Re #2: I don't think the adults are asking for problems. I don't think they're HELPING matters, but it seems like they're already getting plenty of problems without asking, no?

It should be noted that the behavior of the anti-Canton people at the community meeting was appalling. They booed those who disagreed with them and cheered wildly for the speakers on their side, despite Councilman Kraft asking those seated to respect the speakers with their silent attention. One man yelled, "they're animals, they should all be in jail." This occurred some time AFTER five Canton Middle students bravely stepped up to the microphone in front of a hostile adult crowd to say that they wanted a quality education.

It was almost humorous to watch some deride Canton students for bad behavior while they behaved badly themselves, unable to follow simple instructions from their elected representative (who was on their side!).

It's obvious that the Canton Middle neighbors need a chance to vent their legitimate frustrations, I just wish they conducted themselves in better fashion. It was an opportunity to demonstrate for the kids how to properly handle one's anger. Their actions did not match their words, and it appears that behavior continues.

It's no wonder that some students believe the surrounding community to be lush with white racists. I don't think they are right but you can certainly understand a 7th grader drawing that conclusion.

There is more than one guilty party in this heated situation. Like it or not the fact is Friendship is moving in. BOTH sides need to wipe the slate clean and give each other a fresh chance because at some point they have to work together.

Here's to hoping they can!

While I am not a supporter of keeping Canton Middle School open and have had many issues with the students at Canton Middle, I find the behavior described appalling. We are adults and should act as such. We should treat these children with respect if we want to get respect from them in return. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior.

My issue remains that, even when I treat these children with respect, they do not treat the neighborhood or the neighbors with respect in return.

I can understand the feelings of the people in Canton about the school. Similar things happened before they closed Highlandtown Middle School. The main problem is that discipline and order are not being maintained in the schools. This is again being displayed by the number of fires which have been set in schools. Unless we re-establish discipline and order schools will not be welcome and learning will not occur. Although I don't condone the behanvior of the adults, I can understand their frustration when going through the process correctly did nothing.

The school has to do everything, what about the parents and the community. I expect the school system to educate my child in a safe atmosphere. It is my duty to raise a responsible child with the morals and values that I believe in.

Bottom line is today's parents have no desire to teach their children respect. Respect of teachers, adults, or other people in general.

I live in the county, in a decent neighborhood. Daily, there are children running and playing throughout the neighborhood. Normal springtime right? No. These children are 3, 4, 5 years old and there is NO parent in sight. Anywhere. These kids play on other people's lawns, trample through gardens, leave trash throughout the neighborhood, etc. It's ridiculous. How do you think these kids are going to act when they are 14? Forget the fact that they could be snatched up by a child predator in seconds.

When I was a child we didn't dare step on a blade of grass on a neighbor's yard without asking first. Why? Because we were taught that it was not our property and we needed to respect our neighbor's things. My sister, around the age of 6, threw a rock into a neighbor's pond. Not for any reason, she was just being a kid. She was not allowed out to play until she apologized *by herself* to the neighbor. She was kept inside and not allowed out for over a week.

Cantons neighbors are frustrated. This anger didn't come from nothing. Perhaps, we need to be honest about the damage that has been done by youth in the neighborhood.