Charges Filed Against GHS Threat Suspect
The 17-year-old boy suspected of writing a threat in a Greendale High School bathroom is charged with a misdemeanor, and is expected to make his initial appearance in court this week.
Sympathy over years of bullying led to a lesser charge being filed against the student suspected of making the homecoming week bomb threat at Greendale High School.
The criminal complaint filed late Friday afternoon outlines the way the suspect was reportedly treated by his classmates, including years of teasing and being voted onto homecoming court as a prank.
Knowing how Nicholas S. Olson, 17, was treated, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office — with the backing of Greendale School District administrators — charged him with a single misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. If convicted, he faces up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
Had he been charged with the felony count of making a bomb scare, he could have faced up to $10,000 in fines and up to 1-1/2 years in prison, plus two years on community supervision. Olson is due to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after Greendale Patch reported a student had been arrested for making the threat, readers began commenting that the boy — who had not been named publicly — had been bullied by his classmates. While many hoped there would be consequences for whoever was responsible, others were sympathetic to what a victim of bullying faces.
A few suggested the family of the bullying victim contact an attorney about suing the district, saying more should have been done by administrators to protect the student from his classmates.
According to the complaint:
At 2:33 p.m. Sept. 20, someone from the Greendale High School administration called police to say a bomb threat had been discovered in a boys bathroom of the school.
When police arrived, Principal Steven Lodes took an officer to the bathroom, where they found the message "3 DAYS TILL BOOM JK OR AM I?" written in blue ink on the wall of a bathroom stall. This was the Thursday of homecoming week, with the dance planned for Saturday night.
No activities scheduled that day were canceled, but administrators asked the Milwaukee County Bomb Squad to sweep the campus on Sept. 21 before students arrived. A second sweep was conducted Sept. 24, before classes began the next week. No explosive devices were found either time.
As police investigated, an anonymous tip led them to Nicholas Olson. Police searched his locker and found notebooks and writings he appeared to have made, along with blue pens similar to the type used in the bathroom threat. The handwriting officers found in the locker appeared to closely match the writing on the wall.
Police spoke to Olson on Sept. 25, and say he admitted to writing the threat in the bathroom, because "he was upset and angry." Police also said "he did not have a plan to use any explosive device and further that he did not want to hurt anyone."
The officer knows Olson has been bullied, "teased and taunted by his classmates for many years," according to the criminal complaint, and that he had "just been voted onto the homecoming court as a 'joke' by other students." The officer said something similar happened during last school year's prom.
Police said Olson reported being teased all his life, and the investigating officer said he is "aware that the defendant is ostracized by the other students and appears very depressed due to the situation."
Police said the administration "had a deal of sympathy for the plight of this student." A district representative told the assistant district attorney who prepared the complaint that they agreed "the defendant should not be charged with a felony but rather a misdemeanor due to to the extenuating circumstances which may have led to his conduct."
Sassybug
8:48 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
"The officer knows Olson has been bullied, "teased and taunted by his classmates for many years," " - if we KNOW this, why hasn't anything been done to help this boy or the other victims??!! Wake up Greendale, we have a culture of bullying here and we need to do something about it.
Bren
9:39 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
If the Village of Greendale knew this was going on and didn't address the situation it is tacitly accepting/approving of a potentially hostile and discriminatory learning environment. I hope that all alumni and current students of the GSD who have been bullied will come forward. Sounds like it's time to replace some administrators and teachers in the schools. If parents are contributing to the situation by promoting their children's bullying behavior they also need to be held to account as possible. The new superintendent hired by this school district may/may not be aware of this seemingly diseased culture. Was he hired with a probationary period? I am concerned that he was hired by people who are possibly fine with the status quo.
DoubleB
6:01 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Bren as an alumni of Greendale High School I will come forward and say that I was a student who was bullied, I think that teachers need to start doing what they "preach" if you're telling us to stand up for ourselves and put an end to bullying by telling an adult shouldn't you follow the same rules? If you hear children picking on another student you should step in, it is your job as an administrator. It frustrates me that it has gone this far with no one ever have doing anything else. Teachers maybe should go to a seminar or something and learn how to step in... I have witnessed teachers turn their cheeks on bullying, it is NOT okay!!! Hearing this story made me want to cry, even though what Nick did was wrong everyone is at fault here and I don't believe that he should be the only one punished.
Bren
9:42 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
It is the adults' job to maintain a safe and secure learning environment. If a teacher is afraid of being injured the event should be reported to the administration and followed up on.
Are there other circumstances involved? I am curious if the bullying has an economic component. Are the bullies individuals with influential parents? Are teachers/staff intimidated? Is this a reason for the lack of decisive action we seem to be reading about?
Carol
9:51 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Kids have been bullied forever. I still say if the parents were aware of his depression they shoud have done something about it. That is no excuse for making a threat!!!
Bren
11:01 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Often kids hide bullying out of shame. Parental involvement in a bullying situation can often make the problem even worse. Just because bullying has been going on "forever" doesn't make it all right, does it, especially now that its devastating effects are better known/understood?
Help Our Kids
12:27 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Yes kids have been bullied forever, that doesnt make it right. What this young man did was wrong and is going to pay for it for a lomg time. He has been and will get all the help he desperately needs to be a contributing member of society.
DoubleB
6:12 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Carol, have you been into a high school recently? Are you aware of what students face each day and how the numbers of bullying and the severity of it as well increase each year. Yes, kids have been bullied for quite some time now don't get me wrong and maybe he did have depression, maybe he hid it well.. I know that if I were in his shoes I would have tried to hide it from my family. Not saying what he did was okay, because there could have been many different options but maybe he thought this was finally his way of saying STOP IT. How would you feel continuously being broken down, being made a fool of, having your peers make you feel like you're worth nothing.
wiscoleeds
10:29 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Who was the school counselor for this student?
Concerned Parent
10:42 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Who was the faculty advisor that allowed this child to be nominated not once but twice as a joke to the prom and homecoming courts?
Bren
11:10 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
If the Olson family decides to take legal action against the school district (and I hope they look into it) these individuals, by name, should be mentioned in the complaint if at all possible. Enabling middle and high school teachers, counselors, principals, the former superintendent. Can a list of bullies and witnesses to bullying also be compiled? Again, I hope other victims, past and present, will come forward.
If the folks who run the Greendale School District have any smarts (and given the situation...) they will drop these charges pronto. I have half a mind to contact the U.S. Department of Education (stopbullying.gov) myself and report the district. Let's see whether they decide to self-correct or if outside intervention is the option.
Belle
11:05 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
The school counselors aren't psychic. The kids and parents need to make some effort to develop a relationship with the counselor/coaches/teachers/etc. My kid suffered through lots of middle school misery but never said a word to her parents, favorite teachers, or counselors. None of the staff directly witnessed any of the bullying she went through. So, how is that the staff's fault for not stepping in until things exploded and were forced to their attention? Once they were made aware, they did everything possible to help and more. They did care. They did act. Their ignorance of my daughter's situation wasn't their fault at all.
Bren
11:18 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Sorry, their job is to get to know the students under their charge. That means meeting each kid at least once/semester, eating in the school cafeteria to understand the environment, etc. In loco parentis.
This frankly makes me sick, knowing the degree to which many MPS teachers and counselors go to follow up on absentee children, those without coats, those who may have been/are being abused. Should less be expected/accepted from a suburban school district? Every child has the right to an education, every child has the right to a safe and nurturing learning environment.
DoubleB
5:28 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
As a recent graduate student who had brought it to the attention of faculty being someone had been bullied-- nothing was done. No one is saying that counselors are psychic. A vast majority of bullying does occur in the classrooms and often times teachers are aware they just are unsure of what to say.. I definitely think that the school could have done more in efforts of stopping the bullying before it got this far.
Frieda
12:59 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Counselors aren't paid to care. They are paid to advise students on how to get into college. Anything more challenging than that is beyond their skill levels. Just sayin', as a parent of several non-average kids: no real options for kids whose talents are not well-served by the college-bound curriculum. "Advising" consisted of trite sayings, nothing to indicate that the advisor actually knew anything about the kids. These kids are doing well in the vocational / trades after high school, but were marginalized as "not performing" when trapped in high school. Maybe a lawsuit would be a good thing: Wake up Greendale!
Belle
11:20 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
@Bren..... my kid wasn't ashamed she was being bullied, isolated, and picked on. She thought the other kids were stupid vicious morons, not that she and her friend were worthy of their torture. The reason she didn't make it a big issue for the adults is that she thought "What can they do about it? Not much. So, what is the use?" Through all her Greendale school years, many smaller episodes were brushed off by some staff.
She was mistaken in the worst case, when I made most of the school staff involved in her education aware of the details, the middle school staff DID step in and do much to help, more than their job descriptions required. Another sticky issue was that much of the worst bullying was taking place off the "official school grounds".
Belle
11:20 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
It irks me that my kid was repeatedly and strongly reminded about zero tolerance for violence and not to physically defend herself or others.....even when she and her friends were physically attacked by a decent size crowd of boys. We live in fear that she will be expelled or severely punished maybe even charged because if she IS forced to defend herself or another from imminent harm, she'll most likely win the altercation. Then where will I be educating her? We treasure the opportunity Greendale gives her for a quality, caring education.
Several times, she was excluded from some rock star/honors privileges because of infractions/detentions caused by situations where she was a victim or defending another victim. No one ever reported her or witnessed her as an aggressor or guilty of provoking or instigating the situation. All her teachers adored her, and had ZERO complaints about her behavior and had much praise for her.
Bren
1:11 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
If you have proof that your daughter was denied/excluded from privileges as a result of defending herself/others from the repercussions of a hostile learning environment, this is potentially serious in impacting her opportunities for scholarships, etc. I'm not sure how she could have been denied privileges while no reports were made about her behavior. Were the police called when the group assault occurred? If not, and the victims are willing to come forward, a police report should be filed. Especially as it will create precedent if subsequent complaints are filed. Failure to act is in a way enabling.
Belle
1:21 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
According to the school staff, my daughter knowingly violated school rules and therefore earned her detention/infraction/discipline. My daughter's side of the story was that she DID violate rules of behavior but she was defending herself or another. She KNEW she was supposed to walk away and "go tell an adult", but did not. Therefore, she didn't complain about her punishment, nor did I feel it was right to challenge the staff on scene. Seems they were doing their job. In the other case she was able to fend off the physical attackers and was not the primary physical assault victim. Once the middle school staff was made aware of the incident, they took many steps and went above and beyond in their effort to help her. There was no reason to involve the police. It was a bunch of middle school kids, and no one was seriously injured. It was a pretty bad act of physical/mental group bullying, and my family is disappointed we were not allowed to know if/any/what discipline was meted out to the bullies.
Belle
1:27 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I must clarify again.....the mass physical bullying assault I'm talking about took place OFF the official school property. The middle school staff handled it, but it puts them in a touchy situation disciplining kids for things done off the school property. On the other hand, we really don't need to tie up the police handling children doing what children do. Although, a big scary cop would have been nice. Again, they won't tell me what the did because the bullies privacy is protected. Maybe they DID send a big scary cop over to some kid's homes.
Greendale Mom
11:31 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
If students are nominated to a court, such as homecoming or prom, the administration should check with each student to be sure they are happy or want the nomination. This would prevent the public humiliation that this child felt, leading to the writing on the wall. These children are crying out for our help. The process for the student courts should be reviewed and changed so that it cannot be used as a tool for bullies or a student body joke.
Bren
12:57 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Agreed. How could teachers/administrators be so clueless as to not know harassment when they see it? What parent would want people so "clueless" standing in loco parentis?
Alison
5:21 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Bren- I know for a fact that faculty knew about the whole prank. They were aware that the voting was a joke, but they chose to not do anything about it.
DoubleB
5:33 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Greendale Mom; I completely agree. I believe that once a student is nominated or on a court for a dance they should be unable to be on the court again. Lets make an example of this case and do something about it for the years to come. Two years ago the same thing happened and although the outcomes were different it still effected the student.
Live and Let Live
7:56 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I think the whole concept of Homecoming & Prom Court is archaic. The "Court" is nothing but a popularity contest. Time & time again, only the elite, most popular students are elected onto it. In fact, when I attended GHS (100 years ago), only the popular group even bothered to vote. The other 98% of the students felt it was just a lost cause because their circle of friends, or students they admired outside their "circle", came from a smaller group than the group that consisted of "The Popular Kids". Therefore, any votes they would cast would be outnumbered by the "In Crowd". Even today, when I see pictures of the most recent Court, I can't help but wonder if I'm really looking at students who are admired by the majority of their classmates. I suspect, if ALL the students in the class were interviewed, it would become clear that many members of the Court are not well liked overall. Please let me stress: I am sure there are students on the Court that deserve to be there! I am not trying to cast a negative light on ALL of them. I just think that it is a good bet that quite a few of them are not universally admired by their classmates. I do realize that the Court is a tradition that most people do not want to lose. Unfortunately though, I can't help but think that this tradition contributes to the fact that one group of students has the majority of power over the rest.
Concerned parent
2:43 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Where us the talking to the Jr. and Sr. classes who thought it would be funny to vote for this kid. They seem to need a serious talking to. You can't stop bulling unless you confront the bully and show them what they can cause kids to do. The Jr. and Sr. class are lucky he didn't do anything to them or himself all in the name of a joke. Shame on all of you and to the teacher who told him he was nominated and if she didn't she is out of touch with the students
Alison
5:20 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Excuse you. It isn't JUST the Junior and Senior class. Did anyone ever speak up about bullying? No. Not even the freshman or sophomore classes. Everyone is at fault here, including the teachers that knew about the presence of bullying. Don't even act as though you know the situation.
Greendale HS Parent
4:35 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
My daughter knows the boy from school and was saddened to think he was going to be punished. She is aware of all of the bullying that this poor boy faces every day. I sure hope that Greendale doesn't expel this boy. We should be expelling the kids that have been continuously tormenting this young man. If the kids are aware of the bullying, then I find it hard to believe that the faculty wasn't aware as well. The kids wore blue to school today to support anti-bullying. Let's not just talk about it, let's do something about it!
Alison
5:16 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I agree that Nick shouldn't be expelled from the school, especially when it was caused by mass amounts of bullying. But the fact of the matter is, I highly doubt he's going to want to come back to Greendale. I currently attend GHS, and I find myself not even wanting to be enrolled in the school. The only thing that is keeping me enrolled in Greendale is the marching band. I remember when Greendale used to be something I could be proud of. This is ridiculous. Now, the administration can't even address the situation. I am literally embarrassed that no one has spoken up about the matter. It has been over a week, and the principal or even one member of the administration has released a statement. If it was up to me, everyone in the school would be taken in to be lectured. Besides, we're all guilty if we knew he was being bullied. Kids may say that they didn't contribute to this harm, but if you knew about it all along, and acted as a bystander, you're equally as responsible. That goes for the fantastic teachers as well. I know for a FACT they knew that he was being bullied but did absolutely nothing to help the situation. I'm so glad that I'm expected to have respect for these educators. Greendale is nothing but one of the "others." I've never been more ashamed of my education in my entire life.
Sassybug
5:24 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
No one has addressed this situation at all? How sad. I hope the Administration, new Superintendent, Board and most importantly, the community, are paying close attention. I hope the community continues to speak up and demand action.
Alison
5:29 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Not one faculty member or member of the administration has addressed the situation. It's a real disgrace. It's sad that I have to learn about all of this information through the news, radio, word of mouth, and newspaper. Not addressing the situation makes the school look absolutely horrible.
Double Diamond
7:13 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Well said!
Concerned Greendale Parent
5:20 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Sounds like many students knew of the bullying that was taking place on this particular boy for a LONG time. Some students felt bad that it ended up being this particular boy that made the threat and even understood why he did what he did!!! I as a parent do not understand why something wasn't done earlier in this case?!?! Clearly someone has dropped the ball for a long period of time and things need to change. Really a disgrace for the community............!
DoubleB
5:37 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
It truly is a disgrace for the community, hopefully something is finally done about this ongoing issue....
Greendale resident
5:36 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I think it's time to end the prom/homecoming court tradition. I can't believe the administrators allowed a kid to be voted on the court as a joke ... seems like a cruel endorsement of bullying. What's the point of homecoming court, anyway? To celebrate popularity? Just have a dance and leave it at that....
Greendale taxpayer
6:05 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
The police liason was aware of the bullying, that means the administration was aware of the bullying. Their actions further condone the bullying. I think people need to really ask if this is who you want in charge of your communities childrens education and how disgusting that the police were also involved--says a lot about Greendale and none of it is good.
Greendale HS Parent
6:06 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
This boy would have been voted prom king last year as a joke. A teacher pulled the ballot. How does this happen again??????
Concerned Greendale Parent
7:23 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
During this "threat" I was impressed with how the administration handled communicating the information to the students and parents about the overall safety regarding this unsettling situation. After reading these posts now I'm ashamed how the administration has failed to prevent this from happening.
Where was the wonderful communication since the student was identified? Why hasn't the student body been addressed about Greendales anti-bullying policy and told that the wrong doing of bullying caused this situation to happen. Does Greendale have a form that every student AND parent signs acknowledging the dangers of bullying and what the consequences will be if the student participates in this damaging behavior?
Bullying won't stop unless the administration makes it clear that they have a zero tolerance policy. I don't mean we have a policy in place because most schools do, but a policy that will be enforced no matter how popular , or how involved the student is with sports or clubs.
Greendale failed numerous times to protect this student. Makes you wonder how many more students are in our schools having these same feelings tonight? Unfortunately bullying is an issue that schools are facing across the country. Lets see how Greendale steps up and handles this issue now.
Janine Anderson
7:56 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
We are working on an article about bullying in the Greendale schools. If anyone has a story or insight to share, please contact me by email at janine(dot)anderson(at)patch(dot)com or phone at (262) 994-8389.
Bren
9:47 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
A student contract is a good idea. It provides a documented expectation of behavior from the students, parents, and school.
Octavious Fisher
10:20 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
The Administration and Superintendent plus our elected Board is missing in action. Greendale administration is not handling this. They are reacting to it. What has happened to this school district? What does the new Superintendent think? He is silent all the time letting others do his talking.
Octavious Fisher
10:24 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
As one poster said above: No statement from the administration. I am saying, what does the board of education have to say, especially the board member who proudly stated he was going to see the kid was expelled.
How did the advisors let this happen for the second time. What does the administration think and what are they going to do to make sure this doesn't happen again? What is the point of a Homecoming Court anyway?
Spate Cooley
5:37 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Is anyone here doing anything about this other than your useless bitching?
Concerned Parent
6:40 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
This useless bitching is what has brought this issue out in the open. It still has not been addressed by those in charge. We as taxpayers all have our property values to consider. More bad press will make potential home buyers no longer think of Greendale as a destination school district. We can however email our new superintendent, vote for new school board members as their terms come up and contact school personnel when we are aware of bullying. Now that we are all aware of what is going on, we can no longer do nothing.
Sassybug
7:15 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
How many kids will walk out of a Greendale school building feeling like crap today? How many were subjected to tormenting by their classmates during the school day?
How many opportunities did someone have to intervene, but didn't, thereby condoning the behavior?
How many times will this happen before the community makes sure it stops?
How many wake up calls do we as a community need before we demand action?
Concerned Parent is right on. We need to keep "bitching" to the GSD Administration, Superintendent, and School Board. If they aren't willing or capable of doing something, we need to find people who are. Posts here may feel useless, but if they raise awareness and cause people to demand action, then they are much more than "useless bitching".
Mike
8:26 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Alright, I'm sorry, I definitely feel for the kid and agree with the lesser charges being persued in light of the situation. But to sit here and demand that staff be fired over this is absolutely ridiculous. Especially when someone brought up parents, the response was "kids hide things from parents". YOU DON'T THINK KIDS HIDE THINGS FROM TEACHERS?! Why is everything constantly blamed on teachers and parents get a free pass? As a GHS alum I am very proud of the school system that I was brough up in. Was there bullying? Were some kids picked on? Was it very "clique-y"? Yes. Absolutely. But there are better ways to deal with things than making bomb threats. If bullying was a valid excuse for making a bomb threat, I guarantee you that every single school across the nation would have one on a daily basis. I'm not going to sit here and judge the entire GHS staff (especially since I still stay in somewhat contact with some of them and know how amazing of teachers they are) because according to some of you who think it's only on the teachers and not on the parents to have stopped this, they didn't do enough. Now as for how they've handled the situation after, I'm shocked that there hasn't been something brough up in class or as an assembly to the entire school. At the same time I can see how they'd not want to make this a bigger deal than it already is in case this child wants to come back to GHS. However now that the cat's essentially out of the bag i think it's time to address it.
Bren
9:20 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I'm glad you agree that this issue shouldn't be swept under the rug, as it appears to have been many times over the past years. Comments here suggest that administration has been well aware of the problem, yet it continues. I was concerned about how quickly the new superintendent was hired, and more concerned now that he hasn't made a statement or addressed students/staff. Who made the decision to hire him? The same folks who sit on their backsides while kids are being bullied and harassed?
When is the next school board meeting?
Sassybug
9:50 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The School Board meets the first and third Monday of each month.
Mike
11:05 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
@Bren you completely missed the beginning part of my post apparently. Who says that anyone sat on their backside and just let this kid be bullied? Yes it says in this article that the officer is aware of the bullying "according to the criminal complaint". It says nowhere that school staff were even aware of the situation prior to the bomb threat other than the fake prom nomination WHICH THEY STOPPED. Additonally, before you even say "well they should've paid more attention and known what was going on" reference my earlier comments about parents. A parent has on average two or three kids to look after? A school teacher has a hundred different students combined in all of their classes? You're totally right, let's just all get out the pitch forks and torches and go get those evil teachers, principal, and super.
Bren
11:57 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
No need to be defensive, Mike. People are asking valid questions about how such a culture could have become so seemingly entrenched in the district.
In loco parentis. While on school grounds, teachers and administrators are responsible for the safety of students and for maintaining a safe and secure learning environment. If a teacher or administrator witnesses inappropriate behavior it is their responsibility to intervene. If that is not physically possible, they must report the incident.
Sunshine needs to be thrown on this issue, based on other comments here. If incidents are being swept under the rug, who is holding the broom? Let's focus on that instead of frivolous comments about pitchforks.
Mike
8:03 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
who...says...there's any sweeping under the rug?! you're pulling stuff out of nowhere to make a bigger story about needing to find broom holders than there even is here. lol
Sassybug
12:05 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The time for placing blame is long since past. It's time to come up with a solution - one that involves parents, community members, administrators, teachers, school board, everyone. Threats of legal action only cause the district to shut down behind their lawyers. This is a community problem, it should be a community effort to solve it. I'm not talking about this incident, I'm talking about a change in the culture of our schools and our community. We need a collaborative group effort to make that change - without blame, finger pointing, or threats of legal action.
Bren
5:45 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Sassybug, as the district is content to lob charges at a student, it should serve as an example and be accountable for its own actions. Since years of complaints have failed to effect change, sterner methods should not be off the table, in my opinion.
Mike
8:05 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
@bren you realize the school district has zero say in charges being filed or not right? lmao..."Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office — with the backing of Greendale School District administrators — charged him with a single misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct". The Milwaukee County District Attorney is filing the charges and the school district backed them in filing a lesser charge.
Help Our Kids
12:33 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
As of today the family has taken the "withdraw" option rather than take the risk at an expulsion hearing which would most likley not go in their favor. That does not mean that the issue is over by no means. Any and all media attention this issue can get the more likely we can help another kid and force some stronger actions against the unacceptable behavior that is going on in our schools.
Marge
12:59 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The student withdrawing is a sad view of the state of the school district. I agree wtih Bren. District administrator hired in not time flat. No comment from him. I think he is way over his head and doesn't know what to do. The expulsion could be held in public and the school board and their district administrator who is unheard from would have to be accounted for. They wouldn't dare vote to expell if we had a crowd of parents and students there to make them answer to the people who elect them.
Help Our Kids
2:35 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Pretty sure at least one of these laws was broken by school officials.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/46
118.46 Policy on bullying
118.46(1)(a)1. 1. A definition of bullying
118.46(1)(a)2. 2. A prohibition on bullying
118.46(1)(a)3. 3. A procedure for reporting bullying that allows reports to be made confidentially
118.46(1)(a)5. 5. A procedure for investigating reports of bullying. The procedure shall identify the school district employee in each school who is responsible for conducting the investigation and require that the parent or guardian of each pupil involved in a bullying incident be notified
118.46(1)(a)6. 6. A requirement that school district officials and employees report incidents of bullying and identify the persons to whom the reports must be made.
118.46(2) (2) By August 15, 2010, each school board shall adopt a policy prohibiting bullying by pupils. The school board may adopt the model policy under sub. (1) (a). The school board shall provide a copy of the policy to any person who requests it. Annually, the school board shall distribute the policy to all pupils enrolled in the school district and to their parents or guardians.
doug toader
5:11 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Great comment and research to: HELP OUR KIDS.
Once again the Educrats who know better than us parents failed in their jobs.
Will anyone be held accountable? No. Greendale is not the great place to raise your kids as it once was. Guidance counselors sleeping on the job again, oh well, yawn.
Mike
8:09 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
hey doug how about parents sleeping on the job??! once again since when was it a teachers responsibility to be the know alls when it came to children and their behaviors? if the kid hid the feelings he was feeling and the bullying from his parents how do you know he didn't hide them from the teachers as well? idk about you but when i was in school if teachers asked about anything we just lied and said it was nothing and handled things ourselves pretty much.
Double B
9:21 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Mike-- not sure when you were in high school but a lot of bullying occurs in the classrooms where teachers are present... So is it that they are all deaf and hear none of it? Think that its okay and the student should suffer, or that they just don't want to get involved...? How are the parents suppose to know that a student is being bullied should they put a tracking device on them? Just curious to hear your input.
Mike
10:27 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
i was in high school within the last decade. i've been in high schools much more recently. so you're saying that while a teacher is talking to the students they just start making fun of other kids? the ONE time i can think of where a kid was picked on blatently in front of a teacher was when it thundered out and he ran and cried under a table. and our teacher told us all to shut up "in a few more words and politically correctly) and took him to the guidance office or somewhere else so he could get some help.
and there are signs for parents to look out for that their child is struggling. removal from activities that they typically enjoy, trying to get out of school, loss of appetite or sleep, etc. you can't tell me he was just fine at home and telling his parents at the dinner table about how great of a day he just had at school and then went to school the next day and wrote a bomb threat in the bathroom. which brings up another point how the parents could know that something was going on at school. TALKING TO YOUR CHILD! i know it's a recently foreign concept...along with this newly found idea that teachers are supposed to raise our children...but i'm willling to bet a few conversations with him could've brought to light at least some, if not all, of the issues that caused him to take the actions that he did. someone earlier said "this was his way of crying for help". what i'm saying is that it's not just on the staff like so many here want to place the blame.
RG WI
5:39 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
WOW. None of you know Nick, his parents, his grandparents, or his sibling(s) or his family history. You don't know what his parents have or have not done to try to stop the bullying, so quit with the his parents should have talked to him. NONE of you know what has or hasn't been said between him & his parents!! I am not defending his decision to write that, because it's not right. But I can guarantee had he not been bullied, that NEVER would have happened! It's damn sad the bullying he endured for YEARS pushed him to that!!!
doug toader
5:41 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Mike everyone knew this kid was bullied. My son told me who it was right away. I have met with the guidance counselors many times. I should have just stayed at work at talked to the wall for the same results. It's a mill and they just push the kids through. The most unprofessional bunch of robots running a school. Every time I was there it looked like that main counselor lady slept in her clothes! Total Fail.
John Tarrett
7:18 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Mil Journal Sentinel has a news report it in about Greendale this morning.
Mike
7:47 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
thanks for letting us know about it John...for anyone that would like to read about how the school did approach Nick about his court nomination, how they are overhauling the election process, and all the preventative steps that are already in place (and how they're looking into how they can help with more and to prevent another incident) please feel free to give it a read.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/greendale-high-bomb-threat-prompts-discussion-of-bullying-l7738nt-172393891.html
Bren
10:53 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
It's a nice, sanitary, message-controlling "puff piece." A discussion should have taken place with Greendale parents and students first and foremost, not running damage control at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I consider this maneuver yet another symptom of an issue in the school district.
wiscoleeds
8:40 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
There is so much finger pointing going on here that I'm surprised no one has lost an eye yet.
Surely this is all the fault of George Bush.
Bren
10:42 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
So sweep it all under the rug until it happens again?
Scott B
12:50 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
We have a bullying problem at Greendale but its all over the city. If were looking for someone to blame, look at whats going on in this state and country.To stop bullying it starts at home. I have a son in his first year at GMS and trying to steer him in the right direction, and its not easy.If the schools aren't helping, then i'm really worried.
I guess its us as parents who have to work even harder if we don't get help from the them.
Scott B
1:24 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
As a former student GHS back in the day (82-85) things have obviously changed.When i was in school we had our freshman hazing, practical jokes and fights that happened but were soon settled and for the most part students moved on.No Threats I read everyones comments and much finger pointing and alot of blaming of this person and that person,i have to wonder how these kids got this way,maybe from watching a society go from coming together after 911 to all the hate we see now.Having to be pretty and popular and dress a certain way and be in this group and that group must be hard on the kids. No one can be themselves.Now im not leaning one way or another, but it will come across as one-sided. These past 4 years have gone down hill for this state and country in general. The dislike that is exuded from people about how this country and state should be run is unbelievable.Both hate each other and it runs all the way down to the kids who look at this and probably assume this is the norm.Lets cause chaos and disturb this and that,and then act surprised that a kid threatens a school with a bomb.I'm definitely not saying its right but come on, these kids have been subjected to so much hate from t.v to politics to what is written in the papers to right here at the patch.I look at the patch and read how people dislike each other on certain topics and tell me that doesn't trickle down to the kids at home.Some comments here are almost a form of bullying.Stopping bullying starts at home!
Carol
11:51 am on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Here it is Oct. 7th and this is still being talked about. Why not stop and move on. This poor kid is going to have a rougher time now no matter where he goes cause everyone knows his name & how he looks thanks to TV.
I still say blame the parents! I know someone who works in another district and she said when parents are contacted about something their child did, they either don't come to talk about it or say "I don't think my child would do that!". It's sad that this is going on not only in Greendale, but every school in Milwaukee, both parochial & public. Kid are going to say mean things, but they have to be ignored. Our teachers and administrators aren't responsible for everything. Please give this subject about Nick a rest!
RG WI
11:05 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
^^Yeah, you want to blame the parents when you have no idea if they've tried to help him. Again, clueless comment. Ignore the things kids do to other kids? Either you are one of the bullies or a parent of one. You should be ashamed! But I doubt you have the decency to be! This is a sad situation that never should have happened but you clearly don't care about the whole situation.
Help Our Kids
11:26 am on Monday, November 12, 2012
Agree with @ RG WI, the previous poster to him really doesnt give a crap about the issue, must be a school board member. She is rigt about one thing though, the PARENTS need to get their bullys under control and teach them how to be a good person. As mentioned somewhere else on this subject, "it starts at the top".