Kids arrested outside of Whitman for selling coke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As soon as MCPS staff would try to crack down on this, the ridiculously privileged Whitman parents would swarm in with lawyers to make sure their spoiled kids are protected from consequences and that nothing happens to that perfect college application they've spent their whole lives scripting. They'd make the teacher's life hell. Come on. Get real. Whitman parents would talk the "MCPS woulda coulda shoulda" talk until suddenly precious Larlo got implicated and then it would be full guns blazing against those same teachers. This is a parenting problem and a rich kid problem common in schools all over the world.

Yes, this exactly!
Remember those parties about a decade ago or so where Whitman/Churchill parents used to serve alcohol and other substances to those students? Where when cops used to show up, the parents belittled them, telling them that they cannot afford their lifestyle? One kid from Whitman had a car accident and died after one of those parties.
It's all in the washington post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as MCPS staff would try to crack down on this, the ridiculously privileged Whitman parents would swarm in with lawyers to make sure their spoiled kids are protected from consequences and that nothing happens to that perfect college application they've spent their whole lives scripting. They'd make the teacher's life hell. Come on. Get real. Whitman parents would talk the "MCPS woulda coulda shoulda" talk until suddenly precious Larlo got implicated and then it would be full guns blazing against those same teachers. This is a parenting problem and a rich kid problem common in schools all over the world.

Yes, this exactly!
Remember those parties about a decade ago or so where Whitman/Churchill parents used to serve alcohol and other substances to those students? Where when cops used to show up, the parents belittled them, telling them that they cannot afford their lifestyle? One kid from Whitman had a car accident and died after one of those parties.
It's all in the washington post

This was terrible... https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-high-school-student-found-dead-may-have-been-drinking-police-2/34400/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Our school moved to an open lunch. I did not agree but the admin gave up. However, this is a parenting issue, not mcps. As a parent I am responsible for my kids 24-7.

That is not true. When the kids are in school, they are under the care and protection of MCPS. In loco parentis. Look it up.

Former Whitman parent again, just noting and affirming the actual students who have posted here. I also appreciate the other former parent with two teenagers who have graduated. My former student also shared with me honestly about what was happening, also not always under best circumstances. As a parent, I was shocked at what the school permitted and what I was powerless to impact or change as someone who can't, and legally isn't permitted to, be on campus. It's not just about parents keeping THEIR students from doing things, it's also parents whose students are HARMED by the lack of security and processes who are also powerless to protect their kids.

If somehow a school board member reads this thread, or a member of the school community wants to try and change things with MCPS, here are some specific, actionable issues. If a parent could figure this out by simply listening and observing, MCPS and school administrators can too and take constructive action:

- Students from all grades frequently sneak out and return within the same school day, to both use and deal drugs. This is the "revolving door" challenge between what happens on and "off campus" or allegedly "outside MCPS control". It's not just lunch, or one grade. Legally, MCPS is currently more exposed by not dealing with this. Should a student be tragically harmed and their family sues, there's no way the school can deny it wasn't aware at this point, which is negligence. There needs to be a policy that if a student leaves without approved excuse or permission, they're gone for the day and marked absent for that day, and parents or guardians are told same-day, not weeks or months later (as we experienced). If this happens often, Whitman needs to enforce the new MCPS attendance policy and students need to quickly get escalated in the system for support and intervention. Not to punish them, to instead accurately identify they are in trouble and need constructive help.

- Whitman security is easily manipulated and evaded, even ninth graders know this. If a ninth grade student can figure this out, why can't MCPS or school administration? This isn't only about illegal cannabis or alcohol use, there's hard drugs used and dealing too. Weapons are regularly smuggled in and witnessed by other students. Students bully and physically threaten and assault other students, both on and off campus. I don't know if security are MCPS employees or a contractor, but it's not working. If MoCo residents pay tax money for security, our students and educators deserve a safe environment. If they need to learn from other parts of MCPS or school districts how to partner productively and well with MoCo mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement for better outcomes, they should do so.

- Students know they can vape, have fights, and use and deal drugs in the bathrooms. And other students feel unsafe there. The school installed vape detectors inside, and cameras outside, the bathrooms. Schools obviously should not be filming students in any restroom. But students have figured out what they can do in the bathrooms, and it's time to have same-gender security or hall monitors directly outside who briefly check bathrooms periodically. Custodial staff do this to clean already, so it's clearly safely doable. This isn't just about preventing vaping, drug use or dealing, it's also because many Whitman students feel unsafe in campus bathrooms. There was a violent assault another student filmed last year, it's very hard to watch. So it's not about just enforcing rules, it's also about safety. Remember, a female student was also sexually assaulted on campus and just a few years ago, a Whitman social studies teacher and coach was CONVICTED of SAing minor students. Practically, what else needs to tragically happen at this point to address the lack of security?

- Students in Whitman's special behavioral placement programs need appropriate support and supervision, to better serve them first and foremost, and also protect other students. These students deserve care, programs and informed help. MCPS school board members should demand these student placements come with appropriate additional supports. As currently set up, this harms those troubled students when they most need help: putting them in a new environment where they are seen as "outsiders", socioeconomically othered, and away from their home communities. It should be no surprise they struggle emotionally and then act out. If a student has opiate or cocaine charges in Baltimore, it's likely they are going to do the same thing in Bethesda without intervention and support. This harms them, and makes other students unsafe, both physically and by exposing them to hard drug dealing and use.

-Whitman parents, go to MCPS Board Meetings and speak up. Yes, school board meetings happen at impossible times for working parents. Yes, they are far away. But it's critical to go and be heard. If you think there aren't resources to support the above solutions, go sit at a MCPS school board meeting where they discuss vendors and contracts, or the budget. You will be shocked at how money is spent and some of the contracts. If we can't keep students and educators safe, maybe it's time to question why some other expenditures are happening, and if tens-of-millions-dollar contracts were awarded most efficiently and transparently. Students and families deserve better! The system will just keep being broken without you.

Our family didn't have the resources to stay in the school due to the expense of what Whitman's negligence did to our student, and the resulting care that's been required. We are still impacted and suffering. I hope students and families will speak up and change things, before one more student is exposed to bullying, violence, drug addiction, sexual assault, or harm.

I agree with your suggestions, but it'll never happen. Enforcing all of the above would result in more suspensions, decreased attendance, and higher recorded incidents of weapons and drugs on campus, all of which leads to a decrease in school ranking which is MCPS's top priority. Too bad how safe students feel at school isn't given more weight on school rankings.

[Anonymous]

These are bad bad boys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Our school moved to an open lunch. I did not agree but the admin gave up. However, this is a parenting issue, not mcps. As a parent I am responsible for my kids 24-7.

That is not true. When the kids are in school, they are under the care and protection of MCPS. In loco parentis. Look it up.

Former Whitman parent again, just noting and affirming the actual students who have posted here. I also appreciate the other former parent with two teenagers who have graduated. My former student also shared with me honestly about what was happening, also not always under best circumstances. As a parent, I was shocked at what the school permitted and what I was powerless to impact or change as someone who can't, and legally isn't permitted to, be on campus. It's not just about parents keeping THEIR students from doing things, it's also parents whose students are HARMED by the lack of security and processes who are also powerless to protect their kids.

If somehow a school board member reads this thread, or a member of the school community wants to try and change things with MCPS, here are some specific, actionable issues. If a parent could figure this out by simply listening and observing, MCPS and school administrators can too and take constructive action:

- Students from all grades frequently sneak out and return within the same school day, to both use and deal drugs. This is the "revolving door" challenge between what happens on and "off campus" or allegedly "outside MCPS control". It's not just lunch, or one grade. Legally, MCPS is currently more exposed by not dealing with this. Should a student be tragically harmed and their family sues, there's no way the school can deny it wasn't aware at this point, which is negligence. There needs to be a policy that if a student leaves without approved excuse or permission, they're gone for the day and marked absent for that day, and parents or guardians are told same-day, not weeks or months later (as we experienced). If this happens often, Whitman needs to enforce the new MCPS attendance policy and students need to quickly get escalated in the system for support and intervention. Not to punish them, to instead accurately identify they are in trouble and need constructive help.

- Whitman security is easily manipulated and evaded, even ninth graders know this. If a ninth grade student can figure this out, why can't MCPS or school administration? This isn't only about illegal cannabis or alcohol use, there's hard drugs used and dealing too. Weapons are regularly smuggled in and witnessed by other students. Students bully and physically threaten and assault other students, both on and off campus. I don't know if security are MCPS employees or a contractor, but it's not working. If MoCo residents pay tax money for security, our students and educators deserve a safe environment. If they need to learn from other parts of MCPS or school districts how to partner productively and well with MoCo mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement for better outcomes, they should do so.

- Students know they can vape, have fights, and use and deal drugs in the bathrooms. And other students feel unsafe there. The school installed vape detectors inside, and cameras outside, the bathrooms. Schools obviously should not be filming students in any restroom. But students have figured out what they can do in the bathrooms, and it's time to have same-gender security or hall monitors directly outside who briefly check bathrooms periodically. Custodial staff do this to clean already, so it's clearly safely doable. This isn't just about preventing vaping, drug use or dealing, it's also because many Whitman students feel unsafe in campus bathrooms. There was a violent assault another student filmed last year, it's very hard to watch. So it's not about just enforcing rules, it's also about safety. Remember, a female student was also sexually assaulted on campus and just a few years ago, a Whitman social studies teacher and coach was CONVICTED of SAing minor students. Practically, what else needs to tragically happen at this point to address the lack of security?

- Students in Whitman's special behavioral placement programs need appropriate support and supervision, to better serve them first and foremost, and also protect other students. These students deserve care, programs and informed help. MCPS school board members should demand these student placements come with appropriate additional supports. As currently set up, this harms those troubled students when they most need help: putting them in a new environment where they are seen as "outsiders", socioeconomically othered, and away from their home communities. It should be no surprise they struggle emotionally and then act out. If a student has opiate or cocaine charges in Baltimore, it's likely they are going to do the same thing in Bethesda without intervention and support. This harms them, and makes other students unsafe, both physically and by exposing them to hard drug dealing and use.

-Whitman parents, go to MCPS Board Meetings and speak up. Yes, school board meetings happen at impossible times for working parents. Yes, they are far away. But it's critical to go and be heard. If you think there aren't resources to support the above solutions, go sit at a MCPS school board meeting where they discuss vendors and contracts, or the budget. You will be shocked at how money is spent and some of the contracts. If we can't keep students and educators safe, maybe it's time to question why some other expenditures are happening, and if tens-of-millions-dollar contracts were awarded most efficiently and transparently. Students and families deserve better! The system will just keep being broken without you.

Our family didn't have the resources to stay in the school due to the expense of what Whitman's negligence did to our student, and the resulting care that's been required. We are still impacted and suffering. I hope students and families will speak up and change things, before one more student is exposed to bullying, violence, drug addiction, sexual assault, or harm.

Wow. And Whitman is supposedly one of the best schools in MCPS? No wonder some parents are leaving are leaving MCPS due to safety concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Our school moved to an open lunch. I did not agree but the admin gave up. However, this is a parenting issue, not mcps. As a parent I am responsible for my kids 24-7.

That is not true. When the kids are in school, they are under the care and protection of MCPS. In loco parentis. Look it up.

Former Whitman parent again, just noting and affirming the actual students who have posted here. I also appreciate the other former parent with two teenagers who have graduated. My former student also shared with me honestly about what was happening, also not always under best circumstances. As a parent, I was shocked at what the school permitted and what I was powerless to impact or change as someone who can't, and legally isn't permitted to, be on campus. It's not just about parents keeping THEIR students from doing things, it's also parents whose students are HARMED by the lack of security and processes who are also powerless to protect their kids.

If somehow a school board member reads this thread, or a member of the school community wants to try and change things with MCPS, here are some specific, actionable issues. If a parent could figure this out by simply listening and observing, MCPS and school administrators can too and take constructive action:

- Students from all grades frequently sneak out and return within the same school day, to both use and deal drugs. This is the "revolving door" challenge between what happens on and "off campus" or allegedly "outside MCPS control". It's not just lunch, or one grade. Legally, MCPS is currently more exposed by not dealing with this. Should a student be tragically harmed and their family sues, there's no way the school can deny it wasn't aware at this point, which is negligence. There needs to be a policy that if a student leaves without approved excuse or permission, they're gone for the day and marked absent for that day, and parents or guardians are told same-day, not weeks or months later (as we experienced). If this happens often, Whitman needs to enforce the new MCPS attendance policy and students need to quickly get escalated in the system for support and intervention. Not to punish them, to instead accurately identify they are in trouble and need constructive help.

- Whitman security is easily manipulated and evaded, even ninth graders know this. If a ninth grade student can figure this out, why can't MCPS or school administration? This isn't only about illegal cannabis or alcohol use, there's hard drugs used and dealing too. Weapons are regularly smuggled in and witnessed by other students. Students bully and physically threaten and assault other students, both on and off campus. I don't know if security are MCPS employees or a contractor, but it's not working. If MoCo residents pay tax money for security, our students and educators deserve a safe environment. If they need to learn from other parts of MCPS or school districts how to partner productively and well with MoCo mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement for better outcomes, they should do so.

- Students know they can vape, have fights, and use and deal drugs in the bathrooms. And other students feel unsafe there. The school installed vape detectors inside, and cameras outside, the bathrooms. Schools obviously should not be filming students in any restroom. But students have figured out what they can do in the bathrooms, and it's time to have same-gender security or hall monitors directly outside who briefly check bathrooms periodically. Custodial staff do this to clean already, so it's clearly safely doable. This isn't just about preventing vaping, drug use or dealing, it's also because many Whitman students feel unsafe in campus bathrooms. There was a violent assault another student filmed last year, it's very hard to watch. So it's not about just enforcing rules, it's also about safety. Remember, a female student was also sexually assaulted on campus and just a few years ago, a Whitman social studies teacher and coach was CONVICTED of SAing minor students. Practically, what else needs to tragically happen at this point to address the lack of security?

- Students in Whitman's special behavioral placement programs need appropriate support and supervision, to better serve them first and foremost, and also protect other students. These students deserve care, programs and informed help. MCPS school board members should demand these student placements come with appropriate additional supports. As currently set up, this harms those troubled students when they most need help: putting them in a new environment where they are seen as "outsiders", socioeconomically othered, and away from their home communities. It should be no surprise they struggle emotionally and then act out. If a student has opiate or cocaine charges in Baltimore, it's likely they are going to do the same thing in Bethesda without intervention and support. This harms them, and makes other students unsafe, both physically and by exposing them to hard drug dealing and use.

-Whitman parents, go to MCPS Board Meetings and speak up. Yes, school board meetings happen at impossible times for working parents. Yes, they are far away. But it's critical to go and be heard. If you think there aren't resources to support the above solutions, go sit at a MCPS school board meeting where they discuss vendors and contracts, or the budget. You will be shocked at how money is spent and some of the contracts. If we can't keep students and educators safe, maybe it's time to question why some other expenditures are happening, and if tens-of-millions-dollar contracts were awarded most efficiently and transparently. Students and families deserve better! The system will just keep being broken without you.

Our family didn't have the resources to stay in the school due to the expense of what Whitman's negligence did to our student, and the resulting care that's been required. We are still impacted and suffering. I hope students and families will speak up and change things, before one more student is exposed to bullying, violence, drug addiction, sexual assault, or harm.

I agree with your suggestions, but it'll never happen. Enforcing all of the above would result in more suspensions, decreased attendance, and higher recorded incidents of weapons and drugs on campus, all of which leads to a decrease in school ranking which is MCPS's top priority. Too bad how safe students feel at school isn't given more weight on school rankings.

The big and real issue here is the absolute entrenched defense of MCPS's reputation, which it absolutely no longer deserves. Because this reputation allows MCPS to monopolize the education landscape in the county in the way that it does. And to suck up all of the public taxpayer dollars that it does.

If people knew how crap and trash the system was, there'd be a lot more flight from the system. But parents are not organized, engaged or informed enough to see what the system is trying to hide from them.

[Anonymous]

Clearly MCPS has a principal that they like here. It would obviously be a different story if someone like Shelton Mooney or Doug Nelson were principal there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are bad bad boys

Girls were involved on Friday as well. Not just boys.

[Anonymous]

This is not on mcps as it was not on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not on mcps as it was not on campus.

MCPS admin, copying and pasting the same line over and over again. We don't care. We will hold you accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not on mcps as it was not on campus.

MCPS admin, copying and pasting the same line over and over again. We don't care. We will hold you accountable.

No, I’m a parent and tired of parents like you putting your parenting on others. This happened off campus and parenting is 24-7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Our school moved to an open lunch. I did not agree but the admin gave up. However, this is a parenting issue, not mcps. As a parent I am responsible for my kids 24-7.

That is not true. When the kids are in school, they are under the care and protection of MCPS. In loco parentis. Look it up.

Former Whitman parent again, just noting and affirming the actual students who have posted here. I also appreciate the other former parent with two teenagers who have graduated. My former student also shared with me honestly about what was happening, also not always under best circumstances. As a parent, I was shocked at what the school permitted and what I was powerless to impact or change as someone who can't, and legally isn't permitted to, be on campus. It's not just about parents keeping THEIR students from doing things, it's also parents whose students are HARMED by the lack of security and processes who are also powerless to protect their kids.

If somehow a school board member reads this thread, or a member of the school community wants to try and change things with MCPS, here are some specific, actionable issues. If a parent could figure this out by simply listening and observing, MCPS and school administrators can too and take constructive action:

- Students from all grades frequently sneak out and return within the same school day, to both use and deal drugs. This is the "revolving door" challenge between what happens on and "off campus" or allegedly "outside MCPS control". It's not just lunch, or one grade. Legally, MCPS is currently more exposed by not dealing with this. Should a student be tragically harmed and their family sues, there's no way the school can deny it wasn't aware at this point, which is negligence. There needs to be a policy that if a student leaves without approved excuse or permission, they're gone for the day and marked absent for that day, and parents or guardians are told same-day, not weeks or months later (as we experienced). If this happens often, Whitman needs to enforce the new MCPS attendance policy and students need to quickly get escalated in the system for support and intervention. Not to punish them, to instead accurately identify they are in trouble and need constructive help.

- Whitman security is easily manipulated and evaded, even ninth graders know this. If a ninth grade student can figure this out, why can't MCPS or school administration? This isn't only about illegal cannabis or alcohol use, there's hard drugs used and dealing too. Weapons are regularly smuggled in and witnessed by other students. Students bully and physically threaten and assault other students, both on and off campus. I don't know if security are MCPS employees or a contractor, but it's not working. If MoCo residents pay tax money for security, our students and educators deserve a safe environment. If they need to learn from other parts of MCPS or school districts how to partner productively and well with MoCo mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement for better outcomes, they should do so.

- Students know they can vape, have fights, and use and deal drugs in the bathrooms. And other students feel unsafe there. The school installed vape detectors inside, and cameras outside, the bathrooms. Schools obviously should not be filming students in any restroom. But students have figured out what they can do in the bathrooms, and it's time to have same-gender security or hall monitors directly outside who briefly check bathrooms periodically. Custodial staff do this to clean already, so it's clearly safely doable. This isn't just about preventing vaping, drug use or dealing, it's also because many Whitman students feel unsafe in campus bathrooms. There was a violent assault another student filmed last year, it's very hard to watch. So it's not about just enforcing rules, it's also about safety. Remember, a female student was also sexually assaulted on campus and just a few years ago, a Whitman social studies teacher and coach was CONVICTED of SAing minor students. Practically, what else needs to tragically happen at this point to address the lack of security?

- Students in Whitman's special behavioral placement programs need appropriate support and supervision, to better serve them first and foremost, and also protect other students. These students deserve care, programs and informed help. MCPS school board members should demand these student placements come with appropriate additional supports. As currently set up, this harms those troubled students when they most need help: putting them in a new environment where they are seen as "outsiders", socioeconomically othered, and away from their home communities. It should be no surprise they struggle emotionally and then act out. If a student has opiate or cocaine charges in Baltimore, it's likely they are going to do the same thing in Bethesda without intervention and support. This harms them, and makes other students unsafe, both physically and by exposing them to hard drug dealing and use.

-Whitman parents, go to MCPS Board Meetings and speak up. Yes, school board meetings happen at impossible times for working parents. Yes, they are far away. But it's critical to go and be heard. If you think there aren't resources to support the above solutions, go sit at a MCPS school board meeting where they discuss vendors and contracts, or the budget. You will be shocked at how money is spent and some of the contracts. If we can't keep students and educators safe, maybe it's time to question why some other expenditures are happening, and if tens-of-millions-dollar contracts were awarded most efficiently and transparently. Students and families deserve better! The system will just keep being broken without you.

Our family didn't have the resources to stay in the school due to the expense of what Whitman's negligence did to our student, and the resulting care that's been required. We are still impacted and suffering. I hope students and families will speak up and change things, before one more student is exposed to bullying, violence, drug addiction, sexual assault, or harm.

I agree with your suggestions, but it'll never happen. Enforcing all of the above would result in more suspensions, decreased attendance, and higher recorded incidents of weapons and drugs on campus, all of which leads to a decrease in school ranking which is MCPS's top priority. Too bad how safe students feel at school isn't given more weight on school rankings.

The big and real issue here is the absolute entrenched defense of MCPS's reputation, which it absolutely no longer deserves. Because this reputation allows MCPS to monopolize the education landscape in the county in the way that it does. And to suck up all of the public taxpayer dollars that it does.

If people knew how crap and trash the system was, there'd be a lot more flight from the system. But parents are not organized, engaged or informed enough to see what the system is trying to hide from them.

This was off campus. Mcps is to be blamed but not this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not on mcps as it was not on campus.

MCPS admin, copying and pasting the same line over and over again. We don't care. We will hold you accountable.

No, I’m a parent and tired of parents like you putting your parenting on others. This happened off campus and parenting is 24-7.

You are ignorant and you clearly did not bother to read this thread in full and in detail, because you skipped over the real testimonies of parents and students who feel it IS MCPS/Whitman's responsibility to do more.

Furthermore, if you're deadset on cheerleading for MCPS, why are you in this thread?

What do you gain from letting MCPS off the hook for failing to enforce state and federal laws on disrupting drug use and dealing in and around its campuses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Our school moved to an open lunch. I did not agree but the admin gave up. However, this is a parenting issue, not mcps. As a parent I am responsible for my kids 24-7.

That is not true. When the kids are in school, they are under the care and protection of MCPS. In loco parentis. Look it up.

Former Whitman parent again, just noting and affirming the actual students who have posted here. I also appreciate the other former parent with two teenagers who have graduated. My former student also shared with me honestly about what was happening, also not always under best circumstances. As a parent, I was shocked at what the school permitted and what I was powerless to impact or change as someone who can't, and legally isn't permitted to, be on campus. It's not just about parents keeping THEIR students from doing things, it's also parents whose students are HARMED by the lack of security and processes who are also powerless to protect their kids.

If somehow a school board member reads this thread, or a member of the school community wants to try and change things with MCPS, here are some specific, actionable issues. If a parent could figure this out by simply listening and observing, MCPS and school administrators can too and take constructive action:

- Students from all grades frequently sneak out and return within the same school day, to both use and deal drugs. This is the "revolving door" challenge between what happens on and "off campus" or allegedly "outside MCPS control". It's not just lunch, or one grade. Legally, MCPS is currently more exposed by not dealing with this. Should a student be tragically harmed and their family sues, there's no way the school can deny it wasn't aware at this point, which is negligence. There needs to be a policy that if a student leaves without approved excuse or permission, they're gone for the day and marked absent for that day, and parents or guardians are told same-day, not weeks or months later (as we experienced). If this happens often, Whitman needs to enforce the new MCPS attendance policy and students need to quickly get escalated in the system for support and intervention. Not to punish them, to instead accurately identify they are in trouble and need constructive help.

- Whitman security is easily manipulated and evaded, even ninth graders know this. If a ninth grade student can figure this out, why can't MCPS or school administration? This isn't only about illegal cannabis or alcohol use, there's hard drugs used and dealing too. Weapons are regularly smuggled in and witnessed by other students. Students bully and physically threaten and assault other students, both on and off campus. I don't know if security are MCPS employees or a contractor, but it's not working. If MoCo residents pay tax money for security, our students and educators deserve a safe environment. If they need to learn from other parts of MCPS or school districts how to partner productively and well with MoCo mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement for better outcomes, they should do so.

- Students know they can vape, have fights, and use and deal drugs in the bathrooms. And other students feel unsafe there. The school installed vape detectors inside, and cameras outside, the bathrooms. Schools obviously should not be filming students in any restroom. But students have figured out what they can do in the bathrooms, and it's time to have same-gender security or hall monitors directly outside who briefly check bathrooms periodically. Custodial staff do this to clean already, so it's clearly safely doable. This isn't just about preventing vaping, drug use or dealing, it's also because many Whitman students feel unsafe in campus bathrooms. There was a violent assault another student filmed last year, it's very hard to watch. So it's not about just enforcing rules, it's also about safety. Remember, a female student was also sexually assaulted on campus and just a few years ago, a Whitman social studies teacher and coach was CONVICTED of SAing minor students. Practically, what else needs to tragically happen at this point to address the lack of security?

- Students in Whitman's special behavioral placement programs need appropriate support and supervision, to better serve them first and foremost, and also protect other students. These students deserve care, programs and informed help. MCPS school board members should demand these student placements come with appropriate additional supports. As currently set up, this harms those troubled students when they most need help: putting them in a new environment where they are seen as "outsiders", socioeconomically othered, and away from their home communities. It should be no surprise they struggle emotionally and then act out. If a student has opiate or cocaine charges in Baltimore, it's likely they are going to do the same thing in Bethesda without intervention and support. This harms them, and makes other students unsafe, both physically and by exposing them to hard drug dealing and use.

-Whitman parents, go to MCPS Board Meetings and speak up. Yes, school board meetings happen at impossible times for working parents. Yes, they are far away. But it's critical to go and be heard. If you think there aren't resources to support the above solutions, go sit at a MCPS school board meeting where they discuss vendors and contracts, or the budget. You will be shocked at how money is spent and some of the contracts. If we can't keep students and educators safe, maybe it's time to question why some other expenditures are happening, and if tens-of-millions-dollar contracts were awarded most efficiently and transparently. Students and families deserve better! The system will just keep being broken without you.

Our family didn't have the resources to stay in the school due to the expense of what Whitman's negligence did to our student, and the resulting care that's been required. We are still impacted and suffering. I hope students and families will speak up and change things, before one more student is exposed to bullying, violence, drug addiction, sexual assault, or harm.

I agree with your suggestions, but it'll never happen. Enforcing all of the above would result in more suspensions, decreased attendance, and higher recorded incidents of weapons and drugs on campus, all of which leads to a decrease in school ranking which is MCPS's top priority. Too bad how safe students feel at school isn't given more weight on school rankings.

The big and real issue here is the absolute entrenched defense of MCPS's reputation, which it absolutely no longer deserves. Because this reputation allows MCPS to monopolize the education landscape in the county in the way that it does. And to suck up all of the public taxpayer dollars that it does.

If people knew how crap and trash the system was, there'd be a lot more flight from the system. But parents are not organized, engaged or informed enough to see what the system is trying to hide from them.

This was off campus. Mcps is to be blamed but not this.

Another one who refuses to read this thread. I suggest you read the post from the Whitman parent and student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not on mcps as it was not on campus.

MCPS admin, copying and pasting the same line over and over again. We don't care. We will hold you accountable.

No, I’m a parent and tired of parents like you putting your parenting on others. This happened off campus and parenting is 24-7.

You are ignorant and you clearly did not bother to read this thread in full and in detail, because you skipped over the real testimonies of parents and students who feel it IS MCPS/Whitman's responsibility to do more.

Furthermore, if you're deadset on cheerleading for MCPS, why are you in this thread?

What do you gain from letting MCPS off the hook for failing to enforce state and federal laws on disrupting drug use and dealing in and around its campuses?

What do you want them to do? The kids left campus to party. That’s on the parents. If it’s not on campus they cannot do anything. They cannot enforce laws off campus, on,y police and parents. Why do you let your kids leave campus and party and do drugs?