When a police officer or firefighter dies in the line of duty, colleagues turn out in the hundreds or thousands to attend their funeral or present an honor guard.
Could every school district within 250 miles of Newtown do the same for the fallen teachers and principal and staff?
Could teachers fly in from Chicago and Los Angeles and Boston and everywhere else?
AOL has a story that the loathsome Westboro Church plans to send a delegation to the Sandy Hook Elementary School to “celebrate” the killing.
I don’t begin to understand their warped thinking, but I do know that the rest of us owe a debt to honor our fallen heroes.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I think that having teachers be there is a brilliant idea. I’ll talk to my union pres in the am.
How do we find out where the funerals are?
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AP is reporting that Ms. Soto’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.
One of the teachers’ funerals will be this Thursday morning in Katonah, NY. Not all teachers were from Newtown. I also believe that a Pawling, NY, teacher lost her son who was a kindergartner in Newton, CT. Teachers often live and work in different districts, in this case even neighboring counties or states. I agree that there should be a way to show the kind of honor you suggest.
How perfect!!! Each AFT and NEA chapter should send a representative too. Schools are still in session but I believe teachers will cover the classes of the teachers who are sent to represent all of us.
This is a wonderful idea. I believe that the funeral for one of the teachers killed in Newtown is scheduled for Thursday morning in Katonah, NY. I also believe that the mother of a kindergartner killed in Newtown is a kindergarten teacher in Pawling, NY. Many teachers live and work in different districts, even different counties or states that are within driving distance….
Some funerals are posted on newtownbee.com in the obituaries section. Funeral homes have websites and it should be simple to locate all the ones in the area.
Allowing teachers the opportunity to pay respect to colleagues who gave their lives in defense of the children we all serve is beautiful and inspiring. It may also be a great idea for the children of schools in the area to be able to display some show of support.
Firefighters and police are truly great examples of how professionals can band together to honor their colleagues.
Anonymous posted a video to the Westboro “Church” after they issued reprehensible statements about the Sandy Hook massacre and announced plans to picket the funerals in CT: http://www.zdnet.com/anonymous-renews-attack-on-westboro-baptist-for-newtown-picketing-7000008858/
Anonymous also published contact info for the Westboro members, in order to expose them, so be sure to click on the link to the “personal details of its members”.
There are also links there to sign petitions to declare Westboro a hate group and get their tax exempt status rescinded.
Correction: I meant to say Westboro plans to picket the school in CT, not the funerals (though I wouldn’t be surprised if they went there as well.)
No matter what those nuts do they should be shamed out of town for this kind of behavior. They have a right to say what they want the problem is with their belief system. Would Jesus say to do this? They are just another crazy cult is all. Just like Jimmy Jones and Heavens Gate and Doe.
The thing is, so-called “Christians” like the Westboro nuts thrive on attention, positive or negative. In fact, I think they prefer negative because to their way of thinking, being “persecuted” in the name of the Lord (which is what they think happens to them) is proof that they are the true “Christians” and that they are doing “God’s work”. Attacking them in any form just gives them fuel for their fire. The best response would be simple Christian kindness in response to their hatred (which is what Jesus would suggest, I believe). If we can’t manage that (and it is a tall order), simply ignoring them is the next best alternative.
Here is a direct link to the petition:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/legally-recognize-westboro-baptist-church-hate-group/DYf3pH2d?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
Those nuts from Westboro know no kool at all. They are total sociopaths and they are a demonstration why we need separation of church and state. If they do this they have stepped to a new low level.
Dear Diane – You are absolutely right. It is always so deeply touching when firefighters and police officers as well as military show their respect for one of their fallen by attending the wake and funeral of their “brother” or “sister”. Seeing this outpouring of support is always touching and heartwarming. We recognize their support by the uniforms representing their branch of service. I would ask that teachers and principals that plan on attending the funerals are also attired in something representative– so our support can be recognized. What should we wear or carry so we can be seen as one in mourning and respect for our heroes??
Marge
“What should we wear or carry so we can be seen as one in mourning and respect for our heroes??”
Great question! In Chicago this fall, during the strike, people showed solidarity with teachers by wearing red, so if I could afford to go to CT to attend, I would probably wear black attire to funerals but also a red arm band –and maybe even put a T on the arm band for Teacher.
The school’s colors were green and white. Local grocers were handing out green and white ribbons. That would be a nice salute to the staff and students of the school
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It will be hard to turn our en force on weekdays since so many districts can’t get substitute teachers, unless Malloy closes all schools (which will never happen). Hopefully each district in Connecticut will send at least a few representatives. I know of nontezchers who plan on going to thwart Westboro’s sick agenda.
iPad troubles again, or simply bad typing: it will be hard to turn OUT en force…..nonTEACHERS
This Westboro people ( I refuse to call them a church – they are not people of God) needs to be stopped. Our government is interferes all the time, why can’t they stop them? I live too far but I will shield those families with my prayers. I hope many teachers in the area can be there I am sure it will bring comfort to the families. God bless them in their suffering right now.
We are banded in mourning, as family, professionals, colleagues and peers. . . As compassionate humans. Time honored etiquette dictates a fine example for mourning in the wearing of a black armband. To distinguish this event, a smaller stripe of red along the bottom of the black band is appropriate.
Cosmic tinkerer — thank you for your suggestions. My research shows me that there are apple farms in the area— an apple for the teacher. A red armband is a perfect suggestion. Thank you!!! My brain is numb .
Marge