Feeding the fear

[ctg492]

This was what was on my news when I hit the site at 4am: Schools in Lapeer, Genesee, Sanilac counties cancel classes for remainder of year due to potential threats of violence, end of world rumors.No threats were on record, just the possibility. How is this making kids or adults feel safe by doing this???

[bunnys]

We get cancelled for the threat of snow at least 1x per year. At least this is cancellation for the threat of the end of the world. I think that's a lot bigger a deal than a few inches of snow.;)

[Wildflower]

This was what was on my news when I hit the site at 4am: Schools in Lapeer, Genesee, Sanilac counties cancel classes for remainder of year due to potential threats of violence, end of world rumors.No threats were on record, just the possibility. How is this making kids or adults feel safe by doing this???


I think all schools only had today and tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, that they were to have classes, and then students don't return to school until after Jan.1.
This has been common practice since I was a kid. So these kids will only be missing 2 days of class. Not a biggie in my book. School will be closed here the next 2 days due to a blizzard....

I would say that's a news grabber headline, made out to be a bigger deal than it really is....the schools are hoping all this hysteria will pass and kids will be able to start the new year at school in peace, hopefully in 2013. Understandable in my opinion...

[goldensmom]

This was what was on my news when I hit the site at 4am: Schools in Lapeer, Genesee, Sanilac counties cancel classes for remainder of year due to potential threats of violence, end of world rumors.

No threats were on record, just the possibility. How is this making kids or adults feel safe by doing this???

On wnem.com last night regarding Genesee county schools: 'Schools will close (Dec. 20/21) due to rumors that have multiplied as a result of social media and threats within local districts'. No mention of the end of the world. Ithaca schools are closed due to actual cases of flu.

[Rosemary]

The news is all about creating fear. So are political campaigns.

[puglogic]

The emotional disruption caused by the shootings, mixed with social media crazy kids, mixed with end-of-the-world stuff, mixed with adults bickering about whether we're going to fall into financial chaos soon -- a recipe for disaster. I'm sure very little learning was happening. Probably a good idea to just start fresh in the new year when things have calmed down a little bit.

[puglogic]

The news is all about creating fear. So are political campaigns.

Word.

[Gregg]

The news is all about creating fear. So are political campaigns.


Word.

Yup.

[ApatheticNoMore]

You have to admit those are some happy kids though! Woohooo two extra days off!! If only this adult could convince their employment to take such threats seriously, I mean the world might end ....

[gimmethesimplelife]

I think the problem here is that things in general now seem iffy and unstable and uncertain to many people. There are those who don't feel safe due to what happened in Connecticut, those who feel iffy about their jobs, those who perceive no job security, those who worry about the fiscal cliff.....I could go on and on, but I think youall get my meaning. This is atmosphere in which fear can easily reign. I think the schools being cancelled a couple of days early is a tad extreme but given the givens, I can understand. Rob

[ctg492]

After Columbine, parents were scared. Our little district we were in had all kinds of plans and rules. No backpacks/Clear backpacks, all kids should have a cell phone just in case, all kids should have an emergency ride from school like an older friend who drove and more that I don't remember now. We were scared. I debated pulling my kids from public school( like that would change anything), On the anniversary I pulled my kids from school and we went to the movies we had heard rumors. In the end nothing really changed while my sons were in school. Back packs were allowed again, no cell phones in class and the kids went about the day to day life in school.
I did read today that many schools across the country closed for the same reason. I hope things change without fear. NRA wants a armed person in every school, the kids would grow to know this is just life now.

[Square Peg]

I have a friend who sent her 12 year old daughter to school with words about running away, protecting herself, and trying to save as many people as she could if anything happened. I feel concern for a 12 year old who is fed that much fear of her school day.