Another example of FCPS' poor implementation of discipline procedures?

[Anonymous]

An article appeared in the WP on 3/10 providing another example of FCPS disciplining a student in what appears to be a completely irrational manner: 13 y/o student brought a prescription acne medication to school (and she had a legit scrip) but inadvertantly failed to have her parent sign the medication into the school's admin office.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-schools-discipline-under-scrutiny-after-teens-suspension-for-medication/2011/03/08/ABZBiZQ_story.html

As a parent of 2 FCPS students, and a third in two yrs, I am freaked by this. I am also a lawyer (as is my DH), and am ready to tell our oldest DC (3rd grade) to refuse to answer any q's if ever confronted with an allegation of misconduct and to call us so we can lawyer up. This is ridiculous.

Does anyone know who are the decision makers at a FCPS disciplinary hearing? Are they elected officials? Do they have a legal background?

[Anonymous]

I am a lawyer as well. One of the chief reasons that my child goes to public school is because of FCPS ridiculous discipline policies. I have represented kids in the types of hearings described in the articles. Nearly universally, they are awful.

[Anonymous]

That should be, "One of the chief reasons that she goes to private school..."

[Anonymous]

I read the part about the hearing officer's harassing her and bullying her about wanting to have a boyfriend. DISGUSTING.

My friend's child went through a FCPS discipline hearing a few years ago and it was very similar condescending, bullying attitude. Her son showed up nicely dressed (suit and tie) as a sign of respect for the gravity of the proceedings. The hearing officers had the audacity to remark "Okay pretty boy, Don't expect special treatment because your mommy dressed you today." DISGUSTING.

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping this will change now that there's been so much attention over the past few months. That, and the prospect of a largely new School Board this fall that has different priorities than building or closing every school that strikes Liz Bradsher's fancy.

I think the problem stems from the fact that there are students who are problems in FCPS, and they tend to come from certain demographics. FCPS doesn't want to be accused of being biased, so the "solution" is to treat every possible infraction the same. Common sense goes completely out the window.

[Anonymous]

Maybe. But really the problem stems from the major events of school violence in the past 10-15 years. No one wants kids getting shot in their school by other kids. At Columbine there were waving red flag warning signs that either no one saw or saw and did not respond. Now zero tolerance policies respond to EVERYTHING and in FCPS, schools push the "problem" to another school or provide homebound instruction or alternative schools. Or none of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe. But really the problem stems from the major events of school violence in the past 10-15 years. No one wants kids getting shot in their school by other kids. At Columbine there were waving red flag warning signs that either no one saw or saw and did not respond. Now zero tolerance policies respond to EVERYTHING and in FCPS, schools push the "problem" to another school or provide homebound instruction or alternative schools. Or none of the above.

I agree that the school violence cases have driven a lot of this. The schools don't want to be sued and noone wants children to be unsafe.

But, FCPS has a pathological implenmentation and reading of the law. They will suspend/expel a child for bringing a knife to school to eat their apple. It should be scary to eveyr FCPS parent that one wrong move and your child could be in front of these HEARTLESS bitches that pass for a disciplinary hearing council. Children need to be treated as CHILDREN - they are still developing and learning and make mistakes. They need guidance, rules, and support, and deserve to have thoughtful discipline when it is merited. Maybe the school system is just too damn big and they are overwhelmed by the number of students and can't treat the individuals.

[Anonymous]

01:12 I agree with you 100% and would like to add this: Here is the problem those "Heartless Bitches" face. Someone comes before them . . . the student claims they brought the knife in to eat an apple, the right questions get asked, right answers given . . . common sense prevails and the student is allowed back into the school beciause no threat is seen. . . a few days later that student stabs another who has been bullying the first (this was never metioned in the interview process) . . . the county gets sued by the parents of the stabbing victim for not providing a "safe" environment for their child.

I would not want that burden. I have no idea what the anwswer is for FCPS. I would like to think that FCPS could work with families but they seem to be going with the one size fits all approach. Maybe this is because many families put the burden of teaching everything on to the schools. They can not do it all and paretns need to realize that the teachers and admin are not out to "get" their child. Most school officals do want what is best for every child even the "burnt out" ones.