Phone call from the school saying the kids were fine came shortly after my daughter's text that said "I Love You". I am glad I know her text was sent because it was 9:30 and she knew I would be a mess during the moment of silence. But that phone call did scare me a little. Then I got one from my son's school too. Glad I was not in the "know" and didn't hear any rumors.

Me too! I hadn't heard any rumors today, and then got an automated call from my daughters principal. When I heard the recording saying it was the principal, my heart dropped.....until she said everything was fine. It is so sickening that this is our new reality.

This is our new Reality I agree..and It would be a great idea to have increased police presense for a few months to follow the holiday break.

There are going to be threats all over the place now from people who are simply trying to cause panic. It's just so frightening to think that there is no way to know if a threat is legit. Although, if you look back at all of these mass shootings.....there generally is no "threat" involved....they don't give a warning. These crazy people who do this are not interested in giving a heads up beforehand because that might get in the way of their sick plan.

Knock on Wood?! Are you kidding me?! Dr. Walter Uszenski needs to take the safety of Brick Townships childern and teachers FAR more seriously than that! I am Livid! This is unacceptable

Yea, I wasn't too pleased with the knock on wood comment. Not very professional. But I was impressed with bricks response to thus whole thing. Dr. U sent out a robocall to parents last Sunday night to reassure them, then principals sent home notes during the week regarding security, etc. Many other districts just went on business as usual and did not address the situation with parents.

Sounds like Brick School officials have some explaining to do.....

If parents and students didnt SPAZ OUT over every RUMOR that some sophmore spreads, there wouldnt be a NEED for robo calls to dispell rumors.
Some people just LOVE a good rumor...unfortunetely.
Its like living in a town of gossips...."Did you hear ? Theres going to be a SHOOTING at the pep rally!"
Sheeesh.

I was sitting in front of Drum Point today waiting to pick up two teacher friends to go to lunch. I was there no more than 5 minutes when a police officer drove up (he'd been patrolling the lots at EHY and DP) and asked me what my business was. So, the police are making their presence known at the schools and they are checking.

@bayboat grow up! This is our children!! I knew of it and didn't post it anywhere and only told my husband of it! It was a sopphmore that spread it in fact it was the police telling parents that called the station this morning that yes in fact they would be at the schools to prevent an incident! So shove that in your pipe and smoke it!!!

LL..you aren't the only one with children in school.
You, however are supposed to be the voice of reason, not the one spazing over a rumor.
Its like living in s town of parrots...one says something and they ALL start talking.

My daughter's teacher at Memorial told her about the twitter rumors of a threat. She said some kids were questioned.

It's amazing how the media amplifies these stories these days... Back in 1999 a kid held Mrs. Niven's class hostage at Brick Township High School with a shotgun and it was barely a big story. How times have changed. The vice principal tackled the kid and removed the gun from his hands.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-06-12/news/0006110304_1_gun-violence-children-bag

NBC just reported that Marlboro, NJ has announced that as of next month they will have a full time armed guard at every school in the district. Come on Brick....let's jump on that bandwagon!

First move taken by Marlboro school systems Great job and what other schools will follow doing what's best for the children...?

Chris Cristie has NEVER been more correct...

"I am not someone who believes that having multiple armed guards in every school is something that will enhance the learning environment, he said. "You don't want to make this an armed camp for kids."

As a parent of a former Brick schools attendee, I have to say - that given very limited resources the staff and students in Brick schools by and large have been successful in maintaining a cost effective learning enviornment. That being said, the social problems the schools are grappling with - all of the schools - are of such a nature and prevalence, that as a former educator (not in Brick) I would be remiss in not voicing my belief that every school in the country is in need of an armed security person and metal detectors. Parents don't like hearing that, but it is better safe than sorry. The social complexity of todays world is simply too challenging to gamble today's students safety.

I heard the rumors right after I got a text that the pep rally at the high school (Memorial) was canceled from my son. I sent both of my high schoolers a text and they were very calm and reassured me that there were several police officers in the school...and that they wanted to stay in school. I was very proud that they remained calm and kept me up to date. Happy to hear that the district us taking every precaution necessary !!!

Another sad example of how our education system is deteriorating, bit-by-bit. Political Correctness is pervasive in our schools in general. Traditional Holidays cannot be celebrated in most schools anymore. Schools all over the country are under siege. How many children were kiled in Chicago's schools? KC brought up a very good, if not general point - Social Complexity. As I have posted in another thread, I stated that we need to ask ourselves as a people how we got to this point. I would like to pose this for consideration - You want guards? Let's pay for it by having the Federal Government ABOLISH the Department of Education and simply have the States manage their own schools. I don't know how much money it would be realized from abolishing the Department, but it would be a start. I'm sure their will be some that will not agree, but I beleive we can live without it.

Agreed. You can put bars on windows, and bulletproof glass, and cameras everywhere....none of that will prevent someone who "belongs" in the building, like a student, parent, or teacher from committing a crime like this. People are bringing up Columbine....well, the lesson learned there is that an armed guard needs to not only protect the perimeter, but also be focused on people who legitimately belong in the building. Nothing is 100% protection, but having staff and students being sitting ducks in a situation like this without someone on their side with a gun is plain negligent.

We don't need armed police in our schools. This is just another way the towns can soak the tax payers. By the way teachers need to stick to teaching instead of gossiping or trying to teach a kid a lesson that has nothing to do with teaching.

As a retired staff member at B.T.H.S. those doors should be replaced, they will be the problem some day if we are not on our toes.B.T.H.S. needs to have a securty review ...TO MANY DOORS..