Montgomery County MD Schools- A Horrific Nightmare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is OP is one of the group of parents or their allies objecting to the LGBTQ+ books added to the curriculum last year, and removal of parental opt-out last Spring. They are trying their best to astroturf the debate and trash the whole district. Lame, but that's probably where it's coming from.

Just a bit of a reality check from a moderate MCPS parent; the school district and the Council overstepped here. They made the facile leap that all brown / immigrant people must be socially liberal. They're not; they're more conservative. The progressive agenda clumsily overstepped and they got slapped. This isn't really hard; MCPS has been too focused on equity and social justice and not focused enough on education and achievement, for a good ten years. It'd be OK / smart to acknowledge that and correct a bit, instead of digging in heels... but like everything, it's politicized and turned into a progressive acid test.

Amen! These woke curricula are spoonfed to them by activists with the design of a causing a stir that gets everyone riled up and upset. You can raise your kids woke and progressive if you want, but at your day job of running the schools please just be normal people and not weird activists when running the school system that is for all kids. Turn the temperature down, deal with people in a fair and decent manner and don't force them to file lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Are you really conflating rape with sex ed and students being allowed to decide when/if to disclose being trans to their parents?

That makes it hard to take you seriously.

I'm just saying that it's pretty sketchy that a school system that has massive problems with sexual assault by teachers and students and administrators would seek to impose explicit sex ed on elementary school students with no parental opt-out allowed, and also seek to cut parents out of being informed of their own young children transitioning genders.

OP-- What are you so afraid of? What exactly scares you about transgender people and gay people? Are you afraid that if your child hears about this they will turn gay or transgender? I just don't get it. What is the problem with talking about being gay or transgender, and what exactly do those two things have to do with rape and sexual assault? And please tell us what about sex ed is explicit. Please provide accurate examples of explicit sex ed that you have real knowledge of.

NP here. It's not the topic that bothers or concerns me. It concerns me that a school system has a policy in place of not sharing information with parents. For this particular topic, most on this thread are in agreement. You might not agree if the information were something that, as a parent, you thought you should be told.

On the contrary. In this case, the school system has a policy in place of not interfering in the parent-child relationship. Who should tell a parent about a child's [non-cis] gender identity and [non-het] sexual orientation? The child. Your child should be telling you about this. Not the school system.

PP here. I've worked in public schools for a long time. Of course, our children should be telling us; and my husband and I have always had a close relationship with our kids (now adults). The policy that's been published is far more than "not interfering in the parent-child relationship." Teachers have traditionally shared information and concerns with parents. It shouldn't be "us against them."

Some information and concerns, yes. Other information and concerns, no.

Who's making it "us against them" here? The people who are attacking the public school systems. They want it both ways. An English/Language Arts curriculum that includes a picture book about a girl whose uncle marries a man? Intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! A policy of allowing children their own communication with their parents about their gender identity and sexual orientation? Also intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! Go figure.

(Although actually there is an explanation for this apparent contradiction: namely, the belief that children are the property of their parents.)

Children are most definitely not the property of their parents, but parents or guardians are legally responsible for minors.

Many of the arguments around this policy do seem like they are coming from a baseline of control/ownership, however. Parents say the school should notify them if their child wants to use a new name, but why? What is the argument for something that minor beyond "It's mine and I want to control it."

I'm thinking of all the people I know who switched to new names/nicknames in junior high. Formerly Robbie, now Rob. Formerly Mike, now Michael. Formerly Chrissy, now Chris. Formerly Kate, now Cate. Formerly Pranath, now Shawn. Formerly Amy, now ami with a heart over the i. How could our parents have fulfilled their legal responsibilities to us without the school informing them and requiring their permission?!

Surely, you're aware that we're not talking about just the use of nicknames at school?

Actually we are talking exactly about that. The use of nicknames at school. See here, for example: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2023/08/10/pronouns-law-parents-annoyed-schools-must-report-nicknames-indianapolis-marion-hamilton-county/70562122007/

Please. That's just one small aspect of this policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

Montgomery County is the 7th best-educated county in the entire country, with nearly 33% holding an advanced degree. It is the 20th wealthiest in the entire country. The fact that it has managed to generate major parent protests, lawsuits, as well as rampant problems with drug abuse, sexual abuse, etc is a truly epic failure. And this is the future of many wealthy suburban school districts for the country- which will have a devastating impact for generations to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you really conflating rape with sex ed and students being allowed to decide when/if to disclose being trans to their parents?

That makes it hard to take you seriously.

I'm just saying that it's pretty sketchy that a school system that has massive problems with sexual assault by teachers and students and administrators would seek to impose explicit sex ed on elementary school students with no parental opt-out allowed, and also seek to cut parents out of being informed of their own young children transitioning genders.

OP-- What are you so afraid of? What exactly scares you about transgender people and gay people? Are you afraid that if your child hears about this they will turn gay or transgender? I just don't get it. What is the problem with talking about being gay or transgender, and what exactly do those two things have to do with rape and sexual assault? And please tell us what about sex ed is explicit. Please provide accurate examples of explicit sex ed that you have real knowledge of.

NP here. It's not the topic that bothers or concerns me. It concerns me that a school system has a policy in place of not sharing information with parents. For this particular topic, most on this thread are in agreement. You might not agree if the information were something that, as a parent, you thought you should be told.

On the contrary. In this case, the school system has a policy in place of not interfering in the parent-child relationship. Who should tell a parent about a child's [non-cis] gender identity and [non-het] sexual orientation? The child. Your child should be telling you about this. Not the school system.

PP here. I've worked in public schools for a long time. Of course, our children should be telling us; and my husband and I have always had a close relationship with our kids (now adults). The policy that's been published is far more than "not interfering in the parent-child relationship." Teachers have traditionally shared information and concerns with parents. It shouldn't be "us against them."

Some information and concerns, yes. Other information and concerns, no.

Who's making it "us against them" here? The people who are attacking the public school systems. They want it both ways. An English/Language Arts curriculum that includes a picture book about a girl whose uncle marries a man? Intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! A policy of allowing children their own communication with their parents about their gender identity and sexual orientation? Also intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! Go figure.

(Although actually there is an explanation for this apparent contradiction: namely, the belief that children are the property of their parents.)

Children are most definitely not the property of their parents, but parents or guardians are legally responsible for minors.

Many of the arguments around this policy do seem like they are coming from a baseline of control/ownership, however. Parents say the school should notify them if their child wants to use a new name, but why? What is the argument for something that minor beyond "It's mine and I want to control it."

I'm thinking of all the people I know who switched to new names/nicknames in junior high. Formerly Robbie, now Rob. Formerly Mike, now Michael. Formerly Chrissy, now Chris. Formerly Kate, now Cate. Formerly Pranath, now Shawn. Formerly Amy, now ami with a heart over the i. How could our parents have fulfilled their legal responsibilities to us without the school informing them and requiring their permission?!

Surely, you're aware that we're not talking about just the use of nicknames at school?

Actually we are talking exactly about that. The use of nicknames at school. See here, for example: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2023/08/10/pronouns-law-parents-annoyed-schools-must-report-nicknames-indianapolis-marion-hamilton-county/70562122007/

Please. That's just one small aspect of this policy.

Oh, indeed? What's the most major aspect of this policy, then, in your opinion? Are you concerned that a kid might take medication or undergo surgical procedures at school, without the school telling the parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is OP is one of the group of parents or their allies objecting to the LGBTQ+ books added to the curriculum last year, and removal of parental opt-out last Spring. They are trying their best to astroturf the debate and trash the whole district. Lame, but that's probably where it's coming from.

Just a bit of a reality check from a moderate MCPS parent; the school district and the Council overstepped here. They made the facile leap that all brown / immigrant people must be socially liberal. They're not; they're more conservative. The progressive agenda clumsily overstepped and they got slapped. This isn't really hard; MCPS has been too focused on equity and social justice and not focused enough on education and achievement, for a good ten years. It'd be OK / smart to acknowledge that and correct a bit, instead of digging in heels... but like everything, it's politicized and turned into a progressive acid test.

Amen! These woke curricula are spoonfed to them by activists with the design of a causing a stir that gets everyone riled up and upset. You can raise your kids woke and progressive if you want, but at your day job of running the schools please just be normal people and not weird activists when running the school system that is for all kids. Turn the temperature down, deal with people in a fair and decent manner and don't force them to file lawsuits.

Fact check: nobody was forced to file a lawsuit. Not filing a lawsuit is always an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

Exposed to a book with a girl whose uncle marries another dude? Oh the horror.

[Anonymous]

Glad you agree. For many people, it is not acceptable. And if MCPS embraces a diversity of opinion, they have to respect the large population that don’t want their kids to read these books. Why is it so hard to give them another book?? mcps promotes inclusion and acceptance, but only for certain groups. Bunch of liars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

Confused about what? Scared about what? Please explain!

Also, this is school. You're supposed to be learning. Confusion is a part of the learning process. If you're in school, and you're never confused, then you're not learning anything in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

dp.. I'm not a huge fan of the lgbtq push, but I'm not understanding why an ES would be "confused, scared" because they read a book about a kid who has two dads or two moms. There are many kids in MCPS who have gay parents. Why would that scare a child?

I think you are being a bit of a drama queen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad you agree. For many people, it is not acceptable. And if MCPS embraces a diversity of opinion, they have to respect the large population that don’t want their kids to read these books. Why is it so hard to give them another book?? mcps promotes inclusion and acceptance, but only for certain groups. Bunch of liars.

Should MCPS also make sure to assign those kids to teachers who are not gay? If a mere picture book is so objectionable, then an actual human being must be much, much worse? Or, why would the teacher be acceptable, but the book be unacceptable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

dp.. I'm not a huge fan of the lgbtq push, but I'm not understanding why an ES would be "confused, scared" because they read a book about a kid who has two dads or two moms. There are many kids in MCPS who have gay parents. Why would that scare a child?

I think you are being a bit of a drama queen.

(DP. Drama queen is just two letters different from drag queen, but less fabulous, alas.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Literally half of the top ten high schools in Maryland are in moco. No other county has that kind of representation. You really think these relatively high performing kids are dodging attacks, rapists and pedophiles that frequently? Don’t you think you are being hyperbolic ?

Are you a concerned parent? There are certainly many kids who would gladly take your kids spot. It seems like you have a lot of energy to invest in a legitimately failing school system instead of tilting at windmills here.

Judging from their comments, I don't even think OP has kids in MCPS. I'm not even sure they have kids in Maryland. Too many of the little "tells" suggest someone unfamiliar with the county, the ages of kids served, or the demographics.

I am OP, I grew up in MoCo and have lived in the DC area nearly my whole life. When I read about these kids being exposed to stuff like this, I think of myself as a confused, scared elementary school student at one of these schools and my heart breaks. I know it's a liberal county but I still have faith that sane people live here and that things will change. And I knew that I could find a bit of sanity here, and I was right- thank you all for your insight on a disturbing situation.

dp.. I'm not a huge fan of the lgbtq push, but I'm not understanding why an ES would be "confused, scared" because they read a book about a kid who has two dads or two moms. There are many kids in MCPS who have gay parents. Why would that scare a child?

I think you are being a bit of a drama queen.

(DP. Drama queen is just two letters different from drag queen, but less fabulous, alas.)

clearly OP takes exception to that, too.

IMO, drag queens are weird looking dudes who are like clowns. They are entertainers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you really conflating rape with sex ed and students being allowed to decide when/if to disclose being trans to their parents?

That makes it hard to take you seriously.

I'm just saying that it's pretty sketchy that a school system that has massive problems with sexual assault by teachers and students and administrators would seek to impose explicit sex ed on elementary school students with no parental opt-out allowed, and also seek to cut parents out of being informed of their own young children transitioning genders.

OP-- What are you so afraid of? What exactly scares you about transgender people and gay people? Are you afraid that if your child hears about this they will turn gay or transgender? I just don't get it. What is the problem with talking about being gay or transgender, and what exactly do those two things have to do with rape and sexual assault? And please tell us what about sex ed is explicit. Please provide accurate examples of explicit sex ed that you have real knowledge of.

NP here. It's not the topic that bothers or concerns me. It concerns me that a school system has a policy in place of not sharing information with parents. For this particular topic, most on this thread are in agreement. You might not agree if the information were something that, as a parent, you thought you should be told.

On the contrary. In this case, the school system has a policy in place of not interfering in the parent-child relationship. Who should tell a parent about a child's [non-cis] gender identity and [non-het] sexual orientation? The child. Your child should be telling you about this. Not the school system.

PP here. I've worked in public schools for a long time. Of course, our children should be telling us; and my husband and I have always had a close relationship with our kids (now adults). The policy that's been published is far more than "not interfering in the parent-child relationship." Teachers have traditionally shared information and concerns with parents. It shouldn't be "us against them."

Some information and concerns, yes. Other information and concerns, no.

Who's making it "us against them" here? The people who are attacking the public school systems. They want it both ways. An English/Language Arts curriculum that includes a picture book about a girl whose uncle marries a man? Intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! A policy of allowing children their own communication with their parents about their gender identity and sexual orientation? Also intolerable interference in the parent-child relationship! Go figure.

(Although actually there is an explanation for this apparent contradiction: namely, the belief that children are the property of their parents.)

Children are most definitely not the property of their parents, but parents or guardians are legally responsible for minors.

Many of the arguments around this policy do seem like they are coming from a baseline of control/ownership, however. Parents say the school should notify them if their child wants to use a new name, but why? What is the argument for something that minor beyond "It's mine and I want to control it."

I'm thinking of all the people I know who switched to new names/nicknames in junior high. Formerly Robbie, now Rob. Formerly Mike, now Michael. Formerly Chrissy, now Chris. Formerly Kate, now Cate. Formerly Pranath, now Shawn. Formerly Amy, now ami with a heart over the i. How could our parents have fulfilled their legal responsibilities to us without the school informing them and requiring their permission?!

Surely, you're aware that we're not talking about just the use of nicknames at school?

Actually we are talking exactly about that. The use of nicknames at school. See here, for example: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2023/08/10/pronouns-law-parents-annoyed-schools-must-report-nicknames-indianapolis-marion-hamilton-county/70562122007/

Please. That's just one small aspect of this policy.

Oh, indeed? What's the most major aspect of this policy, then, in your opinion? Are you concerned that a kid might take medication or undergo surgical procedures at school, without the school telling the parents?

PP here. You know what's in the documents. I'm not afraid of any of it. I'm just saying it covers far more than just a request to be called by a nickname.