Six year old FCPS student found wandering in Centreville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happened at a PWC school too. Kid just wandered off.

Didn't a kid just wander off in Arlington, too?

Like PP mentioned above, I'm surprised to see this at the end of the year, not the beginning, particularly in kindergarten. But it seems like it's more common than we are told. There have been kids at several schools who have wandered off or gone missing for awhile. The kid is just found before they get too far and thus it doesn't make the news

[Anonymous]

I've been a teacher for 25 years. This happens occasionally - always has and always will, unless you want to build schools like prisons and keep kids in locked, fenced courtyards. A few schools have indeed gone that far. However, this also creates a dangerous situation, because you now have an area that kids can't get out of in the event of fire or other emergency. Nothing is a hundred percent safe, folks. Deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Think about this: unless this child was special needs, he knew what he was doing. Do you keep your doors bolted so that you child cannot walk out the door? Does your child just leave home on his own and disappear? Unlikely--not because your eyes are constantly on him, but because he knows better. This child knew better, too. The excuse that was given on television report is bogus. He knew where the class was.

AS for this happening occasionally, I taught for twelve years and don't recall this occurring in our school. Certainly not with one of my students--although one threatened to do it. I do remember a family friend whose child did this many, many years ago. He lived on a farm outside a small town and this was a really big problem. I guess, PP is right, it has always happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are just too many kids in each class. It does not surprise me that teachers are having trouble keeping track, but his is completely unacceptable.

Yes, it is unacceptable. However, it is not due to the number of kids in class. Back in the day, I had a class of 34 first graders. While I think that is unacceptable to have that many, you don't lose kids. Even when there are a lot of them. Someone was not doing their job--or several someones.

On the other hand, I don't think I would expect this to happen at this time of year. Certainly, at the beginning of the year, kids may try to leave (I never had one that did), but this is odd.

I disagree. In 23 years I have never known a child to wander off, but even with us watching the classes, between the playground and large field it would not be difficult for a child to slip around a corner of the building or into the trees and continue going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think about this: unless this child was special needs, he knew what he was doing. Do you keep your doors bolted so that you child cannot walk out the door? Does your child just leave home on his own and disappear? Unlikely--not because your eyes are constantly on him, but because he knows better. This child knew better, too. The excuse that was given on television report is bogus. He knew where the class was.

AS for this happening occasionally, I taught for twelve years and don't recall this occurring in our school. Certainly not with one of my students--although one threatened to do it. I do remember a family friend whose child did this many, many years ago. He lived on a farm outside a small town and this was a really big problem. I guess, PP is right, it has always happened.

What excuse was given on tv??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been a teacher for 25 years. This happens occasionally - always has and always will, unless you want to build schools like prisons and keep kids in locked, fenced courtyards. A few schools have indeed gone that far. However, this also creates a dangerous situation, because you now have an area that kids can't get out of in the event of fire or other emergency. Nothing is a hundred percent safe, folks. Deal with it.

Agreed ! My kids are in high school now, but when they were in elementary school, one of my kids ran off from the school. He didn't get far and the teachers noticed right away, but the only one to blame in my situation was my son.

Regarding the 6 year old who wandered off, I watched the father on TV this morning and he was blaming the school. We need to stop blaming others for our own mistakes and be accountable for our own actions! This kid walked out of the school, left the school grounds, and kept on walking. Unless you put up fences around the entire school, this situation is not 100% preventable as the previous poster said. Sure there could be some additional safeguards (e.g., ID badges for the kids with RFID chips, more security cameras) but in Northern VA, the money would be better spent on teach salaries, before/after school programs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been a teacher for 25 years. This happens occasionally - always has and always will, unless you want to build schools like prisons and keep kids in locked, fenced courtyards. A few schools have indeed gone that far. However, this also creates a dangerous situation, because you now have an area that kids can't get out of in the event of fire or other emergency. Nothing is a hundred percent safe, folks. Deal with it.

Agreed ! My kids are in high school now, but when they were in elementary school, one of my kids ran off from the school. He didn't get far and the teachers noticed right away, but the only one to blame in my situation was my son.

Regarding the 6 year old who wandered off, I watched the father on TV this morning and he was blaming the school. We need to stop blaming others for our own mistakes and be accountable for our own actions! This kid walked out of the school, left the school grounds, and kept on walking. Unless you put up fences around the entire school, this situation is not 100% preventable as the previous poster said. Sure there could be some additional safeguards (e.g., ID badges for the kids with RFID chips, more security cameras) but in Northern VA, the money would be better spent on teach salaries, before/after school programs, etc.

I saw the NBC 4 article but I think the kid lied to the dad. In kindergarten the bathrooms are in the classroom, and I doubt the whole class would just leave while he was in the bathroom. Even if they did, the child would know the schedule and where the playground/etc. were by then.

I don't blame the parents for being mad at the school, I would be too, but it isn't JUST on them.

[Anonymous]

I saw the NBC 4 article but I think the kid lied to the dad. In kindergarten the bathrooms are in the classroom, and I doubt the whole class would just leave while he was in the bathroom. Even if they did, the child would know the schedule and where the playground/etc. were by then.

To further clarify for the PP who asked what was said on television--the excuse was that the kid came back from the bathroom and his classroom was empty. He thought school was over or something. Somehow, I think this smells--and FWIW, I taught school. Unless this kid is extremely disabled, he would know where the class was. Pretty sure the kid knew what he was doing. This was not the beginning of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I saw the NBC 4 article but I think the kid lied to the dad. In kindergarten the bathrooms are in the classroom, and I doubt the whole class would just leave while he was in the bathroom. Even if they did, the child would know the schedule and where the playground/etc. were by then.

To further clarify for the PP who asked what was said on television--the excuse was that the kid came back from the bathroom and his classroom was empty. He thought school was over or something. Somehow, I think this smells--and FWIW, I taught school. Unless this kid is extremely disabled, he would know where the class was. Pretty sure the kid knew what he was doing. This was not the beginning of the year.

My child is at this school and the kids don't use the hallway bathrooms in K. If they do (at specials or whatever) they go in pairs. The back door also opens up near the playground, where the kids have recess.

I'm not blaming the kid, he is 6, but what is being said does not make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I saw the NBC 4 article but I think the kid lied to the dad. In kindergarten the bathrooms are in the classroom, and I doubt the whole class would just leave while he was in the bathroom. Even if they did, the child would know the schedule and where the playground/etc. were by then.

To further clarify for the PP who asked what was said on television--the excuse was that the kid came back from the bathroom and his classroom was empty. He thought school was over or something. Somehow, I think this smells--and FWIW, I taught school. Unless this kid is extremely disabled, he would know where the class was. Pretty sure the kid knew what he was doing. This was not the beginning of the year.

London Towne parent here. My child is at this school and the kids don't use the hallway bathrooms in K. If they do (at specials or whatever) they go in pairs. The back door also opens up near the playground, where the kids have recess.

I'm not blaming the kid, he is 6, but what is being said does not make sense.

My K student is in this boy's class. Recess is at 11 am and lunch is immediately afterwards. There is no way this boy would have thought school is over. What is strange is that the classroom is right next to the principals office and if he was lost I am not sure why he would not have gone to the office to let an adult know. He is not disabled and is in the classroom with my child all day. Hopefully proper protocols will be in place to ensure that all kids are accounted for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I saw the NBC 4 article but I think the kid lied to the dad. In kindergarten the bathrooms are in the classroom, and I doubt the whole class would just leave while he was in the bathroom. Even if they did, the child would know the schedule and where the playground/etc. were by then.

To further clarify for the PP who asked what was said on television--the excuse was that the kid came back from the bathroom and his classroom was empty. He thought school was over or something. Somehow, I think this smells--and FWIW, I taught school. Unless this kid is extremely disabled, he would know where the class was. Pretty sure the kid knew what he was doing. This was not the beginning of the year.

London Towne parent here. My child is at this school and the kids don't use the hallway bathrooms in K. If they do (at specials or whatever) they go in pairs. The back door also opens up near the playground, where the kids have recess.

I'm not blaming the kid, he is 6, but what is being said does not make sense.

My K student is in this boy's class. Recess is at 11 am and lunch is immediately afterwards. There is no way this boy would have thought school is over. What is strange is that the classroom is right next to the principals office and if he was lost I am not sure why he would not have gone to the office to let an adult know. He is not disabled and is in the classroom with my child all day. Hopefully proper protocols will be in place to ensure that all kids are accounted for

My child is also in this class and I had the same thoughts. The school year is almost over & the kids have a routine down & know where they should be next. I'm not sure why any of the kids would attempt to leave, even if they couldn't find their classmates. However, I am glad they are putting more precautionary measures in to be on the same side. And I am very glad he is ok.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad he's safe. It does remind me of the story, however, of my great-aunt, who used to leave the schoolhouse when her teacher wasn't looking (in K) and walk the 2 miles back home. I'm not sure how many students her teacher had to supervise, but it does seem to me we contemporary parents and teachers are exceedingly vigilant about such things, most of the time. That's why these stories make the news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad he's safe. It does remind me of the story, however, of my great-aunt, who used to leave the schoolhouse when her teacher wasn't looking (in K) and walk the 2 miles back home. I'm not sure how many students her teacher had to supervise, but it does seem to me we contemporary parents and teachers are exceedingly vigilant about such things, most of the time. That's why these stories make the news.

This is true. However, it also makes me wonder if parents take that for granted and don't talk to their kids about what to do in certain situations.

[Anonymous]

Most kids that age aren't going to wander unless they are "wanderers." Meaning, a kid who has never walked away from school or home or the store before, and who has always followed the rules, isn't likely to suddenly decide to walk home one day. Hopefully, this will be a lesson to teachers to pay extra attention to kids who wander, and to parents to make sure to tell the teachers if that is how their child is.

[Anonymous]

At our school, the teachers all stand together and chat during recess. They are more involved in their conversations than watching the kids.