WP - "Incident" in Outdoor Classroom Overnight Field Trip

[Anonymous]

What happened?

"Arlington Public Schools has suspended overnight field trips to the Outdoor Lab after an “incident” at the campsite and natural classroom in Fauquier County. School officials declined to provide more details, but said an investigation had been launched."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/04/25/arlington-schools-suspend-outdoor-lab/

[Anonymous]

Dear Oakridge Community,

Following up on our communication from yesterday to all fifth-grade families, as you may be aware the Fauquier County Sherrif’s Department was present at the Outdoor Lab on Thu, March 30. Law Enforcement is investigating an allegation of a sexual incident between two students that occurred overnight early Thursday morning. The families of the students involved have been contacted. We can imagine that many families are concerned about the safety of their children, please know the well-being of all students remains the highest priority of Oakridge and APS.
Because of privacy laws, the nature of the incident, and that there is an ongoing APS and police investigation, additional details cannot be shared. Additional staff have been available to fifth-grade classrooms this morning, and any student who has feels they need additional support may speak with our school counselors, school psychologist, and school social worker.

Thank you for your continued partnership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear Oakridge Community,

Following up on our communication from yesterday to all fifth-grade families, as you may be aware the Fauquier County Sherrif’s Department was present at the Outdoor Lab on Thu, March 30. Law Enforcement is investigating an allegation of a sexual incident between two students that occurred overnight early Thursday morning. The families of the students involved have been contacted. We can imagine that many families are concerned about the safety of their children, please know the well-being of all students remains the highest priority of Oakridge and APS.
Because of privacy laws, the nature of the incident, and that there is an ongoing APS and police investigation, additional details cannot be shared. Additional staff have been available to fifth-grade classrooms this morning, and any student who has feels they need additional support may speak with our school counselors, school psychologist, and school social worker.

Thank you for your continued partnership

OMG

[Anonymous]

Sadly in the majority of cases were incidents like this are happening at this age, it’s because the aggressor has been previously abused. Very sad and disturbing situation all around.

[Anonymous]

Where are the administrators and teachers? Where is the oversight? Our teachers/chaperones used to be required to take turns staying up at night to ensure that everyone stayed in their rooms, no drinking/drug use/no unusual sounds, etc. We even escorted kids to the bathrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are the administrators and teachers? Where is the oversight? Our teachers/chaperones used to be required to take turns staying up at night to ensure that everyone stayed in their rooms, no drinking/drug use/no unusual sounds, etc. We even escorted kids to the bathrooms.

They are in tents alone.

[Anonymous]

Stop! This could have been something like:

Boy 1 has crush on boy 2. Boy 1 thinks feelings are mutual and makes some kind of move. Feelings are not mutual and Boy 2 freaks out and cries assault. Let’s not assume the worst here.

[Anonymous]

There is no way chaperones could have prevented this unless there was a teacher per tent and that is problematic in itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop! This could have been something like:

Boy 1 has crush on boy 2. Boy 1 thinks feelings are mutual and makes some kind of move. Feelings are not mutual and Boy 2 freaks out and cries assault. Let’s not assume the worst here.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop! This could have been something like:

Boy 1 has crush on boy 2. Boy 1 thinks feelings are mutual and makes some kind of move. Feelings are not mutual and Boy 2 freaks out and cries assault. Let’s not assume the worst here.

In 5th grade? No, that's not developmentally appropriate to know/understand "the moves". Keep in mind police were called. This was an incident,

[Anonymous]

Cries assault?? A 5th grader? No.

[Anonymous]

If kids can't be monitored and kept safe, then these types of trips should not take place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't be monitored and kept safe, then these types of trips should not take place.

+1000

[Anonymous]

People. One child accused another of touching him inappropriately. We don’t know more than that so can everyone chill out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People. One child accused another of touching him inappropriately. We don’t know more than that so can everyone chill out?

They wouldn't have put out a letter and put a stop to these trips for an inappropriate "touch."