Several readers have complained that the New Haven Register blew out of proportion a story about Hamden sixth graders fashioning prison-style weapons out of pencil sharpeners. It appeared on the front page of the Register's print edition Saturday.
"I can't believe you would print this garbage on page 1," one reader said in comments on the online story. "Slow news day?"
The same reader said the principal of the school in question was right to send parents a letter warning them about the phenomenon.
And that is exactly what pushed this story from one somewhat hard-to-believe rumor about scary student behavior to a page one story. The principal took it seriously, and so there is either a story if you believe it's a scary trend or if you believe the principal went overboard.
That being said, a topic worthy of discussion is how well the Register puts into context stories about the "extreme exception."
Hamden sixth graders aren't stabbing each other left and right. Eleven-year-olds aren't shanking each other in gym class.
So how do you report what is an interesting - and alarming - story, without giving the wrong impression? What do you think?

Several readers have challenged the wisdom of reporting on, and prominent placement of, a story about Hamden sixth graders fashioning prison-style weapons out of disassembled pencil sharpeners. (More on that here.)
One reader said she did a little bit of research and found that the author of the article, New Haven Register staff writer Amanda Pinto, is Facebook friends with one of the sources for the story.
This is worth clarifying.
Our reporters and editors make extensive use of social media, including Facebook, Twitter and newer tools such as Google+ and Foursquare, to find story tips and identify new sources.
They become "friends" with sources, potential sources and community members in an attempt to find and enrich stories just like this one.
It does not mean that they are personal friends with every Facebook "friend" - or have even met them in person.