Is it true the Lacrosse player from Lightridge HS was Bullied or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The family should have sold their house and moved into Independence school district. There. Problem solved.

If it was a matter of my child's mental health and not being bullied.... I sure would!

That is still just transferring schools. How would that be any different.

You are allowed to transfer schools if you move within the district (football kids do this all the time to go to Stone Bridge).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The family should have sold their house and moved into Independence school district. There. Problem solved.

If it was a matter of my child's mental health and not being bullied.... I sure would!

That is still just transferring schools. How would that be any different.

You are allowed to transfer schools if you move within the district (football kids do this all the time to go to Stone Bridge).

If you move within the new school’s boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your argument is based on “but not for athletic/activity reasons.” she didn’t transfer for those reasons. The waiver wasn’t granted for those reasons.

No one said it was granted for athletics. LCPS cannot grant waivers for this reason, only VHSL can. It sounds like LCPS can grant a waiver for student welfare, but this does not automatically mean it applies to playing sports. LCPS specifically carves sports out of their decision and leaves sports eligibility up to VHSL once they have allowed the student to change schools. VHSL is responsible for fairness of sports across VA, not just Loudoun County. VHSL determined this waiver did not meet the standards to grant the waiver. And I’m sure it didn’t help the cause that Indy’s coach and parents probably discussed all of this prior to applying for a waiver, which goes against VHSL’s waiver policy. This case should be closed. The student’s parents, and Indy, bear the blame here, not VHSL.

Got it. You think the VHSL supercedes the school board's authority. The parents tried to argue the reverse and lost. It's ridiculous and weird the athletic portion of VA education is the ultimate authority.

No one believes the VHSL supersedes the LCPS. One represents the county and another all of Virginia athletics. Even LCPS notes in its own policy VHSL is responsible for athletic decisions. And the VHSL review process cannot even begin until a determination has been made on an athlete changing schools.

I have no idea what information was used as the basis for VHSL’s decision, but if there was a perception or evidence the Indy coach and parents and/or student discussed this topic prior to the waiver then case closed based on this one aspect of the VHSL waiver policy. Those are the rules and the Indy coach should have known them and instructed the family appropriately.

You're such an ass you can't even take the end of the argument. "one represents the county and another all of Virginia athletics..." where the policy of VHSL is the final determining decision. That's the very definition of superceding when one authority makes policy which doesn't allow something while another does. I suppose you think the United States Supreme Court just has different review processes the state courts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your argument is based on “but not for athletic/activity reasons.” she didn’t transfer for those reasons. The waiver wasn’t granted for those reasons.

No one said it was granted for athletics. LCPS cannot grant waivers for this reason, only VHSL can. It sounds like LCPS can grant a waiver for student welfare, but this does not automatically mean it applies to playing sports. LCPS specifically carves sports out of their decision and leaves sports eligibility up to VHSL once they have allowed the student to change schools. VHSL is responsible for fairness of sports across VA, not just Loudoun County. VHSL determined this waiver did not meet the standards to grant the waiver. And I’m sure it didn’t help the cause that Indy’s coach and parents probably discussed all of this prior to applying for a waiver, which goes against VHSL’s waiver policy. This case should be closed. The student’s parents, and Indy, bear the blame here, not VHSL.

Got it. You think the VHSL supercedes the school board's authority. The parents tried to argue the reverse and lost. It's ridiculous and weird the athletic portion of VA education is the ultimate authority.

No one believes the VHSL supersedes the LCPS. One represents the county and another all of Virginia athletics. Even LCPS notes in its own policy VHSL is responsible for athletic decisions. And the VHSL review process cannot even begin until a determination has been made on an athlete changing schools.

I have no idea what information was used as the basis for VHSL’s decision, but if there was a perception or evidence the Indy coach and parents and/or student discussed this topic prior to the waiver then case closed based on this one aspect of the VHSL waiver policy. Those are the rules and the Indy coach should have known them and instructed the family appropriately.

You're such an ass you can't even take the end of the argument. "one represents the county and another all of Virginia athletics..." where the policy of VHSL is the final determining decision. That's the very definition of superceding when one authority makes policy which doesn't allow something while another does. I suppose you think the United States Supreme Court just has different review processes the state courts.

Sorry you are so upset. Should have read the transfer policies of both the LCPS AND VHSL and understood the process. LCPS DOES NOT make decisions on athletic waivers. How many times do you need to hear this. Oh, and talking to the Indy coach before the waiver, probably not a good idea. Next time you’ll know moving is the safer option over trying to bend the rules.

[Anonymous]

There is really nothing left to argue over on this issue.

[Anonymous]

What is lost in all of this is the accusations against the former coach at LR. Did they really allow this? Was it reported and documented before the transfer request. Was any disciplinary action taken against the players who were bullying? Any other players complain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is lost in all of this is the accusations against the former coach at LR. Did they really allow this? Was it reported and documented before the transfer request. Was any disciplinary action taken against the players who were bullying? Any other players complain?

Gonna need some more details on what the frm coach did please and thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is lost in all of this is the accusations against the former coach at LR. Did they really allow this? Was it reported and documented before the transfer request. Was any disciplinary action taken against the players who were bullying? Any other players complain?

Gonna need some more details on what the frm coach did please and thank you.

Exactly the point. Why are no actions taken if the player was bullied so bad a transfer was needed should the former program be investigated? If not it sounds like this was all about playing with the new coach from club

[Anonymous]

You’re all crazy. Family took a swing at something they wanted and it didn’t work out. Why are all of you so personally offended?

I love your responses, totally entertaining. The righteous indignation, guard house lawyering, over-the-top commentary. Totally worth 5 minutes reading on the can!

[Anonymous]

There were no reports at LR.

She didn’t start or play much last year. After starting previously. The parents got upset. Blamed the coach. There was no bullying. Thats why no action was taken because none was warranted.

If she was still starting at LR none of this happens.

The family assumed she could transfer to the new school, play for the club coach and would be starting again.

Indy didn’t try and recruit her. The club coach didn’t try and recruit her. The parents threw a tantrum and then blamed everyone around them.

Mentioning by name the kid from LR as lead bully goes to prove they actually don’t care about mental health of teenagers or you wouldn’t falsely accuse a teenager publicly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this still being discussed?

Probably because people have an opinion. People can agree with the decision or not. But the bottom line is the point other posters have made. If LCPS determined there was cause for the girl to be granted a transfer waiver something wasn’t great at her previous school. Knowing the importance of lacrosse in this girl’s life this should have been a coordinated all or nothing scenario—either granted both waivers or neither. But it sounds like the parents should have just rented a place in the preferred zone which would have been cheaper and less stressful for their daughter. I’m guessing they didn’t since it sounds like a field hockey player (they were state champs so an even stronger sports program) at the same school was granted the school and sports waiver this year so maybe they thought they’d receive the same.

Others have mentioned the importance of this already, but upfront the VHSL states, “Parents or guardians are responsible for understanding all potential consequences of changing schools by special permission.” VHSL further states, “Under VHSL rules, subsequent student-requested transfers (or returning to a regular school of assignment) will generally result in 365 days of ineligibility unless there is an actual corresponding change of residence of the parents or guardian.” LCPS seems to add to this by stating, “A waiver may be considered for transfers that are required or mandated by the school system or are for the welfare of the student or school system but not for athletic/activity reasons.” So one has to assume the parents of this student understood the potential risks as it related to playing sports when changing schools.

Assuming the parents understood and accepted the risk of their daughter potentially not playing sports when they decided to change schools the VHSL clearly lays out the process they needed to follow for initiating an athletic transfer waiver, stating “The student must be enrolled in the new school before making a request.” I interpret this to mean LCPS has to grant the student a waiver to attend the requested school first, and this triggers the VHSL transfer process. So, this covers why school acceptance by LCPS is separate from an athletic waiver by the VHSL. One covers the county and the other the fairness of sports across the state.

As part of the formal review process the steps include, “The Supervisor of Athletics will contact school staff at the previous school to validate the request and purpose. The information collected will be submitted to the Superintendent Designee for review and consideration.” In this case it appears whatever information was gathered led those tasked with making the final decision to believe the requested change was driven by sports, and not the welfare of the student.

One interesting area of the policy relates to players meeting with coaches prior to enrolling at their new school. The policy states, “you may not meet with a coach outside of your school’s attendance zone to discuss your child playing at their school. No member school or group of individuals representing the school shall subject a student from another school to undue influence by encouraging him/her to transfer from one school to another for League activities.”

Others have mentioned the relationship between the student and her club lacrosse coach. It probably is not a stretch to think the coach, parents, and player discussed the potential of attending the new school prior to all of this happening. If so, this rule alone may have been reason to deny a waiver request in this case. It certainly doesn’t work in their favor.

All of this comes back to the parents should have known the risks associated with their actions, and should not have expected a rubber-stamp approval by the VHSL.

Well times have changed, mental health and bullying are documented concerns and an epidemic with our youth. There is also documented mental health benefits to sports participation. So to not tie the two together is ridiculous and a lawsuit in and of itself because kids who participate in activities outside of sports have no penalty. The process seems quite flawed and yes, I’m guessing these parents fully understood the potential outcome but if their daughter was struggling they were probably desperate. In the world of LoCo lacrosse or any sport the chance there wouldn’t be cross over in many sports between rec, travel, MS and HS is slim. So sadly it seems the only way to support your child who needs a move from a unhealthy environment and still wants to play a sport that is part of their identity and passion is to have the money to rent/but a property in the desired zone and that isn’t feasible for most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I am sure Kenyon is thrilled for all of this drama for a student athlete joining their school.
I know D3 coaches are very concerned about recruiting athletes who come with intense parents. I have 2 close friends who are D3 coaches and after coaches have been fired due to kids not getting enough playing time (some parent pressuring the administration) they do their best to stay away from athletes who might come with a lot of parent management.

Thanks so much for your concern. She's been given nothing but support from the Kenyon coaches and they have reached out to make sure she's doing okay. They have expressed admiration for her bravery to seek help and try to make sure other's receive it as well.

[Anonymous]

I had no idea this many people had this many opinions about my kid and my family. All I will say is this. I really, really hope you don't have to watch your child go through what we watched our child go through. But I will forever be proud of who she is, how hard she tried, and how much she wants for other students to be taken seriously when it comes to their mental health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While the player’s parents, rightfully so, are catching a lot of heat over this transfer situation it would be foolish to believe Indy and it’s coach did not discuss and encourage actions taken by the player. The Indy coaches know full well what the LCPS transfer policy is and it appears they either turned a blind eye to the rules hoping they could circumvent them the system or they grossly misguided the player.

Your statement presumes manipulation. How about they were helping a troubled kid. How dare they. Btw - who cares. It is girls public school lacrosse. Should have granted the waiver and just moved along. If it had been, bball and a poc, no problem.

The parents bear full responsibility for people concluding there was manipulation here due to their manipulative PR pressure campaign where they ommitted key details in an attempt to whip up sympathy for the girl. You don't go give a dozen "woe is me" media interviews and then have it come out in court that in reality you wanted to play with your friends and former club coach at your new HS, which just happened to have been states runners up last year.

I have no doubt LCPS took one look at those details last summer, when the transfer was initiated, and concluded they couldn't grant the waiver the family wanted. And rightfully so. Going on a 6-month media tour to try to force a reversal wasn't a good look.

Thanks so much. Last July we told the County exactly what it was about Indy that made Lily choose it - a trusted group of friends and adults from club lacrosse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know the family and yes, the girl was bullied throughout HS.

no more than anyone else was i'm sure. there's a difference in bullying and not being liked.

-- If you'd like the evidence of the bullying, feel free to reach out.