I just got reamed......
......By Connie Cook, Hoover High School's Vice Principal. A Des Moines Register reporter is reading about the spring break party stories I've been writing about here in my blog. Ms. Cook let me know in a loud voice that she is very disappointed in me. How dare I write about such things and hurt the school this way! I reminded her that we are the hurt party here. Our house was used. Our things were stolen and vandalized. Her precious students are the guilty ones.
We still haven't even got a single apology.
Ms. Cook seemed to think I should have more "school pride" and be more protective of our school. Yeah, right.
Ms. Cook, I am not, have never been, and will never be a crowd follower. I and my sweet hubby didn't have "school spirit" when we were teenagers. We don't feel "the bond" on an adult level. We don't go nuts for any sports or team, professional or otherwise.
As teens, we didn't participate in those activities like which happened in our home. We were good kids, who respected adults, other people's property, and practiced good Christian morals. We were responsible "farm kids" who were too busy working from the earliest of memories to participate in much else in life.
Our loyalties are to God, family & friends, and in that order.
I was homeschooling Willie until he begged to go to public school. He wanted the school spirit, the crowds, the sports, more friends. We can all see how well that worked out for him.
Do I look scared?
Ms. Cook threatened me that she would tell the reporter that we left Willie, a very special needs student, home alone for an entire week! She would get it publicized that we are bad parents. For the very public record here. Willie's "special needs" consists of a sporadic, short term memory loss. That is all. It effects the way he is able to learn, but he is able to learn. Most people, who know Willie, have no idea that he is "special" at all. He is very normal by most standards. And he will be 19 years old in 2 months. I don't know of too many parents afraid to leave adults home alone. Willie can drive, cook, clean, and has a job. He is about to graduate from Hoover with a decent GPA. It is not like he needs constant supervision. His requirements are pretty much the same as any normal young adult. And he is just as capable of making mistakes, as we all are.
Willie's biggest mistake was trusting his "friends". He is not a leader, and at times did ask people to leave. They simply refused and Willie did not know how to change that. He did invite friends over against our rules, but less than half of the crowd that were here were invited. Willie and his first small invited group started with DVDs and Kool Aid. Other "friends" brought the booze, drugs, porn.......and it was "friends" that did the damage, stealing and sexually assaulted a peer. Willie's true friends, quit coming over to our house. It was a bad scene and they didn't want to be associated with it.
I will even shine the light toward your "angle", Ms. Cook.
Willie is completely self-sufficient and capable of taking care of himself. Everybody knows that. But he isn't ready yet for much more than that.
begin sarcasm
It was his "Hoover friends", who took advantage of this "poor special needs kid" and his situation who are too blame. Purposely taking advantage of a mentally disabled person - doesn't get much lower than that.
end sarcasm
Willie is as normal as any teen. (that could be sarcastic)
But yet, Ms. Cook, you hold me responsible, and blame me for trouble yet to be seen for using my God given right of freedom of speech in a blog. Shoot, even God likes my blog and frequently comments.
And you tried to threaten me - using my son. We are not ashamed of him. Shame on you for trying that angle.
You thought you could make me cower down by using your position. My family and friends are chuckling out loud as they read this. I've, in the past, taken on the DOT, the DHS, various local governments, and industries. I'm not going to bow in fear to a high school principal. I was a home-schooling parent - that was your clue on how I could be dealt with. Intimidation was a poor choice.
I've got a news flash for you Ms. Cook:
The world does not revolve around Hoover High School.
It is actually a very small fish in a very large world. The difference in how most people perceive their world is their ratio in self-perception. I'm a global thinker.
And if parents had to choose between protecting their school's reputation or knowing the truth thus being able to more effectively protect and guide their teen; most will chose truth. Most people I know choose truth over deception on any given day. (Maybe that's just the company I keep.) I don't know about you Ms. Cook, but I want to help the kids. The ones that were in our home, need to learn from their mistakes. Other kids can learn the dangers of these mistakes. Parents can question, watch behaviors, be better informed, and be armed with the sword of truth. An education of the facts here won't hurt, it can only help.
Sweeping things under the rug doesn't help anybody. As my wise father says, "Even the rug benefits from a good shaking now and then."
Bloggers were Time Magazine's People of the Year in 2004
My blog is my journal of my life. I write about everything here. It is our family "newspaper". It is a way for friends and family located all over the USA and the world to keep up on our lives. You get factual events, announcements, and plenty of opinions. (Of course, my opinions were quite well known before blogs were ever invented) From family living out of state to family fighting in Iraq, many appreciate the work I do here. (Many were grateful to "meet" granddaughter Lilly when she was just hours old.)
We have planned large group vacations and this is the check point.
People look for other ideals, views, and information here.
In this day and age of schedules and everybody always busy and running, this is my letter, my phone call, and my visit.
And some people just stumble across and enjoy reading my writing, my thought processes, my brilliant wit and humor. (Okay, now my brothers and son, Rob, are laughing again!)
Yet, Ms. Connie Cook (515-242-7307), seemed to think not all information should pass through here. A public school official trying to ban and/or edit my book. In this day and age.
What next? A witch hunt?
on to things that really matter
Willie is seriously considering joining the National Guard. Seriously - as in - is starting the testing, physical, and paperwork process Tuesday. Willie thinks this is the best way to get money for school, training in career, and self discipline. He completely surprised us with this. He told us last night. The recruiters were here this afternoon to fill us in on details.
As parents, our first thoughts of course, were of the current war and dangers to him. But Willie has thought about this and he made a mature decision. We back his decision.
The folks have discovered their Des Moines home has a gas leak. I told you I smelled something. With all of the Old Guy's adventures in mothballs it was just hard to prove. With the house sitting empty, a realtor showing the house detected a strong smell. The gas is shut off and repairs are being made.
Add to the list of things missing: a drinking glass. Not a big deal, unless you know how hard I have hunted and shopped to find my unique glassware. This is one of only two. Replacing it will be nearly impossible.
That is the problem with a lot of the missing things. I'm an eclectic scavenger. I like the rare, unusual, and unique. A lot of the little things taken can't be replaced or a price even assigned to them. They are more than the dollar amount it took to purchase them. It was the life experience and memories that made the item whole. It was their story that gave them life and value.
Christmas 2011 - Birth of a New Tradition
6 months ago
14 bear growls:
Just a little comment as to the character of said "Ms. Cook". When asked if putting healthier options were a good idea in Hoover's vending machines (DM Public schools are trying to make a healthy-option shift away from the cookies, candies etc) she replies "As long as I'm making money...it doesn't matter." It's clear to see that she doesn't care about the students, or perhaps even humanity in general. I'm a proud graduate of Hoover High School, and the last class to graduate under Mr. William McCollough as principal. I'd like to point out that he'd never, for an instant defend student's horrible behavior, star athlete or otherwise. Anyone who has watched the news knows that Hoover's moral integrity has dropped, not surpisingly in the time after Ms. Connie Cook took office as principal. Coincidence? I think not. ~Kara Marmon, Class of 2003
Seems to me that Cook needs a reminder that the purpose of school is to prepare students with the knowledge and social ability to succeed after they graduate, not to prepare them for whatever upcoming sports season is next. Nor is it the purpose of school to start to endoctrinate kids with the socialist theory that any time they screw up they should place the blame on someone else.
This is what happens when liberals get a little bit of power...
1. Just remember that Mrs. Cook is attacking because she is afraid. She doesn't want the news to become more public than it already is. She was frightened when she discovered the story had been recorded in a publicly accessible record. I'm not suggesting you offer the woman sympathy or anything (I don't have much sympathy for those who make personal attacks in an attempt to better a weak argumentative position), but take it into account. It could work to your advantage. Knowledge is power, and whatnot.
2. Eric, I wholly agree with the first half of your comment. I wholly disagree with the last half. I'm going to really hope I'm just misreading your sarcasm as anger. Otherwise I ask you to point out where socialist doctrine suggests blaming the 'other' (using socialist doctrine, of course. Otherwise accuracy could be a problem). Since your comments are really starting to confuse the hell out of me considering what I know of you, I’ll leave this at that. I'm probably wrong to even question, but thought I should at least make note of the possibility of confusion (considering this is, in fact, a public record)
3. Excellent narrative, mom. :) Stop using hyphens.
Somehow I figured envoking the word "liberal" might bring you out of hiding. ;p
Granted passing the buck is not a formal tenant of socialism, but socialism (and its elder brother communism) purports that class is the reason that people fail and act out. It's obviously not the students fault that they had a week-long party. It's your parents' fault for buying a house and then leaving, or Willie's fault for inviting them.
It's not socialism (or even liberalism) that I have specific issues with. Nor, do I have an problem with wanting to buck societal rules or to challenge popular consensus. It's the absolution of personal responsibility that accompanies those sorts of things. I'll be the first to admit I find a lot of our culture's customs strange, at times absurd (and yet others I feel totally indifferent toward), but if you destroy someone else's property (intentionally or otherwise) you should be expected to make amends.
Is Cook a socialist? Probably not. But from your mom's account, it struck me as though Cook feels like your parents' loss is something that she shouldn't have to deal with. Like I said though, part of Cook's job as an administrator of the educational system is to prepare students to deal with reality. How she is fit to teach this without being able to deal with it herself is beyond me.
Cook could have just as easily apologized and done herself and Hoover and DMPS a favor by apologizing and moving on with baseball season with football around the corner. Instead she, or someone else, decided that admitting some level responsibility was not the way to go. Why in the world she thought that trying to intimidate someone who was already vocal in her blog was a good idea, I don't know. Especially a blog where there was already a reporter at the trough.
/rant
It's probably not her fault though, it was probably some white, male boss or lawyer behind it. ;p
/sarcasm
Okay, Proffessor Rob. I edited for hyphens. Better?
And remember my sons,it is okay to agree to disagree, especially when you both agree on the same side of the fence. Your differences are how you got on that side. Did you go through the gate or just climb over the fence? (I will bet the whole farm Rob used the gate.)
Read about Kara's graduation in my May 2003 archives:)
If history is any sort of guide, I likely went to jump off the top of the fence and broke it (and nearly my ribs).
/flashback
I had a similar experience with a school principal en Des Moines: I offered this principal some information about some potencial wrongdoings at the school, things I thought should be watched, and all I got was a big reprimand for bringing up the issue and for trying to discredit the institution. Never again did I speak up.
These wild parties in the absence of the parents are old hat in Des Moines. It always impressed me the ways people in Des Moines, children and adults, young and old, used to entertain themselves.
I think people in Des Moines are bored and boring, although I think this blog is all right.
Ms. Glazebrook...I just finished reader the article in today's (Sat. 4/23) paper regarding your situatuion. I am an educator. I have worked with just about every type of high school student there is. My background is in special education and at-risk. I am furious at Ms. Cook's idetification of your son's services. I am from Minnesota, but I am pretty sure what she did is illegal in Iowa, too. Very illegal. She can not give that info out without a signature or consent. I have fought this battle before, with school admin. Check the IDEA law or contact your AEA person to double check.
What get's me even more is that she downgraded him for these services. Actually she didn't even say he got services. She said he IS special ed. I didn't know it was a race of people or a gende, or even a behavior like good or naughty. The point is that it isn't. I can't believe that there are still educators, who are in administration, who are so backwards and just plain ignorant (what I want to say is "stupid" but than I am no better than she is). Your son is not special ed. Your son may receive services, but he is not some label. If he made a poor choice, so be it, and I understand there has been a great struggle for all of you since this incident. What you have is an unsupportive administrator and one who is not about the school as a whole. That whole involves your son and those students and you and the community. You don't pass the buck or give excuses or poo poo things. You bite the bullet and deal the hand you're dealt with diginity. You had to.
It just burns me to get back into the ring of education. Thanks for letting me vent. And my prayers are with you and your family so that you may get through this time with some peace.
Renae
Thank you Renae for your post.
And Pam I'm sure I'm not the only one in line for this but if you don't want to follow up with Renae's instructions I would be more then willing to. Oh and by the way love the Army Green "puddle jumper 2"
For God's sake shut up woman.
You left your kid alone, you paid for it, stop trying to blame it on everyone else.
In all this BS whining, where do you tell us how you disiciplined your kid? All I see you doing is whining about other peoples kids when the you're own stupid moron of a child sat there and did nothing to stop it, he even witnessed a rape and did nothing about it.
THAT says VOLUMES about your parenting skills, you dug your own grave.
Once again, someone who is not up to the task of doing their homework and reading all of the blogs. Where they would find the needed facts their questions and accusations. If conceptive reading is difficult for you, maybe you can get a friend to read it to you.
You want me to shut up.
I suggest you STOP reading.
It doesn't seem to be a talent of yours anyway.
I understand where you're coming from Mrs. Glazebrook, but I have some real issues with the way you've been publicizing this. First off, as if Will, whom I know personally, didn't feel embarassed enough when he couldn't keep the crowd under control and had to face you and your husband when you returned, but you also had to go to the news and the paper. Yea, and yet you complain that your son is "special needs," so why don't you just announce it to the whole world...that's pretty much what you've been doing. Are you going to hold his hand in the Guard too?? Will is anything but special needs, he's just a little slower...I think YOU want sympathy from this which is exactly what you're getting!! Come on, he's a teenager getting left home alone for ten days, what do you think is going to happen? As far as your missing stuff, yea, I'd be upset too, but I sure hope you don't think you're going to get it back! What's done is done and you need to just leave it alone. Haven't you chastized Will enbough? Instead of worrying about how mad you are, why don't you focus on how embarassed Will is? What you did was completely wrong and immoral!
Actually as a result of the sexual assualt - our story was comming out whether we liked it or not.
I had all of 20-30 faithful readers of my blog before this. I wasn't too worried about what I wrote. Only ones reading it were friends and family. It was just my everyday life and getting my frustions out in written word is much better than say ....hunting for the immoral snots that used my home and showing up on their door steps.
The paper thought it was a story that needed to come out. Ms. Cook turned it into a name calling contest for Willie there. I think Will is very normal!
The TV news showed up at our door. It was a surprise. This was way out of our control.
Ms. Cook chose to publicly label Willie special.
We weren't "pushing this story". It was coming out whether we wanted it to or not.
I don't want symapathy - I wanted justice.
What I thought would happen at the house while we were gone is Willie would obey the house rules, go to work, and do some chores. He wasn't known for lying to us before.
What Will did was wrong and immoral, as his parents we are embarassed; and saddened that he has broke the trust we had for him.
The lack of trust parents have for teens amazes me. Even the teens agree with them - that just blows my mind!
this is where we were coming from:
http://thisbearbites.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-and-thinking-i-was-reviewing.html
re-read my May 3rd post. What don't you get?
Mrs. Glazebrook~
I completely understand where you're coming from, but I also don't believe the news and the paper were that pervasive. You could have said "No comment" and left it at that for a while, but I understand you want your stuff back, I would too, but you just need to move on. As far as the trust part, I have a few issues. You said it's amazing how little trust parents have for teens, which, as a member of the younger generation, I completely identify with that. However, it's all this negative publicity we get from enraged parents like you that gives us a bad rap. I am involved in the community a lot, and if people like you put that much effort into publicizing the good things teenagers do these days, maybe Des Moines wouldn't be getting such a bad rap. And one other thing, if Willie really didn't want those kids at his house, why couldn't he have called the cops on them? Granted, he would have lost a few friends, but it sure has to beat you going public about it!
Post a Comment