State Schools Superintendent Issues Statement on Virginia Tech Shootings

(SALEM) - Oregon State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo released the following statement regarding the shootings on the Virginia Tech campus on Monday.

We are all shocked and saddened by the senseless outburst of violence on the campus of Virginia Tech. Our thoughts are with the students and the families of that community.

Given Oregon’s recent history with school shootings, events like today’s can create fear and anxiety for our students.

It continues to be important to focus on steps and procedures schools and districts currently have in place to address school safety.

I am very proud of the work that goes on everyday to ensure that students are safe at school, and the Oregon Department of Education strongly supports all efforts to create safe learning environments for all students.

ORS 339.356 requires all Oregon school districts to adopt policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

ORS 339.312 encourages all Oregon school districts to form a safe school alliance composed of schools, law enforcement agencies, juvenile justice agencies and district attorneys to provide the safest school environment possible.

I encourage schools and districts to take time to review and update their existing policies and emergency plans.

It is also a good time to review with students and staff the appropriate actions to take when they have concerns about a fellow student or outsider on their campus.

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Bye Bye Castillo April 21, 2007 8:00 am (Pacific time)

Ruark who in their right mind would be interested in any documentation you would provide? This may be shocking for you, but most people know how to get information from objective sources, at least those with 3 digits in their IQ's. You are part of the problem, we are looking for solutions. An editor as tough as a Marine Sargent...haha.

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Forgot to repeat, again, for 3rd time, invitation to anyone wishing full information from me on any point: Simply ID-self to Editor, and I'll send what I have, or send you to sources I use if not recorded. Old workin' habit learned in early-days (1943-Bsn) when I edited New England loop for United Press...hard task-boss named Minott, tougher than any Marine Sergeant...

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 4:09 pm (Pacific time)

AM:

Kids in school taught me that, early on...and my own 5 continue to do so...four sons, one daughter...all four sons "in the media at one level or another, with family story: "We warned them...but they did it, anyhow !"

From this exchange, you can see reason for that warning...

AM AMEN April 18, 2007 3:54 pm (Pacific time)

Hank, You are not God, but not far from it. I really believe that from the heart you are about as decent and aware as a person can be without being a fake.

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 3:54 pm (Pacific time)

Just noticed that CAPITAL NOTE to me...which reminded me that when in D.C. I had a working relationship with the Sect'y of Education office staff on legislation-then...which when passed with Sen. Morse's help brought $9 million in 3 yrs. of federal funding for Oregon, with a 0.5 error-rating on fund grant work to districts. Will furnish PDF on this for anyone ID-ing self with my Editor...

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 3:49 pm (Pacific time)

I find it ironic that this whole thread has originated as Comment on the surely decent and demanded story re Castillo action to remind us of our own Oregon situation, in response to the Virginia tragedy.

"Fly With Her Own Wings !" fit into that somewheres ?

There's a proper place and method for political, social and economic discussion...and it starts with knowing who you discuss with, what their background is, why they believe as they do from that information...then rational, reasonable people can make progress...as our Founders did despite desperately strong dialog in the Federalist Papers.

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 3:38 pm (Pacific time)

To all:

In 50 working years "in the media" as well as in education...sometimes simultaneous, sometimes part-time, but allatime in touch with realities, there was always corruption in every activity, not only in govt. agencies, education and social work --but also in Enron, Wall St., et al, et al, et al.

That's allathe more reason to be rational, reasonable, seek out who says what and why, for any democratic decision...which is all I've ever asked here.

Only Can Comment of My State April 18, 2007 3:31 pm (Pacific time)

In my state, the teachers unions are so corrupt that our property taxes are through the roof. Also administrators have been caught stealing about 6 million from one district alone which prompted more investigations and more arrests. I can not speak for Oregon and of course there are many fine teachers. I do not know the answer in total. Check Pamela Gluckin and the Roslyn School District Scandal in New York and Long Island. We also have recently had many Fire Commissioners arrested for stealing. The corruption in the police here is out of control. In a relatively sleepy, rich, county called Suffolk, you have the highest paid police in the country. The list of corrupt behavior goes from police cover-ups, drug redistribution, and even losing the tests of new candidates to become police so that an existing officer can have his son or nephew hired over someone possibly more competent but certainly this type of behavior is beyond unfair.

Remove Castillo now April 18, 2007 1:46 pm (Pacific time)

Read Rod Paige's new book which is titled "The War Against Hope: How Teachers' Unions Hurt Children, Hinder Teachers, and Endanger Public Education." The unions, he writes, are "arrogant" and "destructive." They defend incompetent teachers and oppose merit pay for teachers who excel. "No special interest is more destructive than the teachers' unions, as they oppose nearly every meaningful reform," he writes. NOTE: MR. PAIGE IS A FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION HANK RUARK. SO COMPARE AND CONTRAST HIS OPINION (AND EXPERIENCE) WITH YOURS AND THE NEATO'S LIKE RICH AND KRUGMAN AT THE NY TIMES.

Hank Ruark April 18, 2007 9:34 am (Pacific time)

Anon: Yr language reveals action-demanding intentions but not supporting fact. "...but it caters to" reflects an emotional evaluation based on yr own feelings vis a vis her actions. Many others will disagree, without due regard to possibly overriding reasons left out entirely from yr statement.

Castiilo should leave April 18, 2007 8:57 am (Pacific time)

Susan Castillo advocates and provides funding for the below-referenced organization. Judicial Watch: Hillary Picks La Raza Leader As Campaign Co Chair The former president of an extremist group that organized many of the country's disruptive pro illegal immigration marches and advocates the return of the American Southwest to Mexico will co-chair Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. ...The National Council of La Raza describes itself as the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, but it caters to the radical Chicano movement that says California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of Colorado and Texas belong to Aztlan.

Hank Ruark April 17, 2007 6:28 pm (Pacific time)

Su/AnSus: Anonymous statements mean little without further proof, so cite somebody authoritative and identifiable. For the record, Castillo was elected to Legislature, has long record of educational study and preparation, and made strong public appeal as "news-reader"...which smears difficult profession. What's your occupation and background for such judgment as you state ? To be believable you must quality self, if possible.

An Sus April 17, 2007 2:53 pm (Pacific time)

Your have a sense of humor too!

Susan April 17, 2007 2:06 pm (Pacific time)

should make public the complaints that have been filed in Oregon that deals with "hostile environment(s)" that have been caused by illegal aliens. La Raza is her master. In effect she should ask the state Atty. General's office to open up an investigation in this matter, she won't! Let her go back to being a news reader in Eugene. Her true vocational zenith.

An Sus April 17, 2007 1:32 pm (Pacific time)

Good work Susan! We need people to expose things.

Susan April 17, 2007 1:06 pm (Pacific time)

should resign. She is way over head. Her release of tax funds to LaRaza is outraegous.

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