Sunday, December 23, 2012
Extraordinary bravery is ordinary for teachers.
Like the rest of the nation, I was shocked and saddened by the horrific events in Newtown that took the lives of 20 innocent children. What did not surprise me were the actions of the teachers and school personnel who died trying to protect them. We have all heard the stories by now — the principal and school psychologist running into gunfire in an effort to disarm the lunatic who invaded their school, the teachers who died protecting their students, and the students who did not die because of the quick thinking and bravery of their teachers. Of all the adjectives others would use to describe me, brave is not on the list. However, as a teacher, I am certain I would have done the same as the teachers did in Newtown. I’m not saying this …
Friday, December 21, 2012
A local psychotherapist comments on a plea from a mom who says her son exhibits violent behavior, and she fears he might be the next Adam Lanza--who police have identified as the gunman in the Newtown slayings of 27 people.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Pam DeFiglio
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Friday, December 21, 2012
While Adam Lanza may have been a troubled, mentally ill youth, there are such people everywhere, including in Chicago's north suburbs, said Seth Knobel, director of Niles Family Services. He has worked with families here who have kids going through erratic, bizarre behavior and mental illness--similar to what Adam Lanza, who police say killed 27 in the Newtown, Conn. shooting, may have experienced. "It doesn't necessarily mean they'll grow up to be mass murderers," he said. However, it IS important for parents to take children with extremely disruptive behavioral issues to see a mental health professional, Knobel emphasized. That's especially critical for parents like the writer of the essay "I Am Adam Lanza's Mother," which appeared in …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Westboro Baptist Church came to Skokie in September 2010 to protest on the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. Now, the group says they will protest outside of Sandy Hook Elementary, claiming, "God Sent the Shooter."
WBC members, known for demonstrating at military funerals and burning American flags, made their rounds in Skokie, Evanston and the Israeli Consulate in September 2010. Their message that day: "Obey God or Destruction." In September of 2010, Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) came to Skokie so they could protest outside the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center on Rosh Hashanah. Fast forward to today, and the WBC is once again trying to practice their 1st Amendment rights. A day after Friday's shooting in Newtown, CT, where police said 20-year-old Adam Lanza killed his mother and then 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary, Westboro Baptist member Shirley Phelps-Roper posted a message on Twitter that the group would "sing …
After the tragic mass school shooting in Newtown, Conn., there are ways you can help.
The horrific school shooting Friday at Sandy Hook School that left 26 dead, including 20 young children, has stirred the hearts of people across the country and around the world who want to know how they can help. Palatine community and District 15 share thoughts, reaction to incident and loss of life. On Saturday, the names of the 26 victims were released, and on Sunday a visit to Newtown, Connecticut was planned by President Barack Obama. The Newtown Patch reported that people from Connecticut, California, Canada and even Australia and India have sent an outpouring of support. People in Illinois also want to know how they can help. People who want to donate to help the families affected by the tragedy can donate in one of these ways, …
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Information about the victims, the investigation and scheduled visit by President Obama to Newtown on Sunday.
- POLICE & FIRE
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Sunday, December 16, 2012
Newtown, Connecticut authorities have identified the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and on Saturday released their names to the media. The Victims: School Pyschologist Mary Sherlach, Shooting Victim, Looked Ahead to Next Stage in Life Statement from Terri Rousseau, Mother of Lauren Rousseau, a Substitute Teacher Hired in November Sandy Hook Principal Remembered as 'Warm,' 'Selfless' Reporters and editors from Newtown Patch have been covering the tragic story from all angles. Here are several articles with the latest updates from the scene including a link with information about how you can help the victims' families. How to Help Families Affected by Newtown School Shooting Medical Examiner: Newtown Shooting …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Recent reports put the death toll at 26 people, 20 of them children, who attended Sandy Hook Elemenary School in Newton, Connecticut. Palatine school officials, and parents, reacts to the devastating news.
As news spread across the country about the tragedy that befell a Newtown, Connecticut elmenatary school Friday, District 15 officials and parents of elementary school students in Palatine are reacting to the tragedy. Recent reports put the death toll at 26 people, 20 of them were elementary school children. "This tragedy today made me stop in my tracks. Having a 10-year-old in 5th grade made me think of all the families that have lost someone they love today, and it is just senseless," said Mary Deruz, a D15 parent. District 15 sent out an official communication to parents in regards to the horrific news. "In light of today's tragic school shooting in Connecticut, Community Consolidated School District 15 would like express its …
ChiTownRunnr
4:55 am on Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Thank you for Ms. Shaeffer for your thoughts and there is no doubt that the Sandy Hook teachers acted heroically. Someone once said "bravery is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome your fear to do what needs to be done." In the wake of this horrific tragedy, it is easy to get down on the world we live in. But when we see the great bravery exhibited by these teachers, administrators… more ›