This post is from from my other blog here

Well, it's happened again here in Dulles South, and now at an Elementary School. A fourth-grader last week (and accomplices) added some soap to another's drink in school (update 2/21 - according, "officially", to LCPS, four students spoke about putting soap in another’s cup, and one of these students told a teacher - the four were counseled by the principal and guidance staff - no soap was actually put in anybody’s cup) (another update - 2/23 - this statement isn't entirely accurate, either, as we've got the exact, insider details, from kids, parents and the Principal) - while details are sketchy, not much seems to have been done about it (class parents weren't informed, the child wasn't punished by the school....according to school administration, "the kids really don't know about it, so we didn't feel the need to bring it up to others...").

Let that sink in a bit....

Recalling the Mercer Purell-in-teacher's-drink incident this past Fall (with the teacher hospitalized from this very toxic exposure), we probably dodged another bullet on this one. Thankfully and very luckily the soap of choice wasn't a more poisonous chemical, as most fourth-graders don't know the difference between hand soap, bleach and draino.

Number one - all the kids certainly do know about the incident, they've informed their parents. Number two, there needs to some serious, immediate education levied in all schools about the absolute dangers of poisons and classroom "antics" like this. Number three, there needs to be a bit more honest transparency on part of the schools with all parents, regarding incidents, dangers, the need to educate at home on social behavior, etc. Number four, the schools need to come down very hard, even on an Elementary School student and their parents, in situations like this - sure it was just 'soap', and no one was seriously injured - but there's a serious, future incident brewing in a local child's psyche, and it, along with any potential copycats, needs to be nipped in the bud.