View Full Version : I've seen a glimmer of hope in the public schools
In this age of suspensions and expulsions, predicated on pop tart shaped pistols and imaginary grenades, I personally witnessed something truly amazing; a sight which I still have a difficult time believing as real. Tonight, my daughter participated in her middle school Passion Project display. At the beginning of the school year, the eighth grade students each selected a subject for which they personally have a passion. Each month the students were expected to meet with a mentor and work on their project. The students were expected to perform all of the work on their own, with guidance provided by their mentor.
As my wife and I were walking around the various tri-folds on tables, fronted by laptops with the students standing by, most of the passions exhibited by these projects were about what we expected. The artists, skate borders, computer builders, etc... Each of the projects were completed with various degrees of skill and enthusiasm. The whole thing was about what we have come to expect from our daughter's middle school education. That is, it was ordinary, until my wife pointed out a fully built AR sitting on a table. The young man who completed the rifle was standing by and he politely answered my cynical question, "Did you build it" with a simple, "Yes."
Imagine, a very nice young man, whose passion is firearms, who showed that passion in a public school by exhibiting a complete AR. The rifle was displayed safely, with a cable lock, to prevent any mishaps, and the young man carefully watched all those who walked by. There was no screaming hysterics. The police were not called. Apparently the school principal had approved the display and I'm told that the principal is actually very supportive of firearms. Wow! How can this be? In 2013, only six months after a mentally ill criminal went on a rampage in an elementary school in Connecticut, a responsible, passionate, young man could show others that evil black rifles are completely inanimate and safe when not used by criminals.
I have hope for our future. This one small event showed me that there still are people who can behave like rational individuals and not sheep. This young man showed others that you can be passionate about firearms and not be a raving lunatic. This public school principal showed others that not all government officials are martinets, brainwashing future adults.
There will not be any news articles about this. I didn't take any photographs. There is nothing which I can offer to prove that this happened, so you are forced to believe or disbelieve that something like this could even happen today in a public school. I was there. I don't need proof. There is hope.
Be safe.
buckshotbarlow
05-08-2013, 20:54
Damn that's kewl. Did u ask on components? and why?
RCCrawler
05-08-2013, 20:57
That's awesome, good for that student, his parents, and that principal. My daughter had that same assignment lastyear, so I'm pretty sure I know which school.
sneakerd
05-08-2013, 22:33
I actually cannot believe that this happened.
clublights
05-08-2013, 22:36
Is this a public school?
Reading is not a strong suit of yours is it ?
Glad to hear a little good news!
I actually cannot believe that this happened.
If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I would have a hard time believing it.
KevDen2005
05-08-2013, 22:53
Reading is not a strong suit of yours is it ?
LOL
hghclsswhitetrsh
05-08-2013, 23:02
I actually cannot believe that this happened.
This.
holy smokes that's amazing!
ps was this in a public school?
Jk
Pretty cool.
...but I wish someone would just tell me the story so I wouldn't have to read and comprehend it. Is there a video on YouTube for this?
clublights
05-08-2013, 23:09
Pretty cool.
...but I wish someone would just tell me the story so I wouldn't have to read and comprehend it. Is there a video on YouTube for this?
+1
sneakerd
05-08-2013, 23:15
No evidence was left at the scene....
Reading is not a strong suit of yours is it ?
I'm a dope.
Pretty cool. I'm surprised it was allowed.
I can verify the legitimacy to this being that is was me and my little brother in law that did the presentation.
i introduced him to the ar. He loved it and wanted to build his own. I got the parts and we made it happen.
He came to me about 9 months ago and asked if I would be his mentor. I was delighted. Got everything together and we built the gun etc. then sandy hook happened, I wondered what would go down and laid low for a while. In the last three weeks I planned on not taking it to the school but to my surprise the faculty with multiple teachers and administration as well all said they wanted the gun at the school for tonight, I was excited yet cautious as I wasn't sure what the outcome and reaction would be.
Everything turned out great and no negative comments, a few very excited folks, several gun owners, many phones and iPads pulled out for pictures and to show off their prides and joys. We got a couple strange looks but not a single negative comment. I imagine the next few days we will see if the school hears anything about the project but I am glad it went smoothly.
I did take the firing pin and bolt out as well as put in a lock so it was secure, it was checked by the resource officer and the principal and vice principal and several teachers were extremely supportive and thought it was an awesome project. He received 100% on the project except for his essay he got 46/48 for what I can only assume grammatical errors as there were a few.
I got assurance tonight that at times it definitely appears it isn't so....but, America is still alive and well.
Byte Stryke
05-09-2013, 04:04
we need to write letters!
We need to support administrators and leaders when they use logic, reason and understanding of law to further rights of free americans.
To be honest, I hope dear leader hickenlooper doesn't come down too hard on the principle, I am sure he did not have permission from the party.
Holy crap that is wonderful. I would love to write a letter to the principal thanking him for not being an arse-hat.
Tinelement
05-09-2013, 05:55
I just feel like I read a dream!
Well done Mr. Sniper, well done
GhostRider
05-09-2013, 07:35
nice job sniper, great project and very well presented
Holy crap that is wonderful. I would love to write a letter to the principal thanking him for not being an arse-hat.
me too if you feel comfortable posting an email address
here is a picture, I'll get some more later on
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z386/citation10_photos/IMG_20130508_174204_535_zps8728506e.jpg (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/citation10_photos/media/IMG_20130508_174204_535_zps8728506e.jpg.html)
send me a PM if you want the email, probably better that way than it being posted all over the place. I'll send one to asmo and cofi now
rockhound
05-09-2013, 08:14
too sweet
Great project and kid deserves a 100%!
I can verify the legitimacy to this being that is was me and my little brother in law that did the presentation.
i introduced him to the ar. He loved it and wanted to build his own. I got the parts and we made it happen.
He came to me about 9 months ago and asked if I would be his mentor. I was delighted. Got everything together and we built the gun etc. then sandy hook happened, I wondered what would go down and laid low for a while. In the last three weeks I planned on not taking it to the school but to my surprise the faculty with multiple teachers and administration as well all said they wanted the gun at the school for tonight, I was excited yet cautious as I wasn't sure what the outcome and reaction would be.
Everything turned out great and no negative comments, a few very excited folks, several gun owners, many phones and iPads pulled out for pictures and to show off their prides and joys. We got a couple strange looks but not a single negative comment. I imagine the next few days we will see if the school hears anything about the project but I am glad it went smoothly.
I did take the firing pin and bolt out as well as put in a lock so it was secure, it was checked by the resource officer and the principal and vice principal and several teachers were extremely supportive and thought it was an awesome project. He received 100% on the project except for his essay he got 46/48 for what I can only assume grammatical errors as there were a few.
I got assurance tonight that at times it definitely appears it isn't so....but, America is still alive and well.
Good job on mentoring him. Not only on how to do the build but in supporting him through this time when Guns are obviuosly a target for criticism. It sounds like he handled himself well in not getting any negative responses. That had to come from a level headed approach I assume came from discussions with you!
Good job on mentoring him. Not only on how to do the build but in supporting him through this time when Guns are obviuosly a target for criticism. It sounds like he handled himself well in not getting any negative responses. That had to come from a level headed approach I assume came from discussions with you!
I've given him some good lessons so far, beyond just gun safety, but life lessons on how to handle the people who can't handle themselves, choosing words carefully in settings like that, etc. His parents aren't gun people and wouldn't know the first thing about them, but I know this will be a lifelong passion for him now
Chad4000
05-09-2013, 09:36
fantastic.......... fantastic...
Boadie30
05-09-2013, 09:41
Wow.. Never would of thought....
newracer
05-09-2013, 10:18
I am very surprised it was allowed. I am also very glad it happened.
dirtrulz
05-09-2013, 13:19
It is amazing that all the other parents managed to control themselves. I would envision screaming, yelling and gnashing of teeth from the typical modern parents at the mere sight of a weapon like that. Gutsy move on the part of the young person and the parents.
Snowman78
05-09-2013, 14:47
Man that is so cool!
Voception
05-09-2013, 14:54
Very cool I got this email from our school yesterday, sounds like an over reaction to me...
Dear XXXXXXX Families,
Please know, as the Principal of XXXXXX Elementary School, I take the safety of our students extremely seriously, which is why I want to let you know about an incident that happened this afternoon on one of our school buses.
A student on one of our buses reported to the bus driver that another student was carrying a BB gun and a pocket knife. At no time did the student threaten others with the weapons. The bus driver immediately followed District procedures, which included contacting local law enforcement, District security and building administration. Parker Police Department responded and removed the student from the bus.
While I cannot comment further regarding the incident, which is under investigation, we are cooperating fully with the Parker Police Department and we will take appropriate disciplinary action following the outcome of this investigation and in accordance with DCSD Board Policy JICI.
Safety is the top priority in the Douglas County School District and at XXXXX Elementary School. We are always working to improve school safety on behalf of the children and families we serve. As always we encourage our students, parents and community to be vigilant and to notify school administrators of any safety concerns.
clublights
05-09-2013, 15:02
Very cool I got this email from our school yesterday, sounds like an over reaction to me...
I would not call that an overreaction t this point.
Elementary school .. so age 7-12 or so ..... a kid that age does NOT need to be carrying a knife and or BB gun to school. Now will the punishment be over the top or not we have not seen. but the actions taken so far seem reasonable to me .
Voception
05-09-2013, 15:18
That is what the school sent, I talked to a parent this morning dropping my kid off. She said the kid had an air soft gun and a small swiss knife. The over reaction is having the cops remove the kid for a plastic gun. I'm sure he will be charged, expelled from public school, and have a record. I had a small pocket knife when I was a kid and had my house key on it, I took it to school everyday.
clublights
05-09-2013, 16:08
That is what the school sent, I talked to a parent this morning dropping my kid off. She said the kid had an air soft gun and a small swiss knife. The over reaction is having the cops remove the kid for a plastic gun. I'm sure he will be charged, expelled from public school, and have a record. I had a small pocket knife when I was a kid and had my house key on it, I took it to school everyday.
So did I ..... I also at 8 years old ran around the neighborhood with my daisy red rider shooting anything I could that would not get me in trouble.. The squirrels feared me and the birds avoided me... Cans and bottles never had a chance LOL ... But in todays climate even an airsoft at school is not ok .. depending on what kind they can be as powerful or even more powerful then my old red rider. I have a scar on my leg from an airsoft I had to dig out of my shin after getting shot at close range a couple years ago.
Hopefully cooler heads will prevail on the punishment side. and the punishment will fit the crime.
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