Another violent incident at a MCPS school

[Anonymous]

At some point, y’all are going to realize this isn’t normal in most high schools. My daughter spent a year in a well-regarded MOCO high school. We realized within the first quarter that it was a mistake. The only saving grace was the IB program. We still pulled her out and transferred.

My son graduated last year from a high school in a different state. He was suspended (in-school suspension) for three days because a teacher overheard him say “damn” when he dropped his phone. Three days for cursing. There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. There was one fight his entire senior year and it was after a football game. No weapons ever found. No drugs ever found. Zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.

Until schools start kicking these kids out, the problems will continue. What happens to kids who are suspended? Who cares? They are no longer the schools’ problem. Let ‘em get right or go to jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At some point, y’all are going to realize this isn’t normal in most high schools. My daughter spent a year in a well-regarded MOCO high school. We realized within the first quarter that it was a mistake. The only saving grace was the IB program. We still pulled her out and transferred.

My son graduated last year from a high school in a different state. He was suspended (in-school suspension) for three days because a teacher overheard him say “damn” when he dropped his phone. Three days for cursing. There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. There was one fight his entire senior year and it was after a football game. No weapons ever found. No drugs ever found. Zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.

Until schools start kicking these kids out, the problems will continue. What happens to kids who are suspended? Who cares? They are no longer the schools’ problem. Let ‘em get right or go to jail.

Yup. I agree 100%.

MCPS should do what they do in Florida. Set up a virtual HS and kid the violent and disruptive kids out, tell them if they return to school property they will be arrested for trespassing and give them a login for virtual HS school if they want to complete their education. They are not learning anything in school anyway and preventing other kids who actually want to learn the ability to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At some point, y’all are going to realize this isn’t normal in most high schools. My daughter spent a year in a well-regarded MOCO high school. We realized within the first quarter that it was a mistake. The only saving grace was the IB program. We still pulled her out and transferred.

My son graduated last year from a high school in a different state. He was suspended (in-school suspension) for three days because a teacher overheard him say “damn” when he dropped his phone. Three days for cursing. There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. There was one fight his entire senior year and it was after a football game. No weapons ever found. No drugs ever found. Zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.

Until schools start kicking these kids out, the problems will continue. What happens to kids who are suspended? Who cares? They are no longer the schools’ problem. Let ‘em get right or go to jail.

This is 100% correct. Tbh, we left MoCo and moved, but I still lurk on this board bc we have family and friends currently dealing with MCPS.

People have gotten so used to that they think its norm; its not.

There needs to be both the carrot and the stick to control student behavior. Right now, I'm not sure there's either?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

Theft of used shoes is literally theft of <$50. No it’s not a felony FFS!

It’s neither serious nor trauma but it does require discipline.

Well, not to nitpicking, but used sneakers routinely go for 75-100 bucks.

But let me tell you, I got mugged. As an adult. And I probably lost about 50 bucks in cash and my old wallet. I cancelled all cards. So at the end of the day, I was out 50 bucks plus the cost of a new wallet.

And it was traumatic AF.

The cost of the theft is irrelevant to the fear/trauma inflected.

Plus, layer in that the victim is a CHILD!!!!! And that victim deserves the respect. They should not have to sit in a class with or pass their mugger in a hallway.

In case you can't tell, the community is starting to get frustrated with MCPS' approach to discipline.

And for all the posters who are saying this is just reflective of the increased crime in the community: where do you think all those criminals in the community first started? They started with stunts like this. If we want to improve crime in 5-8 years, we need to teach these young men and women at the early age that theft and violence is unacceptable and has severe consequences.

But to nitpick but unless the shoes cost >$500 it’s a misdemeanor.

The assault and battery with no bodily harm is also a misdemeanor and a juvenile offense literally has no criminal consequences.

Actually assaults like these in society come from not educating kids and putting them in the criminal justice system at an early age. Denying them an education will lead them to assault in the future.

We educate people for society not for the children.

I don’t think the victim should ever see them again and the perps should move.

Your reflexive reaction based in your own trauma is delusional.

Denying them an education? What education are these kids getting at Northwood? My kid is at Northwood and he said these kids always skip classes and roam the hallways. What is the point of insisting that kids like this must stay in regular school. Several of the kids who assaulted the kid and took his shoes have caused fights and been suspended several times. Yet they keep returning to the detriment of all the other kids at the school.

These kids? Which kids? You know the 4 in the bathroom?

Which kids do you mean?

Yes. Everyone at the school knows exactly which kids these are. The police were in the hallway trying to deal with the miscreants.

So police are in the hallways trying to police kids that haven’t even done anything wrong yet based on some assumptions you make about them. Thanks for proving everybody’s point about SRO’s being bad.

Miscreant (n) - a person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law
So… the PP’s post does NOT show SROs being bad.
(I’d also argue that your “everybody” is misplaced since it appears most people on this thread support SROs.)

If they have already acted badly or broken a law then you don’t just “know who they are” you see them break them law and you react to their actions.

But what PP actually meant is there are black/Hispanic/disabled kids who act in a way that is loud/bad grades/annoying/don’t pay attention and SROs should target those kid for criminal interaction because she only want well behaved, quiet, studious kids with her child. And that is why people don’t want SROs

Being a bad student is not a crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://wjla.com/news/local/four-northwood-high-school-students-rob-fellow-student-in-bathroom-police-sources-say

This link is working

We need resource officers at schools to keep everyone safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At some point, y’all are going to realize this isn’t normal in most high schools. My daughter spent a year in a well-regarded MOCO high school. We realized within the first quarter that it was a mistake. The only saving grace was the IB program. We still pulled her out and transferred.

My son graduated last year from a high school in a different state. He was suspended (in-school suspension) for three days because a teacher overheard him say “damn” when he dropped his phone. Three days for cursing. There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. There was one fight his entire senior year and it was after a football game. No weapons ever found. No drugs ever found. Zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.

Until schools start kicking these kids out, the problems will continue. What happens to kids who are suspended? Who cares? They are no longer the schools’ problem. Let ‘em get right or go to jail.

This is 100% correct. Tbh, we left MoCo and moved, but I still lurk on this board bc we have family and friends currently dealing with MCPS.

People have gotten so used to that they think its norm; its not.

There needs to be both the carrot and the stick to control student behavior. Right now, I'm not sure there's either?

Leadership has failed students in the middle school and high school. So sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sadly this isn't uncommon. Ask your kids to show you TikTok and Snapchat videos of fights happening at their schools.

This. My kid pretty much avoids going to the bathroom all day at school.

It is a hardship. holding may cause issues long term

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are people going to do about it?

MCPS is focused on equity nothing else. Everything is secondary now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:News article said "There is a growing call for the SRO program to be reinstated. However, politicians including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) continue to maintain schools are safest without SROs in them."
Stupid moron living in a bubble. Can we get rid of this guy? He is old and doesn't even have kids in MCPS. Most of the County Council don't either.

+1 I’m a Democrat and I want him gone and SROs back in schools. Hell, the whole County Council and the Board of Ed can go too. I would consider voting for a candidate that supports school vouchers so parents can have tax dollars to choose a private option if their public school is not safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are people going to do about it?

MCPS is focused on equity nothing else. Everything is secondary now.

There is no such thing as equity and we cannot say no discipline to protect students simply because of their skin color and ignore their behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:News article said "There is a growing call for the SRO program to be reinstated. However, politicians including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) continue to maintain schools are safest without SROs in them."
Stupid moron living in a bubble. Can we get rid of this guy? He is old and doesn't even have kids in MCPS. Most of the County Council don't either.

+1 I’m a Democrat and I want him gone and SROs back in schools. Hell, the whole County Council and the Board of Ed can go too. I would consider voting for a candidate that supports school vouchers so parents can have tax dollars to choose a private option if their public school is not safe.

We don't have enough private schools for families to go to and most are $50K+ so a voucher will not help the families who actually need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

Theft of used shoes is literally theft of <$50. No it’s not a felony FFS!

It’s neither serious nor trauma but it does require discipline.

Well, not to nitpicking, but used sneakers routinely go for 75-100 bucks.

But let me tell you, I got mugged. As an adult. And I probably lost about 50 bucks in cash and my old wallet. I cancelled all cards. So at the end of the day, I was out 50 bucks plus the cost of a new wallet.

And it was traumatic AF.

The cost of the theft is irrelevant to the fear/trauma inflected.

Plus, layer in that the victim is a CHILD!!!!! And that victim deserves the respect. They should not have to sit in a class with or pass their mugger in a hallway.

In case you can't tell, the community is starting to get frustrated with MCPS' approach to discipline.

And for all the posters who are saying this is just reflective of the increased crime in the community: where do you think all those criminals in the community first started? They started with stunts like this. If we want to improve crime in 5-8 years, we need to teach these young men and women at the early age that theft and violence is unacceptable and has severe consequences.

But to nitpick but unless the shoes cost >$500 it’s a misdemeanor.

The assault and battery with no bodily harm is also a misdemeanor and a juvenile offense literally has no criminal consequences.

Actually assaults like these in society come from not educating kids and putting them in the criminal justice system at an early age. Denying them an education will lead them to assault in the future.

We educate people for society not for the children.

I don’t think the victim should ever see them again and the perps should move.

Your reflexive reaction based in your own trauma is delusional.

Denying them an education? What education are these kids getting at Northwood? My kid is at Northwood and he said these kids always skip classes and roam the hallways. What is the point of insisting that kids like this must stay in regular school. Several of the kids who assaulted the kid and took his shoes have caused fights and been suspended several times. Yet they keep returning to the detriment of all the other kids at the school.

These kids? Which kids? You know the 4 in the bathroom?

Which kids do you mean?

Yes. Everyone at the school knows exactly which kids these are. The police were in the hallway trying to deal with the miscreants.

So police are in the hallways trying to police kids that haven’t even done anything wrong yet based on some assumptions you make about them. Thanks for proving everybody’s point about SRO’s being bad.

Miscreant (n) - a person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law
So… the PP’s post does NOT show SROs being bad.
(I’d also argue that your “everybody” is misplaced since it appears most people on this thread support SROs.)

If they have already acted badly or broken a law then you don’t just “know who they are” you see them break them law and you react to their actions.

But what PP actually meant is there are black/Hispanic/disabled kids who act in a way that is loud/bad grades/annoying/don’t pay attention and SROs should target those kid for criminal interaction because she only want well behaved, quiet, studious kids with her child. And that is why people don’t want SROs

Being a bad student is not a crime.

You are correct. Being a bad student is not a crime. That’s also not what the PP posted about. Students who have assaulted others (including teachers) are not “bad students.” That’s not the concern. It’s that they are bad for the school environment. Would you disagree? It isn’t about having bad grades. It isn’t about refusing to pay attention in class. It’s about endangering others. Teachers deal with the minor things you mention. SROs deal with the larger infractions. This also isn’t about race. This is about safety. Many of us know this and we want SROs. I speak from the perspective of a parent and as a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

Theft of used shoes is literally theft of <$50. No it’s not a felony FFS!

It’s neither serious nor trauma but it does require discipline.

Well, not to nitpicking, but used sneakers routinely go for 75-100 bucks.

But let me tell you, I got mugged. As an adult. And I probably lost about 50 bucks in cash and my old wallet. I cancelled all cards. So at the end of the day, I was out 50 bucks plus the cost of a new wallet.

And it was traumatic AF.

The cost of the theft is irrelevant to the fear/trauma inflected.

Plus, layer in that the victim is a CHILD!!!!! And that victim deserves the respect. They should not have to sit in a class with or pass their mugger in a hallway.

In case you can't tell, the community is starting to get frustrated with MCPS' approach to discipline.

And for all the posters who are saying this is just reflective of the increased crime in the community: where do you think all those criminals in the community first started? They started with stunts like this. If we want to improve crime in 5-8 years, we need to teach these young men and women at the early age that theft and violence is unacceptable and has severe consequences.

But to nitpick but unless the shoes cost >$500 it’s a misdemeanor.

The assault and battery with no bodily harm is also a misdemeanor and a juvenile offense literally has no criminal consequences.

Actually assaults like these in society come from not educating kids and putting them in the criminal justice system at an early age. Denying them an education will lead them to assault in the future.

We educate people for society not for the children.

I don’t think the victim should ever see them again and the perps should move.

Your reflexive reaction based in your own trauma is delusional.

Denying them an education? What education are these kids getting at Northwood? My kid is at Northwood and he said these kids always skip classes and roam the hallways. What is the point of insisting that kids like this must stay in regular school. Several of the kids who assaulted the kid and took his shoes have caused fights and been suspended several times. Yet they keep returning to the detriment of all the other kids at the school.

These kids? Which kids? You know the 4 in the bathroom?

Which kids do you mean?

Yes. Everyone at the school knows exactly which kids these are. The police were in the hallway trying to deal with the miscreants.

So police are in the hallways trying to police kids that haven’t even done anything wrong yet based on some assumptions you make about them. Thanks for proving everybody’s point about SRO’s being bad.

Miscreant (n) - a person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law
So… the PP’s post does NOT show SROs being bad.
(I’d also argue that your “everybody” is misplaced since it appears most people on this thread support SROs.)

If they have already acted badly or broken a law then you don’t just “know who they are” you see them break them law and you react to their actions.

But what PP actually meant is there are black/Hispanic/disabled kids who act in a way that is loud/bad grades/annoying/don’t pay attention and SROs should target those kid for criminal interaction because she only want well behaved, quiet, studious kids with her child. And that is why people don’t want SROs

Being a bad student is not a crime.

No, what they are saying is they don't care about the education, but they want kids who are black/hispanic/students of color/disabled to get a free pass on any bad/violent or serious behavior just based off their skin color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:News article said "There is a growing call for the SRO program to be reinstated. However, politicians including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) continue to maintain schools are safest without SROs in them."
Stupid moron living in a bubble. Can we get rid of this guy? He is old and doesn't even have kids in MCPS. Most of the County Council don't either.

+1 I’m a Democrat and I want him gone and SROs back in schools. Hell, the whole County Council and the Board of Ed can go too. I would consider voting for a candidate that supports school vouchers so parents can have tax dollars to choose a private option if their public school is not safe.

We don't have enough private schools for families to go to and most are $50K+ so a voucher will not help the families who actually need it.

Many do have need based aid. I know because my child transferred to a private that offered him a scholarship after we reported bullying in a MCPS high school. We appealed the school’s denial at every level all the way to the Board of Ed. The response was that no bullying was occurring even though we had screenshots to prove what was online and who the perpetrators were.

With the scholarship, I got my son out of the hell that was his MCPS school. It would be great if the victim had that type of opportunity for safety.

One last thing about vouchers, I believe that they would make MCPS work harder for the students. If students don’t feel safe and they can get a voucher to go elsewhere, then students leave MCPS. Student enrollment drives funding. So having to compete for students means that they would be incentivized to listen to student and parental concerns then address the concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At some point, y’all are going to realize this isn’t normal in most high schools. My daughter spent a year in a well-regarded MOCO high school. We realized within the first quarter that it was a mistake. The only saving grace was the IB program. We still pulled her out and transferred.

My son graduated last year from a high school in a different state. He was suspended (in-school suspension) for three days because a teacher overheard him say “damn” when he dropped his phone. Three days for cursing. There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. There was one fight his entire senior year and it was after a football game. No weapons ever found. No drugs ever found. Zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.

Until schools start kicking these kids out, the problems will continue. What happens to kids who are suspended? Who cares? They are no longer the schools’ problem. Let ‘em get right or go to jail.

Yup. I agree 100%.

MCPS should do what they do in Florida. Set up a virtual HS and kid the violent and disruptive kids out, tell them if they return to school property they will be arrested for trespassing and give them a login for virtual HS school if they want to complete their education. They are not learning anything in school anyway and preventing other kids who actually want to learn the ability to do so.

We have a virtual program but its not for the bad kids.