Letter of the Week

After reading (“Pranks no longer funny on campuses,” March 10), I

think the principal at Corona del Mar High, Gary Norton, is completely

out of touch. He says “I think kids have always harassed kids. But now it

has a new significance, probably, I think.”

What he should say is that now it has a new significance, definitely.

Children are killing children across this country and it’s ridiculous to

say “probably, I think.” I hope those aren’t his true feelings on the

subject.

My granddaughter goes to Corona del Mar High School and last year,

there was an incident where a boy on a bus threatened to shoot another

kid. The incident was reported, and apparently he was interviewed by the

principal or authorities and found not to be a threat, so nothing was

done. The Daily Pilot reported it as such in September of 2000.

At the time, I told my son this is ridiculous. This kid should be

suspended or expelled, after Columbine. Frankly it shouldn’t take the

incident in San Diego to wake up this school. It should have been awake a

long time ago -- certainly after Columbine.

As far as suspending a child, maybe for a drawing you might do a

suspension. Certainly a threat of bodily harm where a gun is involved,

the child should be expelled out of that school completely, and obviously

counseled. I hope people start to take this more seriously because I

think it’s definitely a problem.

MARGARET CHASE

Newport Beach