Ping. Marine Sargent invited to speak to Middle School class was turned away and told to leave by the Principal.
Something here doesn't pass the smell test!
Until Principal Corbett is fired, this middle school should not receive a nickel from the federal government. Why should US taxpayers support a school that shows by retaining this anti-American that it does not support the US military?
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Marine rejected at school
Superintendent apologizes
Mary MacDonald - Staff
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Marine Corps Sgt. Zach Richardson survived Iraq, but not Carson Middle School in Greensboro.
When Richardson walked into the Greene County school last week, he expected to meet some of the sixth-graders who had written to him during his seven-month deployment.
Instead, he was shown the door, coming under the scrutiny of a principal enforcing a policy that requires prior approval for visiting speakers.
Principal Ulrica Corbett told teacher Matthew Lund, the Marine's host and former college roommate, to escort Richardson from the campus.
On Wednesday, after the incident had gotten attention across the nation, the superintendent of Greene County Schools apologized to Richardson and "all our other military personnel."
Richardson, 24, who corresponded with Lund's students while he served in the Persian Gulf, said he is still perplexed about what happened. "I know the principal wasn't trying to sabotage everything," he said. "I don't know what she was thinking."
His treatment, coming a few days before the Memorial Day holiday, led to front-page coverage in the local weekly, The Herald-Journal.
The story, written by 35-year editor Carey Williams and capped with a triple-decker headline, attracted the attention of talk radio and then the nation.
By Wednesday, people from Kansas and Louisiana were calling Greensboro, about midway between Atlanta and Augusta, and asking the editor to fax his story. Most were sympathetic veterans, he said. "The people here, they just can't believe it happened," Williams said. "They respect the soldier."
In his written apology, Superintendent John Jackson said the situation could have been handled differently. The principal, he said, could have allowed the Marine sergeant to speak with students, then dealt with the teacher who did not secure written permission for the visit.
"The thrust that's been placed on it was that he was unwelcome," Jackson said, although he insisted that was not the case.
Richardson, an Athens native, said he had planned to answer questions from the students and had brought combat items they might have found interesting, such as helmets and bullet-proof vests.
Lund had mailed postcards from students in September and December to Richardson and five other Marines stationed at Al-Asad, Iraq.
After Richardson returned from Iraq, Lund said he spoke several times with Corbett about having his friend come to the school. He said he asked for her written permission on May 3, but she never responded. Corbett did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment.
Lund, a first-year teacher, said his students were upset by the events. "Technically, she did her job. But what was right [was] for him to come speak to my kids," he said. "My kids earned the right for him to come speak to them. He certainly earned the right to be there."
http://www.ajc.com/thursday/content/epaper/editions/thursday/metro_24e9e926731421701031.html
Thanks for posting this outrageous story. The school will be hearing from me.
"My decision not to allow Zach Richardson to speak with the students on Monday came out of my regard for the safety and welfare of our children."
***
Dumba$$ statement of the year! What did she think...the Marines would start shooting the students?
why is the superintendant apoligizing for the principal? the principal should be the one apologizing here. and much more sincere than Larry Summers apoligies. she should apologize and keep on apoligizing until the day she leaves the system.
where are the local residents on this?
I'd be pretty pissy too, if I was stuck with a name like 'Ulrica'.
This is in my area. Here's an update from the Greene County Republican party (the same county).
BTW - The state superintendent plans on running for Gov next year, as a Dem...
Dear Friends,
The response to my e-mail regarding the active duty Marine who was escorted off Greene County Public School property, has been overwhelming. As of 1:00 today I have received inquiries from countless United States Veterans, local and state community leaders, our own US Congressman, several Ga. State Senators, a Major stationed at the Pentagon, and many, more outraged citizens. I was informed that earlier today this story was discussed at length on a nationally syndicated talk show hosted by Neil Bortz.
How wonderful it is to know that so many of you have been moved by this incident and want to know what you can do to help right this terrible wrong. First, let me tell you that plans are currently under way to bring Sgt. Richardson back to Greene County for a reunion with Mr. Lund's 6th grade class. He will be going off active duty at the end of this month and has agreed to return to Greene County so that we can all have an opportunity to show our support for him and his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Richardson ask if he could bring the other Marines who were stationed with him and who also received letters and carepackages from the students at the Greene County Middle School. I told him we would be honored to host as many Marines as he would care to bring! We intend to show the children of this county that the brave men and women who risk their lives every day so that they can have the freedom to go to school , are welcomed by ALL honorable Americans!
Because of Sgt. Richardson's schedule and those of his fellow Marines we have yet to finalize the date, time, and location for this meeting. But rest assured, as soon as the logistics for this meeting can be worked out I will let all of you know the details.
In the mean time I would encourage you to e-mail the following people and let them know exactly how you feel about the behavior of Middle School Principle, Ms. Ulrica Corbett. This type of arrogance has no place in the Public School System of Georgia or any other state in the union. How dare she deny American school children the privilege and honor of saying "thank you" to a United States Marine.
Kathy Cox-State School Superintendent
E-mail Address(es):
state.superintendent@doe.k12.ga.us
Greene County School Superintendent
john.jackson@greene.k12.ga.us
E-mail Address(es):
john.jackson@greene.k12.ga.us
Carson Middle School Principle
ulrica.corbett@greene.k12.ga...
E-mail Address(es):
ulrica.corbett@greene.k12.ga.us
Let's all keep an eye peeled for links between this principal and Cynthia Tucker at the AJC and Cynthia McKinney who just got back into office. School phone logs might even document a conversation among these.
Three of a kind from Georgia.
Diva, thanks for the ping.
If it were up to me I'd can Ul-racists ass and give her job to Matthew Lund.
Dear Ms. Corbett,
As a mother, veteran, and proud citizen of this nation, I was disappointed to learn that you, as principal of Anita White Carson Middle School, prevented a United States Marine from speaking to 6th graders at your school. I am saddened that you stood in the way of your students meeting Sergeant Richardson, a Marine with whom they had so eagerly corresponded during his tour of duty in Iraq.
News reports suggest a dispute over whether Sergeant Richardson’s visit was properly authorized. Maybe so. But why not allow Sergeant Richardson to speak with the students, while you quietly resolved the issue of authorization? Why your adamant refusal to allow this meeting to occur? Why was the teacher’s paperwork requesting authorization ignored? Why has the superintendent apologized, but not you? It is hard not to draw the conclusion that perhaps your personal feelings regarding the conflict in Iraq, or the War on Terror, or the President, cloud your thinking in this matter. Yet, regardless of your political views, your decision to turn Sergeant Richardson away at the schoolhouse door reflects, at best, a profound lack of judgment.
I hope this e-mail joins thousands of others condemning your actions last week. I further hope that, as a result, you have learned something about the nature of this country and those who support it and its heroes. I only wish that people like you -- who demonstrate an apparent lack of respect for those who would give their very lives for you and the nation they love -- would not have such immense influence on the lives and education of our nation’s children.
Signed with my real name and town
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"My decision not to allow Zach Richardson to speak with the students on Monday came out of my regard for the safety and welfare of our children."
She actually thought that put her in a better light? I guess with the military hating left it would. To me, it makes her look even more horrid. No matter how much the left tries to proclaim their support of the military, usually with the calls "bring them home", they always end up spitting on them.
As for safety, that school was far, far safer with a Marine on campus.
I remember in '91, our fashion class had a show. The military were invited. The idea (at least as some of us girls had thought was those at the end were to walk with the soldiers onto stage to present them with a flower or something. The announcer (another student) messed things up and we suddenly found out the grand finale was underway. Later she kept saying, "I didn't know." (should have been on the script) We weren't mad about not being able to show the formalwear. We were mad that this reduced the soldiers to mere doormen.
Updated info:
As promised several weeks ago, an event has been scheduled which will allow the children from Carson Middle School who participated in a letter writing campaign with Marine Sergeant Zack Richardson, to finally have a chance to meet and visit with their hero on Monday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation has graciously offered to host those middle school students involved in the letter writing campaign and their parents to spend an evening with the sergeant and a few of his fellow Marines.
Mr. Matthew Lund, Sgt. Richardson and Marines will speak with the students, their parents and community leaders about their experience in Iraq and how the students’ letters helped them in difficult times. The students will be presented with commemorative gifts to remember the remarkable event.
Following the private meeting, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge is providing a barbecue at 6:30 p.m. for those in the community who are interested in meeting and showing support for Sgt. Richardson and just simply saying “thank you” to Sgt. Richardson and his fellow Marines for defending our nation. Since this picnic is open to the community it is impossible to plan for a specific number of attendees; therefore, the barbecue will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.
I would like to reiterate that these two events are non-political. They are simply an opportunity for the community to come together and show support for Sgt. Richardson and Marines, as well as the many children from Carson Middle School who offered hope and encouragement to the Marines through their heartfelt letters from home.
A group of community volunteers will be available to offer information and assistance to the students and their parents who attend the private event. We ask that if your child is among the students who participated in the letter writing campaign and would like to come to these special events, please contact the following people to confirm your participation or if you have any questions.