You have got to be kidding me!! Why is the parent at the school in the first place?? Just WOW!

Don't let that freak anywhere near Mill Creek!!!

After what just happened at Sandy Hook no-one should be in our children's schools unless they are there for official business. Also, the irony of complaining about a supposed omission of the word liberty and making your point by cursing in front of a kindergarten class. Awful.

His facebook page is very enlightening (as in we as Geneva parents should be very afraid of this guy).

So is this person a volunteer parent and teacher assistant at Mill Creek? What is his facebook page? I hope the Sheriff Perez is taking this very seriously.

Interesting Linkedin:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/mcgroarty

Best part:
Presidential Motorcade Driver U.S. Secret Service
March 1988
Served as motorcade driver during Vice President George H. W. Bush's visit to Rockford, IL

He does it all!

I feel sorry for his children...

As a Mill Creek parent I applaud the school district & Mr. Petmezas for how they handled everything. Shows what an amazing principle & school board we have!

My children attends an elementary school here in Geneva Illinois also I have been at the school several times in the office when the pledge of allegiance starts we stop what we are doing we put our hands over our heart and we say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all
I know that the Pledge of Allegiance is said and it's full body because I pride myself in conversations with letting people know that in Geneva Illinois no words are taken out with that being said I understand this gentleman may have served and feels very strongly about the Pledge of Allegiance But this gentleman needs to keep in mind he was in a kindergarten class where words are often it mispronounced and not often understood with that being said he should have conducted himself as a mature adult and addressed it in a question. It is great for children to see that we have feelings that we get sad,happy and angry and we can be emotional we the parents need to show our children the right way to handle all of these feelings our children look to us and they learn. This gentleman was completely inappropriate and I feel very strongly the situation needs to be handled he cannot act this way.

Please stop commenting/speculating about the mental state of this man, it could potentially incite him further. If you have concerns please share with the proper authority.

http://www.whitepages.com/person

I see another lisiting for him in Mill Creek.

I'll bet he has a gun.

He lives in an apartment above the Mill Creek Market, not in Rockford. I hope the authorities handle this properly, he obviously has some serious issuess. His youtube site is full of conspiracy theory rants. I hope he gets the proper help he needs. http://www.youtube.com/user/cmmcgroarty

As one of the families that received the original email, we obviously understand he is trying to make a statement and get attention. From all of us who know this family and have children at Mill Creek Elementary, may I implore you to not make any further comments about his mental health. Please, please let the police, proper authorities and professionals handle this situation.

Mill Creek Elementary, like many schools, use parent volunteers extensively (helpers in the classroom, library, lunch, recess, etc). This individual was volunteering with his child's classroom and many parents do on a regular basis. A huge thank you to Mr. Petmezas and all the staff who took the original threat and email seriously. We cannot be too careful these days.

How come he is posting away on Facebook (just posted a comment 10 min. ago) and not being questioned by the authorities if this is such a major news event, etc? It looks to me like he's just carrying along with himself like it never happened?? That to me is the scariest part....

Didn't read a threat in "I've shed blood for this Country and will do so again if necessary." Sounds more like he served his country and would do it again if he was called.

Wow... poor guy doesn't need a trial... you've already convicted him. I'll be the first to agree if he was using inappropriate language around young children there should be some action taken; however, have you even considered that he believes he is looking out for the best interests of his children? Many people are sick and tired of the liberal left-wing crap that is shared through our schools and on television. Each of us has a breaking point, and he reached his. Oh wait... I forgot.. I'm talking about Batavia/Geneva/St. Charles area.... nevermind... you know EVERYTHING..... besides... it's Bush's fault and everyone else is racist......

Viva la Mill Creekia!

I agree with you "Enough." We also recieved the orginial email last evening. We have lived on the same street as this family and never was an issue.
This is truly sad for his children.
I am so blessed that my kids go to Mill Creek. The network of support from Mr. Petmezas, the teachers and the parents always work together to make our children safe.

With all the violence we see in this country, how can this man send such a threatening letter? Why not home school this child or have him stand quietly while the Pledge of Allegiance is recited? Problem solved. Freedom of speech also entitles you to be silent. This man's words have made this community uncomfortable. Isn't that harrassment?

Well, unfortunately in this day and age when there's crazy people out there going into schools and shooting innoccent 6 year olds with assault rifles I don't think any unusual activities or statements directed towards a school should be taken lightly at ALL! No matter what it is in regards to, there's always proper channels that can be taken instead, without making threatening remarks???? It sounds like there were enough parents that considered it a threat to take action, I would have done the same thing if it involved my child.... as I would hope all parents would?

WOW Private User.... now i see how all of your "friendly" comments on here to everyone is really productive too.... also a real big help!!!

I have personally been a volunteer at MCES for over seven years now and have heard the pledge recited exactly the way it was in 1974 when I attended grade school. After the pledge the kids recite the school creed:
School Creed
In order to develop good citizens,
- we believe that every person should
- treat others with respect
- follow school and classroom rules
- try their best

Any parent with a child in Mill Creek is going to take this situation seriously! Especially after recent events. I think it was in extremely poor taste to make that comment at this time. It is going to send parents on high alert. I have also been in the school in the morning and have heard the kids say the pledge and they do say with liberty & justice for all. He might have heard kids stumble over it which can happen they are kids but he was wrong to just assume that this is how it was taught and he was wrong to make a scene in front of a bunch of 5 & 6 years kids. I am glad he is not allowed on school grounds! I am sorry but after all the recent school shootings you can not just assume that he would not take it further and you need to take precautions and that is exactly what the school is doing.

Regardless of the parent's behavior, I hope that the rest of the parents in the district do not treat his children poorly--that is lack of respect and hurtful. I am all for modeling "treat others with respect". Often times when there is a situation in question the children get the brunt of it. Bullying back is not the answer.

I have to wonder that if some of the school incidents did not occur across the US, how would this person's comment be perceived? I am not saying it is right, just thinking of the context. People should be able to speak up and charge the norm yet there is a way to do that within the eyes of children and in light of the events that have occurred, e.g. Columbine and others. As a former high school teacher and a college teacher, I always encourage my students to push the norm yet respectfully agree to disagree. The venue in which this message went out can be easily taken in many ways, some not good. E-mail is not a great way to get out a message yet in this case it has gone viral. Perhaps that was the intent of the messenger? Or not?

Evidently the sheriff's department will be the determinant. Finally, keep in mind that some people are more "p.c." than others. Bluntness can be very alarming if one is not accustomed to receiving feedback in that manner. Again, I am not saying what happened was right. I don't believe an email is the way to go over concerns as there is too much room for judgment by others and that can incite fear.

I see no where in the article that it talks about his wife or home schooling. Not sure on your source private user. But you seem rather angry yourself.

I think there are way too many volunteers at the elementary schools. There are steams of moms and dads coming and going all day long. Spend time with your children at home and let the teachers do their jobs. If you really have a need to volunteer, go to a shelter or a food pantry where you're really needed. Way too many helicopter parents in Geneva.

More details can be found on his Facebook page- that's what some are referring to.

Sorry Matilda B.... you are correct.. that wasn't from the article.. that was from his facebook page that one of the first posters recommended.

I'm not angry... I'm sad at the number of left leaning people who now reside in the tri-cities. It didn't used to be this way. The guy made a VERY stupid mistake and is now banned from the school. Police were involved and they very well should have been. Now how about letting the school and the police handle the situation. Posting his personal information on here helps no one.

I'm sure JC and Geneva Resident are putting on their Sunday best (wait... they probably don't go to Church) so they can run over to the school in hopes a news crew is there to interview them.

RR- MANY teachers ASK for various volunteers. It's not necessarily helicopter parents all on their own accord.

Okay, so I had to check out his FB page and WOW. Swastika's, guns, and conspiracies aside, I do find the most amusing part to be that he doesn't even know his own Pledge of Allegiance. Regardless of what he misunderstood in a class full of Kindergartner's, the POA has NEVER included the word "life" and the words "under God" were not added until 1954. The original, as written in 1892 by SOCIALIST Francis Bellamy, reads: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Am I the only person who read this line: "I've shed blood for this Country and will do so again if necessary." and assumed he was referring to active military duty?

I can't help but wonder about this young lady who goes by the screen name of Private User that seems so intent on trying to insult those who have legitimate concerns about school safety in our towns. If she or the gentleman in question think the school pledge is a pledge to the teachers, then that speaks volumes for their lack of understanding of the English language. My guess is that Private User is okay with pledges made by politicians to special interest blocs which are fronted by people named after Muppet characters. She's probably even okay with pledges made to her church that help fund the stonewalling of prosecution of pedophiles. Personally, I have come to enjoy the Fascist/Nazi/liberal/socialist/ (fill in the blank) agenda that our schools have worked so hard to engender. It makes me proud to be an American.

I despise comment threads. They only evoke cyberbullies! Disgusting!

Thank goodness the police were dispatched... I guess so long as someone makes a threat (or what appears to some as a threat) before taking action, we should have nothing to worry about. (But wait, what happens when a mass murder fails to warn us ahead of time? - guess we're just screwed. Hey - maybe we should just pass a law forcing would-be mass murders to give advanced notice??)

who thinks private user is the perp himself? getting attention, making huge, unsubstantiated claims, etc.... just a thought.

If you look at the past school shootings you always read about how there were signs but no one every did anything about it. I pray that this is not the same case but who really knows anymore. All I am worried about as a Mill Creek parent is that this guy is not allowed around my kids and that the police do throughly look into this. The school is doing everything they can. I know his children and I do feel bad for his kids and when I see them will not treat them any differently and I hope all the other parents will do the same. I know his son is in Boy Scouts and I heard that the father will be banned from those events as well. Which I happen to agree with. But again the child shall not suffer and hope the mom & step-dad will step up to make sure that does not happen.

I'm sorry , but what prison camp was his mother in for 12 years? Something is not right here with his letter to the school district

Viva Millcreekia I wish we could build a big fence on Randall and keep the loonies West of it out of our once sane peaceful town.

So, unless he's making a serious threat, we can't do anything about him speaking his mind. People with un-conventional beliefs are usually ones with past traumatic experiences, but this guy seems like he was able to suck them up and start a family. Get him a darned psychiatrist and get to know that there is no more prevalent Nazi regime going on. Don't try and throw him into jail, because that will teach him a lesson that he can do bad things until they catch him.

Maybe we need these things to happen, so we can increase security in these soft-targets. It sucks that the only way for us to actually do something about a tragedy is after it occurs. This just shows how we need to change our country for the better.

wow, lots of attacks here,
basics are this, guy made a scene and sent an email that could be construed as threatening, especially after Sandy Hill, school took action and he is barred and an officer is posted, not sure how they will decide to protect the school long term or assess the possible threat , possibly he can explain his letter or apologize for his behavior

his Facebook page is open to all to read, no harm in posting the info because he doesn't hide it and it will allow those to get an insight into how he thinks, make your own judgement

he does say in a post that he would never harm children

my "opinion" is there is more to this issue than just the pledge. He has an agenda in his life and how he lives, wants his kids to be like him but does not have custody, kids are not being raised religious, wants his kids home schooled or private school and they are not, so may be frustrated and angry over that and more is acting out and this pledge issue just set him off

hope he can get some counseling to learn to work with the Mom so that he can still be in his kid's lives.

He is wrong, the pledge is the same since I was in kindergarten (1988), it does appear they add some lines at the end about respect, but no words have been emitted.

His FB page gives tremendous insight into his belief system. He seems delusional and clearly confrontational. This school handled things appropriately and he needs to be on the authority's radar.

After reading Colin's Facebook, I think he is a mental case. I hope that this incident has been reported to the FBI, because this nut is crazy enough to go off on society.

This article refers to the incident at Mill Creek as a "disturbance" . Wouldn't it be a no brainer to charge this man with disturbing the peace? I think the kids who saw this tirade might feel that the police had handled this correctly by making an arrest. It might make them feel safe again.

I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. That's the pledge from my childhood.

All of you others going on an ranting and inciting negative banter is really not a healthy approach to this matter. This is what is wrong with America that everyone is entitled to offend and degrade each other to feel big about themselves. That to me is the crux of the problem. We are taught to constantly one up each other rather than respectfully agree to disagree. We are inciting constant competition and bullying at every turn. Shame on you "posters" for stirring the pot in a negative direction. Hopefully this guy (or others) aren't fueled by your negative banter to prove something to you bullies!

A Fool.

Ditto, Derek! Thank you for using common sense.

Private user is Colin.

Delusional TeaKlux-Libertarian tax dodger fool.

Former ORBITZ vacation-planner !!

This guy is a loose cannon. Calls himself a leader of men in one of his posts a while back. He likes to hear himself rant and likes it when people agree with or follow him on his site. His posts go on continually all day and into the night. He posts about FEMA camps with coffins and many of his FB "friends" have the word "militia" after there names. Clearly a paranoid type---almost David Koresh and the branch davidians like. What a kook, going in there and losing it in front of those kids and teachers. Good for his ex-wife taking the action she did against him. Also, fine job by the school as well. People like him who are mentally ill don't even realize it. Hopefully he will get the help he needs. Normal people don't behave this way.

LC is right normal people don't behave this way. And when you are in a kindergarten class you have to be normal and not swear and not act like a lunatic or yell. Even the kindergarteners know that. Go ahead and be crazytown on your own time- post on KKK blogs and conspiracy websites to your heart's content. Get together with your bat-shit crazy friends and bitch until the Wild Turkey makes you pass out. It is your right as an American. But DO NOT think you can pull that kind of crap in an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Have you no shame? My beautiful precious child is there! I can't protect him when he is at school! It makes me livid when I think that little kids would have to see that, at a place where they are supposed to feel safe.

It's been my experience over the past 60 years that guys who think they're über-macho are usually the biggest wusses.

No doubt about it..."Private User" is Colin. Better watch how he throws his electronic fingerprint around.

Let's see if I understand this: after reading the e-mail that discusses bloodshed in connection with a school about an imaginary slight, the sheriff doesn't see the need for an immediate arrest? Seriously? Arresting someone doesn't mean filing charges; it means suspicion of committing a criminal act. It seems to me that the sheriff should arrest this guy for simple assault, if nothing else.

I think most of the posters on this thread should be ashamed of themselves. I (like all of you) have no idea about Colin's mental health.
Still, I'm seeing 'lunatic, kook, nut-job, whacko' thrown around.
These posts are made by the same people who say we need better mental health treatment and we need to destigmatize mental illness.

The sad part is, is that our republican elected officials continually want to cut funding for mental health issues.

CP...one can't dispute that Colin's explosive tirade in front of small children was anything less than unbalanced.

Interesting that he cries fascism over the alleged omission of a single word, yet has no problem with kindergartners pledging allegiance to a concept and government they have no understanding of nor right to vote or participate in. Kind of like how Catholics used to require 9-year olds to "confirm" their belief in and adherence to Catholic dogma, or the Jewish practice of bar/bat mitzvah at age 13. This man definitely needs to be kept away from schools and decent society.

Check out his creds on LinkedIn. Overstated, overblown, immensely too detaild (letter of appreciation from NASA - gee, wow!). Plus educated at Drive Through U. Good fact checking there, guy. Maybe could have spoken to someone besides a kid that you've already indoctrinated to respond as you do.

No laws broken? Terroristic threats aren't enough? You're never going to save your children if you let nuts run around inside your schools like this.

Please ladies and gentlemen, let's not use common sense and reason. Let's attack this man because of the way he is portrayed by a writer at a news agency. Let's also post his address, medical, and dental to make sure there isn't a wisdom tooth coming in wrong making him crazy. Yes, let's not have parents come to the school that their children attend, and not have them witness what is being taught. I'm absolutely positive that no teachers ever has been biased, impartial, and objective in their teachings and in the content the school board provides the children. I am also positive that every school in Illinois says the pledge of allegiance in its entirety before every school day. Also we need to ban all parents from all school dealings, I mean who do these parents think they are? The parents? And all of you leaving comments are 100%, right standing up for what you believe in must be a terrorist act if I have ever seen one... That stupid George Washington for rebelling against the English what was wrong with him? I'm sure there is no foul play here, none whatsoever..... I mean this guy probably follows The Constitution word for word.. who does that anymore? I mean seriously?

Commenting from nearby Chicago. I teach at a Chicago Public School and though a I agree that there should be grave and justified concern over ANY re-wording of our Pledge of Allegiance, there is, however, due process in addressing that concern. The manner in which this gentleman (if he is to be called that) took action does NOT reflect appropriate and diplomatic due process. It is nothing short of disturbing......alarming, frightening.

Richard, there has been no rewording of the Pledge of Allegiance. The school made it clear that the regular pledge of allegiance is the one the children say. They also recite the school creed after the pledge. Given that Colin McGroarty misheard and then misrepresented the school creed (he said that the children said they pledged to follow all rules and commands, or some nonsense like that, I believe it is HIGHLY LIKELY (read: obvious) that he misheard the actual pledge. As a former kindergarten teacher, I can assure you that children of the age of 5 or 6 routinely mispronounce things in the Pledge of Allegiance, and may even forget to say a word now and then. The fact that Colin couldn't get any of the facts straight in any of his accusations should give EVERYONE cause to question.... Actually he reminds me a lot of my ex-husband. Someone could say that it is snowing outside and he would swear that you said something completely different. He's still like that to this day and there is no reasoning with him either.

And yes, folks, it is so laughably obvious that "Private User" is none other than Colin McGroarty himself. That was apparent right off the bat, but definitely made for an amusing read....

So we have a US veteran / single dad / classroom volunteer who took offense that his kindergartner was required to declare his obedience to the classroom rules with the same 'hand over the heart' reverence that is given to the flag.

Doesn't sound that crazy to me.

Maybe if we allowed common sense and the God who made us and knows all about us, back in school the students would not only have all the protection needed but would learn more?

Dr, the fact that he took offense to that is not crazy, he is entitled to his opinions. What IS crazy is that he responded by using "language that is not typically heard in a school setting", pulled his kids out of school, then proceeded to email school administrators, the school board, and a group of parents making reference to shedding blood if necessary, with complete disregard to the fact that 20 school children and 6 school personnel were just murdered in a school. THAT, my friend, is not normal. A rational person would have calmly taken his issue up with administrators, not a group of 5 and 6 year olds. This is the same person that "likes" (i.e. recommends) a YouTube video that proclaims that President Obama orders children murdered.

I got the email from the school district that let us, as district parents, know what took place. I have no reason to believe that the school district misrepresented what took place, and I have seen the email that Mr. McGroarty sent to parents and district administrators and board members. I know who I choose to believe. After viewing his public Facebook page, LinkedIn profile, and YouTube page, I feel very confident in my choice to believe the school district's assessment of the situation and their response. I choose not to use my name because after what I have learned of Colin, I feel it is best to be anonymous rather than a victim if he goes off the deep end. After what happened in Connecticut, you can't be too careful these days. I applaud anyone who has served our country, including Mr. Mc Groarty, and thank them for their service to protect the freedom of speech that I am using right now.

Quite possibly "User Name" is "Private User's" new cover name. Gotta watch that electronic fingerprint. Lots of similarities.

These nuts are coming out of the wood work

Really, LC? If you read through my comments you'll see that while "Private User" was continually defending Colin/himself regarding the incidence, I have done just the opposite. I don't defend his actions at all, and think he is a loose cannon. I said that how he handled the situation is not at all how a normal person would have handled it. I spoke to the fact that as a former kindergarten teacher, 5 and 6 year old children routinely mispronounce or omit words from the pledge, because they are just learning it. I pointed out to anyone who was defending his political rants that he can only use insults to defend his ideas rather than rational arguments. I choose to remain anonymous because I think this guy is a threat and I'd rather not be a victim.

this sounds ultra dangerous

profile research; pathological liar; rape victim as minor, multiple restraining orders before and after divorce, gun permit confiscated along with arms, unemployed, Rockford address is bogus, ex filed array of complaints concerning safety of their children, loner, history of sending threatening, malicious and slanderous emails, polar, manic, disturbed, high risk, frightening

you are right its him commenting here. the only one who would defend this looney tune is the looney himself - how scary is that - my bud in kane c dist says parents are freaked. said he is in front of a judge on jan 31 ah ba de ah ba de that's all folks

we live in a fascist country where our government is bought and sold on many levels---i would not pledge allegiance to any of what is going on in this country--between an out of control military---all brain washed----to a totally corrupt media---to dems and reps just wanting to keep us under control cause too many of us do understand they are the bad guys-----we spend more $$$$ in this country killing other peoples kids world wide than we spend on our own problems here---this school has alot of gall making these kids recite the now " fascist oath "

LC, that doesn't even make sense if you read all if my posts. "PU" was constantly defending himself/Colin and throwing insults at anyone who challenged his point of view or claims. I've done the complete opposite, saying that no normal person would have reacted the way he did; that if you look at his Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube pages you will see exactly what kind of person you are dealing with. I also stated that I choose to remain anonymous because I think he's a loose cannon and I'd rather be anonymous than a victim when or if he goes off the deep end. The previous poster that claims to know Colin personally is right, he needs to be Baker Acted.

Can't have opinions of your own, the liberals hate that! They want the brainless rhetoric to spill out of your mouth at command. Independent thought, balk! It must kill you that all these "gun toting" maniacs that have been shooting up places come from these liberal strong holds. Young, entitled, undereducated, and angry = great combination.

Thia man is a loose cannon, he threatened to spill blood at his children's school, and the school and the police say they must "see if he commited a crime?" Are you kidding me? What are the cops going to wait for his murdering teachers and children before this guy is arrested? What will the pigs say then, oh we didn't think he MEAN IT! The incompetence of the police in this case is outstanding. If my child were in that school, I would remove him immediately. This man is dangerous and should be put in jail.

Really, JC? If you read through my comments you would realize that I haven't condoned anything that he did that day, that I've pointed out that I believe the school district's assessment and response to the situation was correct, and that when you review his Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube profiles you will see what you're dealing with. Not sure how that is "similar" at all.

Fair enough User Name. Glad we are on the same page in how this man is perceived. It was all a matter of perception...looking at accentuations, punctuations, etc...

He mixes lies with the truth to try to confuse and defend his criminal behaviour and then defends that he was called out on it here. His comments here demonstrate he is a redundant SICK FK and needs professional care and isolation immediately. A major threat to little children. Ive read tis is not an isolated incident. There appears to to a history of threatening communications.

No problem, LC, but it made me sick to my stomach to be compared to him. The multiple responses were just because I wasn't seeing my original reply show up, so I thought it wasn't going through. Juicebox, where are you finding this information?

User Name, I'm so sorry. I too, would feel sick to my stomach to be compared to him.That was not my intent. Good to move on now.

Why do we even allow our children to say the pledge anyway, it was written by a socialist!