Dear Beachcomber,

It is with great sadness that I read the article about the harassment lawsuit filed against the school.

As a parent of children with decades of combined Vashon school years, I know what most do. Vashon schools are among the safest and most accepting anywhere. The staff and administation are caring and conscientious, they welcome parents and are willing to listen. The kids, for the most part, reflect the great community they come from. There is a reason many come from off-island, and it is not convenience.

It is also known that there are some soccer players who will flop to the ground and writhe in agony when barely touched. There are also those who will throw legal tantrums over injuries that are imperceptible to others.

From a somewhat informed perspective, the accusations made in the lawsuit are hysterically out of proportion to anything that actually happened. Some crude and inappropriate language — often meant as jokes — should not be excused, but in this age group it can’t be totally unexpected or entirely suppressed. The “throw the kitchen sink” ambush launched on the unsuspecting school district says more about the accusers than it does about good people doing a good job.

Did those aggrieved contact the school and raise concerns before assembling and making an actual federal case? Does the ugly nature of such cases incline the district to settle instead of enduring further pain and expense? Have such callculated tactics paid off before? Don’t think so. Hope not. Sadly.

— Anonymous

* The Beachcomber does not usually run anonymous letters. This writer’s request for anonimity was granted in an effort to protect his child who is a student at McMurray Middle School.