----- Original Message -----
From: XXXXXXXXXX
To:
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?p= ... son#211056-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 1:58 PM
To: 'PG79Counselors (Lance & Laura)';
'CErickson@hiddenlakeacademy.com';
'LBuccellato@hiddenlakeacademy.com'
Cc: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: HLA pg83 student who threatened to slit her roommates's throat
All, on Friday, April 14, after my call from Lance Hinson, XXXX?s peer group counselor, I enjoyed my weekly phone call from my daughter, XXXX. I heard fear and anxiety in her voice, so I immediately asked her if something were wrong.
XXXX, who has voiced no complaint about HLA (other than being there, food, toilets stopped up, etc.) and has never asked or bargained for another chance at home, told me that a girl from pg83 was moved into her room. Problem: the girl had threatened to slit the throat of her prior roommate. XXXX told me she is afraid of this girl and actually slept the prior night on the floor of her suitemates so as not to have to share a room with this girl.
I told XXXX I would call the school and her Dad immediately and let them know of her fear. I was pleased that my call to the answering service was returned immediately by Clay Erickson who acknowledged that the girl had made such a threat because the roommate threatened had ?narc?ed? on this girl. Dr. Erickson explained that the consensus was that this girl would not follow through on such a threat. Dr. Erickson said he would discuss it immediately with staff and get back with me.
He called me back shortly thereafter to inform me that XXXX was being moved to another room, a private one on the first floor, and that XXXX is not happy about it.
While I was pleased that action was taken quickly, I disagree with the action taken. When any of us thinks about the worst possible thing that could happen to us, I think most of us would agree that being murdered would top the list. As parents, the worst possible thing to happen would be to have one of our children murdered. Having our children living in terror would be pretty high on the list.
Expressing a threat to kill is a serious matter demanding serious consequences; and, in my opinion, should not be dismissed. The children at HLA, so far as I?m aware, pose a one to one threat only to themselves individually, but not to the others.
What I disagree with:
1) The girl issuing the threat being allowed to remain at HLA. It appears her only consequence was being moved to another room; yet all children at HLA know of this serious threat, and they see that the consequence was minor. Should the girls at HLA all have to live in fear of this girl, especially now that they know she can threaten at will, especially if anybody narcs on her again?
2) XXXX being moved from her room. XXXX has been taught by this resolution that it?s not good to express her feelings, and the lesson was driven home by removing her from an environment where she was comfortable and happy. She had a community and friends where she lived at HLA, and because she spoke up, out of fear, she has been deprived of that. This lesson cannot be lost on this other girl, either, for now all the other girls know that, regardless of any fear they might have of her, they?d better not speak up for fear of being exiled from their home base.
It has only been just before XXXX?s spring break that XXXX was actually starting to take the risk to open up. She has serious trust issues. Teaching her that speaking up will get her punished, combined with exercises such as the one last week designed to get students to narc on each other, sends an irreconcilably confusing message.
I respectfully ask that XXXX be moved back into her room, WITHOUT the girl who issued the threat. I also ask that the girl who issued the threat be removed from HLA for the safety of ALL of the children there. Not only is her presence a threat to the others, but it exposes HLA to serious liability issues should this girl follow through on her threat.
I look forward to your response.
XXXXXXXXXX
