APS Taylor Playground Incident

[Anonymous]

+1 to a lot of these posters and I'm not a Taylor parent.

Last year a 6yr old in Virginiawith a history of issues shot his teacher. Kindergarteners can be a very real existential threat to themselves and those around them, sadly.

The young person who brought a weapon to Swanson two years ago has a long history of documented issues, but it took until this became public and potentially serious for APS to intervene.

Finally, +1,000 to the PP who pointed out that these kids have been back in a classroom for two years. Parents need to engage and get their kids whatever help they need. We can't blame Covid in perpetuity for children having zero sense of how to behave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was deeply saddened that this had to come from the principle. I have no idea what the incident was. But my reaction to the email was that unless a kid brought some sort of real weapon, kindergartners should not be receiving this kind of attention and, moreover, the message we entirely useless; a bunch of political nothingspeak. I took from the message that a parent raised hell about some bad — possibly physical — behavior by a 5 year old, which while a matter for discipline should not involve the entire community needing to “feel safe” from a rabid five year old. The fact that the leader of our school is addressing the entire community over this shocked and disappointed me. Shouldn’t we be spending time on much different things? Like kids who cannot read (and yes they exist at Taylor) or can’t do math or aren’t showing up at school or challenging our gifted kids? What a freaking waste of time and energy and a sad commentary on the politics of being a N Arlington principle with a bunch of snowflake parents.

After what happened in 5th grade last year, the principal has either decided (or been instructed) to be extremely transparent about discipline issues.

What happened in 5th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

We will continue To hear about violent Students incidents until they are removed And educated Separately. Separate but equal education is acceptable in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

We will continue To hear about violent Students incidents until they are removed And educated Separately. Separate but equal education is acceptable in this situation.

I think schools are in such a tough spot these days. I know our ES has a couple kids who have behavioral and violence issues and they have a 1:1 aide that follows them all the time. They don't get to go to recess or lunch because they are separated from the other kids. I don't think they get to learn much because often they are just sitting in the office or being followed by an aide around the school. But the system sucks because 1) the kids with the issues are clearly not getting an education nor are they getting real services or help (because the parent refuses or doesn't have money for private help and the school doesn't have the resources to be everything to the kid) and 2) because the system isn't perfect and other kids still get hurt or impacted. But I feel like school's hands overall (and across the nation) are really tied in a lot of these situations. It's not fair to anyone.

To be fair, I don't know how things differ from when I grew up (80s/90s). I remember violent kids in my school and they were never kicked out of school. I know in ES my kid threw a desk at a teacher and he was back the next day (this would have been 92 maybe?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was deeply saddened that this had to come from the principle. I have no idea what the incident was. But my reaction to the email was that unless a kid brought some sort of real weapon, kindergartners should not be receiving this kind of attention and, moreover, the message we entirely useless; a bunch of political nothingspeak. I took from the message that a parent raised hell about some bad — possibly physical — behavior by a 5 year old, which while a matter for discipline should not involve the entire community needing to “feel safe” from a rabid five year old. The fact that the leader of our school is addressing the entire community over this shocked and disappointed me. Shouldn’t we be spending time on much different things? Like kids who cannot read (and yes they exist at Taylor) or can’t do math or aren’t showing up at school or challenging our gifted kids? What a freaking waste of time and energy and a sad commentary on the politics of being a N Arlington principle with a bunch of snowflake parents.

This is systemwide. But yeah, if the school doesn't let everyone know, some parents will complain "we have a right to know what's going on in our kids' school!" It's a no-win for admin. Nevertheless, I'm sick of these "notices" and letting us know "counselors will be available" if the other students were traumatized....
I understand "student privacy" but if you're going to send out an announcement, it should have at least enough information to give a sense of the nature and extent of the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

How does that email "help" the kids?
-Not a Taylor parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was deeply saddened that this had to come from the principle. I have no idea what the incident was. But my reaction to the email was that unless a kid brought some sort of real weapon, kindergartners should not be receiving this kind of attention and, moreover, the message we entirely useless; a bunch of political nothingspeak. I took from the message that a parent raised hell about some bad — possibly physical — behavior by a 5 year old, which while a matter for discipline should not involve the entire community needing to “feel safe” from a rabid five year old. The fact that the leader of our school is addressing the entire community over this shocked and disappointed me. Shouldn’t we be spending time on much different things? Like kids who cannot read (and yes they exist at Taylor) or can’t do math or aren’t showing up at school or challenging our gifted kids? What a freaking waste of time and energy and a sad commentary on the politics of being a N Arlington principle with a bunch of snowflake parents.

After what happened in 5th grade last year, the principal has either decided (or been instructed) to be extremely transparent about discipline issues.

What happened in 5th grade?

I'm guessing pp is referring to the Oakridge trip to the outdoor classroom
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1129834.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

We will continue To hear about violent Students incidents until they are removed And educated Separately. Separate but equal education is acceptable in this situation.

You will never get that in a public school. Private sure where they can and do kick out kids with violent issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

How does that email "help" the kids?
-Not a Taylor parent

The email doesn't, but taking violent behavior seriously does. Perhaps if that had happened at Ashlawn instead of a "light touch", the kid wouldn't be bringing tasers to school and making threats in MS. Perhaps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

How does that email "help" the kids?
-Not a Taylor parent

The email doesn't, but taking violent behavior seriously does. Perhaps if that had happened at Ashlawn instead of a "light touch", the kid wouldn't be bringing tasers to school and making threats in MS. Perhaps.

Or things could have been worse. I don't know. Do we think discipline is the way to get the violence and bad behavior at of kids? Maybe for some. For others it does nothing. Just like jail may cure a handful of violent offenders but the rest will keep being violent their entire lives. But I don't think most folks are really interesting in helping the violent kid but rather just making sure their kid is protected. I don't think its wrong to focus on the latter, just its heartbreaking to me to know these kids aren't getting real help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

How does that email "help" the kids?
-Not a Taylor parent

The email doesn't, but taking violent behavior seriously does. Perhaps if that had happened at Ashlawn instead of a "light touch", the kid wouldn't be bringing tasers to school and making threats in MS. Perhaps.

Or things could have been worse. I don't know. Do we think discipline is the way to get the violence and bad behavior at of kids? Maybe for some. For others it does nothing. Just like jail may cure a handful of violent offenders but the rest will keep being violent their entire lives. But I don't think most folks are really interesting in helping the violent kid but rather just making sure their kid is protected. I don't think its wrong to focus on the latter, just its heartbreaking to me to know these kids aren't getting real help.

Discipline is not the only intervention- we have many wonderful social workers, counselors and psychologists in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of the gossiping parents trying to get more information about a six year old’s struggles. Truly not being rude just to be rude on the Internet. I have been part of text chains and heard about this at the bus stop, and I just feel like it’s none of my business (or anyone else’s that is not in that class). Just bc the principal has a policy of sending out emails doesn’t mean we need all the details.

This. I was very active at my daughter's elementary school and had to step away from an entire group of parents because of this exact issue. Grown adults texting and gossiping about "bad" kids. It was gross. I wonder if the Principal feels like over communicating helps stop the gossip? I didn't find that to be the case at our school, but I can understand thinking that. Or is it an attempt by the administration to shame everyone to step up the parenting? At our school, it's almost never a truly serious OMG everyone panic incident at all, and usually it's a group of kids, even when one has the spotlight. I also can't help wonder if some of this is the kids are a mess but also the teachers are exhausted and stressed and unable to manage behavior that they could manage a few years ago. But yes, no one needs the details on this. If it's truly something that impacts your kid, you'll know, and if you think you need to know more, pick up the phone and call the school. Don't gossip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem silly as hearsay but at the same time, some of the students in the news in recent years were having issues as early as kindergarten. Let’s get these kids help sooner!

How does that email "help" the kids?
-Not a Taylor parent

The email doesn't, but taking violent behavior seriously does. Perhaps if that had happened at Ashlawn instead of a "light touch", the kid wouldn't be bringing tasers to school and making threats in MS. Perhaps.

Or things could have been worse. I don't know. Do we think discipline is the way to get the violence and bad behavior at of kids? Maybe for some. For others it does nothing. Just like jail may cure a handful of violent offenders but the rest will keep being violent their entire lives. But I don't think most folks are really interesting in helping the violent kid but rather just making sure their kid is protected. I don't think its wrong to focus on the latter, just its heartbreaking to me to know these kids aren't getting real help.

Discipline is not the only intervention- we have many wonderful social workers, counselors and psychologists in APS.

Sure at the schools that have them. Our entire counseling team quite last year! But yes, this is wonderful and I respect them so much. But they are too many kids that need help and not enough resources. Kids aren't able to adequate mental health care in schools and its not really the school's job to treat the kids. Schools won't even perform full neuropsych evals despite having psychologist on staff who could actually do these things. Again, not saying they are bad at their jobs or don't' help but schools do not currently have the resources to adequately help kids who have significant behavioral or violence problems. And to be honest it should not be all on the school anyway! The county should help. The state should help. The family should be willing. There are so many things that need to fall into place to get the kids the help they need. I just get a bit tired of folks acting like everything is on the school to solve all of these issues when it is just not possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of the gossiping parents trying to get more information about a six year old’s struggles. Truly not being rude just to be rude on the Internet. I have been part of text chains and heard about this at the bus stop, and I just feel like it’s none of my business (or anyone else’s that is not in that class). Just bc the principal has a policy of sending out emails doesn’t mean we need all the details.

This. I was very active at my daughter's elementary school and had to step away from an entire group of parents because of this exact issue. Grown adults texting and gossiping about "bad" kids. It was gross. I wonder if the Principal feels like over communicating helps stop the gossip? I didn't find that to be the case at our school, but I can understand thinking that. Or is it an attempt by the administration to shame everyone to step up the parenting? At our school, it's almost never a truly serious OMG everyone panic incident at all, and usually it's a group of kids, even when one has the spotlight. I also can't help wonder if some of this is the kids are a mess but also the teachers are exhausted and stressed and unable to manage behavior that they could manage a few years ago. But yes, no one needs the details on this. If it's truly something that impacts your kid, you'll know, and if you think you need to know more, pick up the phone and call the school. Don't gossip.

I wish this was true, but in my experience it has not been (APS, not Taylor). My kid got punched at recess (including a black eye) and, separately, experienced verbal threats of violence and I did not proactively hear about either of those from the school but rather had to learn on my own and figure out what had happened to follow up. So yes, we do need the details, and preferably in a timely manner and initiated by the teachers and administrators who were present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of the gossiping parents trying to get more information about a six year old’s struggles. Truly not being rude just to be rude on the Internet. I have been part of text chains and heard about this at the bus stop, and I just feel like it’s none of my business (or anyone else’s that is not in that class). Just bc the principal has a policy of sending out emails doesn’t mean we need all the details.

This. I was very active at my daughter's elementary school and had to step away from an entire group of parents because of this exact issue. Grown adults texting and gossiping about "bad" kids. It was gross. I wonder if the Principal feels like over communicating helps stop the gossip? I didn't find that to be the case at our school, but I can understand thinking that. Or is it an attempt by the administration to shame everyone to step up the parenting? At our school, it's almost never a truly serious OMG everyone panic incident at all, and usually it's a group of kids, even when one has the spotlight. I also can't help wonder if some of this is the kids are a mess but also the teachers are exhausted and stressed and unable to manage behavior that they could manage a few years ago. But yes, no one needs the details on this. If it's truly something that impacts your kid, you'll know, and if you think you need to know more, pick up the phone and call the school. Don't gossip.

I wish this was true, but in my experience it has not been (APS, not Taylor). My kid got punched at recess (including a black eye) and, separately, experienced verbal threats of violence and I did not proactively hear about either of those from the school but rather had to learn on my own and figure out what had happened to follow up. So yes, we do need the details, and preferably in a timely manner and initiated by the teachers and administrators who were present.

I'm sorry that happened to your son (my son was beat up twice during the 2021-2022 back to school year and it was scary and sucked), but how would it have helped to have received that Taylor email in your case?