Letter: Children have right to safe learning environment

I was saddened to read the articles on school violence in the Las Vegas Sun.

In the one case, parents were forced to use litigation in order to get the attention of school authorities. In the second case, a young girl was assaulted on school grounds under the guise of "typical" playground behavior.

In either case, it is not typical. It is assault. To label it anything else is not only counterproductive, but outrageous. Parents send their children to school not only to learn regulated subjects, but also to develop social skills and behavior patterns. It is a child's right to have a safe and constructive learning experience. A parent can expect and demand this.

Without accepting any blame, the principal of St. Anne Catholic School, Phyllis Joyce, says that the situation there does not warrant lawsuits. Is this after a thorough investigation? Have the parents of the offending bullies been contacted? What is her response based on?

In the case of the assault at Frye school, we have another official, Assistant Principal Alan Seidenfeld, telling us that a little boy was merely "playing too hard" in the simulated rape. My dear Lord, is there enough sand to bury their heads in?

As a retired teacher with my children already out of school, I am thankful that I was raised by caring parents in much better times. I am grateful for my teachers, who showed discipline combined with compassion and who, by example, convinced me to go into the profession.

Finally, I was fortunate to have administrators who cared deeply about the welfare of the students entrusted to them.

William J. Schaefer

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