Avoid Used Car Mistakes, NJ Yearbook Controversy, Teacher's Criminal Actions in Fulton County - podcast episode cover

Avoid Used Car Mistakes, NJ Yearbook Controversy, Teacher's Criminal Actions in Fulton County

Jun 08, 202451 minSeason 3Ep. 86
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Ever wondered how to avoid the common pitfalls of buying a used car? Join us on this episode of R.E.D., the Everyday Podcast for the Everyday People, where we bring you expert advice from a seasoned auto technician with over 15 years of experience. We break down everything from setting a realistic budget to evaluating the car's reliability. Our guest shares essential tips on how to thoroughly inspect key components such as the engine, brakes, and transmission. Don't miss out on vital information that could save you from a costly mistake.

We then switch our focus to the education sector, discussing both its challenges and triumphs. Hear the compelling and often heartbreaking stories of students who face tremendous obstacles, yet display extraordinary resilience. From a New Jersey high school controversy involving mistaken yearbook photos to a Boonsboro High School senior denied her graduation walk, we explore the complexities of respect, identity, and fairness within school communities. These stories highlight the ongoing struggles and the indomitable spirit of students and educators alike.

Our final segment is a poignant mix of inspiring and sobering stories from schools across the nation. Celebrate the creativity of HD Berkey Elementary students who designed an imaginative mini-golf course, while also hearing about the persistent struggles of students like David Palacios, who faced racial bullying. We also address serious misconduct cases, including a teacher's criminal actions in Fulton County. The episode wraps up with an exciting announcement about our upcoming interview with SD Voyager magazine. Join us for a heartfelt and informative episode that underscores the power of community and the enduring impact of education.

"This Is The Everyday Podcast For The Everyday People!"

Transcript

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Speaker 1

Guys , welcome back to another episode of RED . It's that everyday podcast for the everyday people and , as always , bringing you school news each and every week . My name is Rashawn Jr and it's nice to be back here with you guys Now . Today is a very unique day in my life .

Some would call it their date of birth , others would call it their descent into oblivion or ascending into oblivion , but for me , I will say that everything leading up to my birthday this week has been very dramatic and very painful . So I started off having to go to my doctor in New York to be able to get an ingrown toenail removed .

Yikes , that was expensive , very expensive . Very , very annoying having a needle driven into your big toe so that he can dig or gouge out this monstrous shark tooth Our theme in connection with episode number 40 . Now that the summer months are coming rapidly upon us , I know many of you guys are interested in buying your first car .

So what are some of the principles needed in order for you to be able to make a success of buying your first car ? Well , that's our theme how to buy a used car .

Now , our source here is a person whom has been an auto technician for more than 15 years , and so through this discussion , we're going to be able to get his perspective on what needs to be done before you purchase a vehicle . Our first topic for discussion how much can I afford to spend ?

First , figure out how much your budget will allow you to spend on a car . Newspaper ads can then give you an idea of the year and model of cars that fall into your price range . In some countries , banks , loan institutions and some libraries have monthly guides listing the prices of used cars .

Be sure to calculate not only the price of a car , but also the expense of taxes , registration and insurance . Also , plan to have some money for unexpected repairs the car may require after you buy it . Number two is it a good car ? That's always the most difficult question in connection with analyzing a used vehicle . Is it a reliable and good car ?

A good car is one that has been serviced very well . Generally , it is best to avoid cars with extremely high mileage , especially if this is the result of driving in the city rather than on highways . What constitutes high mileage may vary from place to place . No used car will be perfect , guys . However , will you be able to afford the repairs the car needs ?

Usually , the repairs will not increase the value of the car . For example , if you buy a car for $3,000 and then spend $1,000 on needed repairs , the car will not necessarily be worth $4,000 . Ordinarily , it is less expensive to buy a car in good shape than it is to buy a car in bad shape and fix it up .

Now , speaking from experience , this is something I can definitely attest to . You want to make sure that if you spend $900 for a used vehicle and it's good and it's serviced well and it's getting you to and fro that you're not going to have to put over $4,000 of work in the car , because overall the value of the car no longer is $900 , but rather $4,900 .

And then you think about the resale . If you want to sell this car again , you're not getting that money back that you put into this vehicle sell . If you want to sell this car again , you're not getting that money back that you put into this vehicle . So it's very important to analyze some of the things that the car has been through prior to purchasing it .

Here's a few tips that might be practical for you guys Check the car thoroughly before you buy it To get the right picture . Avoid looking at a car at night or in the rain . Take a quick walk around the car . What is your impression of it ? Do the interior and exterior show pride of ownership on the part of the previous owner ?

Have they been maintained well ? Can the seller provide a record of maintenance done on the vehicle ? If not , likely , the car has been neglected . You may not want to look further at this car . Next point test drive the car . Accelerate the car up to highway speed on a test drive . Also , do some stop and go driving on hilly terrain and on level streets ?

Stop and go driving on hilly terrain and on level streets . Next point consider the engine . Does the engine start well ? Is the exhaust free of a lot of smoke ? Does the engine run well ? Does it idle smoothly ? Is the engine free of noises ? Does the engine have enough power for good acceleration ?

If the answer is no to any of the above questions , then the engine may need tune-up work or more serious repairs . These conditions can also be signs of a worn engine . Be wary if the seller says it just needs a tune-up . Tune-ups should have been a part of the regular maintenance of the car . Consider our next part transmission .

Tune-ups should have been a part of the regular maintenance of the car Transmission . Consider our next part transmission . Does the automatic transmission slip or not engage when put into gear ? Does it fail to shift smoothly ? Are there grinding noises in any of the gears ? If the answer is yes to any of these questions , the transmission may need repair .

Consider now the brakes and the suspension . Does the car pull to one side when you brake or drive ? Does the car vibrate at certain speeds or when you brake ? Are there noises when you brake or turn or drive over bumps ? Rattling is very important as to letting you know what's going on underneath the vehicle .

Well , if the answer is yes to any of these questions , the car may need brake or suspension work . Look for other areas that need repair . Here's a tip for you guys Wear clothes that will allow you to look at the car inside , outside and underneath . Will allow you to look at the car inside , outside and underneath .

Just as you wouldn't invest money into something that seemed a bit shoddy , you would never want to rush into buying a car simply because you want the car for your various needs and wants . So check the body for rust . Avoid cars that have it under all circumstances . Most of the newer cars are unibody construction .

The body parts are used for structural strength in several areas . When these parts rust , it is generally too expensive to repair them completely . Fender rust can be cosmetic , but usually it's a sign that structural areas also have rust . Look underneath the car for rust . Be wary of new paint jobs . The car could be a whitewashed grave . Consider our next point .

Look for accident damage . Check for concealed accident damage under the hood and in the trunk . Do the doors , hood and trunk fit ? Are there signs of paint sprayed where it doesn't belong , such as in door jams ? Are there leaks in the trunk or in carpeted areas ? These leaks can cause rust . Here's another one that's really important . Oftentimes people overlook it .

Check the engine oil . When I became a CDL driver , one of the things that we were taught and instructed to do for commercial vehicles was check the engine oil , and although some of my coworkers felt as though this was a folly and a complete waste of time , it has proved very practical for them now and their futures . So look at that oil dipstick .

Is the oil level low ? This could be the result of excessive oil consumption or leaks . Is the oil very dirty or black ? Does it feel gritty ? Look for signs of wet oil around the valve covers . Get in the car and turn on the ignition switch , but do not start the car . Does the low oil pressure warning light come on ?

If the car is equipped with an oil pressure gauge , this should read zero . Now start the engine , keeping the engine at a low idle , and notice how long it takes for the oil pressure light to go out or for the gauge to read normal engine pressure .

More than a couple of seconds for the light to go out , for the gauge to read normal pressure could indicate major engine wear . On some newer cars in the United States , a check engine or a service engine soon . Light should come on when the key is on but the engine is not running . The light should be off when the engine is running .

If the light stays on with the engine running , this usually indicates an engine problem , perhaps with the emission control system or the fuel delivery system . Check all four tires . If they are severely worn , count on replacing them .

If there is an unusual wear pattern on the tire tread , it may be that there is a need for alignment or replacement of steering parts . Now here's some other things that you can be mindful of Check the condition of the belts and hoses . Check the operation of the parking brake on a hill . Check for an unusual amount of wear on the brake pedal .

Check the condition of the exhaust system . Is it noisy ? Is it loose ? Check shocks and springs . Does the car sit low or when you push down on each corner in turn ? Does it bounce more than three times ? If there is an air conditioner , does it work on all blower speeds ? Do the lights , wipers , horns , seatbelts and windows work ?

If you are unsure of any of the checks mentioned in our discussion , it might be wise to have the car assessed by a professional mechanic before buying it . Ask him to look the car over and make a list of things that concern you . Today , more persons are involving their mechanics in these buying used car transactions than ever before .

With the cost of inflation at an all-time high , cereal is off the horizon in price . Milk is now going into the range of $6 and $7 , some places $8 . Our goal should be to save as much money and every penny as possible .

So , of course , you may not be able to do all of these things in the allotted time of discussing the vehicle's overall maintenance with the previous owner . However , take some of the points that are the most important . Create a list , as it were , and label it top to bottom most important , least important in connection with having a safe and healthy vehicle .

You see , when you follow these principles and tips , not only will you be prepared to buy a used car , but you will invest wisely in the cars that you do choose to buy in the future .

Now , before we wrap up this theme discussion , I just wanted to share my personal experience and connection with pre-certified owned vehicles and vehicles in connection that are used or perhaps bought through a third party , craigslist , etc .

Challenges and Triumphs in Education

When it comes to used vehicles , oftentimes people feel as though they're going to get a buggy car . Some may have identified it as a lemon . However , a car's value and worth over time is all contingent on how well you take care of the car .

For example , some time ago , my wife and I purchased a 2021 Chevy Equinox and that car was brand new at the time of its purchase . Well , some three and a half years later , that vehicle is now almost on its way back to the dealership in connection with the lease agreement . But our Chevy Equinox has had some very difficult moments along the way .

For example , we lost the engine lock , the fuel line locking mechanism in connection with our commute to work one night , the parts on back order national back order and the car has been in the dealership since March . Another issue that we had when we first purchased the vehicle within a two-week span was that there was an issue with the wiring .

Now , of course , you can't blame the dealership for quality manufactured defects , because these parts are made in a corporate warehouse and , most of the times , made by machines and robots . The long line of humans working to build cars those days are long over . However , when it comes to investing in a vehicle , keep two things in mind , two qualities .

One use wisdom . Someone who saves money by not having a car payment has taken a step in the wise direction . And number two be reasonable . When it comes to being reasonable and selecting a car , think about your overall needs . True , no car is going to run perfectly , because no man on this planet is perfect and without mistake .

However , when you follow the principles needed in order to find success in buying a used car , you'll benefit both you yourself and those who listen to you . We wish you all the best . As you guys seek to find your used car in connection with your summer plans , well , that now will bring us into our first story for episode number 40 .

And we are visiting my home state of New Jersey . Jewish group omitted from NJ School yearbook photo , replaced with Muslim students A yearbook photo .

Controversy is rocking a New Jersey high school and the surrounding community after the names of those in a Jewish student group were omitted from the pages and their group photo was replaced with one showing Muslim students . The superintendent of East Brunswick Schools has vowed to investigate how it all happened .

In the section of the yearbook where each student group is listed , the Jewish Student Union section had no names listed and as for the group's photo that goes alongside it , officials said it appeared to show Muslim students who had no affiliation with the group .

School leaders echo that call for patience as the district looked into whether someone was behind the decision or if it were an honest mistake . This is what the superintendent , victor Valesky had to say about it . I sent a message out to the community today saying that we're investigating and I wished people would give us time to investigate , not rush to judgment .

It sparked a lot of outrage in the community because it's hard for most people to fathom how this happened . By accident , said Mayor Brad Cohen , who has also demanded answers . There are hundreds of copies of the yearbook currently in circulation . Cohen has questioned if the omission should be considered a hate crime , if it was indeed done maliciously .

City leaders said they don't want the incident to define their diverse community . The school has said it plans on correcting the mistake . How difficult it must be as humans strive to live in an environment in which they are constantly battling for respect amongst their own peers .

No one can help how they were born , what they look like , if the next person views them as important or attractive . However , if we all focus on two qualities love and respect , matters like these can be solved with ease . We wish you all the best there . In East Brunswick , new Jersey , our follow-up story finds itself on a unique side .

Let us know what you think in the comment box . Boonesboro High Senior denied chance to walk on graduation stage due to makeup concerns . A Boonesboro High School student was not allowed to participate at her graduation ceremony Thursday night because of concerns surrounding her makeup , leaving the 18-year-old and her family heartbroken on the big day .

Nyx Cabrera-Guy is an inspiring piercer and tattoo artist and is the first person on her father's side of the family to receive her high school diploma . She said she was told by the boonesboro high principal , michael kuhanek , that she had to remove her makeup or she could not sit with her fellow students or walk on stage during the ceremony .

He was like you aren't allowed to walk , you aren't allowed to sit . It's either you take it off or you go . Cabrera-guy recalls . Cabrera-guy and her family left the ceremony after she was told she could not participate . Cabrera-guy adds she is a very creative person , known in school for her expressive makeup looks .

She said this look was much more toned down than some of her other looks she has worn to school events where she paints intricate details on top of the white makeup base . At graduation , cabrera-guy put on only eyeliner and lipstick over the white base .

She says , and I quote it's part of my identity , it's part of like how the school knew me and how I knew myself , and had never been an issue before . I would rather walk the stage as someone who is genuinely me than someone who they are trying to hide .

Kohanek did not respond to a phone call before publication but in a statement to the Herald Mail , washington County Public Schools and Boonesboro High said Cabrera-Guy was not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony due to concerns surrounding the symbolism of the makeup . Cabrera-guy said she was not aware that she needed prior approval for the makeup .

An email sent to Boonesboro High graduates stated students were required to wear an undecorated cap and gown over business casual attire , not jeans or sneakers and shoes . They could walk in . Cabrera Guy said she received good grades and was always involved in the school culture , planning spirit weeks and helping out on different Boonesboro High committees .

No further information in connection with this story . How difficult it is to see the school trying to implement such things on these seniors when they are practically graduates . Implement such things on these seniors when they are practically graduates .

It's unfortunate that reasonableness couldn't be applied to this situation so Ms Guy could be able to move forward in connection with her future . We hope they're able to come to a peaceful agreement in the future and she's able to move forward with joy and peace . We wish you all of the best . Our follow-up story is indeed riveting , as it were .

It's one that has truly stirred my heartstrings . Louisiana graduate finishes high school as valedictorian while being homeless . We're now in the location of Louisiana . A Louisiana high school senior experiencing homelessness recently graduated at the top of his class with the highest earned GPA .

Elijah Hogan , 19 , was named valedictorian of Walter L Cohen High School in New Orleans and graduated May 25 with a 3.93 GPA , he told CNN . Hogan , who became homeless a year and a half ago , says he was in disbelief when he learned of his academic achievement .

Hogan was one of four black male students who achieved valedictorian status at their New Orleans school this spring .

School, Youth, and Society Challenges

Hogan was previously living with his grandmother at the age of 11 . He became homeless after the lease on his grandmother's house expired . When the homeowner decided to sell the property . He and his grandmother were given 30 days to vacate the house , according to Hogan . From there , I made the executive decision to live on my own to lighten my grandmother's burden .

While his grandmother went to live in a care home for the elderly , hogan was left without permanent housing . His grandmother told him about the Covenant House , a homeless shelter in New Orleans serving youth and young adults ages 16 through 22 . Hogan has been living at the shelter as part of its transitional housing program since he became homeless . He added .

Hogan , who lost his mother just before he turned 12 , says her death encouraged him to push forward with his education for his grandmother's sake . It's indeed true that his accomplishment is worth celebrating .

It's not necessarily about his race , but here we have a story of a young person who put his mind to do something , to endure despite hardships and difficult circumstances . And that's really what RED podcasting is about Giving you guys that courage and strength that you need to cope with the challenges of everyday school life .

So , by all means , continue to reach out in the comment box , let us know how these stories are affecting your life , and continue to share , spread and give the proper hoorah to this podcast . It will indeed be a great source of benefit for all who listen . We wish Mr Hogan the best in his new endeavors .

In this following story , notice how middle school students continue to express themselves . Police arrest eight girls in Bay Area Middle School attack . Eight girls at Sinaloa Middle School in Novato were arrested this week in connection with a schoolyard beating that injured two students on Friday .

The students , who are between 12 and 14 years old , were booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and felony assault . Nevada Police Sergeant Alan Bates said . Bates said the teens who were arrested would be processed through juvenile justice system .

Juvenile hall staff said Wednesday they could not disclose whether the students were still in custody or released to their parents because their records are confidential due to their ages .

The two injured students sustained moderate injuries and were treated at an area hospital and released , bates , said One student the target was punched repeatedly while a crowd of students looked on , some shooting videos of the attack on their cell phones and posting them on social media . The other student was injured when she tried to intervene .

According to Christy Stocker , school principal Stocker and a team of school and Novato Unified School District administrators spoke to more than 200 Sinaloa Middle School parents at a community forum Tuesday at the school library . Parents of the two injured students told the group that their children were physically okay but shaken emotionally .

Very , very distressing circumstances that parents are finding themselves at dealing with these students and these issues that are being brought upon them in connection with their classmates .

Now , as of this story , staff is now being posted at the entrances of each school bathroom and the school is banning the use of cell phones cameras to shoot videos unless the students are sending evidence anonymously to the Stop it app , which connects with the police department .

It's very unfortunate the times we live in , the rage and violence that people have in connection with ending and harming someone's life . Continue to be vigilant guys , continue to avoid crowds and for that person that stepped in to help what a remarkable story of heroic .

It's not easy to help someone in distress and risk your personal life for someone that you care about or just a neighborly Samaritan . We wish you all the best as you continue to cope and recover from this very difficult circumstance . In our following story , more challenges that students are dealing with in connection with teachers .

She had sex with students while teaching at high school in Puyallup . Here's her sentence . A 31-year-old Puyallup Christian high school teacher was sentenced Friday to six months of house arrest for having a sexual relationship with a student .

Lindsey M Westerfield pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor for having sex with a student in spring 2019 while she was employed at Cascade Christian High School .

According to court documents , puyallup detectives began investigating her that year , but the case stalled until 2022 when investigators learned Westerfield was seeking employment on the state's charter school commission and the victim disclosed new details to authorities .

As part of her sentence , westerfield will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and must undergo related treatment for four years and six months . She was ordered to have no contact with the victim and is barred from holding any position with supervision of minors under age 13 .

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Timothy Ashcraft handed down the punishment as part of a 54-month suspended sentence . Westerfield had no prior criminal convictions . Two of the sexual encounters Westerfield was charged with occurred after the now 23-year-old victim's 18th birthday .

According to court documents , state law prohibits sexual conduct between students under 21 and school employees who are at least five years older . When detectives first contacted the student , who was then 18 , he reported he had an emotional relationship with Westerfield but declined to talk about any sexual activity .

A Puyallup detective contacted the victim's father the day they learned Westerfield had been fired . The father said his son , who was back in college studying psychology , might be willing to provide more details about Westerfield .

In an interview with detectives , the student described multiple sexual encounters with Westerfield and the steps they took to keep their messaging secret , such as turning off their phones so no one could see the location . These stories never get old , as it were .

These stories are always going to continue to come up in this podcast because proper precautions are not taken in connection with dealing with students and adults . In connection with dealing with students and adults . Remember these events and these circumstances can be prevented with being proactive . So look for ways to make sure a student and a teacher is not isolated .

Be more aware as a school administrator . Is this teacher too friendly with this student ? Is this student always drawn to this teacher ? Does this teacher encourage this student to linger after class ? Those might be some early warning signs that something just might not be right .

We wish you guys the best , the ones who are struggling to recover as victims , and for the families of the victims . We do send you our full support , because it is going to be a long road in dealing with these traumatic events .

Oftentimes on my show , people will ask me how I feel about the use of the N-word and they'll say to me Rashawn , do I get the free pass to use the N-word because you yourself are black or African-American ? And the following story noticed how that kind of playing can become out of control in the school environment .

Southborough elementary school teacher accused of holding mock slave auction using N-word . A fifth grade teacher in Southborough , massachusetts , is accused of being on the wrong side of history .

The faculty member at Margaret A Neary Elementary School is on paid leave for allegedly making several racial and sensitive comments on at least two occasions during class this semester . It's just poor judgment , said Nam , a school parent whose son is in that class . It's unfortunate , it's very concerning . Is in that class . It's unfortunate , it's very concerning .

Nam said she only knew of the incident until Thursday when Superintendent Gregory Martinet wrote to the school community about the scope of the problem . Martinet said the unnamed teacher held a mock slave auction in class in January and asked two students of color to stand so the class could discuss their physical attributes .

Then , in late April , the same teacher allegedly read aloud a non-approved book during English arts class and said the N-word . The district would later find out that the word was not in the textbook . The school's principal , valenti was also placed on leave for a week earlier in May due to failure to respond to these accusations and the circumstance .

And then the superintendent is now stating that the district is still investigating , while the fate of the teacher is still unclear .

How difficult it can be now trying to make sure that persons whom are victimized in connection with this racial bullying and prejudice that persons are dealing with today does not fall prey to the negativity that's surrounding them , because it's not easy for a student to weather this storm alone .

They're going to need support , and so if the peers are doing it as we're going to discuss later in our show and the staff is doing it , where does the student get the peace that they need to continue to survive and thrive in the school environment ? Very , very difficult circumstance for these students .

In our following story , here is another challenge that students are dealing with nationwide in America . Our location now is Georgia . Georgia man arrested for killing father picking up his daughter from middle school graduation party . We're now in Peach County , georgia .

A Georgia man suspected of a shooting and killing a man at a middle school graduation party was arrested on Wednesday . Shooting and killing a man at a middle school graduation party was arrested on Wednesday . Wmaz reports that Dexter Oliver , 36 , of Fort Valley , is charged with murdering Micah McCant 31 .

Fort Valley Police Chief , dj Flores , told WMAZ that McCant and another person were shot on Sunday , may 26 , at around 10 pm while he was picking up his daughter at a graduation party . Mccant died later that night at the hospital . Flores told WMAZ that some teenagers showed up to the party uninvited and a physical fight broke out , which escalated into gunfire .

If you have any information about this crime , you can call the Fort Valley Police Department at 478-834-3383 . You're encouraged and can remain anonymous . I can't imagine the pain that this young girl is going through her father being ripped away from her so dramatically , so drastically , in a devastating way . She never had the chance to say goodbye .

The love that we have for such persons is astounding , because not only are you going through this grief and you're weathering this storm that only touches a few unique lives on this planet . Today , you are not giving in to the circumstance .

It's only appropriate that we wish the family a well recovery as you deal with this emotional trauma and continue to surround yourself with those who love you . You can never take for granted a kind friend , a sweet treat or a snack that can be able to help you to cope with such challenges . We wish you all the best as you deal with your grief .

Our condolences , please , and our follow-up story . Note just how far one crossing guard has gone in order to carry out his job . Taunton crossing guard charged with assaulting parent outside high school . Our location is Taunton , massachusetts . A Taunton crossing guard was arrested and charged with beating a parent with a stop sign at a high school Monday morning .

Officials said Luis Chavez , 68 , of Taunton , was arrested after police officers responded to Taunton High School for a report of a disturbance . At around 7.30 am , police said . Prosecutors said Chavez attacked a woman in her car when she stopped at the intersection near the high school in order to sneeze and blow her nose .

Chavez allegedly reached into her open window and started hitting her with a handheld stop sign while calling her names . Chavez also allegedly attacked the woman's daughter who was attempting to push the stop sign out of the window . Prosecutors said the woman , who asked 7 News not to identify her , got out of the car and was knocked to the ground by Chavez .

She said she was taken to the hospital with bruises . Chavez claimed he did not do anything . Chavez pleaded not guilty to his charges three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon . He was released on personal recognizance but the judge ordered him to have no contact with the woman or her daughter involved in the altercation .

Chavez was also fired from his Carson Guard position . He is due back in court in August . So I've seen a lot of challenging things on this show . I mean , we're 40 episodes into the third season and this story is by far one of the most ridiculous and gruesome stories I've ever been able to see .

When you look at this clip of this crossing guard , you can tell that there's some other emotional challenge he's having .

Well , we wish him the best down there in Taunton and we hope that whatever he's going through he's able to get it rectified if he's allowed to work as a crossing guard at another location In our following story , just as the crossing guard gone wild because they stirred there in Taunton , notice how this principal deals with his students when he's a bit frustrated .

Montgomery County principal charged with assaulting student . We're now in Rockville , maryland is our location . Ritchie Park Elementary School , an elementary school principal in Montgomery County , has been charged with one count of second degree assault .

Rockville police say an arrest warrant was issued on Monday , june 3 , 2024 , against Andrew Winter , 54 , who is the principal at Ritchie Park Elementary School . He turned himself in to the Central Processing Unit . Winter went before US District Court in Rockville on Tuesday and was released on a $1,500 unsecured bond .

An investigation by Rockville Police in the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office alleged that on February 9 , 2024 , winter assaulted a student by grabbing that person by their clothing and sitting them down on a nearby bench . He put his foot on top of that student's right foot .

When the student began crying , he sat next to that person and put his arm on the victim's shoulder . The assault took place during the lunch hour and was captured on school video footage . Police say two students saw what happened and notified a teacher . Montgomery County Public School says Winter has been placed on leave from his job as principal .

School says Winter has been placed on leave from his job as principal . Now , before you guys go into the comments of what did the student do in connection with the way this principal cheated him , there are two sides to the coin .

As always , adults are going to have to put aside their feelings and set the example for these young ones whom at times can be a challenge to deal with . But at the same time , there is not so much favor when it comes to the adult getting the benefit of the doubt . Well , why is that ?

Because normally adults are doing things to kids or , more often than not , some adults are abusing their power and authority . If this is a situation with the teacher loses his cool or lost his cool , it's going to be very difficult in a judicial setting to prove that .

And so we are going to wish both the student and the teacher a well recovery because something else brewed here . It's easy to jump into the story , get a piece of the pie and not have the full picture , as it were .

So if we're looking at these stories so close to our face and we're not viewing this unbiasedly and we already have preconceived notions about whether the teacher is innocent or the student is innocent , then necessarily we could be compromising ourselves , or unnecessarily compromising ourselves , I should say .

And so it's always good to be objective at a distance when trying to analyze what went down and how this best can be prevented , because getting rid of the principal isn't the problem . If the problem is with the student , then this will continue to happen as long as the student is in school . Wishing you guys all the best .

In connection with this story In our follow-up story , note just how one elementary school decided to celebrate their last day of school .

School Events and Misconduct Incidents

Hd Berkey Elementary students celebrate end of school year playing mini golf . On course they made . First and second grade students at HD Berkey Elementary School in Arnold celebrated the coming end of the school year and art teacher Jennifer DiPerna and physical education teacher Gannon Warwick , second grade students designed and built a 16-hole course outside their school .

Each of the second grade classes were responsible for designing two holes . Drawing , painting , coloring and cutting out obstacles were some of the challenges . Principal Brian Hindrick said it will become a yearly event for his school . The last day of school for new Kingston Arnold students was Wednesday , with graduation of that night , and so they're out there .

They're getting busy . Summer's already started . That was precisely June 5th when they had their last day of school , and man , oh man , I wish my kids had their last day of school that early as well . Have a great summer , guys . And I thought that the golf course was very unique and a great way to be able to express appreciation to the students .

Very nice job there , guys . Well , guys , we have reached that . Final three stories of episode number 40 . And man , 50 minutes flies by . Our location is Massachusetts . Note what one student is dealing with in connection with a story that we discussed earlier on this episode . Melrose student says he was target of racial bullying and the school did nothing .

A student claims he was the frequent target of racial bullying at a middle school in Melrose , massachusetts , and the school did nothing about it , despite repeated attempts for help . Nita Holder and her son , david Palacios , spoke exclusively to NBC10 Boston on Monday about a civil complaint that had been filed with the Department of Education .

About a civil complaint that had been filed with the Department of Education . It does not seek financial composition , but rather it would require the district to put extensive measures into place , like trainings and counselings , to make sure no other child has to deal with racial hate . I've been called the N-word a few times .

It all started out with jokes , then they started to take it too far . David shared of what happened to him . Holder says there's nothing funny about the racial bullying her son experienced at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School . He would come home crying and say why are they treating me different ?

They treat me different and they don't treat the other kids that way . She said don't treat the other kids that way , she said . David says he tried reaching out to the students hurling racial slurs at him through text where he said in one you make me uncomfortable , stop texting me . Nothing would happen if you didn't say the N word multiple times .

The student replied I have only said it once , david , but I can name 100 people in this school that say it on a daily basis . David also has reached out to his teachers telling them this and this person have been calling me the N-word and they never did anything about it .

Holder says after several incidents with the bullying escalated to physical violence , she reached out to the school to offer solutions . After the racial bullying started to affect her son academically , holder filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of him against Melrose Public Schools with the Lawyers for Civil Rights with USDOE's Office of Civil Rights .

Melrose Public Schools responded in a statement that they were just informed of the complaint Monday . Holder says she removed her son from the school and he's been thriving academically at a new school in Boston and how comforting it is to know that a student removed from such a negative environment can thrive elsewhere if given the chance .

Environment can thrive elsewhere if given the chance . It's very unfortunate that people look at you based on your skin color or based on how you dress in some aspects . We're not talking about wild dress that will call for that negative attention , but we're just talking about people's choice of style and their free expressions .

You know everything that someone else likes I don't necessarily have to like . When we learn to be okay with that and that people are going to say what they're going to say . We can move forward a lot faster rather than harping on each and every negative insult that is thrown upon us .

Wishing you the best , and I'm hopeful that you guys are going to do just well in this new school . Our following story is now in Fulton County Liar manipulator , victim-slam middle school coach who sexually abused young girls at sentencing . Fulton County , georgia , is our location .

A former middle school teacher has admitted to sexually abusing young girls and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on Tuesday .

Coach Joe Marcus Collins was initially a trusted mentor and role model at Hapeville Charter Middle Schools , but prosecutors said he had a dark side , arguing that Collins groomed and sexually abused at least four young girls , possibly more , going back to 2018 . At his sentencing hearing Tuesday morning , a victim advocate read the impact statements from several victims .

My friends and I have been victims of sexual assault perpetrated by our PE teacher , whom we regarded as a trusted authority figure , manipulated into believing that what was happening was acceptable , said Jasmine Drummond , a victim's advocate . Another victim , now 19 , said Collins groomed her into a years-long sexual relationship , beginning when she was 13 years old .

By the time I turned 16 , I began to see our relationship for what it was wrong , unethical and flat-out disturbing . And I saw him for what he was a liar , a manipulator and a coward . The victim said , despite her trauma . The young woman said she is now pursuing a degree in law .

In a gesture of unbelievable grace , she addressed her abuser saying In a gesture of unbelievable grace , she addressed her abuser saying , collins , I forgive you . I harbor no hate towards you . I hope you find some kind of peace and I pray that God has mercy on you .

Before Collins pled guilty to 16 of 19 charges , he read a short statement saying I just really want to apologize and make sure people have closure and I'm really sorry it's painful that's about to happen to me , but it's painful for them as well . I just want to deeply apologize for that . Collins pleaded guilty to 16 of 19 charges .

The judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years . Tragedy continues to strike the school environment . As long as there are humans in the school environment whom have free will , whom can act with choices to prey on young ones , these stories are going to continue to grow and grow and grow . Be vigilant guys .

Look for ways to protect yourself , your friends and others . If you see something , speak up about it . You never know whose life you could change by being courageous and clearly communicating . We wish you all of the best there .

In Fulton County , georgia , our final story this week was given to me by a friend of mine , thomas , and when this story came to me I said , oh my word , the things that people do in the world that we live in , you know . I would like to say that this is crossing guard week , like a lot of crossing guards have literally gone . Stark , raving mad .

That's what my grandmother used to say Stark , raving mad . Pennsylvania crossing guard 26 arrested for smoking weed with middle school students giving them vapes , edibles . A school crossing guard has been accused of giving Pennsylvania middle school students drugs and even smoking weed with at least one of them .

Police in Delaware County arrested 26-year-old Kiara Lee on Tuesday after she allegedly gave the children electronic cigarettes and marijuana edibles . Lee , a crossing guard for Pennwood Middle School in Darby , pa , was seen on multiple occasions by a student witness giving drugs and vapes to at least two students . The student witness reported Lee to school officials .

After one of the students shared that they were frequently smoking weed with a crossing guard . She was known to have provided vapes to the juvenile several times and the student was known to be in possession of marijuana . According to WCAU , one student's guardian confirmed to police that Lee had been giving the child vapes and marijuana edibles .

The outlet reported , along with the unethical gift-giving , lee reportedly kept up a conversation through text messages with one of the students in which they would share their experiences after ingesting edibles . Law enforcement officials blasted Lee's behavior and actions , saying it was unacceptable for anyone , especially school crossing guards , to be giving drugs to minors .

Parents in the community were outraged to learn about Lee's actions . Lee was charged with two felony counts of drug possession with intent to deliver , two misdemeanor counts of corruption of a minor and two misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana .

Court records viewed by the Post show she is being held in the Delaware County Jail after being unable to post her $20,000 bail . Lee is scheduled to appear in the court for a preliminary hearing on June 14th , that's next Friday .

How difficult it must be for parents when they find out that an administrator , someone whom is supposed to guide their child and instruct their child , is giving them edibles and other things in school during these dark and heinous times .

These very individuals , whom are supposed to be a refuge to students , is now giving them the things that are damaging their entire person . And students , be wise . For goodness sake . Everything is not a joke in high school .

There's nothing wrong with playing around and having fun with your friends and being a little wild and , in a balanced circle , a little bit recklessly fun , right . But when you're talking about breaking the law , when you're talking about dealing with drugs , these are the things that are going to shape and mold your life for the rest of it .

So your parents are not going to deal with these consequences . That's going to be up to you . So what are you going to do with the circumstances of life that you've been given ? Are you going to make wise decisions or continue to take your future as a joke ?

Well , on behalf of the team here at RED , we hope that you guys are able to make and take the wiser course , because it will truly benefit you , and we'd love to hear positive feedback about how you guys are choosing to spend your futures , wishing you guys all of the best . Well , guys , that has been our show , episode number 40 .

Do you have it in your mind ? Are you able to find , examine and purchase a used car . Think about those tips that we discuss . Remember , buying a car for cheap , that's expensive to repair is working backwards . So always make sure that the car's value is going to be right , where you want it in connection with your investment .

Number two make sure you bring your mechanic with you . He's the only one , just like a doctor , who can prescribe , describe and let you know what the car's overall performance and function is . And remember , guys , by doing these things you'll make a wise decision and it will benefit you in the long run .

Don't focus on the luxury cars , don't focus on trying to keep up and compare with your friends . Try your best to do what you need to do for yourself , and those friends will catch up a little bit later .

Exciting Interview Opportunity for Podcast

Now , before we close our show , there is just one tiny little announcement . Sd Voyager magazine reached out to me in connection with an interview , and so right now my mind is whirling with things that I can be able to say in connection with my podcast .

If you guys have any ideas as to how this podcast is affecting your life or something that I should include in this interview , let me know .

I have about two weeks to be able to get this return interview form back to the magazine and I'm really looking forward to it , really honored that they chose me to be able to express where I've come from , where I've been and possibly where I could be going with this podcast .

Well , guys , as always , it has been an extraordinary privilege to be here with you . This is RED . It's the Everyday Podcast for the Everyday People . Peace out .

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