The Crazies Are in Bloom

Two days ago, an irate parent walked into my daughter's middle school with a gun (it wasn't loaded, but nobody knew that until the situation was resolved), and proceeded to lock himself and the school superintendent in the super's office. He threatened the man, who calmly talked to him until he had a chance to knock the gun away and wrestle the man to the floor. Police outside the office then shot the hinges off the door and entered. No one was hurt.

What the hell? From news reports, the man was upset over a standard letter sent home regarding the "swine" flu in the school. He had spoken to the superintendent earlier that morning over the phone, and apparently felt he had to convey his displeasure personally. He was a former New York City police officer who had a son in the middle school who was home sick. Whether it was the H1N1 flu, or whatever, is still unknown.

The school went into lockdown. Police were all over. The SWAT team was called in. My daughter said they were in the computer lab when the school siren went off, lights began to flash and the PA system announced they were in a "code red lockdown". The teacher locked the doors, turned out the lights, and everyone had to go to the section of the room away from the door. Many hid under their desks for several hours. No one really knew what was going on. They could see police outside, and at one point the ambulance carried somebody away on a stretcher. After three hours and a thorough search of the school, an "all clear" was issued.

What the hell? What are people thinking? This is a small town outside of New York. It could be a small town

anywhere. To go into a school with 6th, 7th and 8th graders - with a gun - to threaten a school official over a matter not handled to your satisfaction --- What did he think he was going to accomplish? I don't know the man. I don't know his family. I feel sorry for his son who will have to go back to school and face everyone.

Thank God no one was hurt. Just a lot of scared kids. (And parents) Our community owes a debt of gratitude to our brave and quick-thinking superintendent, Dr. Ken Mitchell.