Hunting in Phys Ed Classes: The RIGHT thing to do!

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An educator doing good. Principal McNeil needs our support. Send letters and e-mails. PROACTIVE. Make contact strengthen his resolve to persevere through the protests. Educate the parents.

What are your kids learning at school? For some parents in Plymouth, it's a shocking answer. A physical education class has some parents very upset. Aimee Falls says, "I was in shock and I was completely offended." When Aimee Falls found out that her 13 year old daughter was learning how to hunt in her physical education class at Lincoln Jr. High School... without parental notice or consent. Aimee Falls says, "I felt my rights as a parent were totally violated." Marian Curl, whose granddaughter is also in the class, says she feels the same way. Marian Curl says, "When you see all the bad things that have happened to children with guns, why would a school even want to teach children how to use guns?" But Lincoln Jr. High School Principal, John McNeil says that's exactly why the school has the class... to teach students gun safety in case they ever come in contact with one. John McNeil says, "Our goal and our aim is to give kids knowledge and strategy about how to handle those situations if they ever come upon them." But Aimee says the course goes way beyond gun safety. The book the class uses shows kids how to load and fire a gun and how to correctly shoot different types of animals. And the lessons don't end there. "This page show you where all the safeties on the guns are. Did they teach your how to take the safeties off those guns in class? Sasha Falls says, "You can just pull em back." Aimee Falls says, "I do not feel comfortable with them knowing this information that I know they have been taught. It's scary." Principal McNeil says, while he understands Aimee's concerns, he believes that children not knowing how to properly handle a weapon is even scarier. John McNeil says, "As a result of not being real knowledgeable, some individuals have been injured." And hopes parents will recognize the benefits a hunting class, but understands that some may never be comfortable with their children learning about guns. In the future, students at Lincoln Jr. High School will most likely have to get parental permission to take the hunting course. But some parents say if the class continues, they will take their students out of the school.

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