Violence in Kindergarten- Sligo Creek Elementary

[Anonymous]

Our lovely elementary school has seen an uptick in violence by kids in kindergarten. A small number of students are doing most of it, but there seems to be a generally high level of violent amongst many of the kids.

Yes I know- these are 5/6 year olds but things are getting crazy and the principal seems to do nothing about it.

So far we have had kids knocked out cold, kids getting punched in the face/ hurt regularly. One kindergarten teacher (1st year teacher) quit suddenly and today another teacher was hurt so badly when a kindergartener throw a water bottle at her she had to go to hospital with a bleeding wound.

The violence is traumatizing our kids. I am worried more teachers will quit. All kids are behind in reading and math!!

Is anything we can do to pressure the principal to get help for the violent kids? At what point do they get excluded or sent to another school which can handle them?

[Anonymous]

Wow. I don't even know what to say. There's very little MCPS is willing to do when it comes to violence at the elementary level.

[Anonymous]

I have a hard time believing this is true, but if it is, contact the local media to run a story and put pressure on the school/district.

[Anonymous]

I am also hearing of issues along these lines coming out of SCES. It seems like part of the issue is lack of adequate supervision during recess. I know that this is a staffing issue not limited to SCES of course.

[Anonymous]

I think contacting the local news is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think contacting the local news is a good idea.

What’s the best source to go to?

[Anonymous]

Call the police and press charges.

[Anonymous]

What in the holy hell???

OP if this were my child’s kindergarten class, I would become that principals worst nightmare of a parent.

[Anonymous]

Get your kid out of there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call the police and press charges.

Against a 5 year old? Police can't and wont' do anything.

[Anonymous]

I do hope OP goes to the media. This needs to be investigated. I do understand why she may not be willing to do that as MCPS has a pretty strong vindictive streak.

I also hope OP is not spreading rumors (this is impossible to verify here). I am getting the impression that school safety is going to be a big issue in the BOE race and some candidates may be trying to stoke fear to win votes. I am concerned about school safety but exaggeration does nobody any good.

[Anonymous]

Things like this keep happening because principals and teachers have their hands tied. Parents who are not witnessing it first hand keep denying it, but it is a widespread issue. I am so sorry to hear about these specific issues and agree that a small group of aggressive students keep everyone hostage. And of course the teachers are quitting!

Violent kids are in the classrooms with no way to remove them. Elementary principals are not allowed to suspend kids or keep them out. Therefore, with no ability to discipline, children and teachers are getting hurt and academics are being impacted. What a mess!

And for those who continually deny this is happening…why???

For what you can do, email the principal and higher about what they are doing to keep your child safe. Keep focus about your own child but be persistent. Have others do the same. If you stay quiet, nothing will change!

[Anonymous]

Go read the r/teachers subreddit. This is a universal problem in schools today and there is no discipline for these children.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a mental health issue. These kids are not in the right place and need much more supervision and a different kind of instruction. And the other kids and teachers are of course paying a horrible price. Just awful. I agree the media should catalyst some sort of action.

It may be tempting to say “discipline” but even if you could suspend a 5 year old do you think that would reach a kid causing a bleeding wound to kindergarten teacher?? These kids need a different placement. My condolences to all involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things like this keep happening because principals and teachers have their hands tied. Parents who are not witnessing it first hand keep denying it, but it is a widespread issue. I am so sorry to hear about these specific issues and agree that a small group of aggressive students keep everyone hostage. And of course the teachers are quitting!

Violent kids are in the classrooms with no way to remove them. Elementary principals are not allowed to suspend kids or keep them out. Therefore, with no ability to discipline, children and teachers are getting hurt and academics are being impacted. What a mess!

And for those who continually deny this is happening…why???

For what you can do, email the principal and higher about what they are doing to keep your child safe. Keep focus about your own child but be persistent. Have others do the same. If you stay quiet, nothing will change!

All of this.
The ones who can afford it go to private.
Everyone else is stuck.
I absolutely believe OP. Classrooms get destroyed regularly; the kids aren’t SPED.

Signed,
A Public school teacher