Attack of the 3rd-Graders?
The shocking headlines out of Waycross, Georgia— 3rd-graders plotted to attack teacher, brought knife, handcuffs —lowered the bar on school violence and raised the alarm among parents, teachers, psychologists and just about anyone with an opinion about the country’s future.
The third grade plotters—nine students between the ages of 8 and 10—were allegedly readying a revenge assault against a teacher who had given one of the children a time-out for standing on a chair.
Tipped off by a student, police seized the kids’ menacing arsenal at school, including a steak knife, duct tape, handcuffs, and a heavy paperweight. The teacher specialized in learning disabilities, including attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, though it’s not known if any of the plotters had those diagnoses.
The sophistication of the plan—with kid-assigned jobs of covering classroom windows and cleaning up after the attack—stunned even the police.
“We did not hear anybody say they intended to kill her,” the police chief said, “but could they have accidentally killed her? Absolutely.”
The big question—who or what was responsible for the children’s shocking behavior?—was debated across the U.S. on message boards and Main Street.
The culprits ranged from peer pressure to parenting, with violent video games and television getting much of the blame. “Kids naturally think now that the solution to everything is to shoot someone like they see on TV,” one comment read. “I weep for the future of America.”
For the present, local authorities are uncertain exactly how to proceed. In Georgia, children under 13 can’t be charged with a crime. Being declared “delinquent” by a judge may be the only legal penalty, but the state doesn’t have detention facilities for third-graders.
Tell us what you think. Given the restrictions with the law, how do you make punishment for third graders fit the crime? How much responsibility do their parents bear? And what about the rest of us—should we also be accountable as members of society?
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Substance Abuse Counselor
I think everything around our kids has a positive or negative consequence. Parents, teachers, administrative system,…Currently I am dealing with my 9 year old son who LOVES to play video games and this is also an issue to look at…violence, prophanity, agression, fiction, in these games bring a respond to our kid’s behavior which most of the time is negative…what happened with those kids in Georgia might be influenced by video games as well even though it is just part of the whole situation…Counseling NEVER hurts …apology letters, and community service is great….it is just a red flag to get closer to our children…
Lucy Lopez | 5 months, 4 weeks ago
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Student probably very smart and manipulative
The student that they were dealing with is obviously very smart and probably very manipulative. Is it the parents fault? Possibly. Is the child abused at home? It is also very possible that the student is psychologically damaged. The student needs more than jail time. The student needs psychological help. I think that a good question to ask would be: why did these other children follow the first? Were they afraid of the student themselves? There must have been signs that this student was emotionally disturbed before this incident occurred. It is very sad that it had to come to such extremes before anything was done.
Children are all too often not held accountable for their actions. Their parents cover for them or in this case, the state. Some children use CPS to manipulate their parents. More parents should be knowledgeable of their actual parenting rights. Thus, parents let their children do what ever they want without penalty.
_ Police have rights that allow police officers from being battered and abused. They are servicing the public.
_Public school teachers are servicing the public as well, so shouldn’t they also be protected against such cruelties?
Anoynomous | 5 months, 2 weeks ago
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jczKdck
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baylie nicole pearson | 5 months, 1 week ago
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oh,my god!
omg,seriosly this should be tooken care of properly!
loretta lynn casto | 5 months ago
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This Is The Worst Thing That Could Happen
well i think that the children are responsible i hate that i have to say send them to JJ!!!!!!!!!!1
destiney hope | 5 months ago
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we love you
I love you so much and I love teacher so much and me
mrs.buger | 4 months ago
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The Best Day Ever
so cute
makayla lanae watkins | 4 months ago
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Texas Gowgirl
I am a teacher also, I have worked in elementary, middle, and high school and I just have a hard time putting blame on the teacher…. If I adressed each group of disgruntled students daily, I would have little time for teaching the curriculum. Those issues which plague students are to be adressed by counselors and campus coordinators outside of the daily class activities…
( Back when I was a kid, we’d have said these kids “Need to be taken out behind the shed for a few good licks!” ) However, that kind of discipline—although effective—- is no longer “appropriate” . So in reference to what should be done with the kids to ensure they understand the MAGNITUDE of their actions:
FIRST: I believe that individual and family counseling should be court ordered.
SECOND: Have each child ride in the back of a police car in hand-cuffs
THIRD: Give the children (with their parents) a complete tour of a local jail or juvenile correctional facility to help deter future behavioral problems…..
I other words, give them a taste of what would have happened had they been a little older……… and put the FEAR OF GOD in them….. for their own benefit as well as society’s benefit.
Shelley Jones | 4 months ago
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Bad ass kids!
I think it starts with parenting. If you don’t have any discipline in your home from the beginning your child isn’t going know that there’s consequences for there behavior. As a parent you need to teach your child how to make good dissensions and what happens when you make bad choices.That’s something that starts in the home! That way your child can conduct themselves in public,in schools and out of your vision period. As for those video games etc. you are what you eat (as my granny would say) .The parents are the ones buying these kids these games and allowing there kids to play them or even watch t.v., as a parent you should monitor what your child is inputting in there minds and in there bodies.
Tawana johnson | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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3rd grade Teacher
I was shocked when I read this article. I am currently a 2nd year teacher; 1st year teaching 3rd grade. Last year I taught 4th grade and the first thing I noticed with my new crop of students is that 1 year mades a WORLD of difference as it relates to the maturity level of the students. Unfortunately, I cannot admit to being “shocked” that these students were crafty enough to come up with such a sinnister plot against their teacher. We must take responsibility for the fact that in an effort to be a dominating force on a global scale we have inadvertantly exposed our children to sooooo much at such an early and impressionable age!! We have shoved violence, sexuality, and a myriad of other “vices” down our childrens throats by allowing them to watch television (in many cases using the t.v. as a “babysitter” when we need our alone time); we have purchased them the violent video games and allowed them to listen to sexually suggestive song lyrics. In many instances, Little Johnny CAN’T read but he can regurgitate the latest gangster rap lyrics from memory. We have created children that are capable of plotting and planning to take retribution against a teacher (once a very IMPORTANT and authoratative figure in the lives of our chidren). However, WE are also responsible for taking away the power the teacher once had to discipline our children; time outs are now considered to be corporal punishment in some school districts. We have taught our children that TEACHERS are no more than glorified babysitters for the lazy and disengaged parents everytime we “forget” to attend parent / teacher conferences because there was a more pressing event in our lives. We have modeled for our children the best way to treat our teachers each time we, as parents, come to school for the trivilest of matters and curse the teacher out in front of her classroom of 30 or more. If we fail to cherish and respect our teachers and treat them as essential members of society; responsible for educating the next generation of leaders, how can we possibly be “shocked” by the mindset and behavior of these students. All they are doing is following our lead (on so many levels) because our priorities have been left by the wayside when it comes to our children. It USE to take a village to raise ONE child- NOW all it takes is the local news, a really violent video game, and sexually suggestive music and prime time t.v. shows. WE need to shoulder the blame as a society for this group of youngsters. I really hope this does spark a debate and discussion about the state of our society and the most impressionable AND precious members within- OUR children! (Believe me, this is NOT an isolated event that cannot touch you in your corner of the world, no matter where you reside. These are not some “speciatly” manufactured and reared students. This is YOUR child and unfortunatewly MINE too!!). WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! DIDc you know that “WE” decide how many prisonsneed to be constructed in the future based upon the standardized test scores of the 3rd and 6th grade students?? What kind of county would rather or choose to invest $50K per inmate on an annual basis on the back end THAN be proactive and invest that same “TAX PAYERS” money on the front end to improve and enhance the conditions within our elementary and High school; even using the money as scholarship funding for the deserving. Again, just another example of our government spending our hard earned money foolishly!! I would love to read your replies to my comments!
Nichelle Buie | 3 months, 1 week ago
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