Westview Middle School Students Altered Teachers Drink

Just unbelievable that kids would do that. I would have never thought about doing that to a teacher, back in my day.

These kids thought this was a joke. I don't think they thought about the consequences of what could have happened. Read this report about the dangers http://www.mdpoison.com/publications/toxtidbi...

These boys will probably be kicked out of school for 1 year or placed somewhere like Mountain View. What a shame that kids do this kind of stuff these days.

I feel sorry for the poor teacher they did this to. They don't make enough to put up with that stuff.

I hate that these boys did this. They should be punished. However, knowing the teacher that it happened to I am not surprised. Perhaps this teacher needs to examine how she treats her students. Respect goes two ways.

I agree that respect goes two ways, but no teacher deserves this. Being a teacher myself, I've learned NOT to ever set a beverage down where students have access to it. I usually drink out of something that has a lid on it. Knowing how students act today, I'm not surprised the students did this. We have so many good students in our school system, but there are so many bad ones, too. I hope these students are not allowed to come back to Hamblen County Schools. They don't deserve an education in our school system. Let another school system deal with them.

There are a lot of good students. And then those that make poor choices. Also, there are plenty of good teachers in Hamblen County, however, there are some that need to find another career. I could never speak to my supervisor or clients the way I have heard teachers speak to and treat some students. Why shouldn't everyone be held accountable for their actions?
What would have happened if the boys that did this crime would have told how they were being treated by this teacher? Would anyone have listened? Would anything have been done? Most likely not a thing! Then we ask why do children do some of the things they do?

I agree some teachers probaly should'nt be teachers however I don't care how a teacher treats a student in no way do they have any right to put something in anyones drink especialy in the teachers drink regardless the teacher is an adult and you should teach your chilren to have respect for adults period if there is a problem with your childs teacher take the proper avenue to fix the problem but it should never be acceptable for any child to show disrespect to there elders. It has nothing to do with being a good or bad student wrong is wrong if they truly did this they should be punished. That's what's wrong with our kids today teachers are not allowed to diciplin in the classroom because of all of the sue crazy people in this world.Put a stop to this now make an example or it will only get worsse!!!!!!!!!!

I agree the children should be punished and that they should not have done this. I am just sick and tired of the students always getting the bad rap, when nothing is ever said about the teachers or parents. I do believe children should be taught about respect and should respect their teachers. I always tell my children to be respectful at all times, and mom will fight the battle of the teachers for you. And anything ever said between me and a teacher is private and my children never know. And the lack of discipline in the classroom is the least of the causes of problems for our children.

depends on the teacher, when went to westview many years ago, a few teachers altered their drinks themselves.

I belive the childern should be punished as well. Suspended from school, but I don't think they should be kicked out forever. Send them to alternative school for awhile. Everyone deserves a second chance.

I also believe that some teachers are just there for the summers off and hours.

whatever wrote:

I agree that respect goes two ways, but no teacher deserves this. Being a teacher myself, I've learned NOT to ever set a beverage down where students have access to it. I usually drink out of something that has a lid on it. Knowing how students act today, I'm not surprised the students did this. We have so many good students in our school system, but there are so many bad ones, too. I hope these students are not allowed to come back to Hamblen County Schools. They don't deserve an education in our school system. Let another school system deal with them.

Did you actually read what you wrote before you posted? I'm not trying to be mean here, but your comment about hopeing the boys NEVER come back to Hamblen County schools, that they don't deserve an education and to top it off, you say your a teacher??? Don't you think that punishment is just a little to harsh for a prank? Did you ever consider that teenagers read these forums, kids who are still in school? What is your post saying to them? I agree we have some out of control kids in our schools today and punishment has to be dealt. But I also know for a fact that some of these kids, who are just that, KIDS, are handed down a sentence that some adults would never get for the same actions. You, as a teacher whom by your own words admitted you would never leave an uncovered drink alone in a class room full of children, but tell me this please, why would you have your drink in a classroom in the 1st place if you feel the children are so evil? Is it not your responsibility to protect yourself? Why bring a drink into class to begin with if you fear someone will alter it? I highly doubt that these two boys had the intent to do murderous harm to the teacher, if they had it would have surely been something a lot worse than germ-X. Yes, they should be punished, but the severity of a year's
expulsion, untold how many hours of community service, being sent to alternative school or worse, to Kingswood, how many months on probabtion and a juvie record that won't be erased
that will follow them into adulthood and hinder then in later life is way to severe in my opinion.
As another poster stated earlier, you get respect by giving it. As a teacher, you should know that childrens minds do not function as an adults, they are CHILDREN and they are going to make mistakes. Maybe if the teachers who agree with you all would move to another school district and get some teachers in here whom actually WANT to teach our children, our children wouldn't have the urge to alter a teachers drink.

Concerned Parent wrote:

I agree the children should be punished and that they should not have done this. I am just sick and tired of the students always getting the bad rap, when nothing is ever said about the teachers or parents. I do believe children should be taught about respect and should respect their teachers. I always tell my children to be respectful at all times, and mom will fight the battle of the teachers for you. And anything ever said between me and a teacher is private and my children never know. And the lack of discipline in the classroom is the least of the causes of problems for our children.

I agree 100%. Respect starts at home and yes, it was a dangerous prank the kids pulled and they should be punished. My kids love to "prank" each other but they have also been taught whats considered acceptable and whats not. Anything that can cause bodily harm is out of the question. We were eating out at a local restaurant with our church group and when my husband went to the buffet, some of the kids put ketchup in his tea. I have to admit is was funny as everything when he took a sip, but that was all in good fun and it wasn't altered with a poison. I am a *adopted mom* to quite a few of these kids who have been labeled as juvenile delinquents. Just about every weekend I have anywhere from 4 to 6 boys (including my own) ranging from ages 12 to 17 in my home, usually from Friday night until late Sunday evening. My husband and I have set rules that they follow, no drinking, no smoking pot, doing drugs, fighting, etc. This has been going on now for about 5 years, and only 1 time in those 5 years have we had a bad experience and I'm talking anywhere from 20 to 30 different boys that have graced our life. I've had the best blessings of my life when my own son was saved at church and over the years others have done the same. These kids are not bad kids, they just want someone who they feel truly cares about them. The ones with the long hair, the ear rings, baggy pants and thug attitudes, are basically (not all) but most are good kids who are trying to get a grip on what being an adult means. Has it been so long ago that you cannot remember your teenage years? The fear of the future, trying to find *your* place in society, etc? What if you didn't have someone, a parent, a teacher, a pastor, or just a friend to go to when times got rough and confusing? The sad, sad truth is a lot of these kids today don't have anyone to turn to so they turn to drugs and violence, the easiest way for them to cope.

question asker wrote:

<quoted text>
Did you actually read what you wrote before you posted? I'm not trying to be mean here, but your comment about hopeing the boys NEVER come back to Hamblen County schools, that they don't deserve an education and to top it off, you say your a teacher??? Don't you think that punishment is just a little to harsh for a prank? Did you ever consider that teenagers read these forums, kids who are still in school? What is your post saying to them? I agree we have some out of control kids in our schools today and punishment has to be dealt. But I also know for a fact that some of these kids, who are just that, KIDS, are handed down a sentence that some adults would never get for the same actions. You, as a teacher whom by your own words admitted you would never leave an uncovered drink alone in a class room full of children, but tell me this please, why would you have your drink in a classroom in the 1st place if you feel the children are so evil? Is it not your responsibility to protect yourself? Why bring a drink into class to begin with if you fear someone will alter it? I highly doubt that these two boys had the intent to do murderous harm to the teacher, if they had it would have surely been something a lot worse than germ-X. Yes, they should be punished, but the severity of a year's
expulsion, untold how many hours of community service, being sent to alternative school or worse, to Kingswood, how many months on probabtion and a juvie record that won't be erased
that will follow them into adulthood and hinder then in later life is way to severe in my opinion.
As another poster stated earlier, you get respect by giving it. As a teacher, you should know that childrens minds do not function as an adults, they are CHILDREN and they are going to make mistakes. Maybe if the teachers who agree with you all would move to another school district and get some teachers in here whom actually WANT to teach our children, our children wouldn't have the urge to alter a teachers drink.

I did not say they don't deserve an education. I said they don't deserve an education in Hamblen County Schools. As for having a drink in my classroom, I allow my students to have bottles of water. Therefore, I drink water myself.

You do not understand the severity of this situation. This teacher could have suffered great harm from drinking this substance or some other substance they could have put in the drink. Middle school students know they are doing something wrong by altering the drink. They just didn't think of the consequences of their actions, both to themselves and to the teacher.

I love my job, and I've been doing it for 30+ years. For the most part, I have good students. Those who choose to act up are usually the ones who lack discipline at home. The students who did this will probably be sent to Alternative School where they will get a slap on the wrist, a warm, fuzzy hug, and then be sent back to regular school after they serve their time. Maybe they'll get some community service and laugh about it like most students do. I doubt if they learn a lesson from that experience. I still don't think Hamblen County should be responsible for educating students who do something like they did.

whatever wrote:

<quoted text>
I did not say they don't deserve an education. I said they don't deserve an education in Hamblen County Schools. As for having a drink in my classroom, I allow my students to have bottles of water. Therefore, I drink water myself.
You do not understand the severity of this situation. This teacher could have suffered great harm from drinking this substance or some other substance they could have put in the drink. Middle school students know they are doing something wrong by altering the drink. They just didn't think of the consequences of their actions, both to themselves and to the teacher.
I love my job, and I've been doing it for 30+ years. For the most part, I have good students. Those who choose to act up are usually the ones who lack discipline at home. The students who did this will probably be sent to Alternative School where they will get a slap on the wrist, a warm, fuzzy hug, and then be sent back to regular school after they serve their time. Maybe they'll get some community service and laugh about it like most students do. I doubt if they learn a lesson from that experience. I still don't think Hamblen County should be responsible for educating students who do something like they did.

When you say they don't deserve an education in Hamblen county, are you trying to say that when these 2 boys made a bad decision, they should never be given a second chance? Yes I do understand the severity of the situation, it was a very bad choice, but not a life threatening one according to the web link someone posted above.
Quote: How much hand sanitizer would be dangerous? A hand sanitizer pump dispenses approximately 2.5 mL of
liquid. If one pump of a 62% ethanol-containing hand sanitizer was ingested by an average 2 year old weighing
15 kg, a blood alcohol level of 17.3 mg/dL would be expected, considerably below a toxic level of 80-100
mg/dL. This same child would have to drink approximately 4-5 teaspoonfuls of the sanitizer to produce toxic
effects requiring medical attention. Clearly, more than a lick of hand sanitizer would be necessary to produce significant toxicity. End quote: That was based on a 2 year old child and would require 4 to 5 teaspoons full to produce a significant toxic reaction. I'm sure the teacher weighs considerably more than a 2 year old. Base the crime on the facts. Make the punishment fit the crime and don't make it a drama like the teacher almost died. She was fine after the fact.
You said it yourself "They just didn't think of the consequences of their actions, both to themselves and to the teacher." The boys were 14 years old. Old enough to know better, but still considered a child. That's what I think the difference between juvenile and an adult is.
Maybe more warm fuzzy huggy feelings coming from the teachers to the students might make a difference to the students behaviour. Alternative school seems to have a more controlled environment and the teachers there are mostly liked and well respected. I know one child who spent 6 weeks there and begged to stay the rest of the year there instead of returning to regular school because his grades picked up, he went from a D/F student to a B average. He said the teachers there would help if you asked for it and yes, he did appreciate the warm fuzzies he received. I don't know what type of students you have but the ones I know certainly don't laugh over community service and deplore it. I would to if I had to pick up someone else's trash for weeks. And lastly, if you don't think a student learns a lesson from their punishment, then what good does it do to administer it to them?

whatever wrote:

<quoted text>

I love my job, and I've been doing it for 30+ years. For the most part, I have good students. Those who choose to act up are usually the ones who lack discipline at home. The students who did this will probably be sent to Alternative School where they will get a slap on the wrist, a warm, fuzzy hug, and then be sent back to regular school after they serve their time. Maybe they'll get some community service and laugh about it like most students do. I doubt if they learn a lesson from that experience. I still don't think Hamblen County should be responsible for educating students who do something like they did.

I think that if you need a drink of water go to the water fountain. Don't "allow" your students to bring in drinks, just so you can drink your water. That is why you have a break. I can't sip a bottle of water at work unless I am on break why should you. Because you are a teacher you think you should.

Also I know for sure that MANY CHILDERN get into trouble at school that has plenty of discipline at home. Don't lay that crap on the table and think it is gold.

I have noticed if a teacher is energetic and honestly loves their job that their students do better and learn. Than those that sit behind the desk and preach it the same way everyday for a hundred years.

Respect is a two-way street!

It is a shame that our schools leader can't distingush between a criminal act and a teenage prank. They were not trying to poison the teacher with a squirt of her own hand sanitizer on the lid of her drink. Come on!! THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE CRIME. The police should not have been called and these babes should not have been arrested and threated as criminals. I can't imagine what this experience has done to them. These are good boys (who have not been in trouble before)with families who are wonderful members of our community. It is really scary that this could set the bar for punishment in our local schools and I can only imagine what future children will face if this is the path that our school system is talking. PLEASE PEOPLE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOLBOARD MEMBERS AND THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS. If this is such a harmful poison, I want to know what disiplinary action the teacher will face for having it on her desk and threatening the lives of the students with it being accessible to them.

West View Parent wrote:

It is a shame that our schools leader can't distingush between a criminal act and a teenage prank. They were not trying to poison the teacher with a squirt of her own hand sanitizer on the lid of her drink. Come on!! THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE CRIME. The police should not have been called and these babes should not have been arrested and threated as criminals. I can't imagine what this experience has done to them. These are good boys (who have not been in trouble before)with families who are wonderful members of our community. It is really scary that this could set the bar for punishment in our local schools and I can only imagine what future children will face if this is the path that our school system is talking. PLEASE PEOPLE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOLBOARD MEMBERS AND THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS. If this is such a harmful poison, I want to know what disiplinary action the teacher will face for having it on her desk and threatening the lives of the students with it being accessible to them.

You can't imagine what this experience has done to these babes? Well, maybe it has taught them that the classroom is not the place for teenage pranks but a place for learning. So maybe they learned a good lesson from this after all.

As for the hand sanitizer, it probably does need to be removed from all classrooms. From what I've read, it's not that effective anyway at killing germs.

I can't imagine what being read the rights, handcuffed, put in a police car, strip searched, made to put on an orange jumpsuit and sat in a jail cell for 3 hour has done to these boys psyologically. The was extreme for the minor offense. They have been charged with a felony which has a minimum sentence of 11 months and 29 days in a junvenile facility and will have this on there record. Life-long consequenses are not necessary for this offense. The teacher and principal are being rediculous.

Is there a school board policy for this kind of action? If so, what does it say? I must admit if all of that happened, the handcuffs, strip search, etc., then it seems rather extreme for what these boys did. Have they been in any other trouble at school? I haven't heard the teacher's side of the story, but it sounds like a prank gone badly.

If this was their first offense, and they are minors, a judge can have this removed from their perm. records once their sentence or probation has been served. I've seen this done. They just need to ask the Judge. Beg for forgivness.

I think they deserve just what they get for this. They could have poisoned this teacher, taken his/her life by pulling such a stupid prank. Thankfully that's not what happened, or they'd be looking at life, instead of what they are getting.

Parents need to seriously teach kids today how to act in public, manners, morals, value's. To many are not.

I agree with the teacher. I just heard today what happend to the boys and they diserve everything they get. They shouldnt have touched the teachers cup. I do think the teacher took it to personally but still they shouldnt have done it.