Everyone in the Twin Cities expects that children will be safe when they are at school school, if not from bullies and pop quizzes at least from teachers. Unfortunately, a horrifying story out of California reminds us that we absolutely must be vigilant about our children's safety at all times, including when they are at school.

That story concerns Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles. The entire staff of the school was recently dismissed after allegations surfaced there that at least three staff members had involved their students in lewd acts.

The first and most grievous allegations to surface were against a 61-year-old teacher who had worked at the school for 30 years. Allegedly, he took advantage of some of his students and photographed the acts as they were happening.

Next, school officials became aware of claims that a 49-year-old teacher who had taught at Miramonte for 26 years supposedly sexually abused two of his female students.

The third batch of claims to surface concerned a female teacher's aide who allegedly wrote a "love letter" to an 11-year-old student. The boy's mother said the letter was so strange and frightening that it "gave her chills."

Now, it is important to remember that at this point, these stories are nothing more than allegations. Nothing has been proven yet, and the accused are entitled to be presumed innocent until it is proven otherwise. Still, as we said, this story is a sad and frightening reminder that we all must always be very vigilant when it comes to the safety of our children.

Source: KABC-TV Los Angeles, "Miramonte Elementary School reopens with new staff," Melissa MacBride, Feb. 9, 2012