UPDATE: No Charges in McGroarty's Jan. 9 'Disruption' Over Pledge at Mill Creek Elementary

Kane County State's Attorney's Office conducts full investigation prior to decision. School District 304 adds a statement.

No criminal charges will be filed in a Jan. 9, 2013, incident at Mill Creek Elementary School in Geneva involving parent/volunteer Colin M. McGroarty. According to a press release issued Friday by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s investigators interviewed all known witnesses, as well as school officials who were present in the building but did not witness the incident. The investigators also reviewed "other statements and information that was relevant to the investigation," the press release said. When the investigation was complete, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts and findings with sheriff’s investigators and determined that McGroarty's conduct, "although disconcerting, was not criminal." The …

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Letter to the Editor

Some Area Schools Do Show Disdain for the Pledge of Allegiance—I Have Seen It

In response to the recent concern over certain aspects of the recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance at Mill Creek Elementary School, Colin M. McGroarty deserves strong support for his commitment to patriotism and liberty.

In response to the recent news surrounding stipulations of student recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Mill Creek Elementary School in Geneva, I just have one question, “What is so wrong about teaching our children to respect the country they live in and to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed and fought earnestly for our liberties?” As a college graduate who is near completion of post-graduate studies in education leading to the acquisition of licensure in English and French, I have spent the past two years teaching and observing at several schools in the Western suburbs. From what I have witnessed as far as disdain for the pledge and complete disregard for patriotism and American values in numerous local schools, I firmly …

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Jack

10:51 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013

"Teach your children well...." --Crosby, Stills, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVaqZajq-I   more ›

Pledge Dispute Prompts Police Presence at Geneva School

Kane County Sheriff's Office increases security presence at the school. Colin M. McGroarty sends message to School District 304, saying, "I've shed blood for this Country and will do so again if necessary."

A parent disrupted a kindergarten class Wednesday at Mill Creek Elementary School and later released a statement saying he would "shed blood" if necessary in a protest of the way the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the school. According to a letter to parents from Mill Creek Elementary Principal George Petmezas and a Geneva School District 304 press release, a parent identified as Colin M. McGroarty disrupted the class by using language "that is not typically heard in an elementary school setting," Petmezas' e-mail said. The disturbance happened Wednesday afternoon in the library of the grade school at 0N900 Brundige Drive. McGroarty's e-mail to Mill Creek parents is presented in full below and contains a threat: "I've shed blood for …

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3rd UPDATE: Dad's Dispute Over School Pledge Prompts Police Presence at Mill Creek Elementary in Geneva

Kane County Sheriff's Office increases security presence at the school. Colin M. McGroarty sends message to School District 304, saying, "I've shed blood for this Country and will do so again if necessary."

2nd UPDATE: The parent has issued an apology on his public Facebook page. UPDATE: The parent who took issue with the school's Pledge of Allegiance was issued a no-trespass order and is not allowed on school grounds. GENEVA, IL -- A parent disrupted a kindergarten class Wednesday at Mill Creek Elementary School and later released a statement saying he will "shed blood" if necessary in a protest of the way the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the school. According to a letter to parents from Mill Creek Elementary Principal George Petmezas and a Geneva School District 304 press release, a parent identified as Colin M. McGroarty disrupted the class by using language "that is not typically heard in an elementary school setting," Petmezas' e-…

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juicebox

7:26 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

there is no constitutional issue here, there is no military issue here, there is a threat issue here   more ›