While I agree that some level of communication may be necessary (because teachers and kids have smart phones, for instance), I think that this kind of communication will also lead to at least a bit of panic in a large percent of parents, because it is disruptive and triggers a flight or fight response. It's not about whether it should, it clearly does (obviously not for everyone, maybe not even for a majority, but for many people.) Especially when it's stated as still unresolved and it doesn't have all the information. Not sure what the right way to inform parents is though. |
| 8am + "family" sounds like someone maybe was in car with a parent dropping off a student, and had some sort of meltdown. |
To me, the vagueness of the language is what causes the issue: "provide assistance to a community member not affiliated with Cabin John Middle School." I don't know what a community member not affiliated with the school means. And if said community member is an adult and not a child, I don't see or understand the need for the veiled secrecy. |
| When I dropped my child off at CJMS today around 8:10, when I left the parking lot, to my right, there were a couple police, and maybe another adult(?), talking to a young adult/teen. It seemed peaceful enough but also as if they were trying to persuade the young person to do something. |
If it’s a legitimate mental-health situation, they might be more circumspect. Since they said there’s a family member involved, I’d guess that’s likely case here. But even if it were a criminal matter, there’s still a limit to the amount of information they can put out while it’s still being investigated. |
| If MCPS is serious about better and more effective community engagement, they have to stop letting their lawyers write or dictate their comms. The language reeks of General Counsel. |
PP is me and I am just now coming back to the thread....I am a parent as signed I have nothing to do with MCPS. |
What more information do you actually want? Their name? A description of what they look like? As a parent, I want the information I need to make a decision or take action, and that message already goes way beyond that, but I'm also confused by what you're hoping for. |
Letter could have easily said exactly what went on. It is public info from police call. Anyone can listen and find out the above information. But MCPS needs to cover up? |
| Shelter in place ended now. "Throughout the day, we received regular updates from our Community Engagement Officer (CEO) about the status of the incident and their investigation. At about 2:00 PM this afternoon, we received confirmation from our CEO that the community member is now with their family, is fully accounted for, and is not near our school campus." |
If you're happy with what was posted, ok. Other people aren't. Why is that a problem for you? |
If you don't work for MCPS, why are you doing the work of defending them for free? Do you think MCPS needs you to come to their defense when people criticize their methods on an anonymous online forum? |
Why is it a problem for you if I voice my opinion? |
| no i am genuinely trying to convey to OP that "you aint seen nothing yet" ....this is a part of growing up. your kids are going to see fights, people smoking etc....what is she going to do when she hears about that? have a panic attack and project that panic to her kids so they never tell her anything again? toughen up buttercup |
Yup! |