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Letter: Parents need character education too

Dear Editor,

The Pleasanton school district prides itself on its "Character Education Building" program. I wholeheartedly support their efforts. Unfortunately, parents don't always follow these ideals.

Feb. 4, I was parked on Valley Avenue when another mother tried to parallel park into the small space in front of me. On her third attempt of backing in, and after I warned her each previous time by honking, she bumped into the front of my car. She immediately got defensive and said she hadn't touched my car and that she was a church-going woman. She then accused me of being racist and blaming her people for everything. She proceeded to get out of the car and when we looked at my car, I told her I didn't think there was any damage but that she should be careful in the future. She started wagging her finger in front of my face and threatening me. After that she spit in my face and as I was reeling from the shock of that, she hit me under the jaw. I quickly got back in my car, locked the door and called the police. When they arrived, she proceeded to deny much of what happened.

I haven't pressed charges and I'm not seeking revenge. I'm just shocked that a parent could harbor so much hatred and act so aggressively toward another parent, especially in public and in front of her own child's school. The same conduct from a student at school would surely get that child suspended. Good character training needs to start at the parent level to support and enforce what the district is trying to foster in the students.

Nancy Krakauer