Assault outside Wilson

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has Principal reviewed the records of OOB kids and sent back to home school those that don't meet the required attendance and gpa? I think this is at discretion of the Principal.

This! This is what kills me because I believe that Wilson really should be open to all underprivileged minority kids who are willing to commute there on time and put in the work. I don't think OOB at high school should be a lottery. If there is one child in DC that can't get in, but could thrive there, they should have the spot. The kids on the metro who assaulted the man couldn't have gotten to school on time. Thirty kids traveling together late? That shows me they care little about their Wilson eduction, so why are they taking a spot from another minority student at an overcrowded school?

At risk of being accused of all sorts of atrocities, isn't it possible that these kids were delayed on the Metro that day just like so many other passengers? Moreover, couldn't the shoving to get to the train be consistent with a desire to not fall further behind schedule? If they were boarding a train at Gallery Place at 8:30, they could have been at the school by 8:50 and have only been 5 minutes late. It is likely they were not boarding earlier because of delays getting to that point. I am not sure this is actually evidence that they don't value their Wilson education and, in fact, may be evidence that they do. Of course, avoiding a fight would have been even better evidence.

Of course it's certainly possible they were delayed that one day--it was a couple days after the snow. And of course I was assuming that they were chronically truant, only because I hear about chronically truant kids coming into Deal. Heck, I see chronically truant kids at our elementary, which is the parents fault, and totally annoying. In the case of our elementary, the principal frankly allows it. Wasn't it upthread, or maybe on the other thread that someone said they often see kids at 9 at Starbucks. I also see kids (white, black, and brown) take what I estimate as 10 minutes to walk from the metro to school--it takes them about 3.5 minutes alone to cross diagonally across the intersection.

At the high school level, the kids have to be responsible and getting to school on time seems like the lowest bar. We went to a 9am open house there and plenty of kids were still coming in until then.

I was responding to a post about the principal's discretion. IF they are chronically truant, I think they need repercussions. I don't want to see them enter the juvenile detention system, but do believe that the principal needs to set the bar higher IF need be. I don't think even 5 minutes late is acceptable, for anyone. It probably wasn't fair for me to assume, but I think it should be factored into how to move forward with the case/kids. If it was due to the snow, and they are on time every other day, of course it should be weighed in their favor.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has Principal reviewed the records of OOB kids and sent back to home school those that don't meet the required attendance and gpa? I think this is at discretion of the Principal.

This! This is what kills me because I believe that Wilson really should be open to all underprivileged minority kids who are willing to commute there on time and put in the work. I don't think OOB at high school should be a lottery. If there is one child in DC that can't get in, but could thrive there, they should have the spot. The kids on the metro who assaulted the man couldn't have gotten to school on time. Thirty kids traveling together late? That shows me they care little about their Wilson eduction, so why are they taking a spot from another minority student at an overcrowded school?

At risk of being accused of all sorts of atrocities, isn't it possible that these kids were delayed on the Metro that day just like so many other passengers? Moreover, couldn't the shoving to get to the train be consistent with a desire to not fall further behind schedule? If they were boarding a train at Gallery Place at 8:30, they could have been at the school by 8:50 and have only been 5 minutes late. It is likely they were not boarding earlier because of delays getting to that point. I am not sure this is actually evidence that they don't value their Wilson education and, in fact, may be evidence that they do. Of course, avoiding a fight would have been even better evidence.

Of course it's certainly possible they were delayed that one day--it was a couple days after the snow. And of course I was assuming that they were chronically truant, only because I hear about chronically truant kids coming into Deal. Heck, I see chronically truant kids at our elementary, which is the parents fault, and totally annoying. In the case of our elementary, the principal frankly allows it. Wasn't it upthread, or maybe on the other thread that someone said they often see kids at 9 at Starbucks. I also see kids (white, black, and brown) take what I estimate as 10 minutes to walk from the metro to school--it takes them about 3.5 minutes alone to cross diagonally across the intersection.

At the high school level, the kids have to be responsible and getting to school on time seems like the lowest bar. We went to a 9am open house there and plenty of kids were still coming in until then.

I was responding to a post about the principal's discretion. IF they are chronically truant, I think they need repercussions. I don't want to see them enter the juvenile detention system, but do believe that the principal needs to set the bar higher IF need be. I don't think even 5 minutes late is acceptable, for anyone. It probably wasn't fair for me to assume, but I think it should be factored into how to move forward with the case/kids. If it was due to the snow, and they are on time every other day, of course it should be weighed in their favor.

Just FYI, according to tweets on @unsuckdcmetro, riders were experiencing 30 minute or longer delays at Gallery Place even before the fight. It is exactly those delays that caused the platform to be so crowded. See this tweet that shows the platform at 8:15, fifteen minutes before the fight:

https://twitter.com/beatpunk/status/692706900417331201

and this one that was from earlier that morning complaining about 30 minute delays:

https://twitter.com/AnthroPaulicy/status/692703112855994369

and another one talking about delays at Gallery Place that morning:

https://twitter.com/StuffByJNo/status/692684538133221376

[Anonymous]

Guys... Gals....

I figured it out.

It's obamas fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys... Gals....

I figured it out.

It's obamas fault.

Nope, income disparity made me do it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys... Gals....

I figured it out.

It's obamas fault.

Nope, income disparity made me do it

Also trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration knows all about the gang activity, the ongoing shoplifting at CVS, the harassment of pedestrians and does nothing to stop it. I have no idea why, but Wilson is definitely getting more dangerous.

Either the principal steps up to the plate, or the neighbors and the school community will revolt again DCPS and the Mayor. She inherited a jewel!

I am just very thankful, as a Hispanic parent who will not send my kids to Wilson even though we are zoned for it, that someone finally brought up the presence of MS 13 at Wilson and it wasn't me. The 18th Street gang, who are their sworn rivals, are also present at Wilson. Not a good mix.

I always wondered why no one mentioned it. I thought perhaps it does not influence the decisions of people on this board as they are mostly Anglos or AA and their kids will be left alone (I don't know if there is AA gang activity). The fact that you did not know about it shocks me, unless most of the people posting early on were not Wilson parents.

Wilson must be REALLY segregated for a bunch of you not to know not only about MS 13 but also about the 18th Street gang, which is where most of the conflict comes from. And at least from looking at what is here, I don't see any mention of 18th Street. If two groups of Hispanic kids go at eachother from Wilson, I think it is a safe assumption it has something to do with these two gangs.

My husband, who grew up in an worse environment where looking at someone the wrong way or accidentally shoving them could lead to a beating or worse, once he found out about MS 13 and the 18th Street gang, was not willing to put our children in danger by sending them into a school that has two rival Hispanic gangs. He said it was not going happen. Ever. Forget about racial stereotypes. We are worried about physical safety. I did not grow up this way but given the reputation of Mara Salvatrucha I don't want my kids anywhere near them, especially when they already have a rival gang in their school, even though neither of us is from El Salvador or even Central America.

Anyway, I'm just glad everyone knows about it now. I am glad it is out from under the covers. I thought everyone knew before but thought it did not matter for them because they look different and Wilson is so segregated. I thought if I posted THAT, about MS 13 and 18th Street, rather than as parents of minority students, we just don't want our kids to go to Wilson, people would make fun of me, just because no one ever mentions it.

It is kind of nice but shocking to know you did not know.

Any AA parents want to add what they know about AA gang activity at Wilson, if there is any?

(We only found this out by talking to Hispanic parents who had kids at Wilson or who decided not to go -
we repeatedly asked Anglo parents and they all said no gangs at Wilson - and I think they just didn't know)

[Anonymous]

I am so glad you brought this up PP.i am an Anglo mom of a biracial (Latino) kid zoned for Wilson who did not attend Wilson. Still, always worried about my child being marked for gang action in DC based solely ion his looks, and breathed a big sigh of relief when he graduated without drawing their attention. I am also a poster who has repeatedly brought up my concerns about Wilson behaviors that I see on the street outside. Part of my rationale is yes, when you let the little stuff completely go you are setting the stage for bigger stuff - including gangs whose violence I have seen in the District from my own work with teens. I completely understand your concerns : Once you are jumped in, you are never let out except in a body bag most likely. And the humiliation they reap upon boys , upon girls, in their 'rituals' are unspeakable to form their twisted family units. It is a truth that neighborhood and high SES parents are among the most vocal (though not the only voices) at many DC schools. They are often the most savvy about getting their voices heard, as well. I know. I am one. I have wondered why these parents are not wringing their hands over the terrible behavior at Wilson which is now extending to real teen on teen violence, whether gang or not. There is a poohpoohing and a frequent statement is, "why did you move to DC if you didn't expect this? Go back to Peoria. Yu are overreacting and clutching your pearls; not a hip, urban, parent like me." I am coming to conclude that these 'with it' parents are not speaking up about the crap behavior outside Wilson and the uptick in violence because they are simply not affected by it. You can bet if their kids were, they'd be outside with signs not whiling away the hours in happy oblivion. It is the two worlds of Wilson, and their childs world is perceived as safe and on track for college. These parents desperately need to waken up and demand action. Wilson needs to pull its culture, expectations, discipline and cooperation with policing and the neighborhood together..if it doesn't I do think we will be looking at an uptick in everything sad and vile in terms of youth pathologies, and that becomes a poison that its hard to buttress against. The school and community need to be proactive to protect and inspire and support all these children. Its time to stop looking away and stepping around and make a concerted response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration knows all about the gang activity, the ongoing shoplifting at CVS, the harassment of pedestrians and does nothing to stop it. I have no idea why, but Wilson is definitely getting more dangerous.

Either the principal steps up to the plate, or the neighbors and the school community will revolt again DCPS and the Mayor. She inherited a jewel!

I am just very thankful, as a Hispanic parent who will not send my kids to Wilson even though we are zoned for it, that someone finally brought up the presence of MS 13 at Wilson and it wasn't me. The 18th Street gang, who are their sworn rivals, are also present at Wilson. Not a good mix.

I always wondered why no one mentioned it. I thought perhaps it does not influence the decisions of people on this board as they are mostly Anglos or AA and their kids will be left alone (I don't know if there is AA gang activity). The fact that you did not know about it shocks me, unless most of the people posting early on were not Wilson parents.

Wilson must be REALLY segregated for a bunch of you not to know not only about MS 13 but also about the 18th Street gang, which is where most of the conflict comes from. And at least from looking at what is here, I don't see any mention of 18th Street. If two groups of Hispanic kids go at eachother from Wilson, I think it is a safe assumption it has something to do with these two gangs.

My husband, who grew up in an worse environment where looking at someone the wrong way or accidentally shoving them could lead to a beating or worse, once he found out about MS 13 and the 18th Street gang, was not willing to put our children in danger by sending them into a school that has two rival Hispanic gangs. He said it was not going happen. Ever. Forget about racial stereotypes. We are worried about physical safety. I did not grow up this way but given the reputation of Mara Salvatrucha I don't want my kids anywhere near them, especially when they already have a rival gang in their school, even though neither of us is from El Salvador or even Central America.

Anyway, I'm just glad everyone knows about it now. I am glad it is out from under the covers. I thought everyone knew before but thought it did not matter for them because they look different and Wilson is so segregated. I thought if I posted THAT, about MS 13 and 18th Street, rather than as parents of minority students, we just don't want our kids to go to Wilson, people would make fun of me, just because no one ever mentions it.

It is kind of nice but shocking to know you did not know.

Any AA parents want to add what they know about AA gang activity at Wilson, if there is any?

(We only found this out by talking to Hispanic parents who had kids at Wilson or who decided not to go -
we repeatedly asked Anglo parents and they all said no gangs at Wilson - and I think they just didn't know)

I am an AA parent and I have not heard about AA gangs at Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration knows all about the gang activity, the ongoing shoplifting at CVS, the harassment of pedestrians and does nothing to stop it. I have no idea why, but Wilson is definitely getting more dangerous.

Either the principal steps up to the plate, or the neighbors and the school community will revolt again DCPS and the Mayor. She inherited a jewel!

I am just very thankful, as a Hispanic parent who will not send my kids to Wilson even though we are zoned for it, that someone finally brought up the presence of MS 13 at Wilson and it wasn't me. The 18th Street gang, who are their sworn rivals, are also present at Wilson. Not a good mix.

I always wondered why no one mentioned it. I thought perhaps it does not influence the decisions of people on this board as they are mostly Anglos or AA and their kids will be left alone (I don't know if there is AA gang activity). The fact that you did not know about it shocks me, unless most of the people posting early on were not Wilson parents.

Wilson must be REALLY segregated for a bunch of you not to know not only about MS 13 but also about the 18th Street gang, which is where most of the conflict comes from. And at least from looking at what is here, I don't see any mention of 18th Street. If two groups of Hispanic kids go at eachother from Wilson, I think it is a safe assumption it has something to do with these two gangs.

My husband, who grew up in an worse environment where looking at someone the wrong way or accidentally shoving them could lead to a beating or worse, once he found out about MS 13 and the 18th Street gang, was not willing to put our children in danger by sending them into a school that has two rival Hispanic gangs. He said it was not going happen. Ever. Forget about racial stereotypes. We are worried about physical safety. I did not grow up this way but given the reputation of Mara Salvatrucha I don't want my kids anywhere near them, especially when they already have a rival gang in their school, even though neither of us is from El Salvador or even Central America.

Anyway, I'm just glad everyone knows about it now. I am glad it is out from under the covers. I thought everyone knew before but thought it did not matter for them because they look different and Wilson is so segregated. I thought if I posted THAT, about MS 13 and 18th Street, rather than as parents of minority students, we just don't want our kids to go to Wilson, people would make fun of me, just because no one ever mentions it.

It is kind of nice but shocking to know you did not know.

Any AA parents want to add what they know about AA gang activity at Wilson, if there is any?

(We only found this out by talking to Hispanic parents who had kids at Wilson or who decided not to go -
we repeatedly asked Anglo parents and they all said no gangs at Wilson - and I think they just didn't know)

I am an AA parent and I have not heard about AA gangs at Wilson.

And?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad you brought this up PP.i am an Anglo mom of a biracial (Latino) kid zoned for Wilson who did not attend Wilson. Still, always worried about my child being marked for gang action in DC based solely ion his looks, and breathed a big sigh of relief when he graduated without drawing their attention. I am also a poster who has repeatedly brought up my concerns about Wilson behaviors that I see on the street outside. Part of my rationale is yes, when you let the little stuff completely go you are setting the stage for bigger stuff - including gangs whose violence I have seen in the District from my own work with teens. I completely understand your concerns : Once you are jumped in, you are never let out except in a body bag most likely. And the humiliation they reap upon boys , upon girls, in their 'rituals' are unspeakable to form their twisted family units. It is a truth that neighborhood and high SES parents are among the most vocal (though not the only voices) at many DC schools. They are often the most savvy about getting their voices heard, as well. I know. I am one. I have wondered why these parents are not wringing their hands over the terrible behavior at Wilson which is now extending to real teen on teen violence, whether gang or not. There is a poohpoohing and a frequent statement is, "why did you move to DC if you didn't expect this? Go back to Peoria. Yu are overreacting and clutching your pearls; not a hip, urban, parent like me." I am coming to conclude that these 'with it' parents are not speaking up about the crap behavior outside Wilson and the uptick in violence because they are simply not affected by it. You can bet if their kids were, they'd be outside with signs not whiling away the hours in happy oblivion. It is the two worlds of Wilson, and their childs world is perceived as safe and on track for college. These parents desperately need to waken up and demand action. Wilson needs to pull its culture, expectations, discipline and cooperation with policing and the neighborhood together..if it doesn't I do think we will be looking at an uptick in everything sad and vile in terms of youth pathologies, and that becomes a poison that its hard to buttress against. The school and community need to be proactive to protect and inspire and support all these children. Its time to stop looking away and stepping around and make a concerted response.

Either not affected by it, or it's desire to ignore unpleasant issues because they view it as somehow calling into question the decisions they've made for their kids. That's silly, of course, but I know parents who don't want to admit any shortcomings at DCPS, lest they somehow invalidate their "choice."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad you brought this up PP.i am an Anglo mom of a biracial (Latino) kid zoned for Wilson who did not attend Wilson. Still, always worried about my child being marked for gang action in DC based solely ion his looks, and breathed a big sigh of relief when he graduated without drawing their attention. I am also a poster who has repeatedly brought up my concerns about Wilson behaviors that I see on the street outside. Part of my rationale is yes, when you let the little stuff completely go you are setting the stage for bigger stuff - including gangs whose violence I have seen in the District from my own work with teens. I completely understand your concerns : Once you are jumped in, you are never let out except in a body bag most likely. And the humiliation they reap upon boys , upon girls, in their 'rituals' are unspeakable to form their twisted family units. It is a truth that neighborhood and high SES parents are among the most vocal (though not the only voices) at many DC schools. They are often the most savvy about getting their voices heard, as well. I know. I am one. I have wondered why these parents are not wringing their hands over the terrible behavior at Wilson which is now extending to real teen on teen violence, whether gang or not. There is a poohpoohing and a frequent statement is, "why did you move to DC if you didn't expect this? Go back to Peoria. Yu are overreacting and clutching your pearls; not a hip, urban, parent like me." I am coming to conclude that these 'with it' parents are not speaking up about the crap behavior outside Wilson and the uptick in violence because they are simply not affected by it. You can bet if their kids were, they'd be outside with signs not whiling away the hours in happy oblivion. It is the two worlds of Wilson, and their childs world is perceived as safe and on track for college. These parents desperately need to waken up and demand action. Wilson needs to pull its culture, expectations, discipline and cooperation with policing and the neighborhood together..if it doesn't I do think we will be looking at an uptick in everything sad and vile in terms of youth pathologies, and that becomes a poison that its hard to buttress against. The school and community need to be proactive to protect and inspire and support all these children. Its time to stop looking away and stepping around and make a concerted response.

Either not affected by it, or it's desire to ignore unpleasant issues because they view it as somehow calling into question the decisions they've made for their kids. That's silly, of course, but I know parents who don't want to admit any shortcomings at DCPS, lest they somehow invalidate their "choice."

I guess I can kind of understand this. When your child attends a school you are always fingers crossed that each day will be better than the last and hate to be the one to open up a chink in the armor. I think it comes from a good place. I also would never question anyone's desire to send their child to Wilson. It's undoubtedly a fine school that meets the needs of many, But that being said, this pattern of behavior is on a downward trajectory and at a certain point it can be really hard to put the genie back in the bottle. Even if your kid is not 'involved', they could get pulled in by circumstances beyond your/their control. Can you even imagine how you would feel if they were the bystander who was injured by a knife? Not to mention, an actual targeted victim? When Wilson was at UDC temporarily patrol cars were stationed outside through an agreement with the neighborhood. This was withdrawn when they moved back. With the current problems to / from/ outside the school -- why can't there be more coordination with the police? Some police officers that get to know the kids and have actual authority (unlike school security guards)? Why isn't the school working furiously on an honor code policy 2.0? This isn't just to calm things in the neighborhood; it's to look out for all the kids going to Wilson to do the right thing, and to sway the rest in that direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration knows all about the gang activity, the ongoing shoplifting at CVS, the harassment of pedestrians and does nothing to stop it. I have no idea why, but Wilson is definitely getting more dangerous.

Either the principal steps up to the plate, or the neighbors and the school community will revolt again DCPS and the Mayor. She inherited a jewel!

I am just very thankful, as a Hispanic parent who will not send my kids to Wilson even though we are zoned for it, that someone finally brought up the presence of MS 13 at Wilson and it wasn't me. The 18th Street gang, who are their sworn rivals, are also present at Wilson. Not a good mix.

I always wondered why no one mentioned it. I thought perhaps it does not influence the decisions of people on this board as they are mostly Anglos or AA and their kids will be left alone (I don't know if there is AA gang activity). The fact that you did not know about it shocks me, unless most of the people posting early on were not Wilson parents.

Wilson must be REALLY segregated for a bunch of you not to know not only about MS 13 but also about the 18th Street gang, which is where most of the conflict comes from. And at least from looking at what is here, I don't see any mention of 18th Street. If two groups of Hispanic kids go at eachother from Wilson, I think it is a safe assumption it has something to do with these two gangs.

My husband, who grew up in an worse environment where looking at someone the wrong way or accidentally shoving them could lead to a beating or worse, once he found out about MS 13 and the 18th Street gang, was not willing to put our children in danger by sending them into a school that has two rival Hispanic gangs. He said it was not going happen. Ever. Forget about racial stereotypes. We are worried about physical safety. I did not grow up this way but given the reputation of Mara Salvatrucha I don't want my kids anywhere near them, especially when they already have a rival gang in their school, even though neither of us is from El Salvador or even Central America.

Anyway, I'm just glad everyone knows about it now. I am glad it is out from under the covers. I thought everyone knew before but thought it did not matter for them because they look different and Wilson is so segregated. I thought if I posted THAT, about MS 13 and 18th Street, rather than as parents of minority students, we just don't want our kids to go to Wilson, people would make fun of me, just because no one ever mentions it.

It is kind of nice but shocking to know you did not know.

Any AA parents want to add what they know about AA gang activity at Wilson, if there is any?

(We only found this out by talking to Hispanic parents who had kids at Wilson or who decided not to go -
we repeatedly asked Anglo parents and they all said no gangs at Wilson - and I think they just didn't know)

I am an AA parent and I have not heard about AA gangs at Wilson.

So you attend pta meetings and talk to your kids ?

[Anonymous]

There is no 18th street gang at Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no 18th street gang at Wilson.

beg to differ on that one, sorry. Watch carefully on the 13th of every month...

[Anonymous]

http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/70663508-story

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/as-schools-try-to-combat-gangs-concerns-arise-about-profiling/2015/12/20/41b44618-99df-11e5-94f0-9eeaff906ef3_story.html

http://phys.org/news/2015-02-juvenile-gang-members-million.html

http://www.popville.com/2009/01/an-extensive-list-of-dc-gangscrews/

All of these links are interesting, though none is about Wilson.