Do they have cars in which to sit? I guess if they took the bus then there's an issue, but based on the parking situation at North Ave on a daily basis, I'm presuming there are plenty of cars to go around. Yes, terrible for the environment, but I guess it doesn't necessarily have to be turned on?

Good point, Bill. I filled up my car with colleagues during a routine fire drill at The Sun a few weeks ago. So maybe some of the principals are warm. But the kids and staff at Friendship surely aren't.

Very true. And I clearly just skipped the whole "bomb" issue. Whoops. Was this a planted bomb or a science project? Isn't Friendship an lab science/engineering school at that location? I can't remember between there and Canton. If planted, completely unacceptable and I'd hope there's a rapid response. Literally, that's terrorism.

some one had a great idea blow up the whole system. the schools, administration, and the CEO.

Yikes, that's bad. Kids do dumb things, but planting a "bomb" takes a certain level of unacceptable intent. Obviously, I think I should wait for the facts to dribble out, but at first blush I find myself thinking that bombs require a different response than a fight or insubordination. I hope everyone was alright.

ed. note: I'm sitting in business associations class... rather bored. Hence the quick posting. Sorry for the overflow of writing!

Terrorism is is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. I wouldn't push it that far. This is a dangerous sign that a student (or group of students) in the building are in need of some serious talking to.. probably a blend of punishment and counseling.

I hope law enforcement and administration find the students and intervene before the situation escalates. Until then, I don't mind the image of *my* current principal being left out in the cold. Maybe he'll come back and stop leaving his staff in the metaphorical cold of no communication or support.

This was not a bomb in the sense that you may be thinking. The worse part about it is that no one really knows all of what happened here today, and we only know what they want us to know.
As for the Pirncipals meeting, I can tell there were not a whole lot of them who attended this meeting. One thing about an evacuation, you get to see all who come out.
We have more schools than we had principals who emerged from the building.
Whoever did this today, needs more than a little talking to. A lot of these kids are off the hook and the administration is afraid to take action with these students. Its a shame but the kids rule the staff.

Brandon - You're probably right that terrorism is a bit of a stretch, especially if "ankrty" is right with the "bomb" description. There's part of me that just has this gut reaction that it's a similar situation to a child abusing small animals (not that this is the same, I'm just referencing the symbolic or indicative nature of the act). Behind both, there's some underlying issues that really need serious addressing.

Whose to say it was a student? There are a number of people in and out of the building all day long and to just assume a student is responsible is stereotypical if not dangerous. Lets wait for the facts. And why were the principals such a big part of the story? They weren;t even on the same floor. What about the kids who had to be in the 22 degree cold, many without their coats? They didn't have cars to sneak off to.

Somehow the idea that principals were inconvenienced for even a short period of time is well--heart warming. How about students, teachers and other staff who sit in improperly heated and unair-conditioned rooms all school year? Who is concerned for them? I find it interesting that, in most BCPSS schools, the only places that stay environmentally stable are the principal's office and sometimes the Media Centers.

All this chatter about the cold but where is the information about what actually happened and what follow-up has occured? Sara, could you follow up on the events of this day? Another day of unchecked violence in the CitySchools?