Safety in schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:May 1 article:

'Rampant' drug use raises concern at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County

https://www.wjla.com/news/local/drugs-kennedy-high-school-montgomery-county-public-schools-board-education-hearing-testified-david-gebler-policy-change-concerns-crime

Weird article. Just a brief synopsis of events that already had coverage April 11

Well. One day after this report, and there's news of multiple overdoses at Kennedy. But because Chris Cram doesn't want to look stupid, he pushes the school to put out a community that vaguely describes them as "medical emergencies." Chris Cram is evil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What action items resulted from the safety meeting held at BCC HS? What did the stakeholders - students, parents, the school, MCPS, police, elected officials and others - say about improving safety at the school and across MCPS secondary schools?

What has MCPS done since the meeting(s) to address safety concerns in schools? Have they installed vape detectors? Other genius ideas by the Central Office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What action items resulted from the safety meeting held at BCC HS? What did the stakeholders - students, parents, the school, MCPS, police, elected officials and others - say about improving safety at the school and across MCPS secondary schools?

What has MCPS done since the meeting(s) to address safety concerns in schools? Have they installed vape detectors? Other genius ideas by the Central Office?

I'm sure MCPS will say they're still working on it....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher it is sometimes amusing to see admin talk to high schoolers like 2nd graders because of all the restrictions on accountability.

+1 the people who come with these programs like RJ and mental health wellness programs clearly don't know a thing about teens. My teens say that nobody takes those things seriously; they all think it's just one big joke.

Great use of time and resources. not.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Yes. This^ they need to enforce detention and have REAL consequences. It is a disservice to the student and community when they are not held to higher standards and face repercussion for breaking the rules. The drugs and fights in the boys bathrooms are out of control. How can we expect change if the schools do not change their reactions to this behavior.

This. Over and over again, this is what needs to happen. Whether it's for graffiti (anti-semetic or not), whether it's for vaping or drugs, whether it's for weapons.

Implementing metal detectors, or re-writing the Code of Conduct will do NOTHING to fix the issues until there are real and enforceable consequences for bad behavior.

Just rename the bathrooms the student lounge and consider the problem solved.

So, move the toilets and hand washing stations to elsewhere in the building.

I’ve actually suggested this in an only half joking way. I feel like back in the 80s there were acknowledged spots where kids that wanted to do drugs would hang out. We need a spot with no cameras where the kids that don’t care about achopl can engage in all this activity that is not the bathroom. So people can use the bathroom to pee.

Put the students engaging in non-bathroom stuff OUTSIDE. Let them freeze get hot who cares. Let the students who want and need to use the bathroom for what it is intended for use it without worrying!

Yep. MCPS doesn’t allow admin to enforce the rules anyway. Just quit the charade and let the kids vape and smoke weed OUTSIDE. Re-open the bathrooms for people who want to use them as intended.

Admin need to grow up and stop being these kids friends and regardless enforce the rules.

You can't blame Admin. Their hands are tied. They take orders from Central Office. They are directed not to enforce rules in order to be 'equitable'. They are directed to implement Restorative Justice practices instead of punishments. Admin is in a tough spot in MCPS.

If only they would make school more like kid prison.

If that's what it takes to get the schools under control, I'm all for it.

I personally think they're fine now. Why get all bent out of shape over a few kids vaping?

are you a teacher or admin in the school? If not, please do go teach at a HS then report back.

[Anonymous]

They're fine, it's fine, everything's fine - that should be on MCPS website instead of largest school district in MD or something

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher it is sometimes amusing to see admin talk to high schoolers like 2nd graders because of all the restrictions on accountability.

+1 the people who come with these programs like RJ and mental health wellness programs clearly don't know a thing about teens. My teens say that nobody takes those things seriously; they all think it's just one big joke.

Great use of time and resources. not.

Folks are making a lot of money off them...

[Anonymous]

what poster 1/29 18:24 stated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May 1 article:

'Rampant' drug use raises concern at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County

https://www.wjla.com/news/local/drugs-kennedy-high-school-montgomery-county-public-schools-board-education-hearing-testified-david-gebler-policy-change-concerns-crime

Weird article. Just a brief synopsis of events that already had coverage April 11

Well. One day after this report, and there's news of multiple overdoses at Kennedy. But because Chris Cram doesn't want to look stupid, he pushes the school to put out a community that vaguely describes them as "medical emergencies." Chris Cram is evil.

A meeting was held at Kennedy HS on Wed May 8 to address safety. In a response, that Cram puts blame on students for opening doors to strangers into the building. Does he stand at those doors himself to monitor? What does he do except repeat the same BS lines he has over the years?

[Anonymous]

[Safety concerns generate community discussion at Montgomery County’s Kennedy High School
Kate Ryan May 8, 2024, 6:00 PM

Concerns about safety and reports of drug use on campus at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County caused the Parent Teacher Student Association to call for a community meeting to discuss ways the school system and county officials can do more to keep the Maryland school safe.

Last month, Kennedy English teacher David Gebler and PTSA Vice President Ricky Ribeiro testified before the school board. This week, they expressed lingering concerns.

Ribeiro said he was alarmed last year when his son and his nephew, both of whom attended Kennedy, told him, “Kids were smoking Percocets in the bathroom.”

“I didn’t even know what that was,” Ribeiro said.

That same year, a Kennedy student died of an overdose off campus. Ribeiro said he’s been told by some parents that their kids were introduced to drugs at Kennedy.

“There are a lot of cracks in the system,” Ribeiro said.

Students continue to report problems, and some said they avoid the bathrooms altogether because they don’t feel safe, Gebler said.

“The kids often just say that they want the drugs gone,” he said, adding that he was speaking up out his own frustration.

When he testified before the Board of Education, Gebler said Kennedy is not alone in dealing with issues related to drugs and security.

“The kids at Kennedy are amazing, and they deserve better,” Gebler said.

Along with issues related to drug use and suspected drug transactions, there have been issues related to physical safety. Last month, someone carrying a knife trespassed on campus, causing the school to issue a “shelter-in-place.” That incident happened on the same day Montgomery County police held a news conference announcing the arrest of a student who was charged with a threat of mass violence at Wootton High School.

Ribeiro said he wants to see the same kind of response to security issues at Kennedy that he has seen at other schools, such as Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where a community meeting was held after incidents, including a carjacking allegedly involving BCC students, were reported.

Ribeiro said he wants a frank discussion.

“There’s a lot that happens in schools that is whispered or talked about in private but not said out loud,” he said. “I want this conversation to happen out loud.”

Asked about the issues at Kennedy, Christopher Cram, spokesman for Montgomery County Public Schools, wrote in an email, “Security matters are of significant importance and despite all that we do with our security vestibules and our Visitor Management System and the requirements for all exterior doors to be locked, it is unfortunate when a student may open a door to a stranger. This endangers everyone and they know better. One important action is increased vigilance in monitoring doors and bathrooms, which school leaders are doing now as a result of reports.”

Ribeiro also said tackling the issues isn’t up to just Kennedy High School or the Board of Education. He invited county officials to the meeting, as well.

“I’m under no illusion that this one conversation is going to change things, but I hope it’s the start of, you know, our school system and our police department and our county council putting their heads together.”

The meeting was scheduled at Kennedy’s school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“We need to start listening to the kids and we need to make the school safe. Because they deserve it,” Ribeiro said.]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Safety concerns generate community discussion at Montgomery County’s Kennedy High School
Kate Ryan May 8, 2024, 6:00 PM

Concerns about safety and reports of drug use on campus at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County caused the Parent Teacher Student Association to call for a community meeting to discuss ways the school system and county officials can do more to keep the Maryland school safe.

Last month, Kennedy English teacher David Gebler and PTSA Vice President Ricky Ribeiro testified before the school board. This week, they expressed lingering concerns.

Ribeiro said he was alarmed last year when his son and his nephew, both of whom attended Kennedy, told him, “Kids were smoking Percocets in the bathroom.”

“I didn’t even know what that was,” Ribeiro said.

That same year, a Kennedy student died of an overdose off campus. Ribeiro said he’s been told by some parents that their kids were introduced to drugs at Kennedy.

“There are a lot of cracks in the system,” Ribeiro said.

Students continue to report problems, and some said they avoid the bathrooms altogether because they don’t feel safe, Gebler said.

“The kids often just say that they want the drugs gone,” he said, adding that he was speaking up out his own frustration.

When he testified before the Board of Education, Gebler said Kennedy is not alone in dealing with issues related to drugs and security.

“The kids at Kennedy are amazing, and they deserve better,” Gebler said.

Along with issues related to drug use and suspected drug transactions, there have been issues related to physical safety. Last month, someone carrying a knife trespassed on campus, causing the school to issue a “shelter-in-place.” That incident happened on the same day Montgomery County police held a news conference announcing the arrest of a student who was charged with a threat of mass violence at Wootton High School.

Ribeiro said he wants to see the same kind of response to security issues at Kennedy that he has seen at other schools, such as Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where a community meeting was held after incidents, including a carjacking allegedly involving BCC students, were reported.

Ribeiro said he wants a frank discussion.

“There’s a lot that happens in schools that is whispered or talked about in private but not said out loud,” he said. “I want this conversation to happen out loud.”

Asked about the issues at Kennedy, Christopher Cram, spokesman for Montgomery County Public Schools, wrote in an email, “Security matters are of significant importance and despite all that we do with our security vestibules and our Visitor Management System and the requirements for all exterior doors to be locked, it is unfortunate when a student may open a door to a stranger. This endangers everyone and they know better. One important action is increased vigilance in monitoring doors and bathrooms, which school leaders are doing now as a result of reports.”

Ribeiro also said tackling the issues isn’t up to just Kennedy High School or the Board of Education. He invited county officials to the meeting, as well.

“I’m under no illusion that this one conversation is going to change things, but I hope it’s the start of, you know, our school system and our police department and our county council putting their heads together.”

The meeting was scheduled at Kennedy’s school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“We need to start listening to the kids and we need to make the school safe. Because they deserve it,” Ribeiro said.]

A poster will come here to say: MCPS schools are independent, Montgomery County Council only approves budget. Jawando was seen at the safety meeting on Jan 29. Did we ever hear what safety measures have been taken after the discussion in Jan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Safety concerns generate community discussion at Montgomery County’s Kennedy High School
Kate Ryan May 8, 2024, 6:00 PM

Concerns about safety and reports of drug use on campus at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County caused the Parent Teacher Student Association to call for a community meeting to discuss ways the school system and county officials can do more to keep the Maryland school safe.

Last month, Kennedy English teacher David Gebler and PTSA Vice President Ricky Ribeiro testified before the school board. This week, they expressed lingering concerns.

Ribeiro said he was alarmed last year when his son and his nephew, both of whom attended Kennedy, told him, “Kids were smoking Percocets in the bathroom.”

“I didn’t even know what that was,” Ribeiro said.

That same year, a Kennedy student died of an overdose off campus. Ribeiro said he’s been told by some parents that their kids were introduced to drugs at Kennedy.

“There are a lot of cracks in the system,” Ribeiro said.

Students continue to report problems, and some said they avoid the bathrooms altogether because they don’t feel safe, Gebler said.

“The kids often just say that they want the drugs gone,” he said, adding that he was speaking up out his own frustration.

When he testified before the Board of Education, Gebler said Kennedy is not alone in dealing with issues related to drugs and security.

“The kids at Kennedy are amazing, and they deserve better,” Gebler said.

Along with issues related to drug use and suspected drug transactions, there have been issues related to physical safety. Last month, someone carrying a knife trespassed on campus, causing the school to issue a “shelter-in-place.” That incident happened on the same day Montgomery County police held a news conference announcing the arrest of a student who was charged with a threat of mass violence at Wootton High School.

Ribeiro said he wants to see the same kind of response to security issues at Kennedy that he has seen at other schools, such as Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where a community meeting was held after incidents, including a carjacking allegedly involving BCC students, were reported.

Ribeiro said he wants a frank discussion.

“There’s a lot that happens in schools that is whispered or talked about in private but not said out loud,” he said. “I want this conversation to happen out loud.”

Asked about the issues at Kennedy, Christopher Cram, spokesman for Montgomery County Public Schools, wrote in an email, “Security matters are of significant importance and despite all that we do with our security vestibules and our Visitor Management System and the requirements for all exterior doors to be locked, it is unfortunate when a student may open a door to a stranger. This endangers everyone and they know better. One important action is increased vigilance in monitoring doors and bathrooms, which school leaders are doing now as a result of reports.”

Ribeiro also said tackling the issues isn’t up to just Kennedy High School or the Board of Education. He invited county officials to the meeting, as well.

“I’m under no illusion that this one conversation is going to change things, but I hope it’s the start of, you know, our school system and our police department and our county council putting their heads together.”

The meeting was scheduled at Kennedy’s school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

“We need to start listening to the kids and we need to make the school safe. Because they deserve it,” Ribeiro said.]

That guy again? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Hey DCUM, looky here what do we have? Another incident at another MCP HS today:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1204931.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey DCUM, looky here what do we have? Another incident at another MCP HS today:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1204931.page

In addition to yesterday's story, look at other ones from recent weeks:

Student found with a pellet gun at Clarksburg middle school May 9, 2024

Forest Oak Middle School staffer arrested for allegedly having loaded gun on campus April 17, 2024

Clarksburg High student arrested, charged with possession of gun April 23, 2024


Kennedy HS news up thread.

B threats forcing schools to shelter in place or evacuate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're fine, it's fine, everything's fine - that should be on MCPS website instead of largest school district in MD or something

agree can't get all that worked up over a few kids vaping