Head of School at National Child Research Center (NCRC) - Arrest warrant issued

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The board traditionally includes former parents too as well as one or two trustees who do not have children who ever went to the school.

The characterization of a dynamic where the head of school wields power over parents (or the 3/4 of families whose kids apply to private schools) because he or she gives guidance and communicates with schools during the ongoing school application process is just wrong. Ongoing schools ultimately do as they wish and decide for themselves which applicants they will accept. The decision is not up to the head of a preschool.

There is so much misinformation and hysteria on this thread. I feel like I’m reading The Crucible. If you are a current or former NCRC family or are thinking of applying for next year, who not ask these questions of the school, and not an anonymous, unreliable forum.

You’re saying the HOS has no influence on exmissions?

Since you’re an insider, can you detail the NCRC child safeguarding policies and practices, and more generally, how the school creates an atmosphere where complaints can be raised without fear of retaliation?

Once again, do you just like avoiding questions. What complaints would have kept Jc from doing what he did. Nobody knew so complaining about child going outside without a coat, would have been ignored? What complaints are you thinking of that might have helped here?

nobody knows. That’s the point of the investigation.

Are you denying that organizations need child safeguarding policies and protections for people who raise complaints.

What? If that’s how you read it, I can’t possibly explain it to you any further. I can’t figure out if you’re dense on purpose to troll or if you’re really this way. I definitely was not saying what you got from it. Wow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The board traditionally includes former parents too as well as one or two trustees who do not have children who ever went to the school.

The characterization of a dynamic where the head of school wields power over parents (or the 3/4 of families whose kids apply to private schools) because he or she gives guidance and communicates with schools during the ongoing school application process is just wrong. Ongoing schools ultimately do as they wish and decide for themselves which applicants they will accept. The decision is not up to the head of a preschool.

There is so much misinformation and hysteria on this thread. I feel like I’m reading The Crucible. If you are a current or former NCRC family or are thinking of applying for next year, who not ask these questions of the school, and not an anonymous, unreliable forum.

You’re saying the HOS has no influence on exmissions?

Since you’re an insider, can you detail the NCRC child safeguarding policies and practices, and more generally, how the school creates an atmosphere where complaints can be raised without fear of retaliation?

You don't even have a child at the school. You are trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An institution can’t move forward in a situation like this without examining, investigating, etc. That’s just a fact—whether it’s a school, a corporation, a govt agency. I’m the poster who has repeatedly said that the (perceived) power JC wielded with parents vis-à-vis getting kids into kindergarten was a bad thing. Don’t forget, the board at NCRC is always made up largely of current parents…parents who saw JC as their ticket to a great kindergarten. This power imbalance (or perceived power imbalance) with the HOS should not be replicated as the school moves forward.

This is 100% part of the problem. - Long time NCRC parent

Our school doesn't allow parents on the board until their last kid graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The board traditionally includes former parents too as well as one or two trustees who do not have children who ever went to the school.

The characterization of a dynamic where the head of school wields power over parents (or the 3/4 of families whose kids apply to private schools) because he or she gives guidance and communicates with schools during the ongoing school application process is just wrong. Ongoing schools ultimately do as they wish and decide for themselves which applicants they will accept. The decision is not up to the head of a preschool.

There is so much misinformation and hysteria on this thread. I feel like I’m reading The Crucible. If you are a current or former NCRC family or are thinking of applying for next year, who not ask these questions of the school, and not an anonymous, unreliable forum.

Oh okay. So was I imagining it when James would ask each family to share with him their #1 school so he could go lobby on the family’s behalf at the school?

You were imagining it if you think it had any real influence. Of course he goes to each desired school, applications in hand, and pleads the case for the each kid. That's part of what you are paying for at NCRC. And often, it's successful, because schools like Sidwell and Beauvoir know that they are generally getting good eggs in terms of families/ kids that come from NCRC. But it's not JC who actually "gets them in." Please tell me you're not naive enough to believe that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An institution can’t move forward in a situation like this without examining, investigating, etc. That’s just a fact—whether it’s a school, a corporation, a govt agency. I’m the poster who has repeatedly said that the (perceived) power JC wielded with parents vis-à-vis getting kids into kindergarten was a bad thing. Don’t forget, the board at NCRC is always made up largely of current parents…parents who saw JC as their ticket to a great kindergarten. This power imbalance (or perceived power imbalance) with the HOS should not be replicated as the school moves forward.

Side note to anyone who is assessing any school, at any time. This (bolded) is always a bad sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The board traditionally includes former parents too as well as one or two trustees who do not have children who ever went to the school.

The characterization of a dynamic where the head of school wields power over parents (or the 3/4 of families whose kids apply to private schools) because he or she gives guidance and communicates with schools during the ongoing school application process is just wrong. Ongoing schools ultimately do as they wish and decide for themselves which applicants they will accept. The decision is not up to the head of a preschool.

There is so much misinformation and hysteria on this thread. I feel like I’m reading The Crucible. If you are a current or former NCRC family or are thinking of applying for next year, who not ask these questions of the school, and not an anonymous, unreliable forum.

Oh okay. So was I imagining it when James would ask each family to share with him their #1 school so he could go lobby on the family’s behalf at the school?

You were imagining it if you think it had any real influence. Of course he goes to each desired school, applications in hand, and pleads the case for the each kid. That's part of what you are paying for at NCRC. And often, it's successful, because schools like Sidwell and Beauvoir know that they are generally getting good eggs in terms of families/ kids that come from NCRC. But it's not JC who actually "gets them in." Please tell me you're not naive enough to believe that.

It may not be determinative, but it either has or is perceived to have influence (as you say, that's part of what people are paying for). And that in turn could influence how parents act around him, either because he does or is feared to advocate differently for different families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The board traditionally includes former parents too as well as one or two trustees who do not have children who ever went to the school.

The characterization of a dynamic where the head of school wields power over parents (or the 3/4 of families whose kids apply to private schools) because he or she gives guidance and communicates with schools during the ongoing school application process is just wrong. Ongoing schools ultimately do as they wish and decide for themselves which applicants they will accept. The decision is not up to the head of a preschool.

There is so much misinformation and hysteria on this thread. I feel like I’m reading The Crucible. If you are a current or former NCRC family or are thinking of applying for next year, who not ask these questions of the school, and not an anonymous, unreliable forum.

Oh okay. So was I imagining it when James would ask each family to share with him their #1 school so he could go lobby on the family’s behalf at the school?

You were imagining it if you think it had any real influence. Of course he goes to each desired school, applications in hand, and pleads the case for the each kid. That's part of what you are paying for at NCRC. And often, it's successful, because schools like Sidwell and Beauvoir know that they are generally getting good eggs in terms of families/ kids that come from NCRC. But it's not JC who actually "gets them in." Please tell me you're not naive enough to believe that.

It may not be determinative, but it either has or is perceived to have influence (as you say, that's part of what people are paying for). And that in turn could influence how parents act around him, either because he does or is feared to advocate differently for different families.

Well, people are stupid, aren't they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An institution can’t move forward in a situation like this without examining, investigating, etc. That’s just a fact—whether it’s a school, a corporation, a govt agency. I’m the poster who has repeatedly said that the (perceived) power JC wielded with parents vis-à-vis getting kids into kindergarten was a bad thing. Don’t forget, the board at NCRC is always made up largely of current parents…parents who saw JC as their ticket to a great kindergarten. This power imbalance (or perceived power imbalance) with the HOS should not be replicated as the school moves forward.

Side note to anyone who is assessing any school, at any time. This (bolded) is always a bad sign.

Wrong. They have a vested interest in their kids being safe so they aren’t or weren’t covering up anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very disturbing. NCRC parent here. Wasn't one of the big ticket auction items, preschoolers getting to spend the day with him at a baseball game? Yuck.

This is what one would call a red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An institution can’t move forward in a situation like this without examining, investigating, etc. That’s just a fact—whether it’s a school, a corporation, a govt agency. I’m the poster who has repeatedly said that the (perceived) power JC wielded with parents vis-à-vis getting kids into kindergarten was a bad thing. Don’t forget, the board at NCRC is always made up largely of current parents…parents who saw JC as their ticket to a great kindergarten. This power imbalance (or perceived power imbalance) with the HOS should not be replicated as the school moves forward.

Agree with all of this. I felt like I had to shut my mouth when it came to having any issue with anyone at NCRC for fear that it would prevent my child from getting into private K. Everyone kisses up and never rocks the boat. I mean a few do but the majority stay quiet and smile and nod. It was so odd being at that school.

The board needs to take a hard look in the mirror and what the members bring to the table. Also interesting that if you are an FA family, you will never be on the board. When we were at NCRC, not one member of the board besides JC had experience working with children. Everyone on the board was rich, worked in real estate, law, finance or SAHM or SAHD. How about filling the board with some people that actually work in education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An institution can’t move forward in a situation like this without examining, investigating, etc. That’s just a fact—whether it’s a school, a corporation, a govt agency. I’m the poster who has repeatedly said that the (perceived) power JC wielded with parents vis-à-vis getting kids into kindergarten was a bad thing. Don’t forget, the board at NCRC is always made up largely of current parents…parents who saw JC as their ticket to a great kindergarten. This power imbalance (or perceived power imbalance) with the HOS should not be replicated as the school moves forward.

Agree with all of this. I felt like I had to shut my mouth when it came to having any issue with anyone at NCRC for fear that it would prevent my child from getting into private K. Everyone kisses up and never rocks the boat. I mean a few do but the majority stay quiet and smile and nod. It was so odd being at that school.

The board needs to take a hard look in the mirror and what the members bring to the table. Also interesting that if you are an FA family, you will never be on the board. When we were at NCRC, not one member of the board besides JC had experience working with children. Everyone on the board was rich, worked in real estate, law, finance or SAHM or SAHD. How about filling the board with some people that actually work in education?

Thank you for sharing your experience at the school and your astute observations. Your recommendations are critical, and should be implemented promptly.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand what is the problem with a head of school whose job is also to get kids into DC area private schools advocating for his/her students.

I have had 3 kids at NCRC and while most kids do get in their number 1 school, those kids that are more problematic do not end up at usual DC schools. This happened with 3 kids that were in class with my kids (that I know of).

My point is that there aren’t big differences among 4-5 year olds for the most part and the HoS listens to parents and teachers and makes the best recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Why would you pay $40k a year for a kindergarten if you aren't trying to get into competitive private school? There are *so* many other good programs around NW DC/Chevy Chase for a fraction of the cost...denying the influence of the ---main --- person in charge of outplacement is foolish.

Maybe he was just a weirdo with a cleverly hidden secret life. Maybe he sought out a position and institution where he had power he felt he lacked otherwise (also probably psychologically tied to some of his sexual deviance, as he asked the FBI agent to do things he claimed he couldn't). Maybe the atmosphere at NCRC subtly (best case if we are honest given the situation, which partially involves a crime that committed on campus during school hours re access of csam materials) gave him ever increasing bandwidth to act horribly.

The only thing clearly known is denying that the value add of NCRC is private outplacement is so naive it makes me concerned about the judgement of anyone who would believe that and still send their child there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you pay $40k a year for a kindergarten if you aren't trying to get into competitive private school? There are *so* many other good programs around NW DC/Chevy Chase for a fraction of the cost...denying the influence of the ---main --- person in charge of outplacement is foolish.

Maybe he was just a weirdo with a cleverly hidden secret life. Maybe he sought out a position and institution where he had power he felt he lacked otherwise (also probably psychologically tied to some of his sexual deviance, as he asked the FBI agent to do things he claimed he couldn't). Maybe the atmosphere at NCRC subtly (best case if we are honest given the situation, which partially involves a crime that committed on campus during school hours re access of csam materials) gave him ever increasing bandwidth to act horribly.

The only thing clearly known is denying that the value add of NCRC is private outplacement is so naive it makes me concerned about the judgement of anyone who would believe that and still send their child there.

Hit send too soon, meant preschool duh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand what is the problem with a head of school whose job is also to get kids into DC area private schools advocating for his/her students.

I have had 3 kids at NCRC and while most kids do get in their number 1 school, those kids that are more problematic do not end up at usual DC schools. This happened with 3 kids that were in class with my kids (that I know of).

My point is that there aren’t big differences among 4-5 year olds for the most part and the HoS listens to parents and teachers and makes the best recommendations.

Most kids at NCRC do not get into their #1 school!