LISD superintendent addresses Connecticut tragedy

" I'm certain that most parents with children in school are confident that LISD is doing its utmost to prevent such tragedies. However, news reports indicate that similar safety procedures were practiced at Sandy Hook Elementary. Yet, it wasn't enough to stop a determined lunatic with assault weapons. As difficult as it is to grasp, what happened to those defenseless victims was simply not preventable. A generation has been raised to adulthood with a steady diet of violent movies and video games that teach children how to massacre human beings with a simple click of a hand-held device, accompanied by blood spatters and anguished screams. How many parents pay attention as their children amuse themselves with mass murder on video screens? Does anyone seriously believe that such mind-numbing brutality has no effect on young minds as they view murder as simply a playful exercise? Isn't it just possible that many parents have allowed their children to learn how to kill without a sense of guilt or compassion? Add to that the easy access to automatic weapons and you have a massacre in the making. Schools and their staff will do everything possible to protect our children, even sacrificing their lives as some did in Connecticut. But, schools can't do it all; they need parents to be responsible for what the child learns at home. Only the symbiosis between parents and schools will prevent the next tragedy. "

" Mr Waddell, thank you. I also agree with weirtalking that this is also the responsibility of the parents. Many people may say that things like this can happen anywhere, like a church (one I heard recently). People, unfortunately, will sit in denial until it strikes home. The reality is that this may not be the same world as many years ago. Some parents may not want to be inconvenienced with this or expect that the responsibility should fall on others, or they may feel that their child may be denied some freedom. Stepping up police and adding monitors makes sense. Thanks to all who have agreed to do this. Hopefully, the FM town leaders will take note of this as they about, I have read, to move forward on building an unsupervised skate park here. Unlike other places where kids gather, these are known to gain the attention of the wrong element, moreso than other places where kids gather. I also hear they plan to build it near homes... another bad direction. In Lewisville, it is by the dump. I have read some mails from those with kids who skate who want this thing, but not by their homes, and from others who do not feel it is smart to do at all. Other details of how they plan to do this also does not call for the mandatory use of helmets or safety equipment. I have watched town hall meetings on the topic and it is apparent who want this for their own child/children regardless fo the dangers to all...that is until their child is hurt, of course. Hopefully, the leaders of Flower Mound will take a cautious look like you have Mr Waddell, and remove this questionable feature from our town plan. "