Violence in Kindergarten- Sligo Creek Elementary

[Anonymous]

My kid is in K at Sligo. The first year teacher who quit in OP told the kids she was quitting bc of [named K student] and that she didn't feel like she couldn't keep the kids or herself safe. It was completely inappropriate, but it also sounds like she was desperate. Kids in her class had gotten concussions and black eyes.
Since the teacher left, the child who has had violent outburst was transferred to my kid's class. Today the class received an email from the Principal saying our child had witnessed a violent incident where a child hurt an adult. Our kid said that the child had taken a water bottle and thrown it at a teacher's head, sending her to the hospital. It's not good for the kids, the teachers or the kid who keeps acting out--he's obviously not getting the support he needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things like this keep happening because principals and teachers have their hands tied. Parents who are not witnessing it first hand keep denying it, but it is a widespread issue. I am so sorry to hear about these specific issues and agree that a small group of aggressive students keep everyone hostage. And of course the teachers are quitting!

Violent kids are in the classrooms with no way to remove them. Elementary principals are not allowed to suspend kids or keep them out. Therefore, with no ability to discipline, children and teachers are getting hurt and academics are being impacted. What a mess!

And for those who continually deny this is happening…why???

For what you can do, email the principal and higher about what they are doing to keep your child safe. Keep focus about your own child but be persistent. Have others do the same. If you stay quiet, nothing will change!

This x1000.
For now, the parents who can move their kids to private school.

[Anonymous]

Oh my. Please get your child out, I agree with a previous poster. You can fill out a COSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing this is true, but if it is, contact the local media to run a story and put pressure on the school/district.

It's hard at the ES level because the kids don't have phones the way they do in MS and HS. Much easier to get video proof in MS/HS. In ES, the school admin can just pretend nothing is going on and the kids are just making things up.

We had a violent student in our ES and there was pretty much nothing done about it for 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call the police and press charges.

Yes. Every time. You stand in the main office or the principal’s office and you call 911 and wait for an officer to respond. The school has zero incentive or ability to deal with violence in elementary school. But the parent of the kid having a police report written about them does have some incentive and ability. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

-a teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What in the holy hell???

OP if this were my child’s kindergarten class, I would become that principals worst nightmare of a parent.

There really isn't much a parent can do in this situation. We had a kid in our ES who was throwing chairs, attacking other kids (bloody noses, etc). Parents tried to complain, in writing, so that there was a record of the issues. But it's an uphill battle in MCPS. Admin can't do much and public schools are required to educate all students. Sorry OP, it's an incredibly frustrating experience and sad to watch your kid be scared to go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing this is true, but if it is, contact the local media to run a story and put pressure on the school/district.

Out of curiosity, what do you think is not true? Why would someone lie about this?

Teachers keep saying it. Parents keep saying it. It's been widely spread that aggression is out of control throughout the country. Yet, some parents keep denying it. Why? What do you get out of not believing people? When you do that, it allows MCPS, and truly all schools, from being pressured into making lasting change. Just because you yourself have not experienced it, you should not belittle the experiences of others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in K at Sligo. The first year teacher who quit in OP told the kids she was quitting bc of [named K student] and that she didn't feel like she couldn't keep the kids or herself safe. It was completely inappropriate, but it also sounds like she was desperate. Kids in her class had gotten concussions and black eyes.
Since the teacher left, the child who has had violent outburst was transferred to my kid's class. Today the class received an email from the Principal saying our child had witnessed a violent incident where a child hurt an adult. Our kid said that the child had taken a water bottle and thrown it at a teacher's head, sending her to the hospital. It's not good for the kids, the teachers or the kid who keeps acting out--he's obviously not getting the support he needs.

I literally could care less this kid is not getting the support he needs, he needs to be out of that school, that's all I care about.

[Anonymous]

No dog in this fight, but what do you want the school to actually do? If the parents don't agree their child is special ed/or has mental health issues, the school has to legally give that child an education, and can't just yank them out of class.

And, I agree it's a huge problem. I just don't know what the solution is

[Anonymous]

Violence is not the correct word. These children are having extremely physical/emotional/violent tantrums. I still think a child like this needs to be pulled from their school asap. OP is making it sound like a war zone and it’s not.

[Anonymous]

This is happening at so many schools- including where I teach- that my rising kinder is going and staying private.

For everyone reading this thread:

DO call the police.

DO consider legal action.

DO encourage your admin to keep the kid out until a safety plan can be created and alternative learning space EVERY time an incident happens.

DO not accept any ‘well they’re 5’ or ‘well they have an IEP’ it doesn’t matter. NO violent student should be allowed in the classroom.

PLEASE do it for your children, for the teachers, and for the whole community.

Signed,
An MCPS sped teacher

[Anonymous]

Two years ago we had a kindergarten teacher, upcounty, who got hit by a student, and suffered permanent brain damage. She went on long-term disability but then left the school system soon after. It happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in K at Sligo. The first year teacher who quit in OP told the kids she was quitting bc of [named K student] and that she didn't feel like she couldn't keep the kids or herself safe. It was completely inappropriate, but it also sounds like she was desperate. Kids in her class had gotten concussions and black eyes.
Since the teacher left, the child who has had violent outburst was transferred to my kid's class. Today the class received an email from the Principal saying our child had witnessed a violent incident where a child hurt an adult. Our kid said that the child had taken a water bottle and thrown it at a teacher's head, sending her to the hospital. It's not good for the kids, the teachers or the kid who keeps acting out--he's obviously not getting the support he needs.

What kind of water bottle was this? I can understand a metal water bottle hurting, and perhaps drawing blood, but I don't understand what would lead to an ER visit.

Also, if this had been going on for a while, why doesn't that child have a 1:1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, but what do you want the school to actually do? If the parents don't agree their child is special ed/or has mental health issues, the school has to legally give that child an education, and can't just yank them out of class.

And, I agree it's a huge problem. I just don't know what the solution is

I don’t care if the parents of the violent child agree or not. MCPS has programs for children with emotional disabilities. They have great teacher-student ratios and the staff know what they’ve signed up for. The child will get an education. The school should transfer him tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two years ago we had a kindergarten teacher, upcounty, who got hit by a student, and suffered permanent brain damage. She went on long-term disability but then left the school system soon after. It happens.

What the heck? How are five year olds that strong?