I was a student in public schools from 1959 to 1972. Think of those years, peers? What did we experience? What did we say? My parents were given some advice about me. How did I respond. Trick question?
The students at Cornell University are having protests due to someone else's sexual fantasies that have become a real life nightmare for the parties directly involved. Why are they protesting? Signs are held. Some want administrative heads to roll. They may be right to ask for resignations. They pay tuition. The exploits have muddied the waters and reputations. Other college campuses in America are not garnering as much attention, but the noise is out there. Hopefully, no burning buildings by high jacking the agenda crimes.
Time and lawsuits will tell for Cornell. I bet right now Cornell is glad that the headline news is not currently a daily feed, as the world moves onto other fire fueled worldly events. UVU probably would agree.
A school attack in Bend, Oregon took center stage last week. Some media has moved on but not before interviewing one child (whom I have listened too).
It is the parents' and kids' interviews that can get the "staged event" leaders rolling. I must say that the voices who speak up early do sound rehearsed. The young boy who was interviewed about the lock down process irritated me. It should you too, but not because he did anything wrong. He sounded rehearsed but that could be expected. He was scared. Maybe he did not need the advice I needed long ago to speak up.
I think the kids should be heard but not necessarily in media interviews. If you read my posts about Newport News, you know where I am going with this.
The dead children, and no one in the Bend class, had enough time to tell an adult the shooter had a gun. Only the autopsies can directly speak for them. Even parents can not. The adult survivors should speak up in and out of court.
The entire school fell victim. The children survivor voices need to be heard in a legally recorded setting. Set clear expectations. And DO NOT say, "I won't tell anyone." But if their voices are not heard, and not recorded, some moronic lawyer or judge will call the parents' testimony "hearsay" when it comes time for the depositions, lawsuits, or a school board meeting, especially if the doors are closed.
Obviously, do not coach the words but ask questions, a good lawyer/attorney will know how. Children have testified for years. It is part of the justice process. Did I use good and lawyer in the same sentence? Yes, I did.
In the Appalachia High School trials, pre teens and teens testified. Their faces were not shown. It can be done.
https://youtu.be/2ALc8N0HFsA?is=bG3BXjXGH4dmkw3f
Research other school shootings like Uvalde. This is a child's voice in a House hearing which is legal testimony. Her face is clear.
https://youtu.be/rqkeftTK9Bg?is=jHt7xhHYuuBWHu2O
In Newport News, the first grade voices were not listened to. Two teachers tried to relay the kids' concerns but with obvious failure to connect. One teacher was shot and one teacher has been unfairly mocked for her rescue and recovery efforts. The assistant principal (VP,EP) should never speak publicly again. Her lawyers need to be investigated. The judge in the criminal trial should be voted out, impeached and also never to speak publicly again. I am a fan of free speech. EP, the judge and EP's lawyers prevented the children's free speech.
Day 2 testimony was telling. The parents of the children in the class took hits. It was irritating.
https://www.youtube.com/live/L410AE89lsk?is=Ed47SRLeXG7OKTFM
Do not let that happen in Bend. Kids can be brave in front of a recorded microphone. Braver than many adults. Ask my Beautiful Butterfly.
Let the students be heard legally in a trial or maybe at a school board meeting. They do know.
From the Teacher's Desk with love,
Marian R. Carlino
October 20, 2026