Letter: Violence by children shouldn't be tolerated

Your headline of May 12 spoke of school violence. In reality, the issue is the lack of moral fiber and character within our society.

When school officials have the gumption to redefine an assault and battery as typical playground horseplay, I thank God that He has enlightened and given us the resources to home school our 7-year-old daughter.

Not all kids are bad. Playground shenanigans can sometimes lead to physical roughness. But school officials have forgotten that they are responsible to parents for their actions when our children are in their care.

Telling us that an incident of this gravity is OK, because there were only a few boys involved, only one "little boy" was "playing a little too hard" and that this play lasted only "a few seconds" is completely despicable.

Assistant Principal Alan Seidenfeld's description of "a bad choice" made by the boy(s) in knocking down the young girl is atrocious. Keeping parents in the dark until a thorough investigation is complete is definitely "a bad choice." What was wrong yesterday is now considered right and what was right is now considered wrong.

The aggressor's parents admit the involvement of three boys in holding down, kissing and groping the little girl. No matter where you stand, this was an act of violence. Force was used to restrain her.

Furthermore, in a few years, kissing and groping in the same manner could qualify for criminal charges.

Jean J. Letourneaut

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