You are correct. There was a vandalism incident. The boys, who were caught, DEFECATED on the computers. Over $100,000. worth of damage. I hope there are serious consequences for them. Like juvenile hall, not some slap on the wrist and a weekend grounding by their parents. Who raises such kids? And you know what, name the [removed]! If I hear who it is from my kids, I am spreading their names like wildfire. No coddling here.

I've had 2 children attend HPMS. We have observed the teachers and administration make the sincerest efforts to ensure this campus is a fun, inclusive, rich and rewarding environment for all the children.
I am sincerely sorry that the administration and staff has had to deal with such a disappointing and disturbing incident.
My thoughts are with Ken Rocha and the sweet librarian, who I know was there last year (I'm not sure about his year) and encouraged kids to enjoy the library and invited them to visit the library as a safe place to decompress and enjoy quiet time.

I heard the same from my son who attends HP. However, I heard that the 3 boys took Instagram pictures of themselves standing on the rooftop of the library. Sounds like 3 Darwin Award heroes right there.

Let's not get our hopes up that much discipline will be going on here. Again and again I have heard from my middle schooler that nothing is done when kids belligerently disobey the rules. My first-hand example is when my son had his pants pulled down during PE (out on the field for all the boys and girls to see) and NOTHING happened. The teachers were notified by another student, there was a little fuss and the kids were simply asked not to do it again. They didn't get sent to the office, and I never got a call from the school that my son had this happen. SERIOUSLY??!!

It is time we discipline our kids!! Pay attention parents and school administrators and get a stinkin' backbone!! Who are adults here and who runs the show??? Seems to me the kids do, and they know it.

I find this interesting, since HP seems to be the 'perfect' middle school where nothing short of miracles happens. They don't have ANY discipline problems, drug issues, or unruly children. Let's hope that these children are dealt with appropriately, and suffer consequences that would be fitting for anyone anywhere who breaks into a school and destroys property. I'm assuming the delinquents were HP kids?
The HP folks need to know that a lot more goes on at that school, but for some reason, never hits the press.

Unbelievable, the issue is the complete lack of respect for the school, teachers, students, authority etc.. What joy do these juvenile criminals get from destroying something that is used by EVERYONE. What about the penalty. Yes, the parents will and should be liable for the expense but should it stop there? Shouldn’t these kids be held responsible to the community? Should they be allowed to attend high school with everyone else, (Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff) If they do go to HS (with our kids) and are allowed to attend Amador or Foothill should they be allowed to participate in after school activities, sports, dances, etc.? Why should these juveniles be allowed to take the place of another that has followed the rules, is that right. You do the crime you do the time. These young adults (?) should be accountable for what they did and should pay a price. It is a privilege to attend / participate in/with our high schools. How about keeping them out of the HS for two years or restrict them from participating in school activities / sports for a couple years. Why should they be allowed to benefit from what the community has worked so hard to put together (our school system/activities). They definitely haven’t helped why should they benefit and take the place of other RESPCTFULLY students.

It all begins with the teachers. When the students and their parents don't respect them, because, face it, these teachers do something comparable every time they collect a paycheck and file for pensions, we can only expect students to act in this manner. When we're facing an enormous wall of water that threatens any day to gush over us and affect no only us but our great and great great grandchildren, and its on account of greedy teachers, then it should be no surprise that students act this way. (Comment partially removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

@ Arnold
Are you serious about blaming the teachers? That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. So the reason thats these kids committed such a foolish, horrendous act is because of the teachers? I went to Harvest Park myself (I go to Amador right now) and most, if not all of the teachers at Harvest Park are extremely caring, helpful, and overall great. We should not be blaming teachers, because obviously there is something VERY wrong with the students, and perhaps their parents. They need to be held accountable for their actions.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

thank you PTown couldn't of said it better. Just like with anything there are good and bad, teachers, parents, coaches, employees, managers, etc.. What we have here are a handful of BAD EGGS. Make them accountable for their VERY BAD choice. It has nothing to do with teachers Pensions/Calpers and much more to do with these kids felling they wouldn't be caught or if they did nothing would/will happen. These misguided juvenile criminals should be held accountable and it doesn't matter what nationality they are. Just paying for the damage, taking away an X-box, cell phone, ipod, etc. isn't going to do it. Does taking away any of those things give them an appriciation for what they have? Their lack of common sense and respect for other peoples property is obvious. Don't let them participate in all that the Pleasanton community has built. Take it away for a while and maybe they will then appriciate. You usually appriciate something much more once you don't have it any more. Youth, health, a good teacher, parent, job, coach, mentor, you appriciate all these things more once once you loss them or move on and you miss those things you once had.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

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(Comment partially removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

(Comment partially removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

@Guest. All your posts are well said. I am sorry the PW removed the one where you probably named a name. I suggest if you have a facebook or twitter account start posting it there. PW won't let you post the truth, yet they let Arnold and his crowd post make believe political stories falsely quoting real people all the time.

Ptown,

Plato once wrote about a beach analogy where everyone was chained to vast pieces of coral and made to stare out at the ocean. Then the gods whipped up a storm and sent a tremendous wave of water toward the beach where the chained sunbathers were reclining. Even though the water was bearing down on the beach, the chained beachcombers didn't move. Why? Because no one warned them.

These instances of vandalism are like warnings from above. When I see them I immediately think about how students and their parents are chained to a beach of sand, forced to endure the outrageous salaries and pensions that are "awarded" to unionized teachers. The students can sense this, and in a somewhat mystical way, their graffiti is a foretelling of what this enormous debt is going to mean for all of us tax payers. Yes, I blame this on the teachers.

We definitely need more discipline!!! HP Mom - I bet if you showed up at the office and threatened to bring your lawyer, you would have been listened to.

Students receive an organizer with the rules and consequences listed inside. It's time to use it!!!

they cant go to any US colleges anymore one of the guys who did that was in my grade

Wow, blaming the teachers and bringing pensions and pay checks into the thread, I'm surprised that an Obama slur wasn't dropped in there. Kids don't know doody or care about pay checks or pensions. The blame is squarely in the parents laps. Respect comes from the home, teachers are there to teach subjects. Seriously, you think the math teacher, science teacher, PE teacher and history teachers are there in school to teach the kids common dignity and not climb or roofs and crap on computers? NO, that is or should be taught at home, I discussed the subject with my elementary school student and they had a total look of disgust on there face. Why? Because at home we the parents take the responsibility to "teach" ours about dignity, respect, decorum etc. because that is our responsibility.

My children heard about this horrific crime yesterday but to tell you the truth I didn't believe it. Peed and defacated on the computers? No way!! Im hearing the following from all of those who know the kids and their families,"good kids", "never been in trouble before", "involved parents", "popular kids", "popular parents". When I heard the word "popular" being used by some of their best friends to describe both the kids and parents I knew we were on to something. Facebook photos always with a cocktail in your hand, kids with the run of the neighborhood, "checking in" to Barones on Thursday night and the feeling of being so responsible when you return home in a car being driven by a cab driver. Sunshine Saloon after the first day of school drop off? You go girls!! The example was set and the children followed. Is anyone surprised?

Bobbi you hit the nail on the head.

Arnold, you are way out of your league on this one. Stick with other blogs where you can preach about pensions. For you to blame Teachers on this one is way over the top, even for you Arnold. Stay on track. By the way Arnold I have been very curious about something, are you getting a pension? If you are was it a private or public company?

Leave the Teachers out of this one Arnold.

@Yes on More Discipline- I'm sure I would have been listened to if I brought in a lawyer, but I shouldn't have to, right??!! Justice should be given out equally regardless of position, age, etc.

I guarantee you that they weren't wonderful well behaved boys that all of a sudden just 'snapped'. This is behavior has been there the whole time, covered-up and ALLOWED. The best thing we can do as parents is to be loving, involved and firm from the get-go. These parents set their kids up for this epic failure because there were never any consequences. The school has made it worse by practically condoning bad behavior. Students are afraid to report anyone, and can you blame them?? No one has their back! They are left to face the backlash of not only the offender, but his/or her friends too.

First thing they should have these kids do is get their booties in that library and start cleaning it themselves!! Followed by a summer janitorial "internship" (aka not paid) for HP and around Pleasanton (wearing those fashionable bright orange vests)..... after they put their 8 hours in take them right back to juvy.

Let me make clear on my previous post.... I am not saying that all rebellious kids come from bad homes and uninvolved parents. Just like not all good kids come from good homes. It is all personal choice. However I do think statistically it is true that the apples don't fall far from the tree.

My initial comment on here was removed! Don't know exactly why- I haven't stated any names. And yes Bobbi did hit the nail on the head. The one student I know of has absolutely no discipline at home. Being left alone over memorial day weekend with no parental supervision is asking for trouble (as I previously stated but it was removed).

In my opinion, there's too much entitlement in today's youth. So many young children have their own cell phones or tablets, their own laptops etc. These kids are too connected to the real world and aren't having a childhood. Breaking into a library and going the bathroom on items never once crossed my mind when I was their age. As a matter of fact, it probably never crossed many peoples' minds at that age. Kids get bored too quickly, and again in my opinion, do not have enough personal hobbies. (Hobbies that are not through school.)

HP Mom wrote:
>> First thing they should have these kids do is get their booties in that library and start cleaning it themselves!!<<

I think this is a very good idea - even though the electronic equipment still won't work. Make the punishment fit the crime.

Unfortunately, however, I think it would almost certainly not be permitted for health and safety reasons. (I don't think schools are even allowed to require students to clean gum off desks now, are they?)

The pulling down of pants on the field incident was unquestionably bullying.

For the sake of all students, not just the original victim, I believe that it is crucial for parents of victims intervene, and refuse to accept non-action on the part of the school. The earlier bullies suffer firm consequences for their actions, the less the likelihood that their behavior will continue and - inevitably - escalate. Once a pattern and culture of bullying is in place, it is extremely hard for schools to stop it.

Because bullying is such an emotive issue, schools often downplay it. New parents and students are shown the bullying policy, told that bullying is taken seriously and assured that the school has very few recorded incidents of it. But very, very often it's because they are impotent in the face of continuing small-time bullying, so it is easier to ignore it, explain it away as some sort of miscommunication, or - when all else fails - to blame the victim. It's perhaps understandable, but nonetheless acceptable.

I know that not every parent is willing or even financially in a position to march into school accompanied by a lawyer. Nonetheless, it is my belief that parents should never allow incidents of bullying to be ignored. Especially when there are witnesses. It can be difficult to rock the boat, I know, but if every parent did this, I think it make a difference. Squeaky wheels get most oil. Especially when everyone hears them squeaking.

I wrote "it is...nonetheless acceptable."
That should read "it is.....nonetheless UNacceptable."
Obviously. :-) But since it completely altered the meaning, I thought I should post the correction.

I have heard that three of the kids have been expelled. Not sure what that means at this point in the school year or for next year. Don’t know all of the kids but the few I do know have always shown a lack of respect for authority. This lack of respect has now spilled over into a lack of respect for property. Agree with the postings about making them accountable. With schools always needing funding I hope the parents are held accountable (financially) and then how are these students held accountable. Participating in school activities is a privilege sports, dances, field trips, etc.. Given the shocking actions of these juveniles and how their actions deprived 100’s of students being able to use the school library. They should feel the pain that the students that use the library felt by their actions. I know some of these kids will probably be trying out for school teams why should they be able to participate give that they have deprived others from using school property. Just a thought, how do you have these kids understand the gravity of their crime. As for the bullies in our schools I don’t think lawyers are the answer but don’t know why the school would not act. I know a few years back the same thing happened and the boy was expelled but then allowed to return. Part of the problem is the school district not sticking with the punishment. I hope they don’t back down on this one….

I have heard these kids were merely suspended for five days. This is ridiculous. Our children see these disrespectful boys get merely a slap on the wrist. These kids know they are getting away with it. This act was a felony, so were police involved? These kids should be in juvenile hall! These kids are probably texting now on their iPhones laughing about how they are not in algebra right now! It's reallly deplorable! Watch to see what happens to them in high school, I don't see good things. These boys are not what I am concerned with, however. It's all of the rest of our kids that see this happen and get no severe consequences. What is next? A bomb or gun brought to school? Harvest park is a wonderful school with excellent teachers and staff and should not tolerate this behavior that crosses the line of normal punk-kid behavior. How can we make sure the parents and not the tax payers indeed pay for this? Call the district! Make your voice head! It is PUSD not HP that make these decisions on expulsion.

And 100% agree with Bobbi. These moms that go out 4 times a week and relish in being in the sick sorority they have established in this town need to stay home once in a while and be with their kids!! Just look on any of their FB, Bobbi is so right! They must not have got enough in high school or college? You are parents..don't you see it's not that "cool" to go out all the time and party party party?

I totally agree with Bobbie, Trudy and DoSomething. The whole town is watching....let's hope that these delinquents are held accountable. These boys break in at night? Where the heck are these parents? These kids need supervision. I've seen parents drop their middle schoolers at house parties and don't even go in and make sure the parents are there! What good will ever come of that? It's irresponsible. Let's hope the law does what the parents clearly have not. All our kids are watching....it better be severe. And these boys should absolutely NOT be able to attend Amador or Foothill. They are minors but they committed a felony! Do the right thing PUSD and Pleasanton Police.

Trudy - Please look up the Pupil Discipline process for PUSD and then click on the Expulsion Process link. You'll see that the likely course of action was to suspend the students for 5 days, during which the expulsion process commences. I'd hope most people would give the school district a little more credit than to think that something of this magnitude would be marginalized to the point of a 5 day suspension.

I just can't imagine what environment these kids were in where they learned that it is okay to urinate and defecate in a school library. This is really sick. Where did these kids go to elementary school before Harvest Park? Was it one elementary school or multiple elementary schools?

How did they get access to the school to break in? Did they have keys or something? I don't understand how they even got in.

Sounds like Bobbi is jealous she isn't at the Sunshine Saloon with friends! Best burger in town hands down! The salads are to die for not to mention Bob and Heather the owners of 32 years as supported many events that have helped our kids get to go places that the district has taken way! Our kids at Alisal would not have made it to Outdoor Ed this year with out the support of the Sunshine Saloon.

Shame on you for stereo typing!

Try breakfast after drop off the last day of school......bet you will go back!

The kids defecated on the floor and peed on the computers. They also broke in thru the roof. I have heard they went to juvie.

Dear Angry parents,

First of all I have never blogged, tweeted, or been on face book. My point is , your comments bothered me enough to respond! My feeling is that you must not have grown up in Pleasanton, because you would find it in your heart to be supportive, NOT judgemental! I agree that what those children did is horrific! My first reaction was sympathy to the parents NOT slander. Also, when did it ever becone wrong to go out to eat with your friends? The Sunshine is a resteraunt. Bottom line we all live in Pleasanton, lets support eachother , not send hatred and judgement. Sincerely, a harvest park mom and concerned citizen.

ptown resident wrote: "My first reaction was sympathy to the parents NOT slander. Also, when did it ever becone wrong to go out to eat with your friends?"

The question is whether the parents are deserving of sympathy or not. It has been alleged by some here that these boys are known troublemakers and that these parents have been neglecting their parenting responsibilities in favor of fun nights out on the town.

I've known good parents which have one problem "black sheep" who can't be controlled. But I also know of parents who allow their children to bring havoc to the neighborhood because the parents are too busy having a good time to properly control and discipline their children.

I think we'd have a lot more sympathy for the parents if these kids were properly punished for this criminal behavior. I'd say starting your summer break two weeks before everyone else, being able to attend Amador High School and (possibly not having to deal with the police) aren't exactly the appropriate consequences for these boys. They got away with it. Boys will be boys. Just watch everyone and take note....school district did zilch. Keep working and paying your tax dollars so that the school district will continue not protecting your kids. Make no mistake. The boys got away with it.

To Ptown Resident of Birdland,
Yes. We all live in Pleasanton. We want to keep this town safe and wonderful. Parents are upset because this behavior is horrid and criminal. Are we not to judge this behavior? I WILL judge this behavior. What's next? That's my question. If Stephen is correct it may be that these kids got minimal consequences. Do a little research on kids and criminal behavior....it escalates unless the consequences are such that the thrill isn't worth it as compared to the fallout afterwards. I am mystified as to how anyone can minimize and defend these kids. My bet is 2/3 of them will do something worse in the future. Spend some time with some tough inner city kids and you will see how crucial to have major consequences. Go check out Juvenille hall and talk with the kids' parents. Lots and lots of excuses people.

I am the birdland mom that wrote the above statement and of course I didn't write everything I could/should have. I agree with the statements that refer to my comments! I am not making any excuses for these kids and also believe the punishment should fit the crime!!! Let's just remember that we are a community and let's try to make it the best community we can!

Debbie-
You are so right on! Maybe the news stations should be called to highlight this what appears to be accepted behavior. How would PUSD like that? Also, did Bobbi hit a nerve? She along with the rest of us feel sorry for so many moms in this town needing a clique, which clearly displays a need not met back in high school. Let's keep our focus on what we should now...what were the consequences for this inexcusable behavior?

ptown resident wrote: "Let's just remember that we are a community and let's try to make it the best community we can!"

ptown, I don't think that you need to remind us that we are a community and that we are striving to be the best community we can be. That's precisely why there is so much outrage over this incident. It was a criminal act directed against community property - property that is used by other children of our community who have now been deprived of their use of the school library. Apparently, it wasn't enough for the boys involved in this to simply break the computers that other school children and staff use. No, these boys made clear their contempt for the rest of the school and our community as a whole by their act of urinating and/or defecating in the library room.

By their vile actions, these boys made clear what they thought of our community, including the welfare of their classmates, in no uncertain terms. I think that it is entirely appropriate that the community should shun and reject them. If they want back in, then the burden is on them to make proper amends. Actions like theirs have consequences.

I guess we are all wondering what is going to happen with these individuals. Here is hoping that the community doesnt't have to pay for the actions of these few. Here is hoping the library is put back in operating condition quickly enought for our kids to use it. If the parents are made to pay for the damage that is not enough. These boys seem to feel they are above the law. PUSD has an opportunity to educate us on how they are going to deal with individuals who commit such horiffic acts. Make the parents cover the cost, eliminate the school activity privilages and let the police deal with the crime.

HP Class of 84 and P Town Resident- I continue to be in disbelief over the "friends" of these parents and boys coming to their defense and offering THEM sympathy. Maybe you should go to HP and offer that sympathy to the librarian whose chair was smeared in these boy's poop. Let me clarify, I was not criticizing the Sunshine or their food. Simply stated, mothers of impressionable children should have no business dropping their kids off at school then publicizing that they are going to to drink. That is just one example of this group of parents that act like they are still in College. If you think their kids aren't affected please reflect for a second and think about what they did. Oh, and look up the definition of "enabling".

Well said Sam and Do Something. How can we find out how this will be paid for? Why can't we get answers? Since we all pay dearly for our schools, why can't we demand severe punishment for this horrific criminal act? Don't they work for us? Why can't we get some transparency? These kids have presumed their lives..playing on their sports teams, riding their bikes around town, etc. If these parents are worried about hurting their "self esteem," well, they already took care of that making these boys feel entitled and powerful. These kids appeared to have inflated self-esteems. Our kids should have seen these boys be hauled off campus in handcuffs. This is how you deter anti-social, deviant behavior. This is why we have what we have in our society. This could have been an extraordinary learning experience for every PUSD student in this town. Think of that! This could have deterred some of our children from acting on perhaps a hurtful and/or dangerous act in this future. Well, folks..that didn't happen.

These kids were not carted off in handcuffs because they are "good kids" that come from "good families". Translation, they play sports and their parents are connected, live in nice homes, drive nice cars and drink top shelf vodka. Believe me, if these kids lived in apartments and were raised by hardworking parents who do not have time to schmooze with the power players, they would probably still be in juvenile hall and enrolling in Village next year.

Apparently these kids were not just "bad kids" but are regarded as "cool" and "popular" within their middle school circles. As a result, other middle school kids -- if they want to be "cool" -- are laughing about this. These boys need to be given severe, public, and decidedly "uncool" consequences that are enough to not only make them rethink their own actions but enough to make the other popular or wannabe kids stop laughing, right in their tracks. Otherwise this becomes an incident that sets the bar for what you can get away with. Very depressing, I agree, but middle school kids are often willing (and pressured) to suspend good judgment in an effort to outdo each other.

I'm a home grown P-town parent in my mid 40's who went to Harvest park in the late '70's early '80's. I am appauled at what these kids did, and how today the kids all call adults by their 1st names! What happend to respect? Parents, it is your job to pound it into your kids! There are many parents out their that are very soft and their kids are taking full avantage of it. These kids should be nailed to the wall and the parents should pay for all the damage. Make an example of these kids, don't go soft on them, so others will take notice. Parents: Clamp down on your kids, it's OK to take away the electronics and punish them when they deserve it! Kids have way too much entitlement. Why do they get a trophy for just participating in a sport & receiving a ribbon for 89th place in middle school PE?

I've got a kid at HPMS, and I'm concerned about this greatly. My kid will be there another year. I don't blame the teachers, almost all I know about are very committed to the students. Whether the perpetrator kids' parents are at fault for their raising of these young men, I don't know. But, I do know that these kids went out of their way to commit this vandalism. It was planned. You don't get on a roof and get into a building that way without thinking about it. I hope that they are punished severely. A message needs to be sent that this kind of anti-social behavior is totally unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. The fact that the library has been off limits at the end of the school year to the rest of the kids is very unfortunate. The selfishness of these acts must be discussed, not silenced. I am keeping abreast of this, and will make my opinion known to the school district that these kids should be expelled and severely punished to the fullest extent possible.

It must begin with criminal prosecution. Let these kids be home schooled in juvenile prison until they are eighteen. Second, the parents should be made to pay restitution, along with each kid's parent being fined $50,000, all of which might best be used to offset the terrible imbalance between city revenues and ungodly high salaries and pensions among teachers and other unionized public workers. In this time of great scarcity, and with a gigantic wall of water threatening the very way of life of our children, grandchildren and great children, we cannot expect nor advocate that the city do anything less. Third, perhaps a file can be organized that indicates who these kids' teachers were. It is possible that there is a pattern at work. Perhaps some teachers are inadvertently (?) cultivating these kinds of values amongst our children.

Pleasanton weekly..I ask you..we all would like some coverage on what really happened here. Didn't see it at all in last week's issue? We all want the truth and maybe you guys will have a better chance than us parents. Well?

Agree with Lisa! Doesn't our interest drive news coverage? As far as some upset that we are "judging" bad behavior..I ask you..how do we teach our children to have good judgement by not judging horrendous behavior?

Everyone should be aware that the police do not seem to be involved here. In other words, the school district is NOT pressing charges against these boys and their criminal actions. They are merely suspended for the remainder of the year and one boy gets to start off at Amador in the Fall. The other two miss a semester at Amador. That's it. The district doesn't want publicity. I believe it's a sort of coverup. Worst thing about it is that these boys are not held responsible. Starting your summer off early and still maintaining their activities. The message is loud and clear to these boys and the children in this community. You can break into schools and do vile and horrible things, destroy property and it really doesn't matter. I will tell you these boys are thought of as the cool tough kids now. Everyone don't kid yourselves. Something much worse will probably be next. Contact PUSD and voice your opinions.

Regardless of whether PUSD presses criminal charges there is still the matter of restitution for the approximately $100K in damages, isn't there? The boys and their parents are on the hook for that, aren't they? I would think that getting a bill for their share of the $100K in damages would shake up these boys and their families.

Sam- you would think the 100k bill would shake them up. I don't think so. They all can afford it. And the boys won't work for one dime of that money.

How will we know that the tax payers don't end of footing the bill?! How?! I hear one family says they "can't afford" this. Well, then what happens there? Will be interesting to see if this particular boy gets a new car for his 16th bday. Who wants to bet me?

When our children get angry they sometimes paint their dissatisfaction toward an institution with their feces. This has happened a lot in human history. These boys obviously felt the need to swallow unpalatable things while at school, and given the chance they finally expelled all that was stored up. What was it about the school that prompted this? Would this have happened at a charter school? I think not. Is this a warning to us all that our kids are being fed unhealthy things such as socialism and collectivism?

@Ernestina
I don't know what you are basing your assumptions on, about the kids feeling they were forced to swallow unpalatable things while at school.
I've had 2 children go thru HPMS and have never heard anything of that nature from them, their friends, or parents.
I do pick up on when they are stressed or anxious about something and we deal with it.

Silly Girl, Who can the kids go to when the entire academic institution is crawling with Marxists who have the not so hidden agenda of taking all the rich people's big houses away from them. The kids are probably traumatized. They can't talk to their teachers, because that might only draw attention to their own family and get them in trouble. Quasi paso, by the same reasoning, talking to their own parents might get the parents even more upset than usual. And if the parents complain, their houses will be the first of the list to be forfeited to Calpers thanks to the teachers' unions.

The kids are trying to convey an important message with their feces paintings and urinations. The real question is whether the citizenry will come to the aid of the kids against those who foment a sure but steady takeaway of our big houses. Let's put the blame where it belongs.

Looks like the compassion for others has yet to make its way into the thought process of this horrible situation, especially when all the facts are not known or yet available. No excuse for what was done by the boys and they, along with their parents, surely have a tough road to hoe ahead them, criminally, financially, emotionally, and personally in regard to the records the boys will have to carry.

While no longer a teenager, there were plenty of mistakes in those years that I surely regret and am grateful redemption and forgiveness were available to be earned from those in a position to judge and condemn. Yes hold them accountable but we as a community need to be careful not to forget families have been forever changed.

They aren't facing anything criminally. They will not have a record according to this paper. Stop feeling sorry for these spoiled little privledged brats. This would never happen in a less affluent area. Those kids do the crime they have to do the time. Not here! Makes me want to pull my kids from PUSD. Do not ever ask for any money from community again! This town largely does not trust you. Next steps is contacting board members.

I agree with the post that throwing huge fines at the families is misguided. If they can pay, they will. And if they can't, they won't. 13 and 14 year old boys can't "work off" a $25,000 debt themselves. They aren't even allowed to get a job!! Instead, parents will work more hours (even less supervision) or older siblings (not responsible for this) will have to scrimp on college. That is not the idea. These boys need to do something public, time consuming and "uncool". A previous post suggested getting out on the roadway in an orange vest and picking up trash. Or maybe they have to work at the library all summer, closely supervised and not near any of their friends ( they might even gain an apprecciation for books and feel really bad for what they did)

To those who want to send them to juvie for 5 years and keep them out of the Pleasanton schools forever, keep in mind that these are not murderers and rapists. These kids can and will move on with their lives and hopefully find a better path. The consequences should be designed to move them in that direction -- to become upstanding citizens who are deeply ashamed of this particular incident in their youth. Even those who say take them out of sports and activities..... bored teenagers with nothing to do are not going to magically reform themselves. They need positive activities with good role models, in addition to consequences. They might need to go away to boarding school and get away from all their "cool" friends. But throwing away the key will get us nowhere.

"reasonable" wrote: "Instead, parents will work more hours (even less supervision) or older siblings (not responsible for this) will have to scrimp on college. That is not the idea. These boys need to do something public, time consuming and "uncool". A previous post suggested getting out on the roadway in an orange vest and picking up trash. Or maybe they have to work at the library all summer, closely supervised and not near any of their friends."

Hmmm. Or, if we are to believe the words of some of those here who claim to be familiar with the families in question, the parents may simply have to cut down on their entertainment expenses to the downtown restaurants and bars in order to pay off the restitution. That would also give them an opportunity to spend more quality time at home with these troubled boys.

As for the idea of these boys working all summer in a library, you've got to be kidding.

So instead of using this money on education, you're suggesting the district should spend $25,000 for a few people's kids defecating in a school library? Please, the parents should pay and their kids should pay them back over time. That is called taking responsibility for mistakes.

People, please take it easy. I'm very angry too. These boys really, really screwed up in a vile, hateful way. But, contrary to some of the comments here, I'm sure they aren't soon to forget it. It's easy to whip yourselves into a frenzy with your opinions, judgement, and conjecture, but I'm quite sure that their lives aren't as easy as you think they are now. Their parents are mortified, are looking inward, and hopefully (after a good whoopin') will help these boys move forward. Yes, lessons need to be learned, and restitution made on many levels, but believe me, most kids are talking about what morons they are, not how 'cool' they are.

"Wow" wrote: "People, please take it easy. I'm very angry too. These boys really, really screwed up in a vile, hateful way. But, contrary to some of the comments here, I'm sure they aren't soon to forget it."

We'll see, but I wouldn't bet on the fact that we won't hear about these kids again or that they'll grow up to be less-than-outstanding citizens. Breaking into a school and destroying computers and then urinating and defecating in a school room just doesn't strike me as an act characteristic of a first-time offender. I'm sure that there's a long history here and that this isn't the first time they've screwed up. And if they didn't learn their lesson before now, what makes you so sure that they'll learn their lesson this time?

Nice job PUSD and PPD, apparently it's just good clean juvenile fun to break into our schools and do $25k worth of damage -- my kids don't want to go to school for the rest of the year, maybe I should have them break into their schools and have some juvenile fun, just as long as they limit their damage to a few thousand dollars so they don't get on the radar of PUSD or PPD -- and the best thing, next school year they can do it again whenever they want a few days off. Why do we even bother locking up the schools at night, apparently its not illegal to trespass on school property, break into locked rooms and damage/destroy school property. Call PUSD and PPD today and demand action be taken, I'm dialing right now!

I didn't realize breaking and entering, destroying property and urinating and defecating (like wolves marking territory) was just good clean mischief making.

I think everyone should email [email protected] and the school board and [email protected] and tell them exactly what they think of $25,000 in damage that is 'mischief making.'

Sounds like they are equating this to someone smashing a Halloween pumpkin on the sidewalk or something.

The mayor of this town needs to step up and demand the police take action.

PUSD setting an example of how they will deal with things. I'm not saying lock them up and throw away the key but these kids continue with their life style except they are not at school but still participating in sports. What example is the school district setting on how they will deal with these things. Damage caused to school no problem, take some time off and come back later the tax payers will handle things. Parents should pay, kids should have community service that is meaning full and it was a crime. Feel that a year from participating in school functions should give them a little remorse and appriciation for how they effected others. Not like taking the cell phone, iPod or computer away but will hopefully adjust their way of thinking of other peoples property.

PUSD I hope you step up and do the right thing.

These dilinquents need to be taught a serious lesson! A good ole fashion belt whipping!!! I hope the dilinquents parents read all of these comments and do something about their child!! This is ridiculous!!!

Those parents are reading them in between drop off for their sons' baseball practices. And that a the TRUTH. FACT. Partnering at its finest people. Don't let your kids around these parents.

whipping? NOT

now, go back to the liberry and tons of fun!

reading is cool...

I understand the emotion on this topic. But consider some background.

I doubt all of the boys involved with the incident were somehow magically raised by different sets of parents in just the same fashion that somehow ruined them in exactly the same library-pooping way.

My parents raised three kids in the same house with the same rules and got three entirely different results. The critics here might see the same phenomenon in their own families. Parents have less control than we like to believe.

I doubt any of the kids thought to themselves that since mom and dad like to sometimes enjoy a legal beverage with friends that it must be okay to vandalize a library. Kids know the difference between legal and illegal.

It's fairly normal for boys that age to vandalize stuff. It is the age of sociopaths, at least for boys, and most grow out of it. My friends were breaking and entering at that age. I tagged along once. Had we been caught, the consequences would have been dire, just as many of you suggest would be appropriate in this case. That risk never entered the calculation. Boy brains don't work right at that age. It is established science. The frontal lobes are only half formed. That's why we don't let kids that age drive, vote, drink, buy guns, etc. So let's be consistent about what we expect from half-formed brains.

Lastly, those kids probably lost their golden ticket to a good college and a comfortable life because of this incident. And the parents are presumably experiencing something unimaginable. I think you can trust the school to weigh all the factors and make a socially responsible decision about consequences that makes sense in 2013. Let's not assume that our lack of knowledge in this situation is a lack of responsible behavior by the school or by law enforcement. They do this for a living.