I agree with those who feel that Becky Bicha doesn't know our people or our school and was a poor choice for principal.  Wilson has too many wonderful staff members to be led by her.Wilson IS a "special school" for many special children, mine included.  With those special children come inappropriate behaviors that need to be dealt with on a daily basis. Times have changed but calling police on these young children is IMO completely out of line! *no my children have not been called on*  As far as the JPD "needing to intervene", is relative and not a choice that a lot of us would make. I'm curious as to how many calls were made to the police when an officer was placed there? Obviously, I'm not impressed with Mrs. Bicha and I think she needs to use her phone far less.Now for the gang activity.  I don't know a lot about gangs nor am I positive about what is going on.  I do know that there are several families on Rockport Road that claim gang affiliation and have family connections in Chicago.  The younger children from those families are living that life everyday, not just seeing it in the community.  I expect problems from that. And now I'm off my soap box.

JMO but at elementary age it is a lot easier to address the issues like these and correct them, to allow them to continue and to deny they exist will only pave the way for those little kids to continue whether it is the real deal or imitated behavior. Tough action by those in charge just might be a scare tactic that may work at this age. Something to think about is that other kids seeing this type of behavior may think it is cool and try it also AS to they believe it was imitated behavior' well kids learn from other kids and some are impressed by the fact they can look tough doing what others do. "If you sit on the railroad tracks long enough you will eventually be hit by the train"

Well said momof3 and optimism

What about adapting a zero-tolerance policy at Wilson?

I don't feel the school is trying to scare anyone. The teachers are not able to discipline the children like they were when I was in grade school. The police are called as a last resort. Having knowledge of what goes on at Wilson on a daily basis, I believe the the principal is correct in how she is handling the situation. Hearing story after story about how the students have a complete lack of respect for the staff, the building and their classmates, I wish Mrs Bicha all the best.

BigGirl...your attitude is very enlightening, but it is only possible in the ideal world. People don't pass money budget increases as far as schools are concerned because it is in the best interests of the children. Tax payers have shown in the past, they don't care about the best interests of the children if it is coming out of their pockets. There are so many referendums turned down because people don't want to pay an extra 100 bucks on their tax bill, but at the same time, these are the same people that are complaining about every little flaw in the educational system as well as the law enforcement. Like I said, in an ideal world..... As far as you thinking this is purely a scare tactic, I suggest you get out of the ideal world and realize that violence is among us all, and it is very important we ALL are on the same page (except the riff-raff of course) and be proactive. I also love to be in the denial world, but it doesn't pan out very well.

bigirl do you think we have an issue with gangs? and I don't think the type of behaviors in here were any type of scare tactic for a "new teacher" IMO . There is a problem and elementary schools are not an exception for gang related issues. Kids don't just get to middle school and are instantly old enough for gang membership. It can be any age. Also with past experience some young parents ( with gang ties) teach their kids it is ok. And the gangs are of all races not just a certain one. we didn't have "gangs" where I grew up (days of dirt lol) but there was a select group of us that hung together and caused some problems and intimidated others. Now in todays time we would have been called a gang. We did not carry weapons or destroy property but we did rule the streets and had kids fearful of us. now that was the 60s. I look back and think wow what a bunch of idiots. but then we grew up. Some friends still bring it up on occation and we laugh but at the time I don't think our victims laughed.

the sun rising everyday is news to these people,

Seventeen police calls since January first! They aren't trying to scare anyone, they are already scared and worried and it will only get worse. The fact that there is even a story here is enough proof to me. There is a gang problem at Wilson. The principal knows it and I'm sure the superintendent and police do as well.

Of course, the school was just trying to scare us so that they can get another teacher. Even though I approve of this one, because a teacher probably is needed, we need to stop frightening people at every turn. Can't we just ask for more money because it would be better for the children and society? We can never give money, however, to anything but police enforcement and incarceration, even though crime is down. You never know what scary things will happen if we trim the police budget and let out some of our non-violent offenders from the county jail.

The principal is on school property at least five days a week and sees reality. Neither the police nor the school superintendent can say the same. I know whose eyes and voice I'm gonna believe. Something tells me the principal is proactive and the others are reactive. When one is talking about gangs or trying-to-be-gangs, I would rather have a proactive leader in place than the alternative.

By the way to this day cocked hats and gang related colors and clothing are not allowed in my home.

mooshoo i don't know what page you are on but After raising 4 sons into adulthood I can tell you it exists and at all ages. My sons range from 20 to 31 and it worsened over the years. And yes they were gang involved and I did everything posible to discourage it to no avail as to trying to get the police and schools aware of my concerns. It has been in this community of dear janesville since at least 92 prior to that it was minimal activity and in 92 the kkk was very active and that to was minimized. I made many harassing reports as did others and JPD always found them to be unsubstantiated and by God I lived in the BS. and in the area targeted by them and still to this day it angers me as to how much is swept under the carpet. I also worked at Ethan Allen School for Boys and the age of the gang bangers at that time amazed me. They were followers of older siblings and other relatives or neighborhood kids. I did home evaluations on my caseloads of kids and the sad thing was the home visits and seeing 8/9/10 year old siblings already deep into gang activity. I only hope that the ones who think it don't exist step up and accept the truth that it can exist. Like i said before to deny it will only allow it to get out of hand and grow to more then the community wants to see.. To see a teacher or principle that sees it daily be told it isn't there is sad. whether they are wannabes or the real deal it needs to be addressed and ASAP if left to the opinion it don't exists gives these newbees the go ahead to continue as they didn't get caught the first few times. Just my opinion and some hands on experience to issue of the reality of the possibility that it does exist in all ages and most cities inclusive of Dear Janesville.

I haven't read all the posts yet but POLICE HAVE BEEN AT THE SCHOOL 17 TIMES since Jan. 1?!?!?!? Goodness. I teach at a 4K-5th grade school and if the cops were at our school that much I'd say there was a problem! I think all parents of students entering middle school then again in high school need to meet with a cop about WHAT TO LOOK FOR in their children. I think parents just look the other way to keep their kids happy and that is a "crime" in itself. Parents need to be "slapped" in the face with reality and what is really going on with today's kids!

Anyone with common sense, knows that the first assumption of gang activity being present in Wilson, is correct. There is gang activity in Janesville, therefore, there is gang activity in ALL schools in Janesville. This type of life style trickles down the family chain, and just because these are children we are talking about, doesn't mean they aren't exposed to and live the gang life that is present in their homes. It all starts out small. In my opinion anyway. I am always a respectful citizen where the law is concerned, but this time I have to disagree with the local PD. If they truly believe what they are telling us, they are in for a rude awakening. Especially in these tough times.

The police have responded 17 times since January 1. This is a school that teaches kindergarten through fifth grade. If there is not a problem here, I hate to see what some people think is a problem! If these kids are just "mimicking" now, what will they be like in 5 years? Wake up people. It's no different than Janesville stating "we don't have a heroin problem."

A "mini-Beloit" says Nukka. Great, have you ever been to Beloit? Maybe two neighborhoods in Beloit compare to the Wilson neighborhood. Beloit looks alot like Janesville. I'm sure going to try to teach my kids to not paint Janesville with such a broad brush.

gmaof3- YOU are exactly right ,we must have grown up in the same era!!PARENTS ARE MORE CONCERNED WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK, THAN WHAT THEIR KIDS ARE DOING.PERFECTLY SPOKEN.

Wilson school is in the poorest neighborhood in JVL...like a mini beloit all in itself. (in no way am i degrading the school or the neighborhood) There is gang activity at the school (just as it is in that neighborhood-kids take it with them), whether it be wannabes or what ever. The principal knows her school. The JPD feels "snubbed" because they were not the ones to make the announcement on WCLO. My opinion...Schulte is a turncoat and is going to wish she had not been so willing to agree "because JPD says so" that there are not any gangs/gang problems at Wilson school. Schulte should be supporting her administraion and not publicly disagreeing better yet disregarding them

MooShoo and others here...
Unless Wilson has a bubble over it or is its own little island, these kids are being exposed to outside influences. What makes any of you think that they are not being exposed to "ahem" less than desirable people?

From the exposure to the internet, to letting the kiddies watch any dang thing they want, as long as they aren't under mom & dad's feet... to music, to idolizing Brittany Spears and all of her moronic escapades.

Pulleeze... these kids will copy EVERYTHING they think will get them recognition. Of course they don't have the where-with-all to know what they are getting into. Most parents are 3 to 4 years behind the times- maybe more, when it comes to their own kids!

Wake up people! If this woman sees something that needs addressing.... are you only taking into account that she's "not a local" or that you just can not fathom the possibility that one of your OWN children could POSSIBLY fall into this?

I think all here will agree, its easier to fail than to succeed. No effort, no trying, no speeches. Same thing with getting into drugs or the group of kids that just get stoned or don't care. These are lost souls that would succeed with the proper guidance. But they will take the easier road to acceptance.

It is the leader versus follower. One child with a big attitude is easier to follow than to stand up for one's own opinions.

They don't "live up" to anything... they "live/step down"!!!

I do not think anybody disagrees that there are gangs in Rock County. I think the disagreement is whether or not there are gangs at Wilson Elementary School.

Of course there is "gang activity" in Rock county! Good grief! There has been gang activity in the Winnebago/IL - Rock County/WI area since I was a teenager in the 70's. Beloit had the notoriety but the smaller communities (called "sleepers") are safe havens for gangs. What "mom & pop" community wants to lose their small town feel, and have to react like the inner cities? Its here... always has been... but the "ebb & flow" is impacted by governmental elections, close-mindedness and lack of parental intervention.

Keep those "rose colored glasses" on... You are the parents that are more concerned about what your friends will say than what your child is involved in!

It sound like Ms. Bicha was taken to the wood shed by Karen Schulte and rightfully so. Using fear or misconstruing the facts is the quickest way to loose credibility in the community. I have to agree with Janesvillian, police see criminal activity with gangs, and teachers see behavioral problems with gangs.
*
If Steve Copp says there are no gangs at Wilson, I believe him. That being said, comments below leaves me with the impression there are a lot of opinions about this subject, and we are not on the same page as a community.

janesvillean has a valid point... the only thing that I view as frustrating is that our own city's school district superintendant and local authorities are in denial about the severity of this situation and what havok there will be in the next few years... if not within the elementary schools, definately in the middle and high schools, along with within our community.... it's been an ongoing issue that has needed more action to be taken than what there has been....

O and the term WANNABE is wrong it is GUNNABE a gang member just takes time and it happens.

the police department has a couple of officers that are trained in this crap,what a bunch of BS. they went to a seminare for two day's and talked to some one who is from the big city or better yet a big picture show they had to watch. JPD is not ready to handle gang's in janesville,Know the reginal gang and drug police AKA(rock,beloit,ILL)police that deal with this crap all the time are very well trained in it. That sed I know a bunch of you will disagree but there is a problem in janesville and it will get worse.

The issue here is that the police and the schools have different standards for what they get concerned about. The cops are concerned about criminal activity like drug dealing, but the schools mostly have to worry about kids wearing colors and beating each other up, which is as much derived from watching TV and movies as anything. It's gang influence, but a "gang problem" is a pretty broad definition.
.
In the Fourth Ward, we tend to see increased activity around late spring, with kids banding together into enormous "crews" that dwarf the 2-6 groupings of when I grew up. They do it for protection, mostly, but there's going to be petty retail dealing by a few of them. I'm less concerned by that stuff as I am by the semi-permanent drug houses that spring up with adult enforcers and kids (subject to juvenile law) used as lookouts and couriers.
.
But the school has to worry about day-to-day control of the whole student body and they can't have them dividing up into gangs and behaving like wannabes while crossing between classes.

No Gangs All I can say is BS. In late 90's. There was a gang problem and there is in Janesville. But it is not reported and is sugar coated so the public doesn't know about it. It's there and the police don't want you to know about it.

I want to compliment the Janesville School District on being proactive. If you read any of the research on gangs, the first sign of growing gang activity is children dressing, acting and "copying" gang activity. Wannabees are the future gangbangers. They practice and then they become. I think the police department needs to catch up with the schools on this one. I bet Wilson school has an administrator that knows what she is talking about.

At an early age he hits the streets, winds up tied with who he meets, and he's...unemployed.
And the cradle will rock.

Van Halen

JanesvilleLifer: cabin fever is one thing, but unruley outbursts to where JPD needs to intervene doesn't justify what cabin fever is...

Just because someone isn't from our dear town does not make them ignorant to reality as to the issue regarding GANGS and other problems. Maybe she has experience from where ever she came from to recognize what some of you want to believe can't possibly happen here. IT is here and will stay until you can accept it is what it is, and HELP to change it not deny it.

well said

To deny this may exist is what has got this city in the place it is in today. "wannabes" can become and wake up take 2 sips of coffee and realize not everything is as open to JPD as they want us to believe. Graffiti, gang signs, cocked hats and intimidation gives me reason to believe something exists somewhere. Please don't close the door to this as it will just get worse, look at past and the way it was left as to not existing. parents need to step up and confront it along with the schools and JPD! It is not cute when they are little to imitate an older sibling when it comes to the outcome of this sort in reality. IT takes a Village to raise a child and that is what is needed to address this behavior.

*maybe* in case the spelling police catch me

Gangs can infiltrate any age and if there are signs as a possibility then maybe it does exist. Some younger kids may have older siblings and they mabe are part of what they see and live. Elementary schools are not exceptions to this JMO if they see this type of action then just maybe there is what they suspect.

Nice parenting.

Regarding "armyof3" comment...
I know these kids, do you? They have cabin fever as we all do.. I'll bet that the majority of those seventeen calls were for the same group of three or four kids!
The suggestion of gangs was used inappropriately by Bicha to try and further something she felt the school needed, she just got caught...it happens.
JPD would NOT go on the record to try and clear this up if it weren't true, they would take notes and then action.

I feel as though Ms. Bicha is in the right for 1) recognizing that there was an issue within the school, and 2) addressing it to the superintendant... both Schulte and Kopp (along w/ the rest of JPD) are failing to acknowledge that the truth behind these children's actions are abnormal... the fact is that these kids are getting it from somewhere and IF they don't know what the meaning is behind the symbolism, they will soon enough... never underestimate what the youth today are knowledgeable about and what they are capable of doing... these kids will only become more of a problem in middle and high school...
.
"Wilson has seen a spike in problem behaviors, Kopp acknowledged. Police have responded to Wilson school 17 times since Jan. 1." I'm sorry, but to me, that's a lot for ANY elementary school... Bicha is in the right for being alarmed.... this is her first year, and I think she's doing a great job...

need a teacher? put some fear into the community. it works on the federal level.

My children go to Wilson and I have not seen anything. No gang acts,nothing ! The students are probley going around town and have seen gang signs and Mrs. Bicha is the new addition who does not know our city ,17 calls since Jan 1 that's bad on someone else's part and not the kids.I agree with Lifer!

Wilson Is a Great School not only do they have a way above and beyond staff, but I'm sure there are many Wonderful Students just like when I worked there as a Special Education Aide.
Some of these students needed a sense of belonging because they didn't have it from anywhere else. Many teachers and support staff gave and still give to this day I am sure..
Many like Stephanie Balch, Dan Murray, Nan Rehling and many great teachers and support staff.. The students there were also special some days were good some were not so good, but most always the outcome in the end was a huge acomplishment by staff and students..
I wish you all the best at Wilson and think of many of u always..
Chris Titus

At least Ms. Bicha seemed to realize she had a gang problem. The acting Superintendent and police seem to feel she is wrong.

Becky Bicha is a recent addition to the Wilson staff. So far I am less than impressed with her and I know many others that would agree. Wilson is a special school at this point in time and I think they have the best staff of teachers and assistants in town! Maybe someone with history in Janesville with Janesville kids would be better suited for the Administrator position there.

I have an aquaintance who was, for a very long time, a member of the Beloit police Dept. For many years, he continued to deny that there were gangs or gang problems in Beloit. He would readily admit, though, that the Gangster Disciples and other gangs brought crack cocaine into town, and found a contsant stream of "friends" to deal it. He denied over and over again, though, that these "friends" were in any way gang-related! He just didn't want his city saddled with that kind of reputation. Well, if they are bona fide gang members, or wannabes, or "friends" of gang mambers, if you have this kind of activity going on, you have a gang problem...not a "wannabe problem" or a "friend problem"...but a GANG problem.

ihavealife, do you really need to ask what "gang" clothes are? If these childrens' parents have a problem between differentiating between clothing that is unnecessarily large and oversized compared to clothes that FIT and are the RIGHT size, they have no right raising a child. If you buy your children clothes like that, you perpetuate the stereotype and teach your children that thug/gang life is okay. It disgusts me to see that parents buy these kinds of clothes for their kids.

Just what does a community and a public school system do in the absence of responsible parenting to diminish and eventually eradicate gangs? The ability to discipline has been constrained by law and court decisions to such a degree that the schools are limited to little more that wagging a finger in the face of misbehaving students or calling the police. School systems will not resort to vastly increased expulsions which would be most effective in getting the attention of reluctant parents because that would cost them state aid and if there's one thing we know about public schools is that money, not students and their education, comes first.

I wonder if the principal of Wilson school now "believes" that there are no gangs at her school. I see no where in this article that she agrees that she is "on the same page".

just a few words to describe this "Janesville's Finest"

Janesvillean-It also takes our authorities to admit there is a problem and not come to the convenient but false "agreement" of "No gangs at Wilson".

ladulce, it is very much the case that children with inattentive parents (often with at least one of them completely absent) are most at risk for gang behavior. This isn't Leave it to Beaver anymore. Simply asking where the parents are is not really addressing the problem, because the very presence of gang behavior is an indicator of low parenting interest or skills.
.
We don't live in an ideal world, and our schools don't teach kids in an ideal world.
.
If only these kids did have a parent like you, they would be very lucky. But they don't. The problem has to be dealt with and the solution lies elsewhere. Unfortunately that means a public responsibility to do what we can to try to keep kids out of gangs.

ladulce's actions are valid. Those actions are all we as parents have left to teach our children right from wrong. We can no longer spank our children for fear of having social services being called on us. And yes, I do know the difference between a little spanking and child abuse.

"gang" clothing- Look at what the other kids are wearing. Make sure he/ she is not wearing that. If they are wearing tees and jeans (my assumption), I would make sure that my daughter only have dresses and dress pants, and, my son have oxfords/polos and dress pants. ANd, yes, you can get these from Good will, Salvation Army for under $2 each. If a parent can't get the child away from these "friends" any other way, make the "friends" not think the child is "cool" any longer. My point is simple: to be part of this group, there has to be an "image". Parents of 10 year olds are still buying their clothing. The obvious issue here is also that these kids have never learned respect- for people or for property. I am a bit of an "extreme" parent, but, if my child was disrespecting property, he would learn what it felt like to have his property disrespected. He would lose everything in his room- short of his clothing and bed. Everything else is "luxuries" that he has lost by his behavior. I would make him package them up himself, and, give him the opportunity to earn them back by good behavior, staying away from these friends, etc. And, if he likes graffiti so much, then he would LOVE to write apology letters to the school, the teacher, the community, his peers, etc. I would even let him write them in his graffiti handwriting. And, while we are on the topic, why aren't these kids spending time erasing the grafitti? My kid would be in there with the custodian getting it taken care of. It may sound extreme by today's terms, but, it is about teaching respect and moral responsibility for your actions.

School uniforms..Very simple.

Many administrators and authoritative figures don't think there are gangs at the high school either, but ask your high school student--they know! It is becoming an increasingly alarming problem and you better believe it is in the middle and elementary schools as well. The siblings of these high schoolers are taking it to those schools!

Unfortunately parenting is a lost art. Very few people want to take the time and effort it takes to be a real parent. These parents can't control a 10 year old and it only gets worse from here.

Sorry to go after the obvious here, but, WHERE are the parents? I have a fifth grader- they are 10-11 year old children. Mom still has to buy their clothing. If this was my child, I would make darn sure it stop. This lack of respect of property and people is simply unacceptable and unbelievable to me as a parent. When my stepson was 15 and skipped school at lunchtime, I went to Parker and took him by the hand and went to each teacher that he had and made a huge issue. I also insisted that he eat in the principal's office daily, and, called the boy and his mother that he skipped with. I assured both of them that if my stepson were to skip school with him again, I would be contacting the police and reporting him as kidnapped by this other boy. After this, I told my stepson that if he misses one more day, I would wear my footed pajamas and walk from class to class with him to assure that he stays in school. Needless to say, he never skipped again, the other boy never spoke to him again, and, my stepson graduated with a 3.7. WHere is parental involvement with these kids? NO WAY would my children even consider doing this. The consequence would be too high. If mom stops buying them clothing that is "gang- looking"... Donate their clothing and make them wear dresses and dress shirts. It will get them away from this crowd.

What is the definition of gang related according to the police then? They are using gang graffiti, flashing signs and intimidating other students! Do you think they are going to stop when they get into sixth grade? No, it will get worse until they are "beat in" as official members. It is this denial by our police that will allow this activity to proliferate. Their similar approach 10 to 15 years ago is why we have the current gang problems. The school was right here, the JPD is wrong.