100th day of school.
Wesmere Elementary School first-grader Cornel Darden III shows off the paper heart he hand-decorated for students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Wesmere first graders made 100 hearts on the 100th day of school as part of a large "random act of kindness."
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Let’s get real: It’s time American society recognizes that lack of meaningful regulation with respect to the AVAILABILITY of certain types of guns and ammunition is a major contributing factor to shooting deaths. Even the majority of National Rifle Association members favor sensible measures to keep assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, body armor-piercing, jacketed and hollow point ammunition out of the wrong hands. They know that NRA president Wayne LaPierre’s remedy of more guns is patently absurd! He is little more than a well compensated lobbyist for the gun and ammunition industry, who disguises his venality with rants about “Second Amendment remedies” and the necessity of having “good guys with guns” to protect our civil …
Administrators met Wednesday with police to discuss ways to improve security.
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, District 202 officials met Wednesday with representatives of the Plainfield, Joliet and Will County Sheriff's police departments to talk about campus security. In a letter sent to parents and posted on the District 202 website Wednesday evening, Superintendent John Harper said the purpose of the meeting was to "discuss short, medium and long-range ideas for further improving school security." Noting that the district meets annually with local law enforcement to review the security plan, along with conducting unannounced "intruder drills," Harper added, "Given last Friday's incident in Newtown, Connecticut, we thought it important to touch bases with our law …
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8:27 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Dismissal needs to be looked at. At Wesmere....the doors open and the students run out. The main problem is students are leaving the building before their dismissal time. You would assume picking-up your child at 3:40 would be ok. No, in some cases those students would be out of the building for 5+ minutes. Also makes me wonder when the students actually pack-up for the day, and how much … more ›
After the traumatic events of Dec. 14, Sara Latta-Young is working to provide comfort to the young survivors; donations will be accepted locally through Christmas Eve.
Sara Latta-Young didn’t want to just sit around, feeling helpless. Despite being nearly 1,000 miles from the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, the Plainfield realtor and founder of the 365Plainfield website felt she had to do something. Sign up for the Plainfield Patch newsletter. After hearing about the shooting from a friend living in Connecticut, Latta-Young decided to take action, so she got in touch with organizers from Operation Fuzzy Wuzzy II. The name may sound a bit silly, but the group’s purpose is anything but: the Connecticut organization is working to provide comfort in the form of teddy bears to the children of Newtown. “I can’t sit around and feel helpless,” Latta-Young wrote on her website. “I can’t sit here 864 miles away …
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9:13 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Just heard on the radio that the United Way in Newtown, or that area, is asking people to NOT send any more toys. They are overwhelmed with toy donations. They ask people to give locally to those in need. http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/world/story/2012/12/22/newtown-school-shooting-donations.html more ›
Flags are flying at half-mast until further notice.
Update 3:00 p.m. Monday: The District posted this announcement on their website Monday afternoon: We extend our sympathy to the families and community in Newtown, Connecticut for the tragic loss they have experienced. As with any incident that affects students, we share in their grief for the victims. Our thoughts are also focused on the safety of our own precious children who attend our schools. The following links will provide resources which may help you address this event with your child. In addition, if your child has any difficulty processing the information he/she has heard, please reach out to your school counselor, social worker or administrator for assistance. School District 308 strives to provide your children with both a …
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1:39 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
So you will keep your child(ren) home on Friday, do you have a plan in place to insure they are safe at home? Will you be there to supervise them or are you going to work? Have you communicated your plan to the school so they know you have done your proper planning? There is a fine line between informing the masses and causing mass histeria. Most involved do not need to know the details. If the … more ›
The National Association of School Pyschologists that addresses how best to address high-profile acts of violence.
In the wake of Friday's tragic shooting deaths in Newtown, CT, parents all over the country will be asked some very difficult questions by their own young students. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) offers these tips in helping parents talk about such tragidies: High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. 1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe…
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10:59 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
I would like to see ever local school district release to every parent the action plans for issues like fire, gun, bomb and lock down events that they have developed. I would feel they should also show how many times these items have been tested and results. The plans don't work unless tested against. Improve on them, make the place safe and stop and think that the only strength is based on the … more ›
RandyWakeman
3:24 am on Monday, February 18, 2013
Availability of guns has nothing to do with it, despite Mr. Bible's rant. Gun control fails on many levels: http://www.randywakeman.com/WhyGunControlJustDied.htm . Invariably, the 2.1 million uses of a firearm to prevent or thwart crime is never mentioned. Although the "mythical assault rifles" are mentioned again and again, the facts show that bare fists take more lives. Trevor Burrus, a … more ›