schools teaching about chemical attacks to my 5 year old grandson

[bhiett]

This reminds me of times back in the years when the cold war was heating up and everyone was afraid of a nuclear attack from Russia.  Students were afraid they would not live to adulthood, adults were building fallout shelters, etc.  Life is always uncertain even when international unrest, accidents, or crime does not hit close to home (if ever anymore), but creating a climate of fear is an uncomfortable way to live.  There should be a way to teach preparedness without creating panic.  I have found that cultivating a deep faith in God is the best answer, not that bad things do not happen to good people (because they do) but that people can trust God to give them strength to face whatever life throws at them.

[gaylasue]

I can't believe anyone would put that type of fear into a 5-year old's mind.  It is even worse that things like this happens in the world.

[lvstephanie]

It probably wouldn't hurt to teach the youngins basic preparedness, but I agree that they shouldn't act like there's an impending apocalypse.

You beat me to it! I agree that emergency preparedness would be ok (esp. if you live somewhere that is prone to a certain type of natural disaster, like we have tornado drills here in the midwest), but not about something so drastic as chemical weapons or other disasters that are just as unlikely to happen. All it does is cause the kids to be afraid without teaching them anything useful.

Actually this may indeed be what they are trying to accomplish... The items listed in the original post are the very same items that the Dept. of Homeland Security has suggested for a "Basic Disaster Supply Kit" (see http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit). I wouldn't see this as necessarily a bad thing if they just left it at that. But if they are explicitly saying that this is in case of a chemical weapons attack (or any military / terrorist attack for that matter) then I think they are going a little too far.

[tashamjoy]

This is totally outrageous this is not the schools job!!! If it makes them prepared and less scared thats not their job and not to a 5 year old. This gets me so worked up when people with authority over kids giving their OPINIONS and VIEWS on kids and telling them like they are facts !!!! Religion and politics are very touchy subjects that should not be taught with any type of opinions only facts and this is so unnecessary. I would complain to the school if I were you!!! They are kids let them enjoy their innocence or let it be up to the children!!!

[crazib]

I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY THATS SO MESSED UP 

[msmoneybags48]

It could not have been me.  If my daughter came in the house at 5 and told me something like that, I would have been at the school making a complaint.  I could very well understand it if you told him this, but telling a 5 and an 8 year old something like that gives children the wrong impression.  I agree that children should be less worried about something like chemical warfare.  Children should not be in the room with an adult bringing up such a delicate subject because they get the wrong understanding and they will go to school and repeat it.  When I was going to school, the big thing was sex; now the big thing is a thing like this.  I know it was upsetting.   

[jcalexis]

As parents, we need to teach our children about basic stuff in the house. I believe the more knowledge they have; the less accidents we can avoid. Other stuff about hard chemicals; no.

[moonangel]

his parents did call the school and protest but no word on what will happen next year they have also talked to him about what the school told him