Another racial incident at Churchill HS

[Anonymous]

First World problems...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am losing count as to the number of emails as to serious incidences that have occurred at Churchill this year. Was today's email the 4th in which the police department became involved with investigating? At this rate, the police needs to ramp up the number of permanent Resource Officers assigned to Churchill if criminal charges is the appropriate course of action for these types of actions. Even with their involvement and only one incident solved, there is never a clear outcome from this course of action.

Frankly, the MCPS K - 12 curriculum lacks programming aimed at preventing bullying. I believe this is why there has been a rising uptick in these types of incidences county wide. There has been a lack of prevention and it is not a problem that the police involvement will solve. Thus far this year at Churchill, there hasn't been a school wide assembly, class discussions, or a community wide evening parental meeting at Churchill to address the poor climate issues. A survey was conducted by Mrs. Heckert in November but no announcement as to the results was announced. I don't know of a single trip a school in our cluster has ever taken to the Holocaust Museum when students study WWII in middle school and high school. My child's grandparents were babies during that time, so most current high schoolers are almost 3 generations removed from what symbols of hate from that era represent. Only one class at Churchill has made a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Education is key to solving this problem.

It is easy for students to drown out the principal emails and not report when they witness hate in the school on a daily basis because Churchill has a long history of ignoring bullying reports in the past and even letting open retaliation occur when these types of incidences were reported. To drive out bigotry and hate, the principal should not only be looking at the students but also at staff members who are ignorant of the example they provide to the student body by their direct actions or inactions. Most students just try to come to school on a daily basis and not be a target.

This is the email the principal sent this afternoon if you are not on the list serve:

The purpose of this message is to make you aware that we are investigating a racist and ignorant incident that occurred today during school. At this time, we are working with the Montgomery County Police Department to ensure it is addressed swiftly and seriously. I intend to share more detailed information and how we will work together to eliminate this type of behavior from our community.

Please continue to encourage your children to speak out against any type of behavior that demonstrates racism or discrimination. It has no place at Winston Churchill High School.

Brandice C. Heckert
Principal
Winston Churchill High School
Go Bulldogs!
@ChurchillPrin

Please see below from the WCHS PTSA Blips on November 4:

There is a long way to go but you can't say that Churchill isn't trying to work through these issues.

I was at the meeting at November 26 and there were maybe 25 parents there. if the Community wants change, they have to involve themselves.


Dear Churchill Community:

We had a great turn-out for our Parent to Parent Dialogue last week. We had some excellent conversations about 9thgrade, APUSH, the college application process, and yes, the Churchill tradition of eating lunch on the floor.

Thank you to parents who contacted me with about the swastika incident at school. Mrs. Heckert and I met last week and discussed applicable WCHS and PTSA collaborations and the school’s response to the swastika.

Please see below Mrs. Heckert's email update to the community about next steps.The PTSA is pleased to collaborate with WCHS for a Q&A program with the Anti-Defamation League about the ADL's No Place for Hate Program --- November 26, 7- 8:30 pm in the Churchill Media Center.

I also appreciated hearing from parents with questions about the recent arrest of a former Walter Johnson High School student for making threats against WJHS. Please contact Mrs. Heckert and Churchill’s leadership team with any security concerns or questions about WCHS.

Best wishes,

Bruce Adelson

President, WCHS PTSA


From the PTSA:

Thank you to everyone who has joined the PTSA this year. We have sent membership information to our directory publisher. We will let you know when the directory is printed and available.

Depending upon demand, you may still have an opportunity to receive one of our directories if you have not yet joined the PTSA.

PLEASE JOIN TODAY!!!! atozconnect.com

From Principal Heckert:

I want to follow up with you regarding the incident that occurred last week with the swastika found on a desk in a classroom and the actions that have taken place since then.

At this time, we do not have any information about who may have drawn the image. I still urge students to speak with an adult if they have information to share.
I met with the student and staff leaders of Churchill’s Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as well as a representative from ADL earlier this week. During lunch on November 14, 15, and 16, members of the ADL will have tables outside the gym lobby for students and staff to write words of encouragement to the community impacted by the incident in Pittsburgh over the weekend at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
On Thursday November 15th there will be an open forum with students and staff in Room 124 discussing student concerns and feelings associated with current events and those specific to our community. These open forums will occur once a month and will typically be the third Thursday of each month. When a representative from ADL is able to join us, they will. I will also be a participant during these conversations, but they will be facilitated by our students.
Both Social Studies and English teachers will be incorporating lessons that parallel and support current topics in their curriculum that have students reflecting and engaging in conversations about symbols of hate in a variety of ways. These lessons will occur within in the next two weeks.
On Monday November 26th there will be a parent meeting in the media center of WCHS at 7:00 p.m. A member of ADL will be in attendance to engage staff and community members in conversations surrounding hate crimes and speech as well as provide resources for parents when talking with children.
On December 20th, a representative from ADL will be talking with staff and providing resources for having difficult conversations with students when these incidents occur.
Students and staff will continue to plan meaningful activities through the ADL club for staff, students, and the community.
Thank you again for the emails I have received. I have included a link to resources for parents below.

A guide for parents and educators to use when facilitating conversations about tragic events with children.

https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/empowering-young-people-in-the-aftermath-of-hate-in

Brandice C. Heckert
Principal
Winston Churchill High School


From MCPS:

Dear MCPS Community:

I am writing to share information about a serious situation in our Damascus High School community. As you may know from the news, five Damascus High School students have been charged with second-degree rape and attempted second-degree rape. These charges stem from alleged behavior by members of the junior varsity football team in the school’s male locker room after dismissal.

As Damascus principal Casey Crouse shared with her community earlier this week, this alleged behavior is disturbing, inappropriate and unacceptable. In response to these allegations, the Damascus High School junior varsity team forfeited their final game of the season last Thursday. MCPS does not and will not tolerate any form of hazing, bullying or harassment in our schools.

I know many of you have questions about these allegations. The Montgomery County Police Department’s investigation related to these serious charges is ongoing; therefore, to avoid interfering with their work, I cannot share any additional information at this time. However, please know that MCPS is fully cooperating with law enforcement.

Our thoughts are with the Damascus community during this difficult time. Counselors will be available at the school next week to support students.

As a county, we pride ourselves in being caring and showing concern for others. Let us live up to this standard by showing kindness and compassion to the Damascus community with our words and our actions. We encourage everyone to avoid spreading rumors online or in person. Not only can these rumors be hurtful, but they can also be a distraction to the investigation. If you believe you have information regarding the alleged incident, please contact the Special Victims Division of the Montgomery County Police at 240-773-5400.

Next week, MCPS will be speaking with students across the county about issues of hazing, bullying and harassment to ensure they know this type of behavior is not acceptable and they know how to report if they see or experience it.

Thank you in advance for your support for the Damascus community.

Sincerely,

Jack R. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

From WCHS:

From WCHS' Inclusive Achievement Council:

The Winston Churchill Inclusive Achievement Council held its first meeting on Friday, Oct 26. The Council brings Churchill administration, staff, parents and students to work together on building a more inclusive school climate, reducing bias and making students of allbackgrounds feel welcome at their school. One of the first topics of discussion was the school’s response to the discovery of a swastika, a symbol of hate, drawn on a classroom table. The group asked the Principal for follow up communication to the school community reflecting steps taken and student feedback.

Other agenda topics included:

– planning a second Study Circle, currently anticipated for second quarter of this school year. Study Circles are structured conversations designed to promote frank and open dialogue, often on uncomfortable topics. This allows for honest and in depth feedback from students on the school climate
discussion of the Principal’s plans for regular student and community surveys
– updates on the school’s No Place for Hate program, started last Spring in partnership with the Anti Defamation League (ADL), and sadly even more relevant in light of this week’s heinous hate crime in Pittsburgh.

The next meeting is scheduled for the week of Nov 12. Look for updates in the Winston Weekly.

The Council needs your input! Our school body contains a diversity of religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender orientation and race. Input from a diverse group of parents reflective of this variety is essential. If you are interested in sharing your ideas or joining the Council, simply contact any of the current parent members, staff or administrators listed here.

[Anonymous]

Where is that poster who said that Churchill was better, and RM was racist for having a swastika painted on the outer gym wall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many instances of black bullying of white and Asian students elsewhere in MCPS are met with principals alerting the entire school community about unacceptable behavior? This goes on all the time and is largely ignored because leadership is afraid of driving those families away.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many instances of black bullying of white and Asian students elsewhere in MCPS are met with principals alerting the entire school community about unacceptable behavior? This goes on all the time and is largely ignored because leadership is afraid of driving those families away.

Unless you can back your claim up with actual evidence I have to conclude you’re just one of those people who prefer to ignore Churchill’s problems by pretending it happens elsewhere but I got news for you, it actually doesn’t. I’m sorry you bought in a school zone full of privileged bullies.

[Anonymous]

There's a reason the above meetings weren't well attended. Poor notification by the principal and PTA prior to meetings taking place. It's also difficult for parents to attend the events held in the middle of a regular work day like the upcoming meeting on Monday at 10:30am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many instances of black bullying of white and Asian students elsewhere in MCPS are met with principals alerting the entire school community about unacceptable behavior? This goes on all the time and is largely ignored because leadership is afraid of driving those families away.

Unless you can back your claim up with actual evidence I have to conclude you’re just one of those people who prefer to ignore Churchill’s problems by pretending it happens elsewhere but I got news for you, it actually doesn’t. I’m sorry you bought in a school zone full of privileged bullies.

It is all about treating all students and staff with respect. Anyone can be perpetrators of bullying and anyone can be a target. All forms of bullying undermines the climate of a,school and creates barriers to learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a reason the above meetings weren't well attended. Poor notification by the principal and PTA prior to meetings taking place. It's also difficult for parents to attend the events held in the middle of a regular work day like the upcoming meeting on Monday at 10:30am.

or most of the parents didn't care enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a reason the above meetings weren't well attended. Poor notification by the principal and PTA prior to meetings taking place. It's also difficult for parents to attend the events held in the middle of a regular work day like the upcoming meeting on Monday at 10:30am.

or most of the parents didn't care enough.

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I would have attended had I known about them. I just didn't know about them. Many parents do work so I can also understand why a daytime meeting is poorly attended.

[Anonymous]

Mrs. Heckert has her select chosen few that she meets with. The atmosphere in the school is far from inclusive.

[Anonymous]

The neighborhoods surrounding Churchill are heavily Jewish. I really wonder how a family with those kinds of beliefs chose to live here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a reason the above meetings weren't well attended. Poor notification by the principal and PTA prior to meetings taking place. It's also difficult for parents to attend the events held in the middle of a regular work day like the upcoming meeting on Monday at 10:30am.

or most of the parents didn't care enough.

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I would have attended had I known about them. I just didn't know about them. Many parents do work so I can also understand why a daytime meeting is poorly attended.

The last meeting was at 7:30 pm - so it was not in the middle of the day.

There are plenty of email notifications, if you actually cared to read.

Your response is typical of Churchill parents.

you complain nothing is being done, then it is pointed out to you that a lot is being done, then you complain there is no communication and the meetings aren't convenient.

[Anonymous]

These problems have been going on for years and it's more than antisemitism.

https://wjla.com/news/local/incidents-at-winston-churchill-high-school-in-md-stir-allegations-of-racism

[Anonymous]

When was the email sent about Monday's meeting? Was something sent out this past week sense it is coming up in a few days?

[Anonymous]

DS said the latest incident involved kids handing out "N Word Passes"... i.e., pieces of paper giving white kids permission to use the word. He said the kids he saw giving them out were, themselves, white but maybe it originated from black kids handing them out. Same thing happened at Hoover a week or two ago (black kids handing out N Word Passes to white kids).