A 15 year old who has been arrested twice, once as a 12 year old for theft and burglary IS a big deal. The mindset that it isn't a big deal speaks volumes about the level of tolerance of unacceptable behavior among Baltimore City school children.

These were early warning signs to the parents. Where were they when these kids were having these issues?

EC: I just meant that there are many other kids in this city whose records are worse.

I agree with EC and Pepper Smith. Now that one kid is dead and the other in jail, I guess we'll now hear from the parents, especially the one who died. I do for sorry for the parent(s) of the dead kid, but Markel's parent(s) do share some of the responsibility. When children act out some parents turn a blind eye to what their child is doing until something like this happens. Markel's mother should have showed up at school to address her son's behavior.

Yes, in an ideal situation, Markel's mother should have showed up at school to address his behavior. But the article stated that the boy had been custody of the state at one time, so his mother probably was not a big factor in his life. It is unfortunant that some children have to go through lives like that, but the reality is some of these kids dont have parents that really care about how they are performing in school. If their parents did care, clearly there wouldnt be nearly as many problems in schools with kids acting out and stuff. Its just a shame that the schools can only do so much. If the parents dont show any interest in there kids lives, the kids wont show any interest in there own lives.

My husband is a Baltimore City School teacher. It is not just the kids...the school system and the parentes are not doing enough. Most of their "help" is more CYA than really trying to do something.

My husband and some of the other teachers in his school have been assaulted by students, they write them up following the correct procedure (per school policy) and nothing gets done with it from there, and people wonder why we have kids dying and have trouble finding qualified teachers to teach in the city, and he works in one of the supposed "good" schools in Baltimore City.

My husband is so disgusted with the City school system, he is thinking of moving to the county or out of state after this school year.

Timothy Oxedine is a coward and an assassin. It is one thing to protect yourself and another to stalk your victim with a deadly weapon and murder him. The parents are not to blame. Most kids with bad or no parents would not commit this heinous act.

This whole situation bothers me. The thing I am really concerned about is how this 14 year old can not get bail and is being held in an adult prison. WHOA.. I am not sure if anyone has been to central booking but it is not a place for a 14 year old person...PERIOD. Let the kid out and deal with the judicial process.

An administrator today asked me to present her with my lesson plan (a task that is easy for me to do, I plan for every day).

I nicely asked why she was performing the random check, and they told me that the stabbing at Lemmel happened because the students were not engaged in the classroom. Had the students been engaged in class, they wouldn't have been outside and this crime could have been avoided...

I don't know if this order came from above, or was this admin's idea on their own, but I was generally offended by the notion that it was the classroom that led to a stabbing, not the culture or violence or peer/parent influence.

In the wake of a clear issue in both the schools and the community, I wonder if an issue will arise that (for once) won't be initially blamed on teachers! This may be the straw that breaks my BCPSS back... perhaps it's finally time to move.

The parents did not go to the school and did nothing to help the situation.
It is their fault , both families

The sad reality is the fact that this was an ongoing problem that both parents' and school administration missed. I am sure that Timothy did not wake up and just decide on that day that he was going to take the life of Markel as he has been accused. There are and were multiple factors that attributed to this tragedy. The unfortunate thing is that this could have happened at any school within the state. I don't know what the answer is to resolve the problem, but I can tell you this, pointing the finger at this person and that person is not the answer. We as a collective society are responsible, because in this day and time we are restricted in many ways as far as being pro-active before something of this magnitude occurs. It's a lack of Community Support, Legislation, Aftecare Programs, Rehabilitation Services and Economic Resources. The other factor's are peer pressure, social acceptance, emotional stress, school curriculum and the student environment. There's no way that a student two grades behind should have still been attending Middle School. I'm not blaming the school, I'm blaming the lack of resources to ensure that this does not happen. And the shoddy record keeping and tracking process should definitely be upgraded. This is why our kids continue to slip through the cracks. "Social Promotion" and "No Child Left Behind" should be brought back to the table and revamped. Because it's a joke, the teachers are not safe and the students' do not feel safe, so therefore how can they adaquately be educated? Also we as a community must force change, I mean almost every single Politician or Elected Official on the City, State and Federal Level run their campaigns' getting into office on basically the same three topics or areas of improvement. They are going to better the School Systems, they are going to better the Health Care Program and they are going to Upgrade the Social and Economic diversity that exists within the communities, when? We need to hold them accountable, hell they want our votes to get into offfice. Also the one understanding that we must have when it comes to kids and teenagers is this, what they perceive as pride hinder's many of them from requesting the help that they need and doing the right thing. They never want to back down, or be perceived as weak by their peers. That is why many of the problems persist in the large school environment. But the self confidence has to be taught at home and reinforced within each child or student. They must be taught to love and be honest with themselves, if you can manage those two things, life will be much easier for you. Because you are able to always be that way with other's. My blessings to both families, peace, love and blessings always.

We need to look at EC last sentence "And we know it wasn't enough. That is the question we, should be asking : then what does it takes to get thing on the right track?

I think that the entire situation is just terrible here you have two boys fueding with each other for a long period of time and somehting should have been done about it before it got to this point now one mother child is dead and another mother child is in jail my deepest sympathy goes out to Markel's family and my heart dearly goes out to Timothy's family because here you have a kid that was afraid that this boy was going to really harm him and he must have gotten tired I really don't think he meant to kill him he had alot going on with this issue that he was dealing with to have stop coming to school because another child is bothering you come on now the school should have been took further action and you know what really upset me when I was taking my daughter to Connexions it had to take a child to get killed to see school police and city police on this school campus now that's really sad

What a joke. Isn't there some way we can blame this on the white man?

Monique -

I can understand your angle here, and I completely agree that it always takes something like this to re-focus the general community around the issues, but as a teacher in this city I'm afraid I have to disagree. We're constantly focused on these issues, we're just ignored until a travesty happens.

School Police and Teachers work in absolute chaos daily, trying to educate young minds for a very different world than the one they live in. In other cities around the world, students face bullies and issues similar to these boys that do not end in murder. To put blame on teachers who are assaulted and underfunded on a DAILY basis, or school police who are regularly asked to deal with issues that actually aren't part of their job... It's asinine.

We cannot academically educate children, babysit children who come to school to do anything BUT learn, and completely socially & culturally re-educate children out of years of being told that violence is an answer, that you can fight your way out of problems, and that "pride" or "respect" (in the street sense) comes before actual respect or education.

The parents and the community need to step in and take some of the weight. Stop blaming schools, start finding a solution

Monique, this is my opinion and I say this after 22 years in the classroom (special education, "at risk" youth) - things will NEVER be on the right track until we have the majority, not minority, of families in each school become invested in their childrens' education.

What are some obvious signs of parental concern and involvement: how many parents/grandparents/guardians (pgg) show up at "Back to School Night" or conferences? How many pgg know who their childrens' teachers are and have given the teachers accurate contact info and encouraged the teachers to call home if there are disciplinary issues that need to be discussed? How many pgg work with the school to form an alliance rather than an opposition? If I had a nickel for every time a parent did not return a phone call or an e-mail, or defended their child in the face of all logic or reason, or accused the school of "picking on" their child (ummm, your child called staff a "b&^%$" or said "F*&^ You" to staff when their behavior needed to be confronted???) So is it a surprise when numerous students will defiantly and accurately tell school staff, "Go ahead and call my parents, they don't care. They won't do anything to me, they never do."

ENOUGH!

Calling all adults: get involved in your child's life! Set boundaries and limits with your child! Follow through and don't make empty threats to your child! Say you value education and mean it! To that end, have your child ready to learn...feed them nutritious food...send them to bed on time...limit the hours in front of a TV or gaming system...encourage reading...check their homework or find someone who can.

Parenting is hard work but it is your JOB. SHOW UP AND CARE!

Rant over....before you think I'm bitter, quite the contrary. I love what I do and I love the kids. When things get frustrating or overwhelming, I, like most teachers, try to remember all the kids I have been able to reach and teach along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This is a tragedy for both families, especially of the deceased. I have a child in middle school. If he had problems with another child, I certainly would not wait for BCPS to address it with the multitude of problems that they currently have. I would have used legal means to mandate that the issue be brought to court. Shame on the parents that fail to respond to the requests of their child's school to address a behavior issues. They should go to jail too!

I have children that attend Lemmel, i was very surprised that i didn't receive a call or anything about this incident. I was told by my children when they came home that afternoon. I believe it's the responsibility of the school to inform the parents as soon as something like this happens at the school because i'm trusting you with my children for the hrs. their in school. I don't feel safe with my children attending Lemmel now but where else can they go because violence is everywhere regardless of what school you attend I just hope my children know how to make the right decisions for their life, i have good children so i don't have that problem but then again you never know.

I agree with Brandon. We must stop blaming the teachers. They are working against years of ingrained behavior from the parents and communities.

Most of my husbands students are just trying to make it to the age they can drop out. They see nothing of any worth in their future, they are just trying to get through to the next day alive if they can.

fine the parents for every incident involving their children. That is the only way to make them responsible. We have a problem with a system that financally supports parents(food stamps, near free housing, etc...) their children seem to be the ones causing all of the trouble. Maybe its time for these people to take FULL responsiblity for themselves and their children. Limit welfare of any kind to 2 years. then sink or swim!

First of all no one is blaming the teachers, but this could have been prevented starting from home first with both kids parents being aware of the problem and with the school being on point more than what they have them maybe this trajedy wouldn't have ocurred don't get me wrong I give these teachers the up most respect and praise for teaching these kids these days with all the obstacles that's going on with this generation the parents needs to be more involved because when my daughter come at me with a issue at her school I stop everything I'm doing and address the matter right then and there I can be at work and her school will call and I handle it right there I'm the type of parent where as though you respect your elders and your teachers are like your parents for the hours that your in school and you respect him or her as if there you parent I come from the old school these kids needs discipline with my daughter school I let them know I don't play with her when it comes down to school and respecting there higher superiors and there peers and I know that peer pressure is something these days but you have to drill it in your child here to do the right thing in life I'm just sadden by the situation because they are both so young .

EC hello I'm a parent that show up for back to school night and know each and everyone of my daughter teacher's and principle and get involved with goes on at her school , if your a teacher then your that parent for the time they are there with you nobody is blaming you at all it's just that you seem like you have a attitude

Anonymous- your child is lucky to have you as a parent and I'm sure the school appreciates your involvement! :)

Monique -

No attitude at all.

I am glad to hear that you are so involved - that is exactly what we need more of in every school system in the state!

I am tired of hearing people (not you) blame the school system or teachers for everything that is wrong in our schools today. It's the same feeling I get when I read in the paper that it's the Mayor or the Governor or the police department's fault that the murder rate is so high...huh??? Are Sheila Dixon and Martin O'Malley out killing people? I think not. We can have police officers on every street in the city but until people change their attitudes towards violence as a means of solving problems then we will continue to suffer more tragedies. Personal responsibility and accountability are in short supply...

Education has to be a partnership between school and home in order for students to be successful. It's a team effort...

EC I truly agree with everything you said and hopefully something positive come out of this situation I have two daughters one who's actually is a police cadet right now one the other is still in school and yes I hope parents take heed to this and pay more attention to what's going on in there kids life You have a happy Thanksgiving

Iam the parent of 2 children whom both attend lemmel. And I will be the 1st to admit that the school has issues. Issues that started at home. There is only but so much that the staff can do or will do without some assistance from the parents. "IT TAKES A VILLAGE 2 RAISE A CHILD" Parents need 2 become more involved in their children schooling. Because it you don't care who will. I personally knew Timothy, from being a parent volunteer
and he is a GOOD child . And I believe that emotionally he will pay the price for what he did.

I was shocked but not completely surprised to hear what happed at Lemmel.
Yes, the principal has to sit down with herself and honestly admit to her faults in this matter and others. As do both parents.
But then we have North Avenue and our 500 volunteers. Where are they? We have 2 or more schools in one building, which I have said and will continue to say is not a good idea. These schools need help and it should not take another death of another young child to start acting on the promises of the end of the last school year.
AAA has not mentioned anything (unless I missed it) about that whole hoopla concerning schools being equipped with volunteers. So,what is the Partnership, Communications and Community Engagement Office doing? It was the idea of the new man in charge, so where is it at, how is it being implemented, how many of the schools have those volunteers?When you call, those that are there are in most cases unable to answer your question, haven't got a clue.