Fights at school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They won’t be expelled because, equity. So film away.

Then don't come to DCUM and complain if your DC gets a consequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

Look. No reason to cat fight. Our kids are here. We only know what we know but I trust the majority are making better decisions than that. This is a huge district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

Look. No reason to cat fight. Our kids are here. We only know what we know but I trust the majority are making better decisions than that. This is a huge district.

What I see is that MCPS administrators frequently fail to follow policy and the BOE doesn’t care as long as things don’t become public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

Look. No reason to cat fight. Our kids are here. We only know what we know but I trust the majority are making better decisions than that. This is a huge district.

You’re too trusting of a system that has done nothing to warrant or earn your trust. Even if it’s not the “majority” of principals as you say, even if 20% engage in this behavior it’s very problematic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

Look. No reason to cat fight. Our kids are here. We only know what we know but I trust the majority are making better decisions than that. This is a huge district.

You’re too trusting of a system that has done nothing to warrant or earn your trust. Even if it’s not the “majority” of principals as you say, even if 20% engage in this behavior it’s very problematic.

Look …if you are trying to go there, fine. The rot in MCPS is at the top. I am not excusing anyone for the decisions they made at the school level. They need to own that. But I guarantee many orders also came from the top rot. And 20% are not engaging in this behavior 100% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between recording a fight and disseminating a video. I would think recording it and not sharing it publicly would not be a violation of the MCPS code.

Sharing could be bullying or other things.

This. I don't see how filming a fight alone could be punishable. School is a public place and no one has a right of privacy there. There is no right not to be filmed in a public place. That goes for filming staff as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if your child films a fight at school during school hours? Do they get in trouble for filming it?

Your child gets in real trouble for violating the tech policy while the students who got in the fight get RJ and the principal gets nothing for violating the policy on notifying police. This seems odd but only your child put MCPS’s reputation at risk by creating evidence, so it’s only right that they face the most severe consequences.

What? This makes no sense.

I said it seemed odd but you have to remember that the number one priority of MCPS is preventing bad news from coming out and covering up evidence of assaults in schools is a vital pillar of MCPS’s public affairs strategy. When someone records the assault, it’s much harder for MCPS to cover it up. Therefore, MCPS must punish that student most severely and admonish the community not to take videos. This is really just common sense.

Ok..that's what I thought you said. You don't work for MCPS then? I don't think the average principal has that motive to cover anything up? Definitely a few I'm sure...but I think most admin are just trying to do what's right and keep students safe.

What’s an average principal? Was the Damascus principal who tried to handle the brooming attack herself an average principal? What about the Lakelands Park Middle School principal whose letter told people not to record fights but didn’t mention not wailing on each other? What about the former Farquhar Middle School principal? What about the BCC principal whose first email after the WJ assaults congratulated everyone on a great first week but didn’t mention the assaults?

There are 210 principals in MCPS. Hundreds more assistant principals. Those individuals made horrible decisions, yes. But the vast majority do not.

What about the Paint Branch principal who failed to handle a hate/bias complaint according to policy? What level of confidence do you have that any MCPS administrator at the school or CO level will handle a serious incident according to the policy? For the incidents that make the news, it seems appears that substantially all principals make horrible decisions when given the opportunity.

Look. No reason to cat fight. Our kids are here. We only know what we know but I trust the majority are making better decisions than that. This is a huge district.

You’re too trusting of a system that has done nothing to warrant or earn your trust. Even if it’s not the “majority” of principals as you say, even if 20% engage in this behavior it’s very problematic.

Look …if you are trying to go there, fine. The rot in MCPS is at the top. I am not excusing anyone for the decisions they made at the school level. They need to own that. But I guarantee many orders also came from the top rot. And 20% are not engaging in this behavior 100% of the time.

I can agree that most principals aren’t doing this of their own volition. CO or abusive superiors are definitely steering these misbehaviors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between recording a fight and disseminating a video. I would think recording it and not sharing it publicly would not be a violation of the MCPS code.

Sharing could be bullying or other things.

This. I don't see how filming a fight alone could be punishable. School is a public place and no one has a right of privacy there. There is no right not to be filmed in a public place. That goes for filming staff as well.

What? Not at all. You absolutely not allowed to film ANYONE in a school building. It’s not a public place!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between recording a fight and disseminating a video. I would think recording it and not sharing it publicly would not be a violation of the MCPS code.

Sharing could be bullying or other things.

This. I don't see how filming a fight alone could be punishable. School is a public place and no one has a right of privacy there. There is no right not to be filmed in a public place. That goes for filming staff as well.

So that means I can just walk into any government-owned building and start recording?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For what it's worth, here is MCPS's policy on personal cell phones. Might answer some questions. Not even allowed to have the phone out for many levels. So it seems recording ANYTHING if the school has a no cell phone policy during lunch/outside class is already a violation. That's why students get in trouble I imagine. What kind of trouble? Depends on what was recorded and the impact I imagine.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/elementary-schools/t-w/wyngatees/cog-ra---personal-mobile-devices-regulation-for-mcps-students.pdf


Elementary school students may use PMDs before and after the student day.
Elementary school students are not permitted to use PMDs during
instructional periods, lunch periods, or between classes/during transitional
time.
3. Middle school students may use PMDs before and after the student day.
Middle school students are not permitted to use PMDs between
classes/during transitional time. Instructional use may be permitted at the
teacher’s discretion. Use during lunch periods may be permitted at the
principal’s discretion, in collaboration with the school leadership team.


F. MCPS monitors and reserves the right to investigate all PMDs and PMD activity
on the MCPS network.
1. PMDs may be confiscated by school authorities if they are used in a manner
inconsistent with Montgomery County Board of Education policies or
MCPS regulations or rules.
2. Principals may temporarily suspend the use of PMDs on MCPS property if
they are used in a manner inconsistent with this or other Board policies,
MCPS regulations, or rules.
G. In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct in MCPS, information may not be
communicated using a PMD if it violates the privacy of others, jeopardizes the
health or safety of students, is obscene or libelous, causes disruption of school
activities, plagiarizes the work of others, or is a commercial advertisement.
H. Any student who violates this regulation will be subject to disciplinary action, in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct in MCPS.
4. High school students may use PMDs before and after the student day and
during the student lunch periods. Instructional use may be permitted at the
teacher’s discretion. Use between classes/during transitional time may be
permitted at the principal’s discretion, in collaboration with the school
leadership team.

Good luck getting admin at high schools to enforce any of this. They have have given up at my high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between recording a fight and disseminating a video. I would think recording it and not sharing it publicly would not be a violation of the MCPS code.

Sharing could be bullying or other things.

This. I don't see how filming a fight alone could be punishable. School is a public place and no one has a right of privacy there. There is no right not to be filmed in a public place. That goes for filming staff as well.

So that means I can just walk into any government-owned building and start recording?

For the most part yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between recording a fight and disseminating a video. I would think recording it and not sharing it publicly would not be a violation of the MCPS code.

Sharing could be bullying or other things.

This. I don't see how filming a fight alone could be punishable. School is a public place and no one has a right of privacy there. There is no right not to be filmed in a public place. That goes for filming staff as well.

What? Not at all. You absolutely not allowed to film ANYONE in a school building. It’s not a public place!!

But it is 🤣🤣🤣