Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190427
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TINA VAUGHN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"All day Friday, the search for Scottie [Wimmer] touched Roanoke. Throughout the day, police, firefighters, teachers, school security officers, relatives, friends and even strangers searched Scottie's neighborhood in hopes of finding him."
As I see it, the real problem arose when Scottie's regular going-home-from-school routine was changed. He became confused. For this reason, he lost his way for 32 hours in the "blustery wind" and "spitting snow."
His concerned mother could not keep from crying as she talked with the press. Scottie's estranged father worried, too, as he drank at an establishment where "police came back to talk to him a second time" about his missing son. A neighbor of the 5-year-old boy joined the search after she heard he was missing and noted, "It touches your heart . . . "
The pupil enrollment at Scottie's elementary school is unknown to me, but I do know that the K-2 enrollment where I teach is more than 100. It is no wonder that witnesses gave conflicting accounts of whether this particular youngster rode the bus or not. Who could be certain that the "child matching Scottie's description [who] was seen playing . . . near the bus stop shortly after the school bus unloaded" was actually Scottie?
Also, considering the large number of students who ride most school buses, it is understandable how a driver, especially a substitute driver, would be "unable to remember" if one particular child had ridden the bus.
Like Scottie's, today's family schedules and situations are complex. They, in turn, contribute to children's "Where-do-I-go-after-school-today?" confusion. This paper related that Scottie's mother "was sure that she sent his teacher a note instructing her to let him walk with other children to a [nearby] baby sitter's house."
That brings up another point. Young school-age children do not always clearly understand, remember to deliver, or sometimes even know about notes from home. Based on my years of experience, when children do deliver notes, it's usually at the two most hectic times of the school day - lunchtime and getting ready for home.
That's frequently the time they "find" notes placed inside their lunch boxes or backpacks. Wise parents are the ones who inform their children that they are sending a note, adequately explain the contents, then double-check to see if their children understand, and then pin the note to their children's backpacks or clothing to be in clear view of the teacher.
In reference to going-home changes, the staff at my school periodically reminds parents that unless their children deliver written instructions to teachers, students will be sent home the usual way. They are also reminded during the winter to notify the school and make sure their children know where to go if it becomes necessary to dismiss school early.
I have had young students who are expected to remember to go to as many as three different locations after school within a five-day period. When "where to go" directions are not thoroughly explained or are frequently varied or not made known, students (and their teachers) become confused and, thus, more likely to make mistakes.
Most likely, it is the norm for Scottie's parents to have him follow the same daily routine when school is dismissed. But, unfortunately, I've experienced that for some parents, it isn't. What "touches my heart" the most is when children feel it is their fault that they cannot remember or do not understand where to go after school because of inadequate parental instructions.
The search for Scottie ended on a positive note. He was found and will be all right. However he actually lost his way, I hope the small group of parents who vaguely explain, continually modify or overlook informing their children of after school plans will rethink their ways.
Tina Vaughn, of Christiansburg, is an elementary teacher in Montgomery County public schools.
by CNB