misterd on 26 January 2008
As I've mentioned before, I'm a science teacher in a small NY "city" (population roughly 9,000). Put your finger on the point where the NY, NJ, and PA borders converge, and you'll smoosh both the school and my home. It's a former port town, former railroad town, struggling with poverty. It's notable history includes two gold medal olympic winners, Red Badge of Courage author Stephen Crane, and the last lynching north of the Mason Dixon.
The school, being sort of city, definately lower economic, sports the sort of problems you would expect. Lots of teen pregnancies, lots of drop outs, not so many outstanding test scores. The high school has aout 1100 students, add in the elementary and middle, we're still well under 2500.
In my 8+ years here, the town has flooded, homes have burned, one of the schools collapsed, and most recently the town's been bitterly divided over the firing of a popular principal.
But the worst? The bodies.
First year, a suicide.
Second year, two high schoolers in a car accident, one badly injured.
Next three years, things were pretty quiet, though had a loss from cancer in 2003.
2005
A graduate is killed in a car accident the day before she starts college
Another is gravely injured in an accident a few weeks later, and taken off life support a month later.
2006
A thirteen year old boy killed in a hunting accident. Shot by accident, and left to die by his cousin (and my wife's ex boyfriend) and grandfather because they didn't want to loose their hunting licenses.
A ten year old girl killed in a hit and run by a serial drunk driver. He got 1-3 years.
Three seniors killed in an accident, just after picking up their caps and gowns. Another student is badly injured.
2007
An 8th grader drowns in the Delaware River.
In the last week of school, a kindergartner drops dead during field day.
The school, being sort of city, definately lower economic, sports the sort of problems you would expect. Lots of teen pregnancies, lots of drop outs, not so many outstanding test scores. The high school has aout 1100 students, add in the elementary and middle, we're still well under 2500.
In my 8+ years here, the town has flooded, homes have burned, one of the schools collapsed, and most recently the town's been bitterly divided over the firing of a popular principal.
But the worst? The bodies.
First year, a suicide.
Second year, two high schoolers in a car accident, one badly injured.
Next three years, things were pretty quiet, though had a loss from cancer in 2003.
2005
A graduate is killed in a car accident the day before she starts college
Another is gravely injured in an accident a few weeks later, and taken off life support a month later.
2006
A thirteen year old boy killed in a hunting accident. Shot by accident, and left to die by his cousin (and my wife's ex boyfriend) and grandfather because they didn't want to loose their hunting licenses.
A ten year old girl killed in a hit and run by a serial drunk driver. He got 1-3 years.
Three seniors killed in an accident, just after picking up their caps and gowns. Another student is badly injured.
2007
An 8th grader drowns in the Delaware River.
In the last week of school, a kindergartner drops dead during field day.
A freshman cheerleader commits suicide.
A recent graduate comes home for Christmas. He hops off a brigde. His family doesn't even know he'd come back.
Today
A sophomore, cheerleader, class secretary, volleyball player, cheerleader, A student, Doors lover, fell through a skylight and died. Another student remains in serious condition.
Can it please stop?
A recent graduate comes home for Christmas. He hops off a brigde. His family doesn't even know he'd come back.
Today
A sophomore, cheerleader, class secretary, volleyball player, cheerleader, A student, Doors lover, fell through a skylight and died. Another student remains in serious condition.
Can it please stop?
