That decision will create a nightmare for high school parking at the beginning of the day since, reportedly, a couple of parking lots will be closed off, forcing students to either park along the streets or walk to the school from the former Dillon's parking lot.
It also creates the necessity of at least one group of students, either elementary students or middle school students, to have to spend an extra hour at the high school since there are not enough buses to bring all students to the high school in one trip.
It also will require that sack lunches be provided for one of the groups. The district may also have to rent portable toilet units since some students are likely to be on the practice football field where the event is scheduled to take place for as long as an hour and a half.
The festivities are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., which will likely cause problems with the heavier noon hour traffic in the city.
With the vice president in Joplin, extra precautions will also be required to deal with Secret Service concerns.
And what if it rains?
There is no good weather situation here. If it is a sunny day, the kids will be sunburned after a couple of hours of standing on turf. If it rains, they will be soaked. My child will not be there, regardless. This isn't for the kids. It's like CJ said in his speech. He has a captive audience in them and he's exploiting them. I'm sure the Board will approve this idiotic idea, but this mother doesn't.
ReplyDeleteHOW IN HELL DO YOU PROTECT 7,000+ CHILDREN ON A FOOTBALL FIELD FOR OVER 2 HOURS? IT WON'T BE ON TIME. NOTHING EVER IS. SO THEY JUST STAND THERE FOR THAT LONG LIKE SITTING DUCKS? THIS IS INSANITY. NOT FOR MY KIDS!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are no sidewalks between Dillon's and the school. 1000 or more kids are going to walk, unsupervised, in weather too far away to predict, all the way to the school just so Huff and Puff can have his little moment of fame with that freaking stupid ribbon. Yeah. Another dumb idea coming from the pack of dolts. I hope this is discussed at the board meeting Tuesday and this bit of stupidity is tossed, along with the person who now claims HE thought of. I think HE should be held accountable. But I do dream big.
ReplyDeleteSo much for Homecoming. Thanks for ruining that for us kids too. Appreciate it. No one will come if they have to walk in the rain or hike to school. Just so you know, we students are as sick of this crap as the rest of you. We just want to go to school. Like a normal school. No big show. And speaking of crap those portable toilets are gross. No sinks either. Standing in the sun for an hour or more and smelling that is just gross. It's "for the kids" though, right?
ReplyDeletePutting safety aside, which parents should not, how does this make any logistical sense? You can't even see the front of the building from the practice field. All Huff is doing is making sure he has a crowd (remember his captive audience comments in his speech last week) and people to foist that dumb ass ribbon on. If my child was going and brought that home, which she won't, I can promise you it would land in the driveway of CJ Huff or Anne Sharp, Mike Landis, Randy Steele, Shawn McGrew, or Lynda Banwart. Any would suffice. It won't be in my house. It isn't history. It's putting children in danger for the sake of the ego of a very fragile, dangerous man. Thanks school board. Appreciate you protecting this fool.
ReplyDeleteI think they believe they can sell enough ribbon to dig their way out of their financial hole, and they will put our kids in danger in order to do it. I'd pay someone to destroy it.
ReplyDeleteElementary kids love to scream and cheer. Put them in any assembly, and they will gladly yell, chant, applaud, etc... They don't understand the politics behind what they are doing. They will not understand that this entire event is nothing but a publicity stunt for Huff. This is exactly why they are being forced to attend. It will be great for the cameras to see all of the children so enthusiastic about the new school and the wonderful recovery efforts made by Huff. It will appear as if thousands of students are overjoyed that the new school is partially completed.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year nearly all of the elementary students in Joplin were bussed to Missouri Southern for an Operation College Bound assembly. The event was scheduled to last 1/2 an hour. Because there were not enough busses and/or drivers, some students did not arrive back at their schools until 2 1/2 hours later. Students were forced to stand and wait while busses loaded students from other schools, drove them back and unloaded at those schools, then returned to pick up more of the waiting students. This was elementary only, not elementary plus all of the middles schools. This event is scheduled to take place at 1:00. I do not understand how they will possibly be able to put on the ribbon charade and then have all of the students back to their individual schools before the end of the school day. This is a logistical nightmare with potential problems everywhere. Good luck keeping all of the students in order as they stand around for hours.
Prime situation for pedophiles. Every child in one place and open to the public. Good job, R8, good job! This needs stopped. Parents, call your board members and go to that meeting! This idea is horrendous.
ReplyDeleteCan you fit 7,000 or more people on a football field? Does Huff know how hot turf gets in the sun? No drinks. No real bathrooms. No place to wash off sweaty faces and hands. No place to seek shelter. Why yes, anyone can see this is a stupid idea, so of course, the board will back it, except for the two experienced in schools. Anne can take lots of pictures, Landis can be glad his kid is too good to be there, Steele and McGrew have no children there, and you can bet that Banwart's will be in the best seat in the house, prearranged by mama, for sure. The common children will be at the mercy of the elements and the people around them. But that's okay. They'll get a piece of stupid ribbon that the public has CLEARLY expressed it DOES NOT WANT to take home so they will never forget this lost day in their education process.
ReplyDeleteAny student who was at the graduation when the President came will tell you that this will not start at 1:00. It will start when it is good for the traveling dignitaries. Keep your kids home. I'm a Democrat, so this isn't political. This is common sense. Your school system does not have your child's best interest at heart, in this instance. At least at graduation the students and staff had shelter. This time the kids will have no place to sit, nothing to drink, and nothing over their heads. Just say no. It'l cost the district their federal funding for the day, but who cares. They obviously don't. This is shameful.
ReplyDeleteI was one of those who thought when this was first announced that people should put their politics aside (I'm going to see Sarah Palin, so they can contend with the VP) and be honored that they are coming to see our kids and community. However, that was before I realized what the plan is. I am no longer in support of the day because this is not a safe plan. The high school students alone should be there. The others should be in school. They've lost enough days already due to the high school. This makes one more, and it will be a miserable day for the kids. Big mistake.
ReplyDeleteI didn't understand why 9:36 said Homecoming was ruined. I asked my daughter. Her friends are saying that the Homecoming assembly, the first in their new school, is also that day. If the kids don't go to school then it will be an empty assembly, assuming the big show is over in time to have it. And is it true they don't get to decorate for Homecoming? Do we not want that school to look like our kids are actually using it? What hateful person at MODOT made that decision? Maybe they can use the miles and miles of leftover ribbon to decorate for the dance. Sad days for Joplin and they should've been exciting ones.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there! I'm from Carthage and I wouldn't miss seeing this "clusterf**k" that C. J. has dreamed up for all the money in the world.
ReplyDeleteHomecoming is outside this year because they don't want students' shoes scuffing the new gym. I believe that is what the student is referring to as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree. Yes it will be a mess getting everyone two and from, but once we are all there and get settled in it will be a great day. PArking is not as bad as people make it sound. The only thing wrong with the high school is that it's not finished, but it will be finished just not today. October 3rd will be a day to remember. Everyone is blowing up. I'm a high schooler it's not as bad as all these post say it is
ReplyDeleteAs a classroom aid for Kindergarten, this is going to be a complete nightmare!!! The kids in my class will miss nap and snack time to go stand on a football field for the rest of the day...yay!! (Insert sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely ridiculous...I am pretty sure niether one of my kids will be attending school that day....Obviously it will not be about learning anything it will be nothing but confusion and more then likely my senior worrying about her 3rd grade sibling and that they are safe, as well as me hoping both of my children stay safe....Not worth it to me....On the homecoming issue I was told the same by my daughter regarding having homecoming outside because they dont want the high heels on the gym floor..She's a senior and doesnt even want to attend her last homecoming dance.....Matter of fact I have heard of quite a few students who do not want to attend homecoming......So Congrats CJ on making everything about the kids (sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I wouldn't want my elementary aged child standing around for hours just to see a ribbon being cut. It's all about Huff and has been since day 1. If it's that important for them to see, then take their safety into consideration and televise it into all the schools.
ReplyDeleteThank God I don't live in Joplin anymore. CJ Huff needs to think about the safety of the kids not how popular this stupid event will make him. We'll about it plus see his face on news months after its over just like we did after the tornado. Got so sick of hearing his name.
ReplyDeleteMaybe everyone should keep their child home that day....say they have the "ribbon flu" =)
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ReplyDeleteParking IS horrid. It was bad at the old school and worse now. It takes my kid 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot.
As for homecoming--if it was really about the kids, it would be nothing but pep rallies, spirit activities, dance, game and the fun that goes with that. What happened to these kids getting to have the normal high school experience?
It's not ALL kids.. they are taking 1 bus full of each school only grade 3-5 and they are drawing names randomly and parent must sign a permission slip.. problem with turner and his reporting his he is bias and bitter he was fired from joplin (not sure of it was or wasn't for a good reason) however I do feel if you are going to write a report it should be have the FACTS first...
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