ALL DECLO ELEMENTARY Moms! Are the kids really Safe???

DISCLAIMER: I have numerous friends and family that work at this school and I know WITHOUT a doubt that they are amazing people who DO care about our children like they are their own. This is not intended to be a reflection on them or the work ethic. I do think that this is a good school and I am happy that we have it in our community, I just think that some changes need to be made....

Most likely none of you know that on Monday the 19th of January there was a gas leak at Declo Elementary. I am still in the process of getting all the details, but here is what I know to date:

The gas leak was in the north building. That building was eventually evacuated and the kids were taken to the gym to watch a movie for 2 hours. The other children in the main building stayed in their classes as if nothing was wrong. Because I do not know all the details (I am still waiting to hear back from Intermountain Gas) my main concern is what is the protocol for this kind of situation? As far as I have been told there is not one. So, too my knowledge when there is a gas leak (that I do know was smelled throughout the entire building and gave people headaches) if there is one little spark there can be an explosion. Now, if there is a gas line (which I am guessing there is) running from building to building, wouldn't they both go up in flames if there was an explosion??? So, would my little Tinley have died that day? OK, I know I am being dramatic, but seriously when my 2 girls step out of my front door and get on the Cassia County School District bus they are in the care of our school district with their employees acting as their caregiver. I spoke to the school about this the next day and felt as though they side stepped the situation. I was told that the situation was under control and it was a small leak. Is any gas leak a small leak? How much gas does it take to cause an explosion? When talking with someone who works at the school I was told that their gut instinct was to get ALL the children out and them to the Junior High if not to the High School. So, this tells me that the situation was initially perceived as dangerous and why not error on the side of caution and make sure that all our children are safe?

I have another example of our children not being taken care of if you would like to keep on reading, here it is....

On December 2, 2008, there was high wind advisory for the Magic Valley around 11:00. The children were sent to lunch with just a jacket instead of their coats because there was announcement that students wouldn’t be allowed outside for recess. Since there are no coat hangers or places for the coats, the students left their coats in the classroom.


The aide on duty, and was in charge of the students. The students apparently got out of control and she sent them outside because they were being too loud. The kids all had to go outside. Some kids specifically asked the aide if they could get their coat, and were denied. The aide changed the principal’s and teacher’s plans for the students to be in the gym, and consequently put the children in danger.

The temperature that day was 28 degrees with winds between 27- 31 mph according to the National Weather Service which can feel like -5 below. If the weather was bad enough that Mrs. Hunsaker cancelled recess…..isn’t it too cold for students to be outside with or without appropriate clothing? The students were told to go outside as a way to punish them and teach them a lesson for being so loud in the gym. Not all students were being bad, but all students were being punished and this is not a way to disciple anyway.

We don’t punish criminals or inmates by sending them outside without coats on during a high wind advisory with low temperatures, so why on earth would we do that to our students? Recess is the appropriate time for students to get their wiggles out.

It has been said that the maximum time that the students were outside was 4 minutes. Now, don’t you think that if it was really 4 minutes that you would have just listened to them for that amount of time? Why would you send students out in those conditions?

It was confirmed by some students that they were sent out after the third graders left, which was much longer than 4 minutes.

The school was questioned about this and they said that the students could huddle up in the vestibules or against the wall of the building. I am curious how many students possibly fit in there?

In the Cassia Co. Mission Statement is reads that all students and personnel are entitled to a safe and comfortable environment. When this was read to the school they had nothing to say. We need to refuse to have our children treated like cattle. If we were to leave our children outside in those conditions at our homes and a neighbor drove by, we would be reported to Health & Welfare Child Services. If we don’t stand up for our children, no one will.

I have talked to MANY mothers that have expressed numerous concerns about our school and our children's safety, but so far I have seen little action. If we don't, as parents, do something about this it will continue to happen. We need to unite together to make some changes for the welfare of our children!!! Whose with me????? I would love some feedback, good or bad on what you think. Don't feel uncomfortable to leave me a comment even if I don't know you...I will admit there have been many blogs I have stalked when I don't know the person well....isn't that what blogs are for?