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Frankford Neighborhood Relieved After Child Rape Suspect Arrested


Victims Identify Suspect's Picture Before Arrest

POSTED: 7:54 p.m. EST March 28, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- The suspect in a string of child rapes and assaults was scheduled to be formally charged Friday night. James Zamichieli, 18, is accused of attacking at least seven children in the city's Frankford neighborhood "She let it all out when they said they captured him. She was just smiling and running around," said the father of a 10-year-old girl who was among the children attacked.

Police are confident that they have their man. The victims positively identified Zamichieli before he was arrested. They brought pictures and before they could say anything she was like 'That's him, right there,'" the girl's father said. Zamichieli was arrested Thursday morning on Bridge Street by detectives had been on the lookout for anyone who resembled the sketch they had of the attacker. He had been observed circling around Frankford High School by two students, who saw he had a scar in the same place as the man in the police flyers. Police said that a gun or some other weapon was used in the attacks, but they wouldn't say if they any weapon were recovered. Police are continuing to investigate the case to see if Zamichieli can be linked to other rapes in Philadelphia. "I never believed in executions, but I believe this man should go down for this because it's no excuse for it, no reason," the 10-year-old girl's father told NBC 10 News.

Female Kicker Says She Was Raped At Colorado

Hnida Also Claims Sexual Molestation, Harassment During Practice

POSTED: 12:22 p.m. EST February 17, 2004
UPDATED: 12:42 p.m. EST February 17, 2004
DENVER -- The only female football player ever on the University of Colorado football team said that she was sexually molested while at CU and eventually raped by a team member, Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday in its online edition. Katie Hnida (pictured, left) made the admissions during an interview with Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, who published part of the interview in his online column.

Hnida was an honor-roll student, homecoming queen and nationally-recognized place kicker when she went from Chatfield High School in Littleton, Colo., to play for CU in 1999. She told Reilly that on her first day of practice, five teammates surrounded her, verbally abused her and made sexual comments. Later, she said, players exposed themselves to her and one even rubbed his penis on her. During huddles, she told Reilly, some players stuck their hands on her crotch and groped her breasts under her shoulder pads. "She endured more abuse than one person should have to bear," former teammate Justin Bates told Sports Illustrated. During practice, players called her vulgar names and one threw footballs at her head. She said she didn't tell coach Gary Barnett because she was afraid he'd kick her off the team. Hnida told Reilly that she was watching television at a teammate's house when he started to kiss her and she told him that is wasn't OK. She said the teammate, who wasn't identified, climbed on top of her, lifted her skirt, pulled down her underwear and raped her. "I tried to push him off me, but he outweighed me by 100 pounds." Hnida told Sports Illustrated. She said she didn't report it to the police because she was scared of what would happen and she was already carrying around emotional baggage from her earlier treatment. She finally told her father, a Denver doctor, about the abuse -- but not the rape. Dr. Dave Hnida said he went to athletic director Dick Tharp and coach Barnett about "the cornering, the groping, the name-calling and the football-at-the-head thing. He said talking to Barnett about the abuse was "like talking to a wall." Reilly said that Tharp and Barnet don't recall Hnida mentioning anything about sexual harassment. Barnett is quoted as telling Reilly, "Not one time did I ever see or hear about anybody treating her wrong. I don't believe she was sexually harassed. I don't believe our players would do that. They'd be in too much trouble with me." Hnida dropped out of CU after her sophomore year and went into therapy, then enrolled in a junior college before moving to the University of New Mexico in 2002. She said decided to tell her story because of the recent allegations of sexual assault against CU and that the news sent her back into a nightmare. "Making this information public was not an easy decision. It has been extremely difficult for me, my family and those closest to me, but it has also helped me. I did this because I hope no one else will have to deal with the horrors I've endured over the past few years," she said in a statement released Tuesday morning. "I felt that my information is pertinent to the investigation being conducted. I have been in contact with Boulder law enforcement authorities, but I do not expect to file any charges at this time," her statement continued.
 

Student Says She Was Raped In Gym

Police Interviewing Boys Identified By Alleged Victim

POSTED: 5:27 p.m. EDT May 22, 2003
UPDATED: 8:22 p.m. EDT May 22, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Parents and students at Simon Gratz High School are trying to figure out how a female student was allegedly raped inside the gym during a gym class Wednesday afternoon.
 
"(There are) offices in the gym that are in the back, but we got bleachers and it's a whole lot of kids that (are) in there. There are two or three teachers that (are) in there," said Nyger Jones, 17, a student. According to police, two male students raped a 14-year-old special education student during her 1 p.m. gym class. The victim says teachers were in the gym at the time.

After the alleged assault, the female victim didn't notify any school officials. She waited until she got home and told her mother. Her mother contacted Philadelphia police Wednesday night. "I was really shocked to learn it was about a situation so sad it's frightening. My son goes to school here. I was pretty afraid to hear something like that," said Rhonda Tucker. Police are now questioning two students who the victim identified as her attackers. This is the second time this school year that a student was allegedly sexually assaulted inside of the school. "There was an allegation of a sexual assault in the auditorium. She identified several students, but we could not substantiate those students actually being there at the time," said Dexter Greene, the school police chief.













College Student Reports Being Raped At Elementary School

Unusual Tattoo Could Lead To Alleged Attacker

POSTED: 8:59 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
UPDATED: 9:07 p.m. EDT August 20, 2003
WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Police say an 18-year-old woman says she was sexually assaulted in the bathroom of a Wilmington school in late July. School was not in session, but the college student was attending a martial arts demonstration at Bancroft Elementary School around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. At one point, the woman left the gymnasium area to use the ladies room and she said she was accosted in the hall. The victim told police a man struck up an odd conversation with her. She began to feel uneasy and suspicious about him and his behavior. As she turned around to walk away, the attacker allegedly grabbed her by the neck and took her to a second-floor bathroom, where she said he raped her.

The woman told police the attacker was a tall, black man in his 30s, skinny-to-medium build with squinty yellowish eyes, close-cut hair that was balding and he allegedly spoke with a New York accent. She said he had a tattoo on his forearm with two hands praying with R.I.P. over the hands and an unknown name under the hands. The alleged attacker was last seen wearing a T-shirt, dark-colored jeans that were frayed at the bottom, and brown Timberland boots. Anyone who recognizes the man's description or the tattoo on his hand is asked to call the Wilmington Police Department at (302) 576-3645.














Fight Wasn't First Clash Between Rival Girls

POSTED: 10:54 a.m. EST February 3, 2003
UPDATED: 5:46 p.m. EST February 3, 2003
A fight at a South Philadelphia high school sent several female students to the hospital. The teens were cut with razor blades. The violence erupted Monday morning at Audenreid High School at 33rd Street and Tasker Street near the Schuykill Expressway.

One teenage boy told NBC 10 that he saw the aftermath of the incident. "I heard a lot of noise. People were yelling. I [saw] blood on the ground. All I [saw were] pools of blood." A series of fights on the third floor turned bloody when at least one student pulled out a sharp weapon. Six students went to the hospital with cuts to their arms, hands, and faces. Five of these students are young ladies. And one is a young man who is believed to have been trying to break up the fight. School district officials say they don't know what touched off the fight. But they also say these two groups of girls have fought before. Parents rushed to the school when they heard the news to pull their children out of class. "I'm trying to see if my child is all right, my niece," said some concerned adult. "She has to walk home." Some parents and students say there's been a lot of trouble in the school. One victim's mother said she filed a police report three weeks ago regarding the same girls fighting with her daughter. One 16-year-old needed 58 stitches in her face and chest to close her wounds.











Oxford High School Remains Calm After Threat

Threatening Note Found In Bathroom Stall

POSTED: 11:29 am EST January 16, 2004
UPDATED: 3:26 pm EST January 16, 2004
OXFORD, Pa. -- A Chester County school was on high alert Friday after administrators sent a letter home to parents about reports of a possible shooting spree at Oxford Area High School. No violence erupted Friday, but nearly half the student body stayed away because of the threat. The students who attended found their building filled with cops and locked down. Security was extremely tight.

"The police officers had to check our bags and we got ran through a metal detector. Everyone had to show ID, and no one was allowed out during class without an escort," said Mika McDaniel, and Oxford High School senior. This week, a letter went home to parents about a message discovered Jan. 8, scrawled inside the stall of a girl's bathroom. It indicated there would be a "shoot-up" at the high school on Jan. 16. That did not happen and officials say nothing suspicious was found. Read the text of the letter sent to parents. "We are very confident that this is, indeed, a rumor; however we have to treat it as if it's not a rumor," said Jack Powell, the principal. Rumor or not, parents of close to 500 children decided to keep their children home for the day. "My mom was scared to send me to school because she didn't know what was going to happen," said Jamie Coy, a freshman. Police and school administrators believe all of this may have stemmed from a comment made by a student back in September. At the time, he said people better not come to school on his birthday, which happens to fall this week. Officials think that seemingly innocent remark about celebrating a birthday snowballed into rumors of violence at school. "Of course, these guys were joking but then it became a legend," Powell said. Following hundreds of interviews, police say they now have a suspect in the writing of the note on the bathroom stall. The suspect is a female student, but officials would not elaborate. "There are potential charges that go along with this," said Chief George Pappas, of the Oxford Borough Police Department. Students return to school on Wednesday. Officials don't expect the same kind of security presence then, but said they will remain vigilant. The high school is part of a campus that includes an elementary and a middle school.













Militants Release More Hostages From Russian School

POSTED: 6:34 am EDT September 2, 2004
UPDATED: 4:49 pm EDT September 2, 2004
BESLAN, Russia -- Security agents carried babies to safety Thursday after militants released at least 31 captives from a seized school in southern Russia.

Hundreds more are being held, but officials said they hope negotiations will bring more progress. Militants with bombs strapped to them seized the school Wednesday. They have been threatening to blow up the school if Russian forces move in on them. Police and soldiers have taken positions around the school and have cordoned off the area as negotiations continue. Earlier Thursday, two explosions were heard near the school. Rescue officials said the blasts came from militants firing grenade launchers at two cars. None of the cars was hit. Crowds of worried relatives and townspeople were huddled around police cordons trying to learn anything they could about the situation inside. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the incident "horrible" and said he's doing everything possible to bring the hostages out alive. Officials estimate there are between 15 and 24 militants inside the school. They are unsure what the militants want. ITAR-Tass, citing regional officials, reported the attackers want the release of fighters detained in connection with a series of attacks on police facilities in a neighboring province. There are reports that between seven and 15 people have been killed since the hostage-takers seized the school. Parents of the seized children Wednesday recorded a videocassette appeal to Putin to fulfill the terrorists' demands. On Tuesday, a suicide bomber killed 10 people near a subway station, and last week, explosions aboard two Russian airliners killed 90 people. The hostage situation at the school evoked memories of a hostage-taking at a Moscow theater in October 2002. About 40 Chechen militants stormed the theater during a musical and held about 800 people hostage for more than two days. The standoff ended when Russian special forces pumped narcotic gas into the theater. The attackers were incapacitated and police stormed the building. All the attackers were killed -- but 129 hostages died as well, almost all from the gas. Previous Stories:










Mold Continues To Keep Harrisburg-Area School Closed

Officials: Air-Conditioning System To Blame

POSTED: 9:31 am EDT September 4, 2004
UPDATED: 5:17 pm EDT September 4, 2004
HALIFAX, Pa. -- A Harrisburg-area elementary school will likely be closed another three weeks as officials there clean up mold, said James Dull, the superintendent of Halifax Elementary School. Students in grades two through five will begin the school year in four churches on Wednesday; the building has been closed since Monday. Other Halifax schools are open as usual.

The cleanup is being done at the recommendation of Analytical Laboratories Incorporated, which studied the building. Mold was first suspected in the building during a teachers in-service day Aug. 27 and later identified through testing. School officials said the problem was caused by the air-conditioning system's keeping the building too cool.


















Catholic School Athletes Suspended In Alleged Hazing Incident

Younger Player Allegedly Put Icy Hot In Athletic Supporters

POSTED: 6:38 pm EDT October 11, 2004
UPDATED: 6:49 pm EDT October 11, 2004
LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Several student athletes have been thrown off the football team and have been suspended from an alleged hazing incident at Saint Pius X Catholic High School in Lower Pottsgrove Township. "It's really putting a shame on our football team as well," one student told NBC 10 News. Many students at the high school called the suspensions premature.

School officials launched an investigation and suspended five seniors and one junior after reports surfaced last week that the upper classmen had hazed younger teammates. "This is a very serious thing for us. This is directly against everything we're about as a Catholic school," said the Rev. Joseph Bongard, the president of the high school. Bongard wouldn't describe the alleged hazing, but said that it happened on school grounds during a camp over the summer. "You come to football, you know what's going to happen, pretty much," said Kevin Holmes, a senior at Saint Pius X. Sources told NBC 10 News that younger players put Icy Hot in their athletic supporters in front of older teammates. It is a prank that Holmes said is a tradition among sports teams. "It's more voluntary, I'd say, rather than being forced. It you don't want to do it, they won't make you do it, but if you want the seniors to think you're cool, you do it," Holmes said. Not every student athlete agrees that hazing is a cool thing to do. "It was wrong. I'm on the soccer team. We don't do that," said Lauren Flanagan, a junior at the school. School officials confirmed that none of the players came forward to complain and there was no physical contact between the older and the younger teammates. The suspensions are temporary until the school finishes its investigation around Wednesday. It has not ruled out more suspensions in the situation.














School Afraid Of Offending Real Witches Cancels Halloween

POSTED: 12:46 pm EDT October 21, 2004
UPDATED: 7:59 am EDT October 22, 2004
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- There will be no Halloween parties at one school district in Washington state.
Puyallup School District spokeswoman Karen Hansen said school officials have been reviewing the Halloween tradition and decided that time could be better spent.

According to a Seattle TV station, Hanson said there were three reasons that the parties will be canceled. The first reason was that Halloween parties and parades waste valuable classroom time. The second reason was that some families can't afford costumes. The third reason is that it may offend real witches. She said schools have had complaints from followers of the Wiccan religion who are offended at the way Halloween is celebrated. Hansen said schools are teaching students to be respectful and take account of the discomfort felt by others. Hanson said members of the Wiccan religion did not ask the school district to cancel the Halloween events. But she said they have expressed displeasure with such images as witches with pointy noses and witches flying on broomsticks. She said that witches with pointy noses are not "respective symbols of the Wiccan religion" and that their district wants to be respectful of that. Any students who show up in a costume might be sent home. The school district has the following reminder on its Web site: HALLOWEEN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Remember, Halloween masks, makeup and costumes ARE NOT ALLOWED at any time on campus. The decision has angered many parents. Some plan to protest at a school board meeting this Monday. The mother of one second-grader says she has one very disappointed little girl. Tonya Reynolds said everyone is so worried about being "politically correct."











Police Proactive After Shooting Of Germantown H.S. Student

One Teenager Shot, In Hospital

POSTED: 4:42 pm EDT October 26, 2004
UPDATED: 4:56 pm EDT October 26, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Extra police patrolled the area around Germantown High School after Monday's big student fight, which ended in a shooting. A 15-year-old student was shot in the back and is in stable condition. Police said that the fight involved dozens of Germantown High School students. School officials told NBC 10 News that there have been several fights at the school over the last week and they want the violence to stop.

Police were everywhere outside of Germantown High School Tuesday when students were dismissed. There was also a heavy presence of school police inside. Students took note. "I'm just glad they got more cops because people got to leave from school because they want to fight and stuff," said William Bell, a student. Some students told NBC 10 News about the fight that led to the shooting. "It was just crazy because you only see stuff like that on television. I never saw something like that in real life," said Thomas Randall, a student. But it was real life and that is why the police, school officials and community leaders converged on Germantown High School Tuesday. "That's why we're out here. We need to jump on this and nip it at the bud before it escalates and becomes out of control like we saw in the 70s," said Bilal Quyyum, a community activist. Quyyum was referring to gang activity in that neighborhood in the 1970s. A letter was sent home Tuesday with students. It said that all of the students who were involved in the incident have been reassigned to other schools. The letter also said that extra Philadelphia police were assigned outside Germantown High School. So far, no arrests have been made in the shooting of the 15-year-old.













School Warns Parents Of Possible Child Predator

Man Tried To Lure Girls Into Car

POSTED: 9:10 am EDT October 29, 2004
UPDATED: 9:51 am EDT October 29, 2004
Philadelphia parents are being warned about a possible child predator. Police said at least two girls claim a man tried to lure them into his car Wednesday. The victims said the man was driving a white Volkswagen and wearing a white hat.

Both incidents happened on Germantown Avenue while the girls were walking to the Henry Houston School. The school sent home a letter to parents Thursday warning them about the attempts.

















N.J. Student Charged With Setting School Library On Fire

Boy Faces Arson Charge

POSTED: 10:18 am EST November 19, 2004
UPDATED: 3:35 pm EST November 19, 2004
LAKEWOOD, N.J. -- Officials have accused a Lakewood Middle School student with setting fire to the school's library. The 14-year-old is charged as a juvenile with arson. The school was evacuated and firefighters doused the flames on Wednesday afternoon. No one was injured.

The boy is held in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center. His name has not been released because of his age.

















Northampton School District Asks 'Why So Many Suicides'

District Has Had Four Suicides In Three Years

POSTED: 12:50 p.m. EDT April 28, 2003
UPDATED: 1:07 p.m. EDT April 28, 2003
NORTHAMPTON, Pa. -- Four student suicides in three years has prompted district officials to bring in an expert to help determine why tragedy keeps striking the Northampton Area School District. Last week eighth-grader James Sheets shot and killed his school principal before killing himself. But officials in Northampton, about 100 miles northeast of the shootings in Red Lion, Pa., had already been examining why students have been killing themselves. After a high school senior killed himself in March, officials decided to bring in a counselor to talk to parents about suicide's warning signs.

The program, scheduled to start Monday night, is open to parents both within and outside the Northampton schools, said Assistant Superintendent Linda Firestone. "This isn't just our problem," Firestone said. "Lots of schools are struggling with it." According to the National Adolescent Health Information Center, suicide is the third-leading cause of death of adolescents and young adults in the United States. Over four years in the late 1990s, 341 teenagers in Pennsylvania between ages 15 and 19 killed themselves, said Sherry Peters, the state's mental health coordinator. Northampton's seminar will be led by Fred Shipman, a consultant who has designed crisis intervention and prevention programs for 300 school districts in 30 states. "Statistics show that suicides occasionally spark copycat incidents, and we wanted to avoid that," Shipman said. "The best way, we believe, is to make everyone more aware of what is happening here." Officials don't believe the four Northampton suicides were connected, although all involved boys who were enrolled in career programs at the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. On Thursday, the 14-year-old Sheets fatally shot Eugene Segro and then shot himself in the head. A motive hasn't been determined. The Red Lion murder-suicide makes the timing of Shipman's workshop even more poignant, Firestone said. "Whenever something like this occurs, we worry about the effect it will have on our students," she said. "We look over our own crisis plans and responses and do our best to make sure it doesn't happen here." Shipman will tell parents to pay attention if their child talks or writes of suicide, and to look for a preoccupation with death in their art or music. Other signs of pre-suicidal behavior are failing grades, skipping school, giving away prized possessions and signs of depression. "Northampton has made the decision that enough is enough," said Brian Williams, the principal at Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. "We've all been struggling with this and trying to make sense out of it. We all want to understand what the root cause is, without a lot of finger-pointing."










Man Seen Photographing School Children From Car

Parents Worried About Children's Safety

POSTED: 4:38 p.m. EDT May 14, 2003
UPDATED: 6:42 p.m. EDT May 14, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Parents in southwest Philadelphia have been warned about a man who police think might be spying on children at Shaw Middle School. He has been taking pictures of students at the school located near the intersection of 54th Street and Warrington Avenue, authorities said. School officials said they are investigating three separate incidents in which a man was photographing students from his car as they entered the school.

Many parents are worried. "I was petrified. I couldn't believe the school district would know something like this is happening and not take the necessary steps to protect our children," said one woman who asked us to protect her identity.
 
She is talking about a letter her 12-year-old daughter brought home from school last week. The girl is a seventh-grader at Shaw Middle School. The letter informs parents about the man seen photographing students and tells them that the man was in a different car each time he was seen. It also told parents that no students have been harmed, but the police have been notified. William Hadley has two daughters at the school. He said that he drops them off and picks them up every day from school to make sure they stay safe. "My daughters are young -- one is 10 and one is 13 -- and I'm very scared for them," Hadley said. Another parent said that the letter prompted her to talk to her stepson about how to deal with strangers. "He's smart, he'll run away from them. He'll come home. He don't linger around the school," the unidentified parent said. The school district said it is working with police in investigating the incident. It said it is taking the issue as seriously as parents are. "Whether it's here at Shaw, or any place else, these type of things we want to investigate fully," said Dexter Green, a spokesman for the Philadelphia School District.














Four Arrested After Pennsauken High School Stabbings

Two Students Stabbed

POSTED: 3:03 pm EST March 24, 2004
UPDATED: 6:09 pm EST March 25, 2004
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. -- Four people were arrested after two Pennsauken High School students were stabbed Wednesday during a brawl at a school parking lot. It was not clear what provoked the fight, but witnesses said the group was involved in a heated argument shortly before the brawl began Wednesday afternoon.

One student was stabbed in the abdomen and the other was wounded in the buttocks. Police said the victims were also repeatedly kicked. However, the victims' identities were not released. Authorities said the victims are in stable condition. Authorities said other teens involved in the brawl drove away shortly after the stabbings occurred. But, information provided by other students -- including the license plate number of one of the vehicles -- allowed police to quickly capture three suspects. The fourth was apprehended later. Two of the suspects in custody are juveniles and the other two men in custody are 19 and 20 years old.













Flames Destroy Mennonite School

No Word On What Sparked Blaze

POSTED: 8:09 am EDT April 7, 2004
UPDATED: 8:39 am EDT April 7, 2004
FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Fire has destroyed a Mennonite school in Montgomery County.

The blaze started just before 3:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Indian Creek Mennonite School on Harleysville Pike in Franconia Township. Firefighters had to call in a tanker task force to shuttle water since there were no hydrants in the area. The blaze closed down Harleysville Pike for a few hours between Allentown and Schoolhouse Roads. Investigators are looking into what sparked the fire.

















Family Copes With Son's Hanging Death At School

Grief Counselors At School To Help Students

POSTED: 5:59 pm EDT April 28, 2004
UPDATED: 6:16 pm EDT April 28, 2004
The parents of a Germantown High School student found hanged Tuesday said they are trying to deal with their son's apparent suicide.

William Ganns' parents said they miss him and have questions that may never be answered. Wednesday was a day of mourning for students and especially for William's family. His parents said they can't imagine why their son would take his own life. "He could come and talk to me about anything. I don't know what was going on with him. Only God knows," said William Hamilton, Ganns' father. "He was loving and caring. He was a very sweet son. I loved him dearly," said Mamie Hamilton, Ganns' mother. Six students found Ganns behind the stage of the school's auditorium. He was hanging by the neck from a cord used for a curtain. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the discovery. "You never thought he would do something like this," said Debra McCoy, a student. "Everybody has their problems growing up, but I didn't think it would come to this." Police were investigating the incident as a suicide and the medical examiner said there was no evidence of foul play. Counselors were on hand throughout the day to meet with grieving students, some of whom were hesitant to return to school. Ganns was close to graduation. His parents have kept his football and karate trophies in their living room along with a picture of William along with his brothers. "He was a good brother and it shouldn't have happened and I will miss him," said his Kharia Harris, a younger brother. Grief counselors will be at the school for the rest of the week.










Security Tightened After Shooting Near School

Teen Shot During Germantown Brawl

POSTED: 4:36 pm EDT October 25, 2004
UPDATED: 7:50 am EDT October 26, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Security will be tightened in and around Germantown High School Tuesday after a student was shot during a brawl near the school Monday afternoon. Police said that a fight broke out among about 40 students from Germantown High School.

A witness said she suddenly heard a sound that she thought was a firecracker. Then, she said the students all ran away, except for the 15-year-old boy who fell to the sidewalk. He was taken to Temple University Hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Police believe that the teen was hit by a .22 caliber gun. Officers are still searching for the person who shot the teen. Police are investigating whether Monday's shooting was connected to a series of fights last week at Germantown High School, where the boy is a freshman. "It occurred away from the school but we will be looking into whether it was spillover from incidents in the school," said officer Greg Willilams. Germantown High School officials say there will be additional police stationed both inside and outside the school Tuesday.











150 People Protest Outside Philadelphia School

Protest Spawned By Large Fight At School

POSTED: 10:03 am EST November 18, 2004
UPDATED: 10:51 am EST November 18, 2004
Parents and students held a protest at the intersection of Wyoming and 15th Ave. in Philadelphia's Logan neighborhood Thursday morning. At least 150 people blocked the intersection at around 8 a.m.

Police said the protest is in response to a fight that broke out at the Multicultural Charter School Wednesday. Eight people were taken in for questioning after Wednesday's brawl. Police are still investigating the fight. No one was seriously hurt. Many parents believe there will be another fight and said they want the violence to stop.


















Teen Girls Allegedly Beat Teacher At School

Teachers Say Violent Incidents Common At School

POSTED: 5:01 p.m. EDT May 22, 2003
UPDATED: 5:38 p.m. EDT May 22, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Four students face serious charges after a teacher was attacked during class at Fitzsimons Middle School in north Philadelphia. The suspects are all girls and all of them are in the seventh grade. They have been suspended and officials said they are now moving to have them expelled. They also face criminal charges, including aggravated assault. The school is located at the intersection of 26th and Cumberland streets.

Police said that one of the girls is 15 years old and the other three are 13 years old. They allegedly approached teacher Marie Lynch at her desk Wednesday. Someone said, "Let's get her," and the girls punched the teacher according to police. They also pulled her hair, pushed her around and then punched her some more. Lynch was not seriously hurt, and was back in school Thursday. Parents met with school officials Thursday morning to talk about the issue. NBC 10 talked with a teacher who says that this kind of thing happens all the time, and neighbors said they have seen it, too. "(They act like) wild animals every day and teachers over here do their best to try to keep the children out of trouble or send them home, make them go home. And (for them to) disrespect them, it's bad," said Caroline Gilmore, a neighbor. NBC 10's Cindy Hamill spoke with school district officials who admit they have had trouble at the Fitzsimons Middle School in the past, but have made changes this year and are moving a lot quicker now in the expulsion process. Officials said the girls won't be allowed to return to the school and all are going to be sent to a disciplinary school. School district officials say that violent incidents are down this year, but add that those incidents have increased.











Student Brutally Beaten On School Bus

Six Middle School Students Suspended For Attack

Six Jacksonville, Fla. middle school students have been suspended and charged with battery after they were caught on tape hitting another student aboard a school bus.

All of the students involved are between the ages of 13 and 15. The 12-year-old victim, Si'mone Small, suffered bruises on the back of his head and neck but none of the injuries are considered serious. His mother, Sashemia Small, is now considering sending the seventh grader to a new school. Along with the suspensions, the school principal is sending the students involved in the beating to an alternative school. The driver of the bus has been placed on administrative leave.



















School Graffiti Includes Deadly Threat

This Is Third Time A Local High School Has Been Targeted By Vandals

POSTED: 5:57 pm EST February 17, 2004
UPDATED: 6:26 pm EST February 17, 2004
MARLTON, N.J. -- Vandals have targeted a high school for the third time this year and this time it was an ugly collection of graffiti, pornography and a threat of violence. The vandals struck at Cherokee High School in Marlton, N.J., just as students and faculty were preparing for the funeral of a junior at the school.

The vandals were caught on a video surveillance tape. Police are reviewing the videotape but said they were having a hard time recognizing the faces of the vandals. Because the vandals are minors, the videotape is not being released to the public, but authorities are asking students to come forward with any information they may have. Police beefed up security around the school after they discovered the damage on the school's south building Sunday. Broken windows were repaired and graffiti was washed away, but school official could not wash away the threat in the graffiti that said "bodies will fall on Tuesday." "At this time, we don't have any reason to believe that anyone's safety is at risk, but we are taking steps, working with the school officials, to make sure that everyone involved with the school is safe and that there is no disruption to the school day," said Capt. Frank Locanto, of the Evesham Township Police. Students wondered who could vandalize the school at a time when students and staff were mourning the loss of Jeff Burd, who died from meningitis this past week. "At a time when people should be sticking together, this has got to happen. It's really upsetting," said Steve Hale, a student. Most students said they believed the threatening graffiti was just a hoax, but they were glad school officials and police took their safety seriously. School officials said 25 percent of the students were absent from school Tuesday, but they were unsure if they were afraid to come to school or were getting ready for Burd's funeral. The school district is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals.


















Police Officer Dies After Riot At High School

Students Injured, Arrested In After-Game Brawl

POSTED: 11:38 pm EST March 10, 2004
UPDATED: 7:17 am EST March 11, 2004
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- A police officer is dead after responding to a riot at Atlantic City High School.

Police say Sgt. Kenny Brown, 51, died of a suspected heart attack after leaving the riot Wednesday night. The chaos broke out after a basketball game between students from Lenape and Pennsauken high schools. Students clashed after Lenape won the Boys Group IV semifinal hosted at Atlantic City High School. Atantic City’s Athletic Director, Frank Campo, says it appears one of the schools did not follow the security plan. "One group of spectators was to exit the building and go to their buses and that was not done.” Police arrested two Pennsauken High School students in the scuffle. Four Lenape High School students were reportedly hurt. One of the students was taken to the hospital with a possible broken jaw. "Unfortunately there are always a few people who come to these event and ruin them," said Campo.



















Cops Pulled From School That Allowed Strip Search

School Says Decision Also Stems From Other Actions

POSTED: 10:25 am EST March 30, 2004
A Northumberland County school district has voted to pull police officers out of its junior-senior high school because six girls were allegedly strip-searched over $27 in missing cash.

No money was found in the search March 9. The search was allegedly ordered by two Mount Carmel Township police officers -- including the chief -- who were serving as school resource officers. The Mount Carmel Area School District said the action to remove the officers stems from the search as well as other incidents. School board lawyer Edward Greco said Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School will require a parent or administrator to be present for any future searches, except in the case of suspected drugs, weapons or other emergencies. Greco has advised board members not to comment on the matter because of expected lawsuits. Ed Dusendschine of Kulpmont said his daughter was among those searched. He says a female gym teacher and school nurse conducted the searches. Mount Carmel Township supervisors have not disciplined the officers, saying the complaints will be investigated.



















School District Bans 'Sex' Bracelets

Jewelry Allegedly Has Sexual Meaning

POSTED: 12:11 pm EDT May 25, 2004
UPDATED: 9:27 am EDT May 26, 2004
LAURELDALE, Pa. -- A Berks County school district has banned jelly bracelets worn by young girls over concerns the jewelry sends the wrong message about sex to young boys.

The Muhlenberg School District in Laureldale, Pa., took the measure two weeks ago, after several parents said their daughters were propositioned after the girls' plastic bracelets were snapped by boys. In a game allegedly called "Snap," a student wears a bracelet, and if someone else can snap it off, the wearer could owe a hug, a kiss -- or more. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Yarworth was stunned to find out that, according to the Internet, a yellow bracelet means a hug, a red bracelet means a lap dance, and black bracelet gets you all the way. Based on what the Muhlenberg School District thought parents would say, the district banned the bracelets. However, none of the parents NBC 10 talked to knew there was an alleged meaning to the jewelry, and neither did many students. To enact the ban, the Muhlenberg School Board changed the middle-school dress code to ban the jewelry, which cost about $3 for a pack of 10.

Teen Accused Of Sexual Assault On 3-Year-Old

Assault Took Place In 2002

POSTED: 6:51 pm EDT July 15, 2004
UPDATED: 7:47 pm EDT July 15, 2004
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. -- A local teen who has been accused of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old neighbor, waived his right to preliminary hearing Thursday. Michael Gooding, 18, faces a variety of charges, including indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Gooding allegedly told police that he climbed through the second story window of a Phoenixville home in September 2002, covered the face of a 3-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her.

Police said they have DNA evidence that places Gooding at the crime scene. "Detective Lynch, one of our forensic men in our department, was able to obtain a blood sample from the crime scene and with that he was able to make a DNA match, which clearly identified Mr. Gooding, who was our No. 1 suspect," said Detective Sgt. Thomas Goggin. Investigators needed physical evidence to back up their hunch that the attacker lived just two blocks away from the victim. Gooding was a minor when he allegedly assaulted the girl and later was convicted of possessing child pornography and had to submit DNA in that case. That's when police got their break. He pleaded guilty to unrelated charges last week and investigators were waiting there to arrest him on child sexual assault charges. "This type of crime, one could say it's a hate crime, that a sex crime is oftentimes more of a hate crime than a sex crime in and of itself," said Mark Rassman, Gooding's defense attorney. "You have to look at someone's background, at his prior history, meaning not necessarily criminal history, but where he grew up and what have you. My understanding from him is he's not seen his mother for approximately 11 or 12 years, has never met his father." Although Gooding was a minor when he allegedly assaulted the girl, he is being charged as an adult because he already has a conviction as an adult.
 

















Fights Break Out In Overcrowded Chester High School

No Students Were Injured In Several Fights

POSTED: 4:34 pm EDT September 27, 2004
UPDATED: 9:47 am EDT September 28, 2004
CHESTER, Pa. -- Chaos broke out in the cafeteria at Chester High School Monday. Many students and parents told NBC 10 News that Chester High School was a volcano waiting to erupt because the overcrowding is out of control.

"The fighting was really bad. There was about 15 fights and a couple people got hurt," said Duane Butler, a student. Dozens of police officers descended upon Chester High School around noon Monday after several fights broke out both inside and outside the school. "(There were) gang-related types of situations occurring in certain segments of the school community that spilled over into the school today," said Dr. Dexter Davis, superintendent of schools. "The food fight that took place in the cafeteria with two girls, they were removed from the situation. The police were called in and they took them out. From there, another fight took place in the cafeteria and they brought it out into the lobby and the gangs became involved in that," said Dominique Taylor, of Edison Schools. At least seven area police departments responded. Police said they had to use pepper spray to get the fights under control. Students were sent home for the day and angry parents came to the school for answers. "It's scary to think you've got to send your child to school and they're scared," said Patricia Pless, a parent. Police said 30 students were arrested for fighting. Some of their parents waited outside police headquarters for their release. "Those other cops that ran up in there got crazy, so all the kids just scattered. They just started spraying, they just started grabbing kids," said Iris Carrasco, a parent. Other parents blame the overcrowding for the fights. Two charter schools closed this year, forcing Chester to take the students in. "It's chaos here, really. Everything is overcrowded. It's like a prison here. You get too many people in here, and stuff like that. Plus the books is not here. The teachers tell me they only have the curriculum in the computer," said one man. Most of the students who were arrested were released after they were processed. School officials said that nobody was injured in any of the fights, but some of the students said that they were bothered by pepper spray in the air. School officials also said school will reopen on Tuesday and any overcrowding issues will be over Tuesday, as well.

















Camden School Shocked By Claim Of Rape

Girl Allegedly Attacked On Way To School

POSTED: 7:42 pm EST November 9, 2004
UPDATED: 6:13 pm EST November 10, 2004
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Police in Camden said that a 17-year-old honors student was raped on her way to school Monday morning. The alleged attack took place in an area that is usually a busy and safe section of the city, near the Rutgers University campus. The teen attended the University Charter School in Camden. News of the rape shocked the student body.

"My mother asked him to walk me home because my brother told me not to walk home by myself," said one female student. "Everyone pretty upset about it. It's a small school so we're all close friends," said a male student. According to police reports, a man attacked the student near 4th and Market streets, about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Police said the suspect was described as a white male, dressed in all black, approximately 5 feet-9 inches tall with a thin build and facial hair. Anyone with information is urged to call Camden police at (856) 757-7420. School officials are unsettled by the attack and are trying to calm the fears of students. "Everyone is shocked and devastated that this happened to one of our fine students. They've been very supportive. They're working with each other. They're working with the young lady and the family, as far as supporting her," said Stephanie Branch, the school district superintendent. School officials said that they are going to work hard to make sure that the student who was attacked feels comfortable going back to school. They said they were also going to work with city officials to enhance security around the area to make sure that every student feels safe.

Judge Doesn't Think Bus Driver Should Be Jailed

Federal Officials Say Nuss Is Schizophrenic

POSTED: 4:49 p.m. EDT June 12, 2002
UPDATED: 7:07 p.m. EDT June 12, 2002
PHILADELPHIA -- There was a federal court detention hearing Wednesday for Berks County bus driver Otto Nuss. He's the man charged with taking a busload of school children on a frightening ride to the Washington area. After the judge saw the results of Nuss' psychiatric evaluation, he gave the defense attorney and the defendant's family one week to devise a plan that would let Nuss go home until the trial begins, yet also be supervised around-the-clock.

"I think that's good, cause really I don't feel there was any intention of harm," said Nuss' friend Wilson Hoffman. "I've known Otto for 41 years and he's one of the most decent human beings I have ever known," said another friend. "He won't necessarily have to stay at his house, he could be at a relative's house, but someone will be with him all the time," said defense attorney Kerry Kalmbach. The 53-year-old bus driver is accused of armed kidnapping. In January, police say, Nuss told 13 children from a Christian academy in Berk's County that he wasn't taking them to school, but was taking them to Washington on a field trip. He had a loaded semiautomatic rifle on the front seat of the bus. "On behalf of Otto, we would like to sincerely apologize to the children and their families. We regret what happened in January, but we know in our hearts that he meant no harm," said Keith Folk, Nuss' brother-in-law. Federal prosecutors said that their psychiatric evaluation showed that Nuss is schizophrenic. They said that he is dangerous and should not be released on bond. "He had taken out his last will and testament two days before this incident which indicated to us that he expected that there would be a violent outcome as the result of this crime," said U.S. Attorney Robert Goldman. NBC 10 News spoke with a mother from Berks County who had two sons on the bus that Nuss drove. She said that her children were still frightened and did not want to see Nuss out on bond.
 









Students Disgusted By Graffiti Prank

Reward Offered For Vandals

POSTED: 8:38 p.m. EDT June 12, 2002
UPDATED: 7:34 a.m. EDT June 13, 2002
WEST GROVE, Pa. -- The Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa., was the victim of vicious and vulgar graffiti scrawled across doors, windows and sidewalks. School officials are saying that, thanks to the community, they are hot on the trail of the vandals. More than three-quarters of the outside of the school was covered with the graffiti and much of it was derogatory to freshman girls and faculty.

Whoever did it needs to be punished. Most students, especially the seniors, were not happy. "I just thought this was sick. Why would you do this to your own school, or whoever did it. It was just really stupid," said senior Brian Frost. Many people interviewed by NBC 10 News said they think it was an inside job by disgruntled students who have embarrassed themselves and their peers. "I think it's disgusting that students would do that to their school, they go to every day. Why are they so angry?" asked junior Dana Ritter. School officials said that there was about $3,000 to $4,000 in damage done to doors, windows, walls and walkways. All of it was done on the outside of the school. The school administration is taking the vandalism very seriously. "We put out the tip line number to students, we've encouraged them there would be a reward if we are able to prosecute. We've talked to a number of students who are willing to come forward and give us the information they have," said the principal, Dr. Martin Hudacs. School officials said that the general school population has not condoned the acts of violence and that the tip line has been very active. "The nice thing about tip line is they are giving us more names to follow up on," Hudacs said. Officials said that they would prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. "It's not even like it was a funny senior prank. It was disgusting. They did not have to do that. It was vandalism, and I was really ashamed of it," said junior Elle Ferrier said. There is a $250 reward in the case. If you have information that leads to the conviction of the vandals call the Citizens Crime Commission at (215) 546-TIPS.












Classmates React To Alleged Hazing

Five Girls Hospitalized, 1 Suffers Broken Ankle

POSTED: 11:16 a.m. EDT May 7, 2003
UPDATED: 11:31 p.m. EDT May 7, 2003
NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Jordan Movisch, a student at Glenbrook North High School, told WMAQ-TV in Chicago that he was present at an alleged hazing incident last weekend, where five junior girls were hospitalized after seniors attacked them during an event billed as a "powder puff" football game.
FeedRoom
Hazing Probe
 High School Hazing Probe
FeedRoom
One of the girls received 15 stitches in her head, one has a broken ankle, and another girl suffered hearing loss. Reports say that one of the girls who was force-fed excrement now has a bacterial infection. The event is now being investigated by authorities for possible criminal charges in connection with the alleged hazing.

Multiple investigations are underway and the school is also trying to determine if school officials can take disciplinary action against students involved in the incident in suburban Northbrook. The event did not take place on school property, but at a nearby forest preserve. While the high school does not officially sanction the event, school officials said they may still take disciplinary action. School officials are looking at the possibility of punishing students for violating the "Code of Conduct Agreement" that each student signs at the beginning of the school year.
 The Cook County Forest Preserve and Cook County Sheriff's Department are the prime investigators in the case, Tutman said, and Northbrook Police are also working on the case.
Police are looking at a number of videos taken at the scene of the event to see if any assault charges can be filed against individuals involved. While the "powder puff" football game has been an annual event in Northbrook for a number of years, with some element of hazing included, police said the evidence indicates that this year's event crossed a line. "Once you start hurting people, then you've escalated into a totally different realm and, yes, there's a very good possibility that something could happen to the kids that are involved," said Northbrook Police Chief Michael Green when asked about possible criminal charges being filed. Movish said the incident shocked him. "The entire time, I was just in complete awe. I mean, you hear about it when you are a freshman, but seeing it at this magnitude -- it was unbelievable," Movisch told WMAQ-TV. "To see girls doing that to other girls, it was inhumane. It was terrible." SLIDESHOW: New Pictures Of Alleged Hazing
Movisch said some onlookers cheered the hazing on, and others became concerned at the escalating violence. "There were definitely people cheering on, and there was definitely alcohol involved," Movisch said. "But (others) saw this happening, and I saw people just turn around and run away in disgust. It didn't go as planned, to say the least." One unidentified senior told WMAQ-TV that an apology had been offered and she thought that should be enough to settle the controversy. As the investigations continue, other students at the school are hoping that this incident doesn't tarnish the school's reputation. Movish said he was concerned about the shadow the incident throws over Glenbrook North High School. "This was a very select group -- people that choose to do this. They didn't sign up for a football game," Movisch said. "The rest of us are very dedicated (students) -- National Merit and all that stuff." "Because a select 15 (or) 30 girls decide to be really stupid, we all get a bad rap for it," said student Danielle Saffover, reflecting similar concerns from other students. "This is a really hardworking school. There are a lot of good kids who go here," she added.







Study: Bullying Affects One In Three Children

Not Clear Whether Trend Is On Rise April 25, 2001

A nationwide study finds that bullying affects nearly one of every three children in sixth through 10th grades.

Young students and boys are most likely to be affected.

The authors say that their survey of almost 15,700 students is among the first to document the U.S. prevalence of bullying. It is to be published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

The lead author says that there is too little research to tell whether bullying is increasing or decreasing.

Bullying has been implicated in recent school shootings. A growing number of districts have adopted intervention programs.

And an editorial accompanying the study encourages schools and public-safety officials to pay attention to bullying and the potential for worse violence that it may hold.

"Understanding how to respond to bullying in an effective manner provides the opportunity to learn more about how to address the consequences of experiences with violence," wrote Dr. Howard Spivak of the New England Medical Center and Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith of the Harvard School of Public Health. "The time is now for concerted efforts to integrate (a) response to bullying into the larger framework of violence prevention."

The study's main researcher, Tonja Nansel of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, says that bullying should not be seen as inevitable. But Nansel says that she can't tell whether programs that work in other countries will work here.

What Counts As 'Bullying'?

For the purposes of the study, bullying was defined as repeated aggression intended to harm or disturb in which there is an imbalance of power -- a more powerful person or group attacking a less powerful one. The aggressive behavior can be verbal, physical or psychological, such as shunning someone or spreading rumors about the person.

Among the specific findings of the study:

  • Of the children surveyed, 29.9 percent reported moderate or frequent involvement in bullying.
  • Of those, 13 percent said they were the one who did the bullying, while 10.6 percent said they were the victims of bullying. A little more than 6 percent said they both bullied and got bullied.
  • Males were more likely than females to be both perpetrators and targets of bullying.
  • Bullying was more common among sixth- through eighth-grade students than among ninth- and 10th-graders.

Looking for causes of bullying, the reseachers concluded that:

  • Youths who had a poor perception of their school climate were more likely to bully other youths.
  • Youths who smoked, got bad grades or had poor relationships with classmates were more likely to bully, and more likely to be the victim of bullying.
  • Children whose parents had a permmissive attitude toward teen drinking were more likely to be bullied.

The study's authors recommended that parents and school officials should recognize the patterns that surround bullying, and intervene.

"Effective prevention will require a solid understanding of the social and environmental factors that facilitate and inhibit bullying and peer aggression," Nansel and her colleagues wrote. "This knowledge could then be used to create school and social environments that promote healthy peer interactions and intolerance of bullying."










Popular Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Student Jumps To Death
Feb 18, 2000 - 03:01 PM

Popular Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Student Jumps to Death

The Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) - A teacher charged with having a sexual relationship with a former student jumped 70 feet to his death from a mall parking structure the day before he was due in court for a hearing in the case.

Raymond Izquierdo, 31, a one-time finalist for county math teacher of the year, was due in court Friday. He hadn't taught since October, when a 16-year-old former student told police she had a relationship with him.

Teresita Izquierdo, Izquierdo's sister, told police he had tried to kill himself several times before his suicide Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, she found her brother in a bathroom. He said he had swallowed rat poison, stabbed and cut himself and planned to electrocute himself. Then he ran out of the house and drove away.

Teresita Izquierdo followed, dialed 911 from her cellular phone and then called her brother. Minutes later, she heard her brother's last words - "I can see you" - just before he hung up and jumped to his death.

Grace Carter, a former colleague at Shenandoah Middle School, said Izquierdo was one of the school's most popular teachers.













Teacher Accused of Sleeping With Student Not Anomaly

Friday, July 02, 2004

NEW YORK  — If Debra Lafave (search) is convicted of sexual misconduct and lewd exhibition, the middle school teacher will be part of a frightening trend: A report to Congress Wednesday found that one in every 10 school-age kids endures sexual misconduct by a teacher or other school employee.

Lafave is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student at least five times at her home, at school and in the back of her SUV.

The student identified butterfly and Chinese letter tattoos on Lafave's body for investigators.

The 23-year-old reading specialist at Greco Middle School near Ocala, Fla., turned herself into authorities Monday, accompanied by her attorney.

But Lafave has been in the limelight before, posing for provocative photographs in May 1999 for the Florida-based magazine Makes & Models (search).

Lafave is not alone, according to the study, "Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature June 2004," prepared for the U.S. Department of Education (search) by Charol Shakeshaft of Hofstra University and Interactive, Inc. Huntington, N.Y.

The study found that more than 4.5 million children suffer misconduct ranging from inappropriate comments to physical abuse, naming teachers as the worst offenders at 18 percent.

The most famous name in teacher-student sex abuse remains Mary Kay Letourneau, the 36-year-old teacher from Washington State whose affair with a 13-year-old student sent her to prison, leaving three children from her marriage and two more with the student, behind.

Lafave is free on bail and if convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison on each of the five charges she's facing.












Ex-Student Charged In Pemberton Bomb Scare

High School Was Evacuated After Call

POSTED: 8:52 a.m. EST November 5, 2003
A former Pemberton Township High School student allegedly called in a fake bomb and weapons scare that forced the school to be evacuated this week. Christina Spallone, 19, was charged with creating a false public alarm and obstruction of justice. Spallone, who graduated from the Burlington County school in 2001, was released after posting $2,500 bail. Police said Spallone called Doris Carpenter, the school's principal, just before noon Monday and claimed three male students had told her they had brought guns and a bomb to school, authorities said.

The school was then evacuated, but nothing was found during a subsequent search by state and township police. Many teachers, staff members and nearly 1,400 students waited outside the school while the search was conducted, and students were screened with hand-held metal detectors before being allowed to board their buses for the ride home. Detectives said they were able to trace the call to a pay telephone at a nearby convenience store, and Spallone was using the phone when they arrived. They initially questioned her as a witness, but soon determined that she may have been involved in the case. Spallone eventually admitted that the call was a hoax, authorities said, but her motive for making the claim has not been determined. Previous Stories:












Agencies Warn School Athletes About Infection

Several Georgia Athletes Hospitalized

POSTED: 2:52 p.m. EDT October 16, 2003
ATLANTA -- A hard-to-treat skin infection common to hospitals and prisons has spread to schools in Georgia. Health officials in the state are warning schools and their athletes about the staph infection. It has been found in recent years in several schools across the country, including some in Wisconsin, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Several athletes in Georgia have been hospitalized with the infection.

The infection is spread through contact with infected people or sharing towels and equipment. Experts believe the infection develops in routine cuts and scrapes. Though usually mild, the infection can progress to a life-threatening blood or bone infection. And the infection can't be cured by the usual penicillin-related antibiotics. The National Collegiate Athletic Association issued an "Alert On Skin Infections" to schools and The National Federation of High School Associations said it would send a similar alert this week to state high school sports programs. The antibiotic-resistant skin infection, known as MRSA, is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus auereus. USA Today reports the bacteria was once associated with infections people would contract in hospitals, but it has now been linked to skin infections among sports teams. It can look like an ordinary skin wound or a boil and is often not diagnosed -- or ends up being treated with antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, pus, swelling or pain. Several possible risk factors for infection have been identified, including skin trauma from turf burns, shaving and sharing of unwashed bath towels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also advises athletes to avoid contact with drainage from skin lesions of other players. Good hygiene is the best method for preventing spread of staphylococcal skin infections. The CDC recommends that sports-team administrators provide facilities and equipment necessary to promote good hygiene, such as clean facilities and adequate supplies of soap and towels.









Catholic School Girls Chase Down Alleged Flasher

Flasher Had Been Exposing Himself To Girls For Weeks

POSTED: 11:52 a.m. EST October 31, 2003
UPDATED: 12:19 p.m. EST October 31, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Girls from a south Philadelphia high school had enough of a man who had been flashing them for weeks, so they decided to take action. Flasher SketchPolice said the flasher had been doing his dirty business since Sept. 14 -- flashing girls at St. Maria Goretti High School. Thursday, the girls saw the flasher again and fought back. They chased him, and with the help of a passerby, held him down until police could get there.

"Me and her started chasing him to 10th and Whitman and this dude hopped out of the car and grabbed him. And me and her were screaming, 'Don't let him go.'" And he was, like, 'Is this the flasher?' And we were, like, 'Yeh," said Stephanie Kapozic, a 9th grader. The 25-year-old suspect will face charges ranging from stalking to harassment and indecent assault.

New Jersey's List Of Most Dangerous Schools Draws Criticism

Local Schools Think List Is Biased

POSTED: 10:54 a.m. EDT August 1, 2003
UPDATED: 11:00 a.m. EDT August 1, 2003
The state Department of Education released the names of New Jersey's seven most dangerous schools Thursday, setting off a controversy over the criteria and reporting guidelines used to compile the list. Six of the seven schools on the list are from southern New Jersey, while no schools from Newark are represented. The schools are the first to be designated as "persistently dangerous" under terms of the No Child Left Behind legislation passed by the federal government.

The schools on the list are Camden High School, East Camden Middle School and Camden's Bonsall Elementary School; Atlantic City High School; Lakeside Middle School in Millville; the Simmons Elementary School in Clayton, and the Healy Middle School in East Orange. Some educators questioned whether those seven were the most dangerous schools in the state or whether they were just the ones that reported most accurately. "There is not one school in Newark on that list," Atlantic City School Superintendent Fredrick P. Nickles told The Press of Atlantic City. "We're being penalized for being honest in our reporting." State officials said they have been working to improve reporting, and admit there is still confusion over what types of incidents are to be reported. The 2001-2002 report, released in June, showed that Newark, with 45,000 students, reported a total of 527 incidents, while Atlantic City, with 7,000 students, reported 365. Under federal law, the schools have 15 days to notify parents that they are on the list. Children in the schools will be allowed to transfer to another school in the district. Millville schools superintendent Larry Miller said the district is appealing the designation. He said some incidents were mistakenly reported twice. "We have a zero-tolerance policy," he said. "If a student brings in a water pistol that looks like a gun, that's a violation. We want to send a message. Now that is hurting us."












Nursery School Teacher's Aide Accused Of Molestation

Police: Three Alleged Victims Came Forward

POSTED: 4:34 p.m. EDT April 28, 2003
UPDATED: 5:55 p.m. EDT April 28, 2003
WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A 50-year-old teacher's aide has been accused of molesting little girls at a Montgomery County school. Police said that there were dozens of incidents involving the fondling of girls as young as 5-years-old. The alleged incidents happened at the Miquon School, a private facility in Whitemarsh Township.

Authorities said they are troubled by this case because Robert Pasquarello won the trust of very young children and then allegedly abused that trust.
 
Pasquarello has been charged with three counts of indecent assault, of endangering the welfare of children and three counts of corruption of minors. The suspect worked with children from kindergarten through sixth grade. He worked at the school for almost three years. The general allegations from police are that Pasquarello used his position as a nursery school aide to fondle 5-year-old and 6-year-old girls under their clothes. Police said they have three alleged victims, so far. Officials at the school released a statement saying that they are cooperating with authorities and offering counseling to students and staff. Pasquarello was jailed on a $75,000 bond. His wife and mother were in court to support him, but said nothing to reporters. Authorities say that Pasquarello has worked with children over much of the past 30 years at seven different facilities and they fear there could be more victims. The allegations, police said, came to life when one youngster explained to a parent what "Bob" had done and the parent then contacted the school. "These are victims that are unlikely to know the difference between right and wrong and good touching and bad touching at that very early age," said Bruce Castor, the Montgomery County district attorney. A preliminary hearing will be held on May 21 in the case.











Principal Busted In Sex Sting

School District Not Aware Of February Arrest

POSTED: 4:30 pm EDT April 14, 2004
UPDATED: 6:39 pm EDT April 14, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- The principal of a Philadelphia middle school was caught in a prostitution sting, but the school district was in the dark until his picture and details were revealed in a local newspaper Wednesday. The Philadelphia Daily News printed pictures and details of the arrests of 16 alleged prostitution customers on its pages -- including William Joseph, principal of FitzSimons Academy for Boys at 26th and Cumberland streets in north Philadelphia.

School officials said Joseph called in sick Wednesday. A letter was delivered to his house informing him that, effective immediately, he had been reassigned to the district's administration building because of concerns of inappropriate behavior. The reassignment is pending the outcome of a school district investigation. Joseph was in his first year as principal of the middle school. Police said on Friday, Feb. 20, around 4 p.m., Joseph signaled to an undercover police officer, who was posing as a prostitute in the 3300 block of Kensington Avenue. He allegedly offered her money for sex. Joseph was arrested and charged with two related misdemeanors, including patronizing a prostitute. School district officials said that neither Joseph nor the police informed them of the arrest and they didn't find out until they saw Joseph's picture in the newspaper. "Moral offenses can be grounds for termination, so something like this could very well be grounds for that principal's termination," said Paul Vallas, chief executive officer of Philadelphia's School District. According to court records, Joseph agreed on March 10 to enter a three-month rehabilitative program for first-time sex offenders. If he completes that program without violating the terms of the program and does not break any other laws he can apply to have the arrest expunged from his record. NBC 10 News tried to get in contact with Joseph, but nobody responded to a knock on the door of his home or phone calls.
















10-Year-Old Faces Felony Charges For School Bus Gun Incident

Officials Won't Disclose Details Of Incident

POSTED: 11:34 am EST March 31, 2004
UPDATED: 7:14 pm EST March 31, 2004
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- A 10-year-old boy is facing federal charges in juvenile court for bringing a gun onto a suburban school bus, authorities said. Investigators said on March 16, at least 12, 10- to 12-year-old children saw the boy allegedly brandishing what looked like a gun. The police were notified and during their investigation the suspect was immediately removed from the school. However, some of the parents of the Bedminster Elementary School children said they are annoyed they were not notified of the incident until an article appeared in a local newspaper two weeks later.

The local school district said it can understand the parents' concern, but said that the district didn't have much of a choice. "Normally we would have (notified parents, right away). The police were immediately contacted and brought onto the scene. (They) were conducting an investigation and specifically asked us not to contact parents because they felt it would inhibit the investigation," said Robert Kish, a Pennridge School District superintendent. Police said they are still not sure whether the boy had a gun. They have a videotape from the bus security camera, but said the tape does not make it clear what was in the child's hand because the hand was partially in his bag. Police took the tape to enhance it and determine whether or not there was a weapon. Investigators say the parents of the suspect were very cooperative two weeks ago, but have not been as helpful lately.















Police Make Arrests In Philadelphia Shooting

10-Year-Old Boy Had Been Walking To School

POSTED: 8:16 pm EST February 13, 2004
UPDATED: 6:42 pm EST February 14, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Three men were taken into custody in the shooting of a 10-year-old boy who had been walking to school on Wednesday, NBC 10 reported One man was taken into custody Friday night, while two others were taken into custody Saturday morning, authorities said.

Homicide detectives questioned the suspects all day Saturday, and authorities said charges were likely against at least one of the suspects. Faheem Thomas-Childs, 10, remained in extremely critical condition Saturday. He was shot in the head while walking to school, apparently an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a group of men in a car, and a group of men on the sidewalk. As police swarmed the neighborhood where the suspects were taken into custody, the reaction of residents was one of relief and prayer Saturday for the 10-year-old victim. Michelle Calhoun said she and her children have been living in fear since Childs and crossing guard Deborah Smith, 36, were shot. Abdul Chesnut said it was like "bittersweet victory," since Childs was still in critical condition. "Hopefully, we can save the life of another child by having these individuals behind bars," he said. According to Philadelphia police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, six different guns were involved in the shootings and that the shooters fired off 94 shots -- more than previously thought. Police got those results after examining the shell casings. Johnson also announced at least two of the shooters were members of rival gangs who were taking their own children to school at Peirce Elementary School in north Philadelphia Wednesday morning when shots rang out. "You would be safer with these people being in custody than walking the streets. If they stay on the streets, we're talking about six guns still out there. Another innocent person can be shot," Johnson said. Police believe the men involved in the shooting are members of violent drug gangs. That is scaring some witnesses away from talking to police. Friday, the commissioner announced a congressman has pledged money for a stepped-up witness protection program. "We would even move the witnesses out of the neighborhood. We'll do everything we can to protect them and put them in programs," Johnson said. Police have significantly increased their presence in the north Philadelphia neighborhood and said that they have made at least 11 weapons arrests. The commissioner said they have talked to many people who have called in who said they know who did it, but they need witnesses who saw the shooting who are brave enough to tell what they saw to a jury.

Friend Of Family Pleas For Help

In the two days since Thomas-Childs was shot, we have slowly learned more about him and his family. Montay Hines, 19, is a friend of the boy's family. "We call him Papi," Hines said. The family has spent days and nights at the hospital since Thomas-Childs was gunned down. "I didn't realize it was him. The only way I know is how his hands look. That's the only way I knew that was him. I said, 'It didn't look like Papi,'" Hines remembered. Hines said Thomas-Childs had only been going to Peirce Elementary School for a few months. Last Wednesday, Hines said he didn't walk the boy to school and he blames himself for what happened. Police think they know who the gunmen are, but believe fear of retaliation is keeping them from going to the police. Hines has this to say to those people: "Look at it as, that was your little brother. Experience, if you can for a moment, and just think. Take the time to think. Wouldn't you want somebody to help you the best way they could? He's trying to get his education and this happens. But it's life. And it's hard to deal with right now," Hines said. Previous Stories:







School Peeping Tom Held For Trial

Girls At Two Montgomery County Schools Were Allegedly Spied On

POSTED: 7:23 p.m. EST December 3, 2003
UPDATED: 7:37 p.m. EST December 3, 2003
A suspected Peeping Tom is being held for trial. Jon Paul DiVincenzo is accused of pulling off an elaborate scheme at two Montgomery County schools to spy on girls. Jon DiVincenzoThe married father of two is charged with criminal trespass for entering Methacton High School in November 2001. He faces similar charges for allegedly breaking into Springford Intermediate School and secretly watching girls there too.

At the Springford school, DiVincenzo allegedly posted homemade signs directing girls to the boys' restroom. Police said he took the bathroom mirrors off the wall in the boys' restroom and placed them in stalls so he could look at the girls. The decision to go to trial was based on evidence presented in court Wednesday. That included items found in DiVincenzo's car. "This is not just a simple burglary. This is scary and it's enormously upsetting," said Wendy Demchick-Alloy, the prosecutor. During the preliminary hearing, a police officer testified he searched DiVincenzo's car and found 12 bottles of lotion as well as two X-rated teen magazines. "It said, 'Wild Teen Sex Magazine.' He also had hand lotion -- bottles and bottles of it -- some, partly used. I would leave it to your imagination what he was doing either before or after these events, after watching these kids. It's pretty disgusting," Demchick-Alloy said. DiVincenzo's lawyer, Robert Donatoni, said the items found inside his client's car are irrelevant to the case. The officer also testified he found binoculars and drug paraphernalia, including a brass pipe in the car. He said preliminary tests came up positive for the presence of marijuana. "I think they painted a picture that has, thus far, tainted this young man," Donatoni said. "I think you'd have to have blinders on to accept that argument. The record speaks for itself. This was a perversion as the defendant admitted in his statement as the police officer testified, almost beyond belief," Demchick-Alloy said. The judge did reduce bail from the original $750,000 total for alleged incidents at both schools, but the reduction was not enough for DiVincenzo to post bail.









Text Of Letter From Oxford High School Principal

POSTED: 11:37 am EST January 16, 2004
January 13, 2004 Dear Parents/Guardians of Oxford Area High School Students: As you may have heard, there are rumors circulating in the high school and the school district concerning a "shooting" that is to take place on Friday, January 16th. We are aware of the rumors and are taking actions in that regard. While we do not believe that there is any truth to the rumors, we are taking them seriously. This letter is to inform you of what we know and what actions we are taking.

In the late summer we heard rumors that someone was going to "hurt" another person. Several fall dates were mentioned. During the course of the investigation, we interviewed a number of students but were not able to substantiate any of the rumors. No one was hurt and there was no incident. On Thursday afternoon, January 8th, a student reported that she read a message on the inside of one of the lavatory stalls indicating that there would be a "shoot up" at the school on 01/16/04. We immediately interviewed that student and several others but were not able to track down the writer or anyone who could tell us additional information about the message. On Monday morning we again met to review information that we had gathered over the weekend. We continued the investigation, talking with dozens of students and staff, discovering no new information. We have communicated with the school district office. Our full faculty met on Monday afternoon to discuss this and to plan. We have also had two meetings and other conversations with the Oxford Borough Police. We have discussed our procedures and there is a plan of action in place. As I wrote in the first paragraph, we do not believe these rumors to be true but we have an obligation to take them seriously and to take precautions. I assure you that we are doing everything possible to track down the source of the rumors, to verify information and to provide a safe school environment. Sincerely,
Jack Powell
Principal










Mother Says School Ignored Warnings Of Alleged Sexual Predator

Teacher Arrested In Alleged Sexual Assault

POSTED: 5:12 p.m. EST November 19, 2003
UPDATED: 6:52 p.m. EST November 19, 2003
CHESTER, Pa. -- The mother of a 13-year-old boy who police say was held for months by a Chester teacher says she asked school officials for help, but they ignored her pleas for help. Maurice CookMaurice Cook, 43, has been charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, interference with custody of children, concealment of whereabouts of a child, corruption of minors and recklessly endangering another person. The alleged victim and suspect met at the Parry Edison Junior Academy in Chester. Cook was a teacher and the boy was a student. Cook is also the former pastor of the Church of Christ, the same church where he allegedly hid the teen.

Police reports show that the teen's mother, Valerie Stanback, reported him missing on July 24. Stanback told investigators that she believed the boy was with Cook when he disappeared. Police set up a surveillance of Cook and observed him enter and leave the church with teen several times. He was arrested Sunday. Stanback went before cameras Wednesday and said she told Parry school officials that Cook was taking advantage of her son, but she got no response from officials. "I just want the truth to be known that I did go to the school at numerous times talking to the principal and vice principal about the concerns over Maurice Cook and my son," Stanback said. Stanback's lawyer, Ed Conway, said she presented administrators with several letters that were allegedly from Cook to her son. Stanback said she felt the letters showed that Cook might have had shady intentions. Among the excerpts Stanback released was the following: "As usual, I want you to do me a favor and change into what I want you to wear." It was signed "Love, your god daddy." However, the school didn't take action, Stanback said. "Their answer was they could not help her, and that there was nothing they could do," Conway said. The teen is in the custody of the Delaware County Children and Youth Services. "Mrs. Stanback had an opportunity to visit with (her son) Monday. He is doing as good as can be expect," Conway said. Some reports said that the teen might have run away from home, but Conway said that wasn't totally true. "He was actually not a runaway, as much as having been held by Mr. Cook for a period of months, since July of this year," Conway said. The Chester-Upland School District said it is looking into the allegation and has no further comment. Stanback said her son will need extensive treatment after the traumatic events. As a matter of policy, NBC 10 News does not identify minors who may have been sexually molested. In this case, the mother and son have different last names.

U.S. Youth Not More Violent Than Foreign Teens

POSTED: 3:52 pm EDT June 8, 2004
The results of an international survey show that young adolescents in the United States are no more likely to engage in violent behavior than teenagers in four other countries. However, World Health Organization statistics show that kids in the United States are more likely to die from violence that kids in Ireland, Israel, Portugal and Sweden. The findings appear in the June issue of The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development study analyzed information on fighting, carrying weapons and being injured in fights, which were all counted as violence.. One explanation the authors offered for the higher mortality rate in the United States is that U.S. adolescents are likely to have access to more lethal weapons. Another possible explanation is that American youth have different attitudes toward life and death. The authors cited a previous WHO study that reported American youth are more likely to believe it's appropriate to kill to protect their property than the those in Estonia, Finland, Romania and Russia. Similarly, the cited study noted reports that adolescents in the United States are more likely to approve of war than were youth in any of those countries. The researchers began the study to determine whether some degree of violence is a normal part of human development. For the Americans, 60.2 percent had not been involved in a fight during the previous year. Likewise, an average of 60.2 percent of youth in the five countries combined had not been involved in a fight during the same time period. Similarly, 89 percent of U.S. youths had not carried a weapon in the previous year, identical to the average percentage of youth in the five countries combined who had not carried a weapon in the previous year. In contrast to the statistics on fighting, the statistics on bullying varied greatly among the countries in the survey. Israeli students were the most likely to have been bullied in the last school term (42.9 percent) and Swedish students were the least likely (14.8 percent). In the United States about 41 percent of student said they had been bullied in the last school term.












Camden Student Allegedly Threatens 'Another Columbine'

Lindenwold High School Student Reports Threat

POSTED: 4:26 pm EDT April 15, 2004
UPDATED: 8:36 am EDT April 16, 2004
CAMDEN, N.J. -- A 16-year-old south New Jersey student is under arrest and charged with threatening a Columbine-style massacre at Lindenwold High School on Friday. According to investigators, a male student at Camden County Technical School told two students at Lindenwold High School that there was going to be "another Columbine," and that he had a "list of people he was going to get."

One of the students that the suspect allegedly talked to went to school officials at the end of the school day Wednesday. Police were called. The 16-year-old was arrested at a friend's house -- led there by the boy's parents. The superintendent of the Lindenwold school district said the student who reported the boy was brave. "We try to provide a nurturing school environment where young people feel as though if they have something that they have a concern about, they have adults at school who are responsible and responsive and will take care of anything that raises a concern for them," said Geraldine Carroll. Police said they confiscated the boy's home computer. They believe the list of the boy's alleged potential victims may be on that computer. Investigators said it does not appear that he had any weapons or access to weapons. The unidentified student was in court Thursday and charged with making terroristic threats. He was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. He is being held at the Youth Detention Center.














Teens Find Student Hanged In Auditorium

Classmates Made Discovery During School

POSTED: 4:23 pm EDT April 27, 2004
UPDATED: 9:52 am EDT April 28, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police said a student was found hanged in the auditorium at Germantown High School on Tuesday, and a group of classmates made the discovery. Slideshow: Students Shocked At Teen's Hanging Death

The student was been identified as 18-year-old William Ganns. School officials said Ganns was a senior and in a co-op program where he went to school at night and worked at the school during the day. They said Ganns had no real problems that they knew of. Other teens who knew the student were shocked and stunned. "I was kind of mad, because I never thought he would do something like this to himself, especially with what he had going for him," said student Jabari Bell. Other students were upset to hear a senior, two credits shy of graduating, would hang himself. "He was a nice guy," said student Kelly Marsh. "I would never think he would hang himself." School officials said six students found the teen behind the stage. "The device that was used was a rope that's attached to the curtain, so it's part of the curtain," said school district CEO Paul Vallas. "The stage can be entered in the back of the (auditorium)." The school nurse performed CPR, but the teen was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The school had counselors Tuesday to talk with students and they will be back Wednesday to help students cope.

Chemical Spill Forces Evacuation Of Olney High School

POSTED: 1:57 pm EST November 15, 2004
UPDATED: 4:17 pm EST November 15, 2004
Students had to evacuate Olney High School Monday because of chemical fumes. Police said that it started when someone broke into a cabinet in a science lab and shattered a container of formaldehyde. Authorities said that 17 people were overcome by fumes and sent to the hospital. Nobody appears to be seriously hurt. Students were sent home for the day.

Police are questioning a student about the break-in. The spill has been safely cleaned up. School will be open Tuesday.





















Driver Dies In Head-On Crash With School Van

Accident Happened In Berks County

POSTED: 6:10 pm EST November 5, 2004
UPDATED: 7:21 am EST November 6, 2004
A school van and a pickup truck crashed on a rural road Friday, killing the driver of the truck and injuring the van driver and two children, officials said. Slideshow: Images From School Bus-Truck Accident Scene The van and truck collided about 4 p.m. on Douglass Drive near School Hill Road in Douglassville, Berks County, police said. The northbound truck, which a witness said was traveling erratically, crossed into the southbound lane and struck the school van head-on, state police said.

The driver of the pickup truck, Cathryn Ryan, 36, of Douglassville, was pronounced dead at the scene by Berks County Coroner Nicholas Bybel. State police said the driver of the van, Judith Weinsteiger, 58, of Bechtelsville, was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she was reported in critical condition Friday night. Police didn't release the names of the children. A school official rode to Reading Hospital with the two children who were in the van. They were not believed to be seriously injured.

Principal Apologizes For 'School Prayer' Poem

Poem Mentions Condoms, Witchcraft

POSTED: 10:51 am EST November 30, 2004
UPDATED: 10:58 am EST November 30, 2004
ATHENS, Ga. -- A high school principal apologized Monday for reading a poem called "The New School Prayer" over the school's intercom, which brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state.
 Tommy Craft said he wanted not to promote religion but to provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in school when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.

"I apologized to them today in another statement," Craft said. "I said that there was no attempt to individualize or to bring ridicule on any particular person with the poem." The poem, which has circulated on the Internet since at least 1992, is written in the rhyming style of the children's prayer that begins "Now I lay me down to sleep." It refers to prayer not being allowed in school, although students can "dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks" or "elect a pregnant Senior Queen." The poem mentions the ability to get condoms and birth control, as well as study "witchcraft, vampires and totem poles." "But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, no word of God must reach this crowd," the poem says. Some parents have complained to both Craft and the Clarke County School Superintendent Lewis Holloway. "Basically, I found the poem offensive, but even if I didn't, I still would believe it crossed the line between church and state," said Ginger Smith, whose daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals High School. Holloway said the district had received "several calls" from people who were upset about the poem. He would not discuss any action taken against Craft.
 

Flasher Accosts High School Swimmer In Locker Room

Several People See Man Running Away

POSTED: 6:49 pm EST December 2, 2004
UPDATED: 6:57 pm EST December 2, 2004
BELLEFONTE, Del. -- Police in Delaware are searching for a man who slipped into a local high school and exposed himself to a teenage girl. The flasher appeared after school Tuesday in the Glasgow High School women's locker room. A 16-year old girl was changing into her swimsuit when the man came up behind her. The girl heard a noise behind her and when she turned around she saw the man performing a lewd act on himself. When he allegedly made a move toward the girl she ran to get help and several people saw the man as he escaped.

"There are several witnesses who feel, definitely, that they can identify him, which is reassuring, especially to the victim," said Lt. Joe Aviola of the Delaware State Police. School policy requires all but the front doors locked, but students still come and go through the side doors. "That's always the challenge. We try to reinforce with the students the need to cooperate and follow the policy," said Freeman Williams, of the Christiana School District. School district officials say they're reviewing security procedures. "Our custodial staff, along with staff that are assigned to those areas, they check the doors in other areas on a regular basis," Williams said. The male was described as white, 5 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, in his late 30s to early 40s with blue eyes and dark, curly hair. He was wearing a red and blue fleece vest over a white t-shirt, tan pants and brown shoes.

Self Defense Is Best Defense Against Attackers

Classes Teach Women How To Fight Back

POSTED: 8:03 pm EDT September 23, 2004
UPDATED: 8:48 pm EDT September 23, 2004
Too often, we hear or read about women who are attacked and raped. But, it doesn't always have to be that way. There are some things you can do to protect yourself, as NBC 10 reporter Edie Huggins found out. Iris Bloom fought off a man who was trying to rape her. The senior instructor at WAVE, the Women's Anti-Violence Education Center in Center City Philadelphia was attacked several years ago while jogging around a college campus in North Carolina. "I heard a twig crack behind me. I turned and looked and I saw a man behind me in jogging clothes, jogging," Bloom remembered.

Bloom moved to one side of the road so the man could pass her. "Right about the time I thought he should be passing me, he jumped me with explosive force, right on my back, with his arm around my neck, cutting off my air," Bloom said. Iris collapsed with her attacker on top of her. "I got this little pocket of air and this thought came to me from, all things, a women's magazine that said, 'Make noise,'" Bloom said. That is just what she did. She shouted as loud as she could and her attacker backed off. "I felt like superwoman. It was a great moment to see him running away from me," Bloom remembered. At WAVE, Bloom equips women and children with the street smarts and self-defense skills the need to fend off an attacker. "(You) use what's strong on your body against what's weak on the aggressor's body. If you have to resist, don't beat him on the chest, use the sharp knuckles on the throat, use a tiger hand, tiger claw against the eyes, use the heel of your palm against the nose, knee to the groin. So, you want to focus on his vulnerable areas, so you put him in a state he cannot function, even momentarily, so you can get distance," Bloom said. Bloom said you should also yell. One study shows that 62 percent of attack victims who screamed or yelled were able to escape their attackers. Self Defense For Women
  • Women's Anti-Violence Education: www.WAVESelfDefense.org, (215) 241-5720
  • Women Organized Against Rape: www.woar.org, (215) 985-3333
  • Choice Hotline: www.choice-phila.org, (215) 985-3300
    •  

    Valley Forge Cadet Faces Sex Charges

    Suspect Allegedly Attacks Other Students

    POSTED: 1:30 pm EST January 20, 2004
    UPDATED: 12:09 am EST January 21, 2004
    VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- A student at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College is accused of sexually assaulting other students. Authorities said the suspect had a detention hearing Tuesday because he is a juvenile, but court officials would not release any information about that hearing. NBC 10 has learned that the 17-year-old cadet faces a long list of charges.

    He was arrested Saturday at the academy when police were called to the school by a staff member who claimed that a cadet was sexually assaulted by another cadet. According to police, further investigation uncovered two more alleged victims who were also cadets. The charges the cadet include statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviant intercourse and harassment. School officials declined to comment to NBC 10. In a written statement, they said "The administration of Valley Forge Military Academy enforces very high standards of character among its Corps of Cadets, and does not tolerate behavior which jeopardizes the safety or well-being of any young man. It is because of this high standard that when conduct unbecoming' occurs, immediate action is taken, as it was in this case." The suspect also faces charges that include stalking and making terroristic threats. The academy, founded in 1928, is the alma mater of Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf and author J.D. Salinger. Its 120-acre campus is 15 miles west of Philadelphia. The school offers a military academy-style education at its college preparatory school, and operates a separate two-year college.


     











    12/11/2004
    LH Middle School incidents probed
    By Steve Ostrosky , Herald-Standard

    Laurel Highlands Middle School administrators are investigating three separate and unrelated incidents that took place during the school day Thursday.
    According to middle school principal Harry Joseph, state police were called to the school after a student became unruly with a guidance counselor and then pushed a security guard before leaving the building and walking toward her home in the Surrey Hill Apartments.

    "The police went and got her and brought her back to school," Joseph said.

    In the meantime, Joseph said, a student went to assistant principal Mary Macar and informed her that students were spotted at a wrestling match Wednesday night looking at a magazine that contained pictures of weapons and made comments about smuggling similar weapons into the school.

    Joseph said the students suspected were brought into the office, had their lockers searched and their parents were notified. The students were also suspended from school, he said.

    In a third incident, a girl is accused of sticking other students with a thumbtack in the cafeteria. Joseph said the student was suspended immediately, and the district has spoken with the state police about possibly filing charges in the incident.

    Rumors were circulating that a student brought a knife to the school and threatened students or teachers, but Joseph said that no such incident occurred.

    "We did have three incidents, but they were nothing like that," he said. "No one was threatened with a knife, and no weapons were involved in any of these cases."

    In February, a 13-year-old female student threatened another 13-year-old female student with a kitchen knife at the school, and the girl was charged through the Fayette County Juvenile Probation office.

    Police said at the time that the girl concealed the knife by taping it to her lower leg and brought it to the school. She approached the victim, showed her the knife and told her she was going to kill her, police said.












    New Teen Sex Danger Concerns Experts

    Girls As Young As 11 Engaging In Oral Sex

    UPDATED: 5:14 p.m. EST February 27, 2004
    Doctors say there is a shocking trend in the United States, according to Philadelphia television station WCAU. Young girls are engaging in an intimate act and not even considering it sex. But, not only is it sex, it can be extremely dangerous. The station spoke with four young girls who do not engage in oral sex, but are well aware of what others do. Statistics show that 40 percent of 10th-graders have engaged in oral sex. Some girls start in middle school. One of the girls told the station that girls as young as 11 are having oral sex, and often it is with older boys.

    The girls think it's something just fun to do because boys tell them it's cool and they think it is going to raise their popularity in school, the station said. They do it in school hallways, school buses, movie theatres and mall dressing rooms. Many of the girls believe they are still virgins and that they are not having sex because they can't get pregnant. "Oral sex is sex," said Dr. Janice Hillman. Hillman is an adolescent and teen specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Medicine at Radnor. "Oral sex is the new 'spin the bottle' of the 2000s. It's the new 'first base.' Before we used to do holding hands and kissing. Oral sex is now the new thing you have to get to when you hook up," Hillman explained. Hillman said it is almost always the girl giving oral sex to the boy. The girls think it is safe, but they are wrong. Doctors are seeing an increase of herpes type 2 -- genital herpes -- on the mouth. Outbreaks of those sores can come and go forever. Even more frightening, the station said, is that doctors say oral sex is increasing the risk of contracting the human papilloma virus -- the one that can lead to cervical cancer. It is also leading to increasing cases of head, neck and mouth cancers. Also, some girls end up depressed or with low self-esteem. So, what should a parent do? Hillman says they should talk frankly with their daughters about oral sex. "It's not about sex. Its all about being safe," Hillman said. You should start early and be clear about your own sexual values. "My mom, she talks to me. She tells me it's not safe to do things like that, and 'You're a young lady and you're beautiful and you're pretty and you don't have to have sex to get what you want, and you've listened to your mom, haven't you?' I don't do anything I don't want to do," said one girl. "Girls are afraid to say 'no.' They have to know how to say 'no,'" Hillman said. You should also teach your girls that they are in control of their bodies and that they should respect themselves, the station said. And you should teach boys that they need to respect girls. "You want me to do something, I say 'No,' and that should be the end of it. If they don't respect you, they're really not worth your time," one of the girls said. Studies show kids most often want information about sex to come from their parents. The most effective parents are the ones who keep talking.











    Jersey Man Arrested In Ohio During Internet Sex Sting

    Police Pose As 12-Year-Old Girl

    POSTED: 4:36 p.m. EST January 2, 2003
    UPDATED: 6:31 p.m. EST January 2, 2003
    TABERNACLE, N.J. -- A South Jersey man was arrested in Ohio last Friday during an Internet sex sting. Police said that Kelly Jackson is accused of trying to solicit a 12-year old girl over the Internet. Investigators said that the Burlington County man traveled from his home in Tabernacle, N.J., to Massillon, Ohio, near Canton, Ohio, to meet the girl.

    Police in Ohio said that Jackson, 60, allegedly corresponded over the Internet with a person he thought was a 12-year-old girl. Jackson exchanged e-mails and instant messages with the "girl" for four months and then authorities said he arranged to meet her at a fast-food restaurant. However, when he arrived, 12 police officers met him there instead. Detectives said that the 12-year-old was actually a police officer working undercover to catch people committing Internet sex crimes. Mmany of Jackson's neighbors in Tabernacle said that the allegations against him are disturbing. Jackson is in an Ohio jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday morning. He could face up to six years in prison, but detectives said that they intend to add on additional state and federal charges that could increase Jackson's possible prison time.











    Several Students Arrested In Lincoln H.S. Fight

    Police Arrest Several Students

    POSTED: 1:59 pm EDT October 15, 2004
    UPDATED: 5:07 pm EDT October 15, 2004
    PHILADELPHIA -- Police were called in after a fight broke out at a northeast Philadelphia High School and officials say this is not the first such incident at the school. School officials said that at about 1 p.m. Friday, during the 7th period lunch hour, a fight started between seven students in the cafeteria. Officials said it escalated into a food fight involving about 100 students. Philadelphia police were brought in to get the situation under control. They removed 450 students from the cafeteria and moved them outside on the school grounds. A short time later, those students were dismissed and sent home.

    According to school officials, three students were arrested and one student was injured, but officials said those numbers could change. NBC 10 News observed at least seven arrests. Police said that they had to transport some students to local hospitals. Students told NBC 10 News that police used batons and some students were maced. Those stories have not been confirmed. "Students who were involved in provoking fights, or involved in fights, students who were instigators will be expelled. We have 3,500 alternative school slots for students who are not going to be able to behave themselves," said Paul Vallas, the superintendent of Philadelphia schools. This was the second fight in two weeks. Last Friday, 24 students were arrested after a fight broke out outside the school. School officials said they are going to step up the security presence inside the cafeteria, beginning Monday. They are also going to park a truancy van outside the school. They said they will bring in any students who are found lingering outside the school or found wandering the hallways of the school. A community meeting for parents will be held Monday at 6 p.m.











    One Teen Dead After Shooting Outside High School

    Philadelphia Teen Sent To Hospital

    POSTED: 3:48 p.m. EDT September 24, 2002
    UPDATED: 5:38 p.m. EDT September 24, 2002
    PHILADELPHIA -- A deadly shooting outside West Philadelphia High School left one person dead Tuesday. The shooting took place at 2:20 p.m., just as classes were letting out at the school at the corner of 48th and Spruce streets. Both victims were teenagers. One was killed on a sidewalk and the other victim, a 16-year-old West Philadelphia High School student, ran into the school after being shot. He is in fair condition.

    Police told NBC 10 that they are looking for one man and they think more may be involved. An automatic weapon was found behind a fence at the University Swim Club. Police believe that gun was used in the shooting. Authorities said they think the 16-year-old male was an innocent bystander. Stay tuned to NBC 10 for updates on this story.













    K.C. Boy Kicked Off School Bus Miles From Home

    Bus Company Places Driver On Leave Pending Investigation

    POSTED: 8:51 a.m. EDT October 3, 2003
    KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An 11-year-old boy said he was kicked off his school bus early Thursday morning as he was on his way to a middle school in the Kansas City, Mo., School District, according to KMBC-TV in Kansas City. Beau Peterson boarded the bus at about 6:30 a.m., which he expected to take him to Nowlin Middle School, where he attends the sixth grade. But Beau said the driver stopped the bus and told him to get off or she'd call the police. He said he got off and, frightened, began walking the two miles back to his home. Beau walked only a short distance before he saw a Jackson County Sheriff's deputy writing a traffic ticket. He asked the officer if he could get a ride home. The deputy gave the boy a ride and then told Beau's mother what had happened.

    Michele Peterson, Beau's mother, said she was "hysterical," when she heard the story. She called the school bus company while Beau's father took the boy to school. The school bus driver claimed it was a case of mistaken identity -- she thought it was a child she had kicked off the bus many times before, the boy's father said. A spokesman for the bus company, First Student Inc., said the driver was wrong and has been put on leave while the case is being investigated. The spokesman also said that it is not company policy to kick any child off a bus. If a student gets on the wrong bus, the driver is supposed to take them to the school on the driver's route where district transportation officials can take them to the correct school, the spokesman said. Beau said he will probably ask his father to take him to school in the future.

    Pemberton High School Evacuated

    Reports Say Bomb Scare Called In

    POSTED: 4:11 p.m. EST November 3, 2003
    UPDATED: 4:25 p.m. EST November 3, 2003
    PEMBERTON, N.J. -- Pemberton High School in south New Jersey has been evacuated, reportedly because of a bomb scare. Some students are being kept out on nearby athletic fields and others are being bused home. Police are on the scene. Parents are being told to stay away from the school. An area for parents has been set up at the nearby Helen Fort Middle School.

    A police canine unit is searching the school. No one has been hurt.
     

    Bristol School Lock Down Is Over

    Police On Scene In Bristol Borough

    POSTED: 4:14 p.m. EST November 25, 2003
    UPDATED: 5:05 p.m. EST November 25, 2003
    Officials at the William Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School in Bristol Borough have released students who had been under a lock down after a shooting near the school. Police say the shooter is still at large. School officials also say that they will move some students to a nearby high school if parents or guardians aren't immediately available to get students.

    Police were on the scene after an incident at 2:45 p.m. near the school where gunshots were exchanged between officers and a suspect. The shooting scene was at 600 Spruce St., which is one block away from the school at 420 Buckley St. Police had been looking for a suspect who may have fled into the woods after the shooting. K-9 units were also at the scene.














    Will Anti-Bully Bill Make Schools Safer?

    Lieutenant Governor Pushes Bullying Bill

    POSTED: 2:16 p.m. EST February 23, 2004
    UPDATED: 2:19 p.m. EST February 23, 2004
    DES MOINES, Iowa -- Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson said she's pushing Republican lawmakers to take up a bill that would make school districts develop anti-bullying plans. Pederson said that if school districts have plans to prevent bullying, children will be safer and able to learn better. Under Pederson's plan, the Iowa Department of Education would assist the school districts in developing model plans to prevent bullying.

    Pederson said bullying can be verbal, emotional or physical and can target students with all types of harassment. She said all can lead to lasting, far-reaching effects to both the victim, who can suffer emotional problems, and bullies who are more likely to grow up and commit acts of violence and abuse. Pederson wants Republican lawmakers to take up the bill during an education committee hearing this week. They say they are developing a plan of their own. Previous Stories:











    Report: More than 200 dead after troops storm school

    Three hostage-takers reportedly being interrogated; 27 killed

    Friday, September 3, 2004 Posted: 10:45 PM EDT (0245 GMT) Saturday, September 4, 2004 Posted: 0245 GMT (1045 HKT)

    story.schoolgirl.afp.jpg
    A man carries an injured schoolgirl from the scene.
    Image:


    BESLAN, Russia (CNN) -- The operation to end the school hostage crisis in Russia is over, an emergency official said late Friday, but more than 200 people have died.

    The Interfax news agency, quoting Russian health officials, reported the death toll.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived early Saturday in an unexpected visit to the siege town.

    "Nobody wanted to use force, and Russia is grieving with the people of North Ossetia," he said, referring to the people in the province where the attack happened.

    Russian security officials said Putin visited wounded in the hospital and has been meeting with local officials.

    Officials from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said that 704 people, including 259 children, were freed Friday after police and soldiers stormed the school.

    It was not immediately clear how many of those who survived were wounded, but officials have said hundreds were injured.

    The Emergency Situations Ministry said 79 bodies have been identified.

    Interfax news agency has said more than 200 were killed and the death toll is expected to rise. Interfax also said 27 hostage-takers were killed and three were captured alive.

    As rain fell in Beslan, soldiers began deactivating explosives that had been placed in the school. No gunfire was heard, but there were large explosions in the evening that appeared to be part of the de-mining operation.

    Reports said as many as 1,200 hostages might have been inside the school and that 70 percent of them were children. Earlier reports had placed the number of hostages at a few hundred. (Map of school)

    Valery Andreyev, head of the local branch of the FSB intelligence service, said 400 people had been freed as commandos stormed the school in an unplanned attack.

    Andreyev said 10 of the dead hostage-takers were from Arab countries. It was thought that the rebels were all residents of the restive Republic of Chechnya or other parts of the Russian Caucasus.

    Chechens in the past have been affiliated with the al Qaeda terror network, and an Arab connection in this incident further suggests a link between the Chechen rebel movement and international terrorists.

    The standoff began Wednesday morning when armed militants took children, parents and teachers hostage on the first day of school in Beslan, located in North Ossetia, near Chechnya, where rebels have been fighting Russia and demanding independence for the Muslim-majority republic.

    Raid wasn't planned

    An FSB official told Russian media that troops had been ready for a long siege.

    However, the forces stormed the building around midday after Russian officials, under a cease-fire agreement with militants, tried to collect bodies lying outside the building.

    There was an explosion, scores of hostages fled, and hostage-takers opened fire on the children and rescue workers. One of the workers was killed and another was wounded.

    One witness told a reporter that a hostage-taker had set off a suicide bomb in a gymnasium full of children.

    Russian troops then opened fire at the rebels, and the battle began.

    Russian forces blasted holes in a building of the school to create passages through which hostages could escape and soldiers could enter. The roof of the building collapsed onto the crowd below.

    During the assault, a Russian soldier and a news cameraman were wounded by gunfire.

    Interfax quoted a Defense official as saying that "the terrorists planted a lot of mines and booby-traps filled with metal bolts in the gym" where hostages were held.

    Near the scene, news footage showed bodies of children on stretchers.

    One woman leaned down to a young boy, hugging and caressing the youth, who shared a stretcher with a body. Other women stood, holding their hands to their mouths and weeping.

    Children who survived said they were denied food and water and had to take off their clothes because of the heat. Some boys said that because they had no water, they had to drink their own urine.

    The standoff followed a bloody week in Russia, in which a female suicide bomber killed nine people outside a Moscow subway station Tuesday and two airliners were downed by two suspected Chechen female suicide bombers on August 24, killing all 89 on board.

    Russian officials have suggested the new wave of attacks is an attempt at revenge for last weekend's elections in Chechnya, in which a Kremlin-backed candidate won the presidency.

    On Friday, the State Department issued an alert to Americans in Russia or traveling to Russia that "the potential for terrorist actions, including actions against civilians, is high and likely will remain so for some time."

    Citing the plane crashes, hostage standoff and other violence in recent years, the State Department warned Americans against travel to Chechnya and nearby areas.

    "United States government personnel are prohibited from traveling to these areas, and American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately as the safety of Americans and other foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed," the alert said.

    The alert said there is no indication that Americans or American installations are being targeted but "the possibility of an American citizen being a random victim of these attacks exists."








    Students Testify About Sexual Acts With Teacher

    Defendant Not Charged With Rape

    POSTED: 4:41 pm EDT June 3, 2004
    UPDATED: 5:06 pm EDT June 3, 2004
    POTTSTOWN, Pa. -- A former suburban high school band teacher charged with having sex with students listened to testimony from those students in court Thursday and then was held for trial. Christian Oakes 6/03Christian Oakes, who taught at Pottsgrove High School, is being held on charges of child pornography, sexual assault of children and corruption of a minor, among other things. The two students involved in the case, both 17 at the time of the acts, took the stand Thursday and described the sex acts allegedly performed upon school grounds. They said they had consensual sex with the teacher in a closet at the high school and in the teacher's car after football games.

    Oakes, 30, had nothing to say after hearing the testimony. "Parents send their students off to schools and trust they will be taught and cared for by the teachers, not abused and taken advantage of," said Todd Stephen, the assistant district attorney. Oakes is not accused of forcing the teens to have sex. One of the students testified that she put nude pictures of herself on a Web site and told the teacher where he could find them. Oakes' attorney is fighting the child pornography charge, saying his client never possessed the pictures. Police are analyzing his computer now. "In order to view it on your computer, your computer has to possess it. When you look at something on a Web site, your computer has to store that information," Stephen said. Oakes, who is married with two children, is free on bail. He does not face rape charges because the age of consent is 16.












    Five Years Ago Today: Columbine

    Experts Concerned About Emergency Plans

    POSTED: 7:35 am EDT April 19, 2004
    UPDATED: 10:27 am EDT April 20, 2004
    Experts warn that schools aren't following through on the lessons of Columbine on the fifth anniversary of the Colorado high school killings. Video: Fifth Anniversary Of Columbine
    Slideshow: Recently Released Video Of Killers
    Slideshow: Columbine Target Practice Video
    Slideshow: Scenes After The April 20, 1999 Attack

    On April 20, 1999, teenagers DYlan Klebold and Eric Harris walked into Columbine High School with guns, knives and bombs. They killed 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves. Even in Colorado, experts say some schools have not followed up on safety plans put in place just after the school tragedy. One security consultant says administrators faced with a choice of hiring a security officer or a tutor are likely to go with a tutor because of the increasing emphasis on test scores. And he says tight budgets leave teachers precious little time for crisis or anti-violence training. "The problem is that when public attention fades away, momentum also does," said state Assistant Attorney General Don Quick, who served on the Columbine Review Commission and continues to meet with school officials on safety issues. "We're trying to prevent that.'' At Columbine, no officers entered the building until about 40 minutes after the first 911 call from the school. Critics have said that decision might have contributed to the death of teacher Dave Sanders, who bled to death from gunshot wounds.

    Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.














    Researcher: Kindergarteners See Bullying Every 5 Minutes

    Taunts, Pushing Make Victims

    POSTED: 4:03 p.m. EDT April 13, 2004
    UPDATED: 3:28 p.m. EDT April 14, 2004
    A new study finds children are the targets of verbal or physical harassment about once every five minutes. Jim Snyder, a psychology professor at Wichita State University, studied 266 kindergartners at a Wichita, Kan. school playground over two years.

    He saw behavior ranging from telling someone she has cooties to pushing and other physical violence. He found that harassment decreases as children move on from kindergarten and learn how to deal with it. But he also found that about 10 percent of the children in the study became chronic victims. "That harassment gets more focused on fewer and fewer kids," Snyder said. "It's like acquiring over time a status of being a victim." He said the way people establish themselves among peers turns out to be very important. His findings were published in the journal Child Development. The study was funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, which views bullying as a public health issue. Snyder says that the massacre at Columbine High School caused people to realize that bullying is not acceptable. Previous Stories:

    Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.













    Baby Jesus Back At Horsham School

    Superintendent Overturns Principal's Decision

    POSTED: 7:30 pm EST December 17, 2003
    UPDATED: 7:25 am EST December 19, 2003
    Hatboro-Horsham School Superintendent William Lessa will allow a Nativity scene previously barred from an elementary school to return to its place next to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa exhibits. Slideshow (Updated 12/19): Baby Jesus Alright With Superintendent
    Lessa made the announcement to a jubilant crowd assembled for a concert at Horsham's Dorothea Simmons Elementary School on Thursday night.

    The crowd broke out into a huge round of applause when Lessa made the announcement. After the concert, a tired Lessa declined to comment on the decision. " I think it was the right decision to make," said one parent. "You know, it's a majority of people have an issue with it and we should go by that. I think he made the right decision. " Earlier Thursday, Lessa told NBC 10 that he was consulting with legal and education experts, as well as parents, about the earlier decision made by school principal Karen Davis to bar the Nativity scene. The small nativity scene was put in the lobby display case at the school in Horsham, but the principal had it removed. "I thought that it went over the top and overboard," said Principal Karen Davis. "I thought it was especially inappropriate for a public school." "A nativity scene was inappropriate to have displayed here," Davis said. "I thought that there were other symbols to represent Christmas that weren't as religious in nature to display." Davis allowed a Christmas tree in the lobby of the school, along with a Menorah and items representing Kwanzaa. Davis said Kwanzaa isn't a religious holiday and the Menorah is much of a cultural symbol as it is a religious symbol. "Judaism is not just a religion, it's a culture, also," Davis said. "I felt that the nativity scene was definitely promoting Christianity." But a lot of people at the district's middle school concert believe a nativity scene is more than a religious icon.
     Lessa initially said while public nativity scenes are constitutional, it's a gray area over how much church should be allowed in school, and he wants to err on the conservative side.
    "To even begin to imply that the acknowledgement of a nativity is inappropriate doesn't sound right to me," Lessa said. "That's not the message I want to send. The question is, 'Is it appropriate in a public school setting?'" Lessa left the door open to reverse the decision, which he did after nearly two days of controversy. Also on Thursday, an organization representing Catholic civil rights threatened to sue the school district if the creche wasn't returned to the display case. Parents at the concert also supported Davis despite her original decision. "I think Karen Davis is a excellent principal.," said another parent. "She has nothing but the best interest of the school and kids at heart. I don't think she would intentionally slight or offend anyone. " The superintendent said that the Nativity scene will stay up through the end of the holiday but he wants to revisit the topic later the year.











    Fight Closes Norristown High School

    Officials Believe No Injuries Resulted From Fight

    POSTED: 12:32 pm EST March 3, 2004
    Norristown High School in Montgomery County closed Wednesday after an apparent brawl at the school. School officials told NBC 10 that there was a big fight between two groups of male students at the suburban school. They also said that there were no injuries to students, to their knowledge.

    Classes were dismissed at 12 p.m. Wednesday and students are being sent home.     The school is on 1900 Eagle Drive and has an enrollment of 1,900 students. NBC 10 News will have more details on this story starting at 4 p.m.

    High school political debate leads to assault

    Thursday, November 11, 2004 Posted: 2:40 PM EST (1940 GMT) Thursday, November 11, 2004 Posted: 1940 GMT (0340 HKT)



    APPLE VALLEY, Minnesota (AP) -- Three high school students, one allegedly armed with a bat, were charged with attacking a pro-President Bush classmate after he reportedly said only gays would support Sen. John Kerry.

    "It's a good thing to see young people interested and excited about politics," said Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. "It's obviously very disturbing to see this kind of violence over it."

    The 17-year-old was assaulted last Thursday in the high school parking lot following a class discussion about the election, authorities said. He was treated for cuts and bruises and released.

    The alleged assailants have all been charged: one with felony assault -- because he allegedly went to his car to get a bat during the assault, prosecutors said -- one with misdemeanor assault and one with disorderly conduct.


     

    Teacher Says She Was Insane During Sex With Student

    Teacher's Sister Had Recently Been Killed In Crash

    POSTED: 8:46 am EST December 1, 2004
    TAMPA, Fla. -- A suspended middle-school teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old former student will claim she was insane at the time of the alleged encounters, her attorney said.
    Debra Lafave's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, said in court Tuesday that he would file notice of an insanity defense "in the near future."
    Debra Lafave, middle school teacher charged with having sex with 14-year-old
    AP Image
    Debra Lafave, middle school teacher charged with having sex with 14-year-old

    "Debbie has some profound emotional issues that are not her fault," Fitzgibbons said after the hearing. Several doctors have examined Lafave in recent months, Fitzgibbons said, and their findings will cast light on what happened in this case.
    Lafave, 24, was present for the hearing but did not speak to reporters. She has pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery and one count of lewd and lascivious exhibition, each of which carry a maximum 15-year prison term.
    Her former student said that he and Lafave had sex five times in early June, encounters that allegedly occurred in her townhouse, her classroom and the back of her Isuzu during rides through Ocala.
    The defense is expected to point to the April 2001 death of Lafave's older sister, Angela Beasley, who was 24 years old and five months pregnant when an intoxicated Army captain, Joseph Piotrowski, plowed his Jeep into her car. Piotrowski is now serving a 30-year prison term for the crime.
    During Piotrowski's court-martial in August 2001, Lafave testified that she had been depressed, angry and ill since her sister's death. "It's hard to concentrate on anything but that," she said.
    Her mother, Joyce Beasley, described her as "pretty much a basket case" as a result of her sister's death.
    At the request of both sides, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Wayne Timmerman agreed to delay Lafave's trial. The case goes before the judge again on March 22 for a pretrial hearing, with a trial set for April 25.

    Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press  All rights reserved.

















    Man Accused Of Using Web To Pick Up 12-Year-Old

    Suspect Charged With Possessing Viagra As 'Instrument of Crime'

    POSTED: 5:34 pm EST January 21, 2004
    UPDATED: 7:42 pm EST January 21, 2004
    In a Montgomery County courtroom on Wednesday, a Northeast Pennsylvania man is accused of using the Internet to set up a sexual encounter with 12-year-old girl, who turned out to be a policeman.
    Internet Sex Suspect Appears In Court
    Slideshow: Internet Sex Suspect Appears In Court

    Detectives arrested Edward R. Gudzyk, 48, of Weatherly, Pa., in a King Of Prussia, Pa., parking lot last week, when they say he came there to meet someone he thought would be a 12-year-old girl.
     
    Police said Gudzyk was armed with a .25-Caliber handgun, and he had marijuana, condoms and Viagra in his pockets.
    Gudzyk's defense calls the scenario an "entrapment."
    "The detectives . . . faxed or e-mailed or transmitted a letter of a picture of a 26-year-old female represented to be the 12-year-old," said defense attorney Bill Moore.
    "And I submit it's not unreasonable my client knew it wasn't a 12-year-old he was involved with."
    Gudzyk was also charged with possessing an instrument of crime: the Viagra in his pocket.
    "Anything that is commonly used to commit a crime or anything else that has a lawful purpose used to advance a criminal purpose can be an instrument of crime," said Montgomery County district attorney Bruce Castor.
    Castor said that if Gudzyk is found to have intended to use the Viagra to commit the crime of rape, he faces a long prison sentence.
    Gudzyk, who is married and has two children, and he shook his head in disagreement through much of the hearing.
    The judge ruled Gudzyk will be held for trial on $5,000,000 bail.
    Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved.
















    Father May Be Charged For Allowing Teen To Have Sex

    Man Apparently Provided Condoms To Daughter, Boyfriend

    POSTED: 9:52 a.m. EST January 8, 2004
    A Detroit-area father faces criminal sexual conduct charges for allegedly allowing his 15-year-old daughter to have sex with a man, according to police. Police say the sexual activity took place in the fall when the father allowed his daughter's boyfriend, Ronald Gossage, to stay with them for at least 10 days in the family's home. "He allowed the suspect to sleep in the same bed as his 15-year-old daughter. There's also statements from them that he provided condoms," said Lt. Dan Kolke of the Fraser, Mich., Police Department.

    The father had apparently approved of his daughter having sex with Gossage, whom he thought was 18, but when he later found out Gossage was 20 years old, he became upset, television station WDIV reported. "The father believed that the suspect was only 18 years old having sex with his 15-year-old daughter. He then found out that the suspect was actually 20 years old," said Kolke. The teen's father went to Fraser police to file a complaint against Gossage, but police were apparently just as concerned with the fact that he was letting his teenage daughter have sex at all. The Macomb County Prosecutor's office decided to charge the father and Gossage with three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, WDIV reported. "The way the state looks at it is it could be considered a conspiracy-type charge. If he would knowingly let that type of crime be committed, he could be charged with the same crime," said Kolke. In the state of Michigan, sex is a crime if both consenting parties aren't at least 17 years old, according to WDIV. The father and Gossage remained in jail Wednesday. They will both return to court on separate dates later this month. The Family Independence Agency is also investigating the case.
     

    Jersey Teacher Accused Of Sex With Student

    Lawyer Says Husband Is Father Of Unborn Child

    POSTED: 3:55 p.m. EST February 26, 2003
    UPDATED: 4:21 p.m. EST February 26, 2003
    MENDHAM, N.J. -- Prosecutors are investigating a sex scandal at a New Jersey school. A teacher is now pregnant and accused of having sex with one of her seventh-grade students in Mendham, N.J., a wealthy town about 30 miles west of New York City. Jodi Thorp, 35, was free on bail Wednesday night.

    Police said that Thorp had sex with a seventh-grader at least 20 times. She has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment. Other students, who reported seeing Thorp kissing the boy, tipped off authorities. "They are always together at night. We'd be playing games but they were always together, you know," said Henry Martin, a student. Thorp's lawyer maintains she is innocent. As far as Thorp's pregnancy is concerned, the lawyer said that the father is Thorp's husband.




























    2 Resign From Scandal-Plagued Colorado

    POSTED: 10:06 pm EDT August 4, 2004
    UPDATED: 11:11 am EDT August 5, 2004
    BOULDER, Colo. -- Burdened by the sex scandal involving athletes, two women resigned from their positions Wednesday at the University of Colorado. Heather Sturm and Amy Robertson, both unhappy with past events and the general climate on campus, are leaving the school. Sturm worked at the Rape and Gender Education Program, while Robertson left her job as head of the school's victim assistance office. Colorado has been accused of using alcohol-fueled sex parties to lure football players to the school. Nine women have accused football players of rape since 1997, although no charges have been filed. Several others have filed federal lawsuits claiming they were sexually assaulted by football players or recruits.

    University President Betsy Hoffman announced in late May that head football coach Gary Barnett would keep his job despite the recent scandal and that the athletics department would be restructured to reduce its autonomy.

    Copyright 2004. Courtesy of SportsNetwork.


















    Younger Vick In Trouble?

    POSTED: 9:18 am EST January 30, 2004
    Blacksburg, VA -- Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick had his apartment searched by police earlier this week after two teenage girls said he had sex with their 15-year-old friend. According to a search warrant affidavit filed on Thursday, Vick has not been charged with any crime and police are investigating the incident as contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- a misdemeanor charge. The 19-year-old redshirted sophomore threw for 475 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season on 30-of-57 passing. He also threw five interceptions, while rushing for 102 yards on 37 attempts.

    Vick is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick.

    Copyright 2004 Courtesy of SportsNetwork.

    Teen Charged In Asphyxiation Death Of Destiny Wright

    Police Say El-Shabazz Confessed

    POSTED: 1:25 p.m. EDT August 9, 2002
    UPDATED: 7:02 p.m. EDT August 9, 2002
    PHILADELPHIA -- An 18-year-old teen is under arrest for the murder of 6-year-old Destiny Wright. Destiny's body was found in an overgrown lot Thursday night and Abdul El Shabazz faces multiple charges, including murder, rape, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault, all felonies. He also faces misdemeanor counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure, abuse of a corpse and corruption of a minor. Destiny's mother, Kareama Wright, was inconsolable after being told her little girl's body had been found. Family and friends were all distraught because they had been holding out hope that the girl would somehow be found alive.

    Police said that El Shabazz is a friend of the family who was in the house the night Destiny disappeared. According to authorities, El Shabazz told them he is sorry for what he did and that during his confession he was remorseful and cooperative. Police commissioner Sylvester Johnson said that the teen has no sex crimes in his past. "There's no reason or motive for anyone having sex with a 6-year-old child." Family members told NBC 10 that El Shabazz was the perfect baby sitter. He was always available to take care of the little ones and clean the house. While the family frantically searched for Destiny, he searched too. But police said that his conversations with them didn't add up. El Shabazz lived in the Westmoreland Street rowhome where Destiny was visiting her father's girlfriend, Angela Graham. The suspect is El Shabazz's sister. Police said that once they started questioning El Shabazz, it didn't take long for him to confess to the child's murder. NBC 10 sources said that the teen also confessed on videotape, admitting to raping Destiny in the house. He reportedly covered the girl's mouth to keep her quiet and when he realized she was dead he put her body in a shopping cart. El Shabazz told detectives that he pushed the cart around until he found the grassy vacant lot on Frankford Avenue about 1.5 miles from home. He left the body in the grass and brought the cart back home. When he was taken in for questioning, El Shabazz's family was angry and made allegations that authorities were beating him. However, sources told NBC 10 News that the suspect thanked detectives in his confession for their kind treatment of him and helping him. The police commissioner confirmed that El Shabazz had been arraigned and that the official cause of Destiny's death was asphyxiation. After the child's body was found, residents brought stuffed animals to create a huge makeshift memorial around a utility pole where her missing-person's photo had been posted. A memorial service will be held for Destiny Friday at 7 p.m. in Kensington at the Ascension of Our Lord Church, at the intersection of "F" and East Westmoreland streets. Destiny's grandmother had custody of her in northeast Philadelphia. Her father, Ricky Corley, is in jail, police said.

















    Girls' Wild School Brawl Caught On Tape

    Students Say Female Fistfight Is Last-Day Ritual

    POSTED: 3:33 p.m. EDT June 17, 2003
    UPDATED: 6:29 p.m. EDT June 17, 2003
    PITTSBURGH -- More than a dozen girls started fistfighting after an early dismissal on the last day of classes Monday at Peabody High School. The altercation started on school grounds around 10:30 a.m. and continued on the streets of East Liberty. The student who shot the footage said she wasn't in school that day, but went there when classes let out because she and others had heard there would be fights. Robert Fadzen, chief of safety for Pittsburgh Public Schools, said some end-of-school enthusiasm merely got out of hand. He said police haven't seen anything worse than water balloons and water guns on the last day of classes in the past. But students said it has become somewhat of a tradition for girls to settle their differences this way. They said it was well-known that the violence was being planned. "People knew this was coming because it almost happened on Friday. They should have known that it was going to be the last day of school and there was going to be fighting everywhere," student Marcie Rucker said. "There were students talking the whole year about their enemies and how they're going to fight. It happens every year," said another girl, who didn't want to be identified. "They're going to fight at the end of the year, and they just fought today." Fadzen said there is no annual end-of-year fighting tradition in the city schools. No one was seriously hurt, but one girl was treated at a hospital after being pepper sprayed. The video appears to show her holding her eyes after already being sprayed. As an officer attempted to handcuff the girl, another officer appears to spray her again. She is taken to her knees and handcuffed. Some witnesses thought the officers used unnecessary force. "They put her in handcuffs and one of the policemen threw her on the ground," one witness said. "I was thinking, 'Why should he have to throw her on the ground when he's a man and she's a slim girl?' He shouldn't have to do that, I didn't think." Fadzen said the force used by officers was not excessive. Though a dozen or more girls were fighting, only one was arrested for disorderly conduct. Another girl was cited for failing to disperse. Four boys who never threw a punch were also cited for failing to disperse. Police and students think the fight was a one-time incident that will not be repeated.
















    Teacher Accused Of Sex With Minor When He Was A Priest

    Accusations Date Back To 1988

    POSTED: 6:41 p.m. EDT April 12, 2002
    UPDATED: 7:27 p.m. EDT April 12, 2002
    CINNAMINSON, N.J. -- A man who left the priesthood after allegedly getting a 15-year-old pregnant is now teaching fifth graders in South Jersey.
    FeedRoom
    Teacher Accused
     Teacher Sex Allegations Surface
    FeedRoom
    Joseph DeShan has been a teacher at the Eleanor Rush Elementary School for five years. But it is what allegedly happened years ago when he was a priest. If the alleged sins of the father are true, then it is important news to parents whose children attend Eleanor Rush Elementary School.

    It has taken years for sex allegations against DeShan to surface. According to the Bridgeport Courant newspaper, the incident happened a decade ago in 1988 when DeShan was a priest in Bridgeport, Conn. The newspaper report said that he befriended a 15-year-old girl who was a member of his youth group, a church softball league player and a church receptionist. The report said that their relationship soon turned sexual and resulted in the birth of a child when the girl was 16 years old. The article also said that DeShan quickly requested a leave of absence from the church, allegedly revealing the relationship, the pregnancy and the name of the girl to his bishop, Edward Eagan. Eagan is now a cardinal in New York City. According to the report, the girl said that one of Eagan's aides fired her, while letting DeShan leave the priesthood with no record of sexual misconduct. The Bridgeport Archdiocese said that DeShan testified that he had a monogamous relationship with a woman. It went on to say that DeShan never told Eagan that he had a sexual relationship with a minor. The superintendent of the Cinnaminson school district said that he would like to wrap up the investigation into the matter as soon as possible, but he could not get in touch with him. "We tried to reach him at his home because, obviously, we want to hear his side of the story and he has not returned my call," said school superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi. NBC 10 News went to DeShan's home for comment, but could not reach him. The superintendent said that because there were no charges against DeShan, nothing showed up on a pre-employment background check. He also said that, to his knowledge, DeShan has never acted inappropriately with students. DeShan called in sick Thursday and he is now on administrative leave until the matter is settled.


















    Former Students Say Ex-Nun Abused Them In 1970s

    Woman Faces Jail Term In Virginia

    POSTED: 5:35 pm EDT July 15, 2004
    Five former local students of an ex-nun facing a Virginia jail term in a sex case say the same woman abused them in the 1970s.

    The former nun now faces up to 10 years in prison for the alleged molestation of a 10-year-old fifth-grader in Virginia Beach, Va.
    Eileen Rhoads, who is now 65, entered a type of plea Thursday in which she admitted no guilt, but agreed there was enough evidence to convict her.
    Rhoads, who lives in Drexel Hill, Pa., still faces civil suits in Pennsylvania, where she was a lay teacher in a Catholic school after leaving Virginia.
    In May, NBC 10 spoke exclusively with five former Delaware County students who said they were sexually abused by Rhoads 30 years ago.
    As new details about the Virginia case against Rhoads emerge, the group of local former students said what the former nun allegedly did to the little child in Virginia Beach more than 30 years ago was almost exactly what happened to them just a few years later.
    Virginia prosecutors have released evidence saying the former nun allegedly taught the 10-year-old boy how to "stimulate her … or simulate sexual intercourse."
    He also would have testified that "she kept her habit on; she would have him unsnap her bra (and) touch her breasts."
    Also, "the defendant told the child on several occasions that she was a 'whore before she became a nun and she was a whore to that day.'"
    "I want her to say she did it and I want her to say she's sorry," said Linda Curran.
    Curran is furious Rhoads didn't admit guilt on Thursday. She's one of five former local students who claims Rhoads gave them all sex lessons in class at Holy Cross Catholic School in Delaware County in the 1970s.
    They claim Rhoads also had sex with them at her Delaware County home.
    Rhoads left the convent before she was hired as a teacher by the Philadelphia archdiocese. Curran's civil suit and the other victims' suits insist the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Diocese in Virginia knew about Rhoads' sexual crimes but didn't tell.
    In May, NBC 10 found Rhoads out sunning herself in front of her Drexel Hill home, but she refused to talk to NBC 10.
    Her attorney on Thursday told NBC 10 her plea in Virginia was in his client's best interest.
    The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Diocese in Virginia and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have said they had no knowledge and that there never was any report of sexual abuse while Rhoads was a nun and then a teacher.
    Rhoads is currently out on bail, but in September she is expected to be sentenced.

    Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com.


















    Bucks County Teacher Charged With Sex With Student

    Suspect Is Popular Art Teacher

    POSTED: 5:51 p.m. EDT October 4, 2002
    UPDATED: 8:33 p.m. EDT October 4, 2002
    DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- An art teacher at a Bucks County middle school has been charged with having sex with a former student. Art Teacher SuspectNewman, 30, is a popular art teacher at Holicong Middle School in the Central Bucks School District. According the criminal complaint, Newman had sex with the 15-year-old student at his apartment in Doylestown, Pa.

    The girl, now a 10th-grader at Central Bucks East High School, told police that she went to Newman's apartment about 10 times last summer. She said that, at Newman's direction, she climbed up the fire escape and entered his bedroom window on the third floor. Many parents, students and teachers at Holicong said that they couldn't believe the charges. "I was in total disbelief, and I definitely don't believe it for a minute," said parent Lisa Bitzer. "I want to see where the allegations are from. I'm not sure I believe the child, and normally I would because I'm a parent." Newman was arrested Wednesday night and charged with statutory sexual assault as well as corruption of a minor. His father, former Central Bucks School District Superintendent Thomas Newman, posted his bail.

    Wake County teacher resigns amid sex scandal

    POSTED: 8:34 p.m. EDT April 29, 2002
    RALEIGH -- A Wake County teacher resigned after police arrested and charged her with having sex with a student. Betty Godwin Mackie announced her resignation from Broughton High School after she was accused of engaging in a sexual act with a 13-year-old student at Ligon Middle School. The incident allegedly took place at the school two years ago when Mackie taught there.

    Many of Mackie's current students were upset when they learned of her resignation. "Everybody's just shocked," said Andrea Morgan, a tenth-grader at Broughton High School. "Everybody says they can't believe she's not coming back. A lot of people were crying when they heard the news. It's a shock to me." Morgan is one of Mackie's English students. She says she has been praying for Mackie since she heard about the allegations made against her. "Our class is going to make cards for her, because we don't believe she did it," Morgan said. Les Ellis, a student in Mackie's Honor's English course, also believes she is innocent. "Miss Mackie -- she's a great teacher," said Ellis. "Nobody expected this to happen. Personally, I don't think it's true." The Wake County school system referred all comments about Betty Mackie's case to her lawyer. NBC 17 was unable to reach the attorney. Reporter: Melissa Marsh

    Sentencing Delayed For Former Lacrosse Coach

    Woman Also Admitted To Hosting Drinking Parties

    POSTED: 8:13 a.m. EST November 10, 2003
    UPDATED: 1:18 p.m. EST November 10, 2003
    Chester County court officials told NBC 10 Monday morning that sentencing has been delayed for former lacrosse coach Elisa Fritter. There was no date given on when the sentencing will happen.
    Fritter has admitted having sexual encounters with two teenage boys and providing alcohol to minors.
    Lisa Fritter: Lacrosse CoachElisa Fritter pleaded guilty in July to multiple counts of indecent assault, statutory sexual assault and related crimes.

    The 39-year-old East Coventry Township woman met the boys while coaching her 13-year-old son's lacrosse team.
    In addition to the sex acts, she has admitted hosting drinking parties for underage boys from Pottsgrove High School.
    Prosecutor Elizabeth Pitts is seeking a lengthy prison term for Fritter.
    Pitts says e-mails Fritter sent to the boys suggest she was a willing participant in the sexual trysts.
    Fritter's lawyer plans to ask Chester County Judge William Mahon to delay sentencing.
    Copyright 2003 by NBC10.com

    Do Single-Sex Schools Work Better?

    Experts Say There Are Several Pros, Cons

    POSTED: 3:52 p.m. EST April 3, 2002
    CLEVELAND -- In middle school and high school, some students spend more time trying to impress the opposite sex than focusing on their studies.

    Cleveland television station WEWS reported that some parents think they've found the perfect solution -- same-sex schools. Afiya Williams' 10th-grade class has almost everything: cutting-edge technology, the latest textbooks, and a low teacher-student ratio. It has almost everything -- except boys. "For instance, this school doesn't have a football team, (which) means that we can't have a homecoming or a homecoming dance," Williams, 16, said. The number of girls in all-girls high schools is still pretty small, but the amount is growing, according to recent statistics. In the past five years, 30 new all-girl schools have been established. Some girls said that it's easier to learn without boys around. "Well, the boys would kind of like, 'In order for girls to like me, I have to be a total idiot and funny and all this stuff,' so they would make jokes the entire time," Erin Moore, 15, said. Madiha Raees, 15, said that she used to be painfully shy with boys around, but once she got to the same-sex school, things were different. "(I was) speaking out more and I was talking out more, participating and stuff," she said. But students who go to same-sex schools are missing out in one area. Experts said that in coeducational schools, boys and girls really get to know, understand, and learn how to cope with one other, day after day. "The real world isn't composed of all boys and all girls, and so you delay that process of socialization," said Gloria Meaux, a licensed psychologist. Still, experts said that same-sex schools might be the right choice for some students. Although they might not be as socialized, "You have to balance (that) out with other gains that they might make academically or self-esteem wise," Meaux said. Experts said that if you are thinking about moving your child to a different school, get your child's input, even if you don't necessarily give them their way.
    From TexasISD.com

    TexasISD General News
    Sherman school incidents require police involvement
    By MARY JANE FARMER/HERALD DEMOCRAT
    Sep 25, 2003, 06:25

    Sherman school incidents require police involvement

    BY MARY JANE FARMER

    HERALD DEMOCRAT

    Several incidents on Sherman campuses since the school year began have required Sherman police involvement, some physical and others entailing drugs.

    One happened at Piner Middle School where Officer Guedea was working security. Administration had a tip that one child had marijuana on him and called Guedea to be with him when he confronted the child.

    The child, 14, acted as if he were cooperating by emptying his pockets and then taking off his shoes. However, Guedea found the marijuana wrapped in toilet tissue inside the shoe. The child was taken to Juvenile Detention Center on a charge of possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

    At a Sherman High School back-to-school dance, two girls got into an altercation that resulted in one's arrest and the other sustaining bruises. Officer Larry Bell, working security at the dance, was called to the dance floor, which was "darkened" according to his report.

    He used his flashlight to find his way around the floor and heard students talking about one girl jumping another, but saying it was already over. The victim said it began over spilled soft drinks at a mall a few days before and she was dancing when the suspect came up to her and popped her on the head.

    At Piner M.S. on Sept. 4, administrators called Officer D.M. Hampton to a site where a boy, 13, was "out of control." Hampton's report said the boy cursed and ranted constantly, saying, "Just take me to jail." Hampton cited the boy for obscene language and turned him over to a family friend.

    A Piner M.S. girl, age 12, is charged with retaliation and with assault causing bodily injury-public servant, according to Sgt. Todd Smithers' report. Smithers said Wednesday, about 7:40 a.m., administrators ordered her off the property as they had filed criminal trespass warnings in the past against her.

    She refused to leave. Instead, she walked through the campus, in and out of buildings, forewarned of possible arrest, until Smithers began to put handcuffs on her. She struggled against him and administrators, kicking one hard enough to break the skin on his leg.

    She flailed her arms and jerked away. Smithers' report said he made a motion designed to take her to the ground, but held her as she went down to prevent injury. At Juvenile Detention Center, she threatened harm to all those involved and threatened to burn the school down, Smithers reported.



    © Copyright 2001 by TexasISD.com

















    Pottsgrove Band Leader Accused Of Sex With Two Students

    Female Students Allegedly Sent Teacher Sexually Explicit E-Mails

    POSTED: 4:24 pm EDT May 5, 2004
    UPDATED: 5:25 pm EDT May 5, 2004
    POTTSTOWN, Pa. -- A Montgomery County teacher, who has been accused of having sex with two of his students on school property, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday. Christian OakesChristian Oakes (pictured, left), 30, was the band director at Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown. He is facing criminal charges that include unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor and sexual abuse of children. Police said Oakes was sexually involved with two 17-year old female students in separate relationships. According to a police affidavit, the teacher and students traded e-mails and instant messages with sexually explicit language. The affidavit also said one girl sent the band director 10 nude digital photos of herself, which eventually led to the sexual encounters in the band hall, inside the color guard closet.

    Oakes had not comment Wednesday, but his attorney, Mark Neff, pointed out that both relationships were consensual. The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16 years old, but Oakes still faces serious charges. "The defendant is not charged with rape. He's charged with, among other things, corrupting the morals of a minor, and for legal purposes, the age there is 18," Neff said. The mother of one of the teenagers sent a statement to NBC 10 News, in which said that she is happy about the arrest and she hopes justice is served. "I would also like to add that not only has Mr. Oakes deceived the victims, but he also has deceived the school, parents, and the community. It is a nightmare for everyone at this point." Oakes was arraigned Wednesday and a bail of $50,000 was set. The judge also ordered Oakes to have no contact with students.


















    Thursday, 01/31/02
     
    School incidents frustrating to picketers


    		web-0131-b-protestart
    LARRY MCCORMACK / STAFF
    Harold Bryant, left, and Terry Davis protest the way they say their children are being treated at Antioch High School. They and other parents say they are concerned and upset over incidents including a child's being cut from a sports team and a student's expulsion.

    		web-0131-b-protestart
    LARRY MCCORMACK / STAFF
    Harold Bryant, left, and Terry Davis protest the way they say their children are being treated at Antioch High School. They and other parents say they are concerned and upset over incidents including a child's being cut from a sports team and a student's expulsion.
    By DIANE LONG
    Staff Writer

    On three mornings in the last two weeks, a small group of parents has braved the early chill to parade with protest signs at the gates of Metro's Antioch High School.

    To Principal Sharon Anthony, the protesters are overreacting to one family's bitter disappointment that their son was cut from a sports team.

    ''This all seems to be coming to a head over the young man not making the basketball team,'' Anthony said. ''I've never had anyone to do this or to act this way in all my years of being an administrator.''

    But a half-dozen parents say the basketball situation is just the straw that forced them to band together.

    Over the past two years, they say, they've each been frustrated by a situation that involves their children at the 2,100-student school in southeastern Davidson County. After what they perceive as a deaf ear from the school, the parents have turned to picketing on the public road at the school's entrance.

    ''We're not going away,'' said Wanda Bryant, guardian of a child at the school and director of the Pacesetters Youth Ministry, a mentoring and sports program she and her husband run as a volunteer activity. The children of several protesting families are involved with her mentoring program.

    ''We want to see if we can get a forum to have a community meeting to really express the concerns that we have for this school,'' Bryant said. ''We have a voice and we want it to be heard and we're not going away.''

    Many of the incidents related by the parents and their children are impossible to nail down because the interpretation of a situation depends on whom you ask. For example:

    ・Two years ago, Bryant said, the school refused a request from her daughter Loleta to organize events for Black History Month. But Anthony, who said she doesn't remember the specific situation, said such events are always allowed.

    ''We've always had assemblies and activities surrounding ・Black History Month,'' Anthony said. ''We've had something for every year for the 13 years I've been at Antioch.''

    ・Mattie Gilmore protested with the group last week because two years ago, her son Jason was expelled for taking a swing at a teacher ・an act she still believes he didn't commit.

    ''They wouldn't let me talk to the teacher,'' Gilmore said. ''The first little thing that comes up, that child gets suspended from school.''

    ・Gilmore's daughter, who now attends the school, said that teacher Keith Dickey called the protesters ''idiots'' last week.

    ''One of my classmates was asking the teacher why they were out there protesting,'' said 10th-grader Jamiya Gilmore. ''He was like, 'I don't know,' and then he made that comment.''

    Dickey denies making the remark.

    ''I would never say that,'' he said. ''I do feel there are better ways to go about accomplishing something, but would I call them stupid? Absolutely not.''

    ・Parent Carissia Dixon-Malone hasn't been involved in the protests, but last month she wrote a letter to Anthony and Schools Director Pedro Garcia when she felt that teacher Kenneth Stonecipher was disrespectful to her in a hallway crowded by students. She said the teacher was ''ranting'' at her about her son's behavior.

    ''He should have been reprimanded,'' said Dixon-Malone, who acknowledged that her son has had frequent disciplinary problems. ''If a kid had done that ・they would have gotten thrown out of school. What happens to the teacher?''

    Anthony said she responded to Dixon-Malone by phone and mail to say Stonecipher's remarks were misinterpreted.

    ''Her son had been removed from his class due to disorderly conduct,'' Anthony said. ''And he said, 'Your son needs to straighten up.' ''

    Other complaints fall into a gray area where the principal must make a call on the solution.

    When 12th-grader Adrian Davis was cut from the basketball team in November, Anthony stood behind Coach Barry Mangrum's decision.

    ''The coach is responsible for making the decisions about the basketball or the football or the track team, etc.,'' she said. ''As long as the process is fair, they have the right and the responsibility to choose their teams and coach their teams.''

    As a dad, Terry Davis sees it differently, especially since Adrian had been on the team since ninth grade.

    ''He came home from school and tears were in his eyes, and he said, 'Dad, I got cut from the team,' '' Davis said.

    ''If he had been left on the team, even second or third string, I think he would have eventually proved himself to the coach or he could have quit the team. It would have been his choice.''

    The complaints nettle Anthony, who said she and her staff make a point to meet with parents.

    ''You just work it in,'' Anthony said about parent meetings.

    ''You try to make it as high a priority as you can. I may not get it done that day or in 24 hours, but generally, we certainly make an attempt to.''

    She's upset that her school's reputation is being impugned.

    ''We have a first-rate operation,'' she said. ''We have a very, very good staff that works very hard at dealing with all kinds of needs and the requests of families. But there is a difference between trying to be responsive and capitulating to threats and intimidation. These are pretty weak elements, to cast an aspersion on this school and us.''

    Diane Long covers education for The Tennessean. Contact her at 726-5931 or at dlong@tennessean.com.