Pantagraph.com | News | Unit 5: MySpace threat has been handled

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

BlogHog wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:16 PM:

" I have to agree with many who have posted here. This is not the first I have heard of this particular student. In fact, the paper states Unit 5 learned of this recent issue Tuesday night. I was made aware of these threats Monday. To those who discount the threat as "rumor" or "over reaction", how can you be so sure? Consider this. Had someone taken the VT shooter's threats seriously, 33 young people would be enjoying their weekend, not awaiting burial. All ready the "copycats" have begun. Today it was NASA, tomorrow who knows? "

NCHS PARENT wrote on Apr 20, 2007 3:23 PM:

" THIS STARTED LAST WEEK. IT IS NOT A KID TRYING TO "COPY" VIRGINIA TECH. IF YOU HAVE KIDS THAT GO TO NCHS, THEY KNOW THE NAME. BOTH MY KIDS KNEW WHO IT WAS. HE IS A BULLY NOT THE ONE BEING BULLIED. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVED WITH THIS PERSON FOR AVERY LONG TIME. "

Concerned Parent wrote on Apr 20, 2007 2:41 PM:

" The Pantagraph article states: "Evidence gathered to date suggests that all presently known threats or alleged threats to student or staff safety at NCHS are attributable to one individual,” John Pye, assistant superintendent of operations and human resources for Unit 5, said Thursday. The district is taking applicable disciplinary actions, he said, adding “Law enforcement is pursing any possible criminal charges.” Inquiring minds want to know: WHO is this student? What, if anything, does his minority status have to do with how this is/will be handled and what SPECIFICALLY is going to be done. Let's not have a wall of polictical correctness and obsfuscation! "

Unit 5 Alumni wrote on Apr 20, 2007 2:28 PM:

" Ok im not only a student alumni i have also worked for unit 5. I was attending parkside junior high when columbine happened. Let me tell you people ever since 4-20-1999 when that week comes around rumors fly every year. Its always oh i heard so and so going to do this or so and so is going to bring this to school. Its never happened. I dont think anything like that will ever happen at a unit 5 school. Unit 5 has taken procations since that fatfully day, and when i was at NCWHS as a student we also had code red drills which are drills set in place in case some disgruntled student went crazy. I felt safe as a student and when i was working there I felt safe as a empolyee. Your students are in the best of hands. Remember kids are kids and the rumors during the week of 4-20 are always going to happen. "

It's spreading like wildfire wrote on Apr 20, 2007 1:58 PM:

" The 24 hour news coverage of events such as Virginia Tech aren't helping! I think the kids see the attention and want a piece of it for themselves. I'd like to know how many schools across the nation have had similar threats this week. I know that Monticello had a threat and brought in metal detectors today. These kids should be punished. If they think that there is something to joke about this, there's something wrong with them! High School kids are old enough to figure out the difference between what is funny and what isn't. Maybe if we set an example these threats won't continue. "

? wrote on Apr 20, 2007 1:21 PM:

" What was the alleged threat? Could he have just been kidding? "

? wrote on Apr 20, 2007 1:17 PM:

" What was the alleged threat? Could he have just been kidding? "

i am a teen too wrote on Apr 20, 2007 12:45 PM:

" everybody keep saying punish him throw the book at him do this and do that but why?'m pretty sure that a lot of people make mistakes and as mentioned earlier how do we know that the rumor didn't get spreaded out the wrong way? i mean i'm not saying what was did is right not at all but everytime a child does something wrong do we really want to lock him up for life just because a simply comment have been spreaded around? i indeed have a myspace and people constantly get into my profile and change some things i put down who's to say the same thing didn't happen to him. all im saying is what was said was indeed wrong but do we really want him to sit in jail for a comment that was made when we all in doubt don't know if he actually made it or not. just ask your kids if the have myspace pages and sk them do people be getting into the profile editing their pages then let me know how you feel. until please dont judge because neither one of us know who to blame "

to I'm Curious wrote on Apr 20, 2007 11:46 AM:

" I was thinking the exact same thing. I read on these blogs all about wanting more protection and for things to be done, but I know next week the same folks are going to be crying becasue the school district is going to need money to put all these new security measures in place. Can't have it both ways people. This is a situation where rumors have spun a situation completely out of control. "

to I'm Curious wrote on Apr 20, 2007 11:46 AM:

The Real Issue wrote on Apr 20, 2007 11:12 AM:

" I think we're overlooking the real issue here. Myspace is a blight on society and an unmoderated, unflitered way for teens to communicate with God knows who. Myspace is just a place for teens to post pictures of them drinking and doing all sorts of stupid and illegal stuff. It's more trouble than it's worth, and should be banned everywhere. "

..... wrote on Apr 20, 2007 10:53 AM:

" maybe they should look at what's going on in this kid's life that he feels that he must do harm to others. I think other kids should think about how thier actions toward someone can drive that person crazy. for instance: what if this kid is getting picked on and the teachers are not doing anything about it. maybe he has problems at home, maybe he's on drugs. this kid has some issues and he should be helped. Doing harm to innocent people is not the answer, but some of our kids drive other kids to think they must harm them to get away from them. This kid seriously needs help. it saddens me to know that my cousins are scared to go to school because they think something might happen to them. i ? if the ones that are scared are the ones that are mean to this kid. "

Dumb kid wrote on Apr 20, 2007 10:38 AM:

" He should be thrown in jail for trying to copycat. This isn't a kid just acting out innocently. He needs to learn that threats of violence are totally unacceptable. I mean, bullying is one thing, but threatening to blow up a school isn't a way to respond. He should have just beat up the bully. That would have avoided all of this. "

JJ wrote on Apr 20, 2007 10:27 AM:

" So why can't we know who this kid is and where he lives? If he is indeed suspended for 10 days he'll most likely be at home while his parents are at work. I would like to know that my neighborhood is safe and that he won't be out roaming causing trouble. "

2 concerned NCHS students wrote on Apr 20, 2007 10:11 AM:

" The threat probably is nothing, except the way the rumors are going are making it seem way worse. If we just had the facts this whole thing would simply blow over, but with the adminstration just letting the rumors swell is irresponsible. Please Dr. Knuckolls and the rest of the adminstration just let us know the facts. "

To Pride and Prejiduce wrote on Apr 20, 2007 10:05 AM:

" It's ridiculuous what always goes back to socioeconomics in this town. That is not how it is and no one is prejiduce or in favor of anyone, it doesn't matter where you live, that is not what this article is about so stick to the matter. And that's that a kid made threats to other kids' lives. That's what is important right now, the safety of all the kids. Stop with the feeling sorry for those in low socioeconomic status! "

I'm Curious ... wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:56 AM:

" Those of you calling for extreme measures, are you willing to foot the bill through tax increases? If not, then take it elsewhere. "

If ... wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:51 AM:

" these students are really living in fear, it's NOT because of the alleged threat on MySpace. It's because the media and the rumor-mill are giving the issue more attention than it deserves, making things seem more serious than they are. Some of you just get so excited about things and are so hungry for a cover-up/scandal, that apparently you can't control yourself when you post comments. That's too bad. Objective, thoughtful reasoning still has value. "

NCHS parent wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:44 AM:

" I agree that NCHS should be more forthcoming with information. I called school to get the information and called this am to see if this kid would be in school. I was informed that he is suspended for 10 days as is outlined in the school handbook. Please keep in mind that this kid is not subjected to ridicule rather he gives it out. He was put at NCHS after being kicked out of alternative school and set about terrorizing kids in school with no provocation. Not just picking on other guys either but girls too. There is simply NO EXCUSE for this type of behavior - this is a serious issue and should be treated as such. PERHAPS IT IS TIME FOR UNIT 5 SCHOOLS TO HAVE SECURITY MEASURES IN THE PARKING LOT AND ENTRANCES AS SCHOOLS IN BIGGER CITIES DO. "

Give me a break wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:33 AM:

" The kids are safe. The local schools are as safe as they can be. Don't you all remember high school and the exaggeration of rumors? The same people calling for this kid to be expelled are the same parents who complain if their little Johnny gets in trouble. "

hmmmmm wrote on Apr 20, 2007 9:22 AM:

" You know, all this hubbub really wouldn't be necessary if the government didn't stop suppressing OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS and allowed (or required!) high school students to carry concealed firearms in school!!1!1! "

Speech wrote on Apr 20, 2007 8:44 AM:

" Say all you want about due process, what should and shouldn't happen, and what punishment should happen to this student. The point is you don't know what it feels like to be living in fear like these students this week. It shouldn't be happening yes but you have to understand the comments written are out of fear and until the rumors are silenced, don't judge the ones that make these comments. "

No Mercy wrote on Apr 20, 2007 8:13 AM:

" Expel him, file charges, make an example of him. I say this because I dont want to see a VT incident again. But you people have to understand, the idiot students in these schools do quite literally make life hell for these kids until they snap. Teach your moron teenagers not to inflict suffering on someone anytime they see the chance and things will change. They learn that behaviour from their parents. "

another concerned parent wrote on Apr 20, 2007 8:12 AM:

" My daughter is a freshman and eveidently has had a runin with this kid, she bumped him in the hallway and he turned around and threatened her life. At this time the threat had not surfaced and she just shrugged it off, and now she is to scared to go to school today, but she is also worried about an unexcused absence. I think the district should give the students who do not come today an excused absence due to the circumstances. None of my children will be attending school today. There should have been a letter sent home to every parent letting them know exactly what was going on. But we only hear it through our kids. "

BlogHog wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:45 AM:

" If only a small percentage of what I have heard from students this week is valid, this individual must not be allowed back on campus. Have we learned nothing from the events of recent years and DAYS? Students have been expelled for much less. This situation actually warrants serious measures "

Normal Mom wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:38 AM:

" Discipline, absolutely, but what about the mental health of this child and the future effects on the rest of the children and teachers. "

never... wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:32 AM:

" I never have messed with that my space but i know many that have and do and in this case i hope things get resolved unit 5 is known for taking things slowly... believe that one!!!! "

Angry wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:16 AM:

" It amazes me how people without first-hand knowledge like to perpetuate false information. Remember the game of telephone you played as a child? Imagine playing it with around 1400 students. This story has been twisted and embellished beyond belief. Of course it should be investigated and taken seriously. After Columbine, every potential threat has to be taken seriously. As for preparing the students in the event that something would ever happen, we have been discussing this ever since Columbine. It's not new this week. I am glad that we are as prepared as we can be for any situation. Unfortunately, it's the reality we live in in this day and age. "

jay tee wrote on Apr 20, 2007 6:40 AM:

" people, bad parents make bad children. but in this town the bad parents get paid when the police get involved wwith their bad children. Hold the parents responsible for the childrens actiosn then things with change "

To: concerned Parent wrote on Apr 20, 2007 6:30 AM:

" Instead of complaining, you should be offering solutions. At least document what you think was done wrong and what should have happened. Instead, you whine about it. What communication should have occurred? Do they have to respond ot every rumor or just the ones that are true (and how do they know?)? How would all parents be notified? For example, I think that they should have mandatory drug testing throughout the year. I think that alcohol testing should be mandatory at school functions. That would make the functions safer for students that want to follow the laws. We don't need armed guards at the school yet. But we need to start strongly enforcing the laws. Also, I think that the parents of the threatening student are to blame too. They should be sanctioned too. I don't see where it is the schools job to enforce the laws. That is for the police and the parents. "

you know me wrote on Apr 20, 2007 3:12 AM:

" Nchs needs to work on security just as well as other schools. as a student of nchs myself i feel ignorant people would not make those type of threats if they felt they couldnt get away with it. its easy get security get metal detectors there are plenty methods step up and take advantage of something that could help save innocent peoples lives, its not hard quit being so cheap and do something about it "

anonymous wrote on Apr 20, 2007 3:03 AM:

" Wow this clown iz crazy, im concerned for the people that attend nchs and their parents for feeling unsafe at the one place they should feel comfortable. parents should not have to wonder is their child coming home safely. as a former student of nchs this is not being handdled as well as it should be. "

Pride and Prejudice wrote on Apr 20, 2007 1:44 AM:

" Unit Five has written the book on coverups and unequal distribution of punishment according to socioeconomic standing. Why did they sit on it and do nothing all week long? I suppose if this had happened at their have-not high school, nothing would have been done at all. I've seen enough coverups and misrepresentations from this school district to recognize yet another coverup when I see one. Just take a look at their districting maps - they literally go around apartments and rentals to make sure they aren't districted into their esteemed high school on the east side. "

tockers57 wrote on Apr 19, 2007 11:21 PM:

" Now they are taking cell phone videos in the locker rooms? I am SO glad I'm out of school! "

student2 wrote on Apr 19, 2007 11:00 PM:

" If the rumors are right it was a Youtube video (taken with a cell phone) of the kid threatening (who I'm not naming) another student in the nchs locker room. People had embedded the video in their myspace pages, and that was when it was discovered. "

student 2 wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:57 PM:

" This is just plain ridiculous. I think that the school handled this terribly. There has been threats and rumors all week and it took until Wednesday for Dr. Knuckolls to finally address the school and calm some fears? How do we know for sure it has been handled? The students need to know where this individual is! How do we know he won't come past the front door unless we know for a fact he is behind bars? Me and several others are not going to school until our fears are calmed! things like this are especially nerve racking after such a large shooting earlier this week. Besides, we must not forget, the single largest lone gunman shooting spree happened earlier this week... at a school. The poor lack of efficiency has left me as a student quite frightened and worried. I hope this is handled. A response should be made as soon as possible, do not wait a whole day. I hope when my kids go to school, situations like this are handled much better than this week. "

concerned parent wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:18 PM:

" I don't feel Unit 5 has done a very good job of informing parents or students about this situation. The rumors are out of control. I would like to see this student expelled and extra security at all school functions, on and off school grounds. As a parent, I find it very disturbing that the students feel they have to plan escape routes from every classroom instead of concentrating on their classes. "

common sense wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:17 PM:

" to "throw the book" and others...The only thing clear by your comments and those of others is that you lack any undertsanding of how the law requires schools to operate. It is also clear that you believe everything is a cover up. Maybe that is how the people you associate behave, it is not how everyone else behaves. I am sure you have all kinds of "facts" to back up your statements, like the dozens of others commenting on these pages. Here is an idea, get a copy of the Illinois school code andcheck out the case law the governs these situations. You might learn something and you will not sound so ridiculous. This is not make believe where you can wave a wand and make up rules as you go. There exists something called due process, that schools MUST follow. "

throw the book on him wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:14 PM:

" those kids from normal who vandalized did not get the book thrown at them....they got away with paying some money....if that was some under privilidged kid from west they would have gotten in seriously trouble for vandalizing the school...but unit 5 cares about one high school and one high school only "

michael wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:11 PM:

" im not really scared but i think the student should be expelled from school. i go to normal community and i know who the person is. i deleted my myspace, and you should too. "

Bonzi wrote on Apr 19, 2007 9:46 PM:

" I think the kid should be locked up. Don't make a mistake like they did at VT by evaluating his "mental condition" and sending him back out to the classes. To make threats like he did on MySpace is a major red flag that should be taken seriously. If the parents of this juvenile delinquent are reading this: Please don't make excuses for his behavior. Start parenting and come down hard on him if the authorities don't!! "

student wrote on Apr 19, 2007 9:00 PM:

" not going to school tomorrow. who else? "

There's no~~ wrote on Apr 19, 2007 6:56 PM:

" excuse any more. I hope the punishment is fast, and that it's not forgotten (sp). "

Throw the Book at Him wrote on Apr 19, 2007 6:51 PM:

" Ewww...I hope they really throw the book at him like they did the students who vandalized Normal about this time last year....boy, that really sent a strong message - their parents had to write a check.....oh, but this kid won't be from the privileged group so they will come down hard on him. Hope it's as serious as disciplinary action as they took against the jocks partying out near Danvers last year where the kid rolled the Jeep and got killed. Oh wait, there was no disciplinary action - state championship trophies in the trophy case trump being held accountable for your irresponsible behavior. "

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