EMS students caught with 'jump list'
Students planned to harass, bully others
By Bobbi Mlynar
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
An Emporia Middle School eighth-grader has been expelled for the remainder of the school year because of his involvement in a “jump list” that primarily targeted EMS students.
Three other students also were involved in the jump list incident, which identified six EMS students and two others who were to be “jumped,” according to Nancy Horst, community relations director for the Emporia school district.
“Another student with ties to this is scheduled for an expulsion hearing next week,” Horst said this morning. “The other two, who had minimal ties to the first boy ... (received) short-term suspensions and they are back in school.”
Three of the youngsters involved in the incident were eighth-grade students and one was a seventh-grader.
“Based on some documents that administration found that belonged to the students, (the intended victims) were students who were targeted to be harassed or intimidated or beat up,” Horst said.
Initials of two others were found on the list. They apparently are not EMS students and authorities have not been able to identify them.
Police were called to investigate, Horst said.
“It was never the belief of the police or anyone at the middle school that there was ever an intent to kill someone or threaten to kill someone,” Horst said. “It was more harassment, intimidation, bullying.”
School officials recognized one of the names as a student who had been in an altercation with the ringleader about one month ago, she siad.
The administration has talked to each of the identifiable students on the list, and also have contacted the students’ parents.
“We felt, and the police felt, that they did a good job of making sure that all of the kids whose names were found, and their parents, they all had information,” she said.
“Parents were concerned last Friday and they didn’t want to send their kids to school. They made that choice and that certainly is their option.”
abc123 (anonymous) says...
What kind of punishment is expulsion to these bullies? It is probably vacation to them. Now they can stay home and play video games, talk/text on the cell phone and no school!! I think they need to wear bright orange jumpsuits and pick up trash at their school or scrub the floors - there needs to be some sort of price to pay or they will never learn a lesson and then they are the next generation of criminals that aren't afraid of the law.
April 25, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mbb (anonymous) says...
The comment above is agreeable in a way but sometimes the school can only take it so far and if the students are posing a physical threat to others then they shouldn't be at school. It is up to the parents of these fellas to punish them. Take away the TV, take away the cell phones, take away the computer. Make them do laundry, sweep the floors, yard work, etc. Make them realize this isn't a start to an early summer vacation.
April 25, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
Ah, middle school; puberty, emotions, bullying, popularity contests, shyness, mood swings, fluctuating self-confidence. Not always the most "fond" memories, and I think many readers will agree from their own past experiences. Twenty years ago, I was a student at then-Lowther Middle School. I, for one, would have enjoyed school more had stronger disciplinary measures been taken against "bullies."
I commend the school administrators for their decision. By removing the bullies, an example has been set that extreme and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. This will allow other students to focus upon their studies and develop their social skills without fear or intimidation.
Brian Protheroe
San Francisco, CA
April 25, 2007 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
msw2003 (anonymous) says...
I no longer live in Emporia, but in Wichita, the school system often refers kids to outside agencies for anger management. Unfortunately, even in Wichita, programs geared towards teenagers are few and I would guess in Emporia, even fewer. Hopefully, these kids will have an opportunity for a therapeutic intervention.
April 25, 2007 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralpheatsbeef (anonymous) says...
Bullying is the root of many problems, including those loudly covered by the press and those quietly endured by the victims. This is the point to take strong action, consistently, to stop the cycle. Kudos for the expulsion, there should be referral to social services and/or law enforcement as well.
April 25, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
As close as the end of the school year is, what is the longterm consequence to the expulsion? Will the student have to repeat 8th grade or will he/she be allowed to finish during summer school and continue with his/her class?
We might assume that this is an at-risk child who will drop out at some point. But it may not be. Bullies can come from "good" families, the ones outsiders assume are poster families.
I agree that expulsion was a good course, rather than assuming this was a passing incident and he/she "has learned a lesson and will never do it again." Let's hope the lesson truly is learned.
April 25, 2007 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
While I agree that bullies have no place in schools, I also agree that expelling them just gave them a 5 month vacation instead of a 3 month vacation. The orange jumpsuit idea is not a bad one--plus, we need the trash picked up.
I would almost guarantee that the parents of these bullies are not paying attention--you know the type--the kid has a computer in his bedroom, alone, to do with as he pleases. Probably a cell phone of his own, etc. But I would guess it's been a long long long time (if ever) that the parents checked the history on the computer or paid attention to what type of grades are being brought home.
So not only are these kids at fault, their parents are also to blame.
M
April 25, 2007 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
If I may, I would like to add one more point:
As we all can agree, we are not rid of bullies once we graduate from school. In fact, bullies come in all forms throughout life. One of the most important aspects of school is the development of social skills, and learning how to deal with "bullies" is just part of the learning process. It is a challenging, yet important role for parents, teachers and counselors to "coach" these young people through this development stage.
Regardless, extremely inappropriate behavior is an exception, and again I thank the administrators for their actions to remove from school the students who threaten their classmates.
April 25, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
B--
I can agree with you wholeheartedly on bullies in the real world. However, in *most* circumstances in the real world, no one is threatening to "beat up" someone for their looks, clothes, hair, haves, have-nots, etc. Most real-world bullying is an exchange of words, glances, etc. mostly in the workplace and other social activities.
But middle-school bullying is completely different. I would bet that the "jump-list" was for the the kids who are already questioning themselves about anything and everything, the kids who look different or act different, the kids who are "nerdy" because they are smart, the kids who can't afford tennis shoes that cost $150 per pair, the kids who don't get to join in social activities because they have to go home after school and babysit, etc.
My point is that no kid should feel threatened by another kid for something that is completely out of his/her own control. Kids will be kids, yes, but when it becomes dangerous or near-dangerous, it's time to call it a day.
M
April 25, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
The kids in question should have to finish out there school year during summer school. I agree that it's giving them an extended summer break with the suspension and by making them complete their education during the summer will break this up a bit. The other option would be to fail the grade level and start all over again next year. They need to also know that there is some kind of consequence for their actions whether it be on a juvenile record that requires some type of punishment or on the school level. Either way these kids have put themselves in a bind for their actions and if they don't get there problems solved they will continue a downward spiral leading to school drop out or even worse a criminal record that they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. I also believe that rough housing around in grade school and middle school are different in being by middle school the kids should know better then to pull this kind of thing if the correct actions are taken while they are in grade school to start the correct path.
April 25, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
They should have more punishment than expulsion. They should have to do so many hours of school 'community service". What I mean by that is they should be put in front of the school, in front of their pears while doing jobs around the school. They should be made to finish the school year out with assignsments.
Sorry but no school is a free ride. We dont know how the parents are going handle the punishment at home.
April 25, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
Interesting to note: "MelissaE" and I were classmates attending the same schools all 13 years (K-12) during our progression through the Emporia School District.
I can only assume we had to deal with some of the same bullies. Ah, but we can discuss that offline at the 20 year class reunion. :)
April 25, 2007 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Absolutely, B. I know I was subjected to bullying and I know you were too. Different types of bullying, maybe, but still bullying all the same.
I like to think we're better people now. In fact, I know we are! :)
M
April 25, 2007 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
Bullying is very dangerous , most of our school shootings began with that. Some people cant handle it. They hold it in till they explode. I am glad the school caught the problem.
April 25, 2007 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmb232 (anonymous) says...
The school actions certainly seem appropriate but law enforcement intervention should be indicated. I know these are juveniles but if this type of behavior is not corrected it will only get worse. These students very well might shape up, but then again it could escalate to a point to where someone is hurt.
We don't need examples in this day and age about persons
who have "spapped" and then we go back and look at their
records and are dumbfounded....
April 26, 2007 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncanyon (anonymous) says...
Ohh.. These poor misguided children. Maybe we should just give them a time out. NOT!! Does anyone here remember corporal punishment. I think these kids should have the business end of a 2 foot long paddle, with holes drilled in it so that there is less wind resistance when it comes flying through the air and then comes to a stop on there a$$.
I'm not sure how long it's been since "spankings" have been out of our school systems, but I dont remember there being any school shootings or bomb threats or any other kind of terroristic threats being made on schools 20, 30, or 40 years ago.
One other thing.. there have been "bullys" in school since there has been school. A little humiliation and a "woopin" here and there seemed to work pretty good back then. I agree with having them do some community service under some supervision. Like maybe the principle, thats who delt out the punishment when I was in school anyways. Either that or one of the other male faculty members.
I know this makes me sound "old school" or maybe even "barbaric" in the eyes of some of the people here. I don't care. I think it is my generations fault that kids are the way they are today. I am in my 40's and can remember being spanked, being teased by others, being bullied and being a bully myself. For some reason, my generation decided that our kids didn't need any discipline outside of a time out.
Bring back the "woopin's" Bring back the paddles with the holes drilled in them. It was good for me, it will be good for them. I turned out OK
April 26, 2007 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )