Skyla Whitaker, 11, & Taylor Placker 13 - Found Murdered - #8

[oceanblueeyes]

From FC's post above:
"We do not know who the bio parents of Taylor are/were - she called Peter Dad and Vicky Mom - even though they were in reality, her Grandparents - even Vicky and Peter's other kids called Taylor their sister."

Can someone please clarify this for me? Was she adopted? I must be lost or confused, neither of which surprise me. LOL But where exactly did this child come from and how did they get custody?

No one has revealed that. Maybe the family thinks it should remain a private matter. The police address them as Taylor's parents.

All we know is Taylor looked at these two people as her Mom and Dad.

imoo

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Maybe one has to be a Junior or a Senior to qualify? Plus like you mentioned, special needs children.

imo

Smaller schools with one or two students can join with many other students in remote locations to actually make up a classroom via the internet.

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/news/technology/hotschools.pdf

“Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students: 2002-03.” This public school district survey was the first nationally representative study to examine technology-based distance education availability, course offerings, and enrollments in the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools. For this study, distance education courses were defined as credit-granting courses offered to elementary and secondary school students enrolled in the district in which the teacher and students were in different locations.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubSearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007028

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Smaller schools with one or two students can join with many other students in remote locations to actually make up a classroom via the internet.

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/news/technology/hotschools.pdf

“Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students: 2002-03.” This public school district survey was the first nationally representative study to examine technology-based distance education availability, course offerings, and enrollments in the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools. For this study, distance education courses were defined as credit-granting courses offered to elementary and secondary school students enrolled in the district in which the teacher and students were in different locations.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubSearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007028

Thanks for the info.

imo

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I am not sure it applies to the Graham school or not, but it is a possibility. You are welcome, Ocean.

 

[Fairy1]

From FlowerChild's post about the school Tayler and Scyla attended: "Classmates-Graham School
There are 97 TOTAL STUDENTS physically attending this school - another 150 or so attend by "computer" and are not physically present at the school."

What would be the cause of 150 students not physically attending school in the elementary grades in a town this small? ( only 97 students physically attending).
I am quite sure I am missing something!!

Maria

I believe this is due to the rural nature of the area. Might be difficult for some kids to physically get to school. I live in a big city, so I can't say for sure, but I assume this is common in rural and farming communities. My FIL was raised on a farm long, long ago and he says school was definitely not a priority for them. If they had to work the farm, that took precedence. I'm sure if they had had the Internet back then, they would have been able to complete their studies. As it was, it really was not important. And they all still passed and graduated!

 

[Tom'sGirl]

I hope this incident wakes parents up to the dangers lurking on an isolated country road to children in general. The grandmother had the right idea and shouldn't have listened to Taylor, imo. I wouldn't have allowed it even if she screamed and cried about being "unfair" and "the other kids do it!". Things are not what they once were, but country roads aren't a good place for any female to be walking no matter what the age.

That's exactly what the Graham School Supt. said in this video, he wouldn't let his kids do it!
http://www.newsok.tv/?titleID=1616709196

 

[GetSmart]

Remember on the Trenton Duckett case we had members that sent us pics from the apt ect. Does anyone have more local pics of area or access to someone who might? Just a thought. By the way we are coming up on the 2 yr for Trenton aren't we?

I also have been trying to locate recent arrest records but they do it different in this area than here. Heck I love it you can just go to county jail site & see recent arrest without putting in names.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

That's exactly what the Graham School Supt. said in this video, he wouldn't let his kids do it!
http://www.newsok.tv/?titleID=1616709196

He is a wise man.

 

[MissHolmes]

Does anyone think it would be a good idea to start a thread for Websleuther's synopsis'? Not a timeline, but for instance Flowerchild has some excellent recaps. Thoughts?

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Sure...go for it. That is what a forum is for...to expand and keep things categorized so it is easier to find your way around a case.

 

[MissHolmes]

This is for synopsis and recaps of the Weleetka murders.

 

[MissHolmes]

Synopsis and recaps thread is up.

 

[MissHolmes]

Sure...go for it. That is what a forum is for...to expand and keep things categorized so it is easier to find your way around a case.

Excellent SS on your new thread Theories: Who and Why? :clap:

 

[SeriouslySearching]

You don't need to get excited. LOL I will post a few threads I think might be helpful. We have started quite a few forums on here. No biggie.

 

[Kellee]

While NA tribes function as independent nations, i.e.e treaties with the US Government, they also have full US citizenship. However, when it comes to gambling, each state has different agreements with tribes. MN does not require tribes to pay state taxes, which accounts for huge profits. Also, Mystic Lake and Treasure Island are based near the Twin Cities, so have good attendance. However, MN tribes further north (Nett Lake, for example) are off the beaten path and have no such profits. Yes, Shakopee (Mystic Lake) has lots of $ and few members who share this wealth.

However, I think it's important to remember that the POI is described as possibly MIXED, if I correctly recall. AND, please remember that any and all NA's can always live off the rez (tribal land). For example, Minneapolis has more NA living there than on tribal lands. Many NA also go back and forth as to residence.

Trino ~

All you stated above is true; however, there was some speculation that one of the girls may have been targeted because she was supposedly in the process of obtaining a roll number. I have no idea what tribal affiliation she was seeking, but if it were one of the larger tribes in Oklahoma it would seem a poor reason for murder.

Also, it is important to know that Oklahoma has no designated reservations. Each tribe operates within the geographical area of its original reservation boundaries. The Osage Nation tribal land is still unofficially referred to as a reservation but it is not a 'traditional' reservation such as those in other parts of the country. Now, there ARE communities that are primarily NA and some NAs do still reside on allotted land handed down through generations, therefore, tribal police are often cross-deputized within counties to avoid any jurisdictional issues with arrests.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

You don't need to get excited. LOL I will post a few threads I think might be helpful. We have started quite a few forums on here. No biggie.

YES, quite a few!

 

[CarpeDiem]

From FlowerChild's post about the school Tayler and Scyla attended: "Classmates-Graham School
There are 97 TOTAL STUDENTS physically attending this school - another 150 or so attend by "computer" and are not physically present at the school."

What would be the cause of 150 students not physically attending school in the elementary grades in a town this small? ( only 97 students physically attending).
I am quite sure I am missing something!!

Maria

Cyber-school has become BIG in our area. We've met a lot through sports programs that are using it. For some, it is an alternative to home school. Other's use it on a year by year basis if their kids are struggling socially but not academically. Other's, when the parents are not happy with the teachers or administration of the schools themselves. Another group is parents whom travel a lot with their work and wish to keep the kids with them and go as a family.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

Cyber-school has become BIG in our area. We've met a lot through sports programs that are using it. For some, it is an alternative to home school. Other's use it on a year by year basis if their kids are struggling socially but not academically. Other's, when the parents are not happy with the teachers or administration of the schools themselves. Another group is parents whom travel a lot with their work and wish to keep the kids with them and go as a family.

Out here we call it Independent Study, in the beginning students only had to show up twice a month at school to turn in their assigned work, and pick up more. Now that they can do this online, some rarely go to school except when it's mandatory.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

No wonder it was mentioned that some of their friends were more difficult to track down. This could very well be the reason and it was nothing sinister.

 

[SeekingJana]

Out here we call it Independent Study, in the beginning students only had to show up twice a month at school to turn in their assigned work, and pick up more. Now that they can do this online, some rarely go to school except when it's mandatory.

OH WOW, I was born way too soon. I was a very smart kid who lived way out in the country. Doing independent study would have been a complete joy to me!! Loved the world, loved the academic work but hated being held back by other students. I had no clue schools were doing this, since my only living child is just out of college.
Maria