The state of MCPS is atrocious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

Agree with ALL of this. Honestly, I think most parents and teachers would agree with you. But there is a loud and vocal groups of politicians and voters in Montgomery County who disagree and they are mostly in control at the moment.

There isn’t a loud and vocal group who disagree with this. There is a loud and vocal group who understand that this doesn’t work as simply as you’ve laid it out due to things like state/federal regulations, lack of available private placements, needing to raise pay for psychologists and social workers in the public sphere, teacher and tutors necessary to catch kids up once their behavior improves, etc. etc.

it’s not as simple as raising pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Insight from a teacher:

Recently graduated from college and got hired at my first teaching job this year. Work at a high school, internship was at an MCPS middle school. Here are some of the issues as I see them as a first year:

Lack of consequences. You can only get suspended for drugs or fighting or some sort of physical threat. Even then, kids that harass teachers don’t really get sh*t done as a consequence.

You can skip class every single day and still pass. There are no consequences for skipping class. Kids roam the halls for 7 hours a day and we do not have enough security to stalk them into going to class and there’s really no consequences.

You get 50% for work you don’t do. In high school. The only way you can get a 0 is if parents have been told and acknowledged deadlines, specifically okay a zero, or the kid cheated. You can choose to do 3 assignments per quarter and pass with a 60% despite not knowing the content.

We cannot confiscate or require students to put their cellphones in a designated place. Being the cellphone police is exhausting since there’s really f**k all we can do.

Student attitude. I’m only a first year but even then, the shit I see… Kids will just walk out of the room if they don’t like a rule, tell you to go f**k yourself. Got called an a**hole over a seating chart because I had to move a kid away from his friends because they wouldn’t shut up. Got told to f**k off by another kid. Kid told me i’m a heartless b***h when I gave them a 0 for plagiarism. Different kid told me to give them a 0 on an assignment they refused to make up because they didn’t wanna talk to me anymore. List goes on.

Lack of parent involvement. I make it VERY easy for parents to be involved in their kid’s education experience. Regardless of if you have Synergy or Canvas as a parent, I will text out assignment deadlines, grade check ins, and reminders on a biweekly basis so parents know when their kids have assignments due. You’ll never guess how many parents don’t acknowledge them and act surprised when their kid is failing.

Parents not parenting. I have some parents of problematic kids that are very responsible, apologetic, and communicative. I get told by them that they’ve never had a teacher spend so much time telling them about their child’s performance and behavior and they appreciate the enlightenment. For every 1 involved parent, I have 9 that are completely blase and don’t even bother responding to messages OR don’t send their damn kid to school.

I see no lies told. These are the things that teachers and parents would like MCPS to address, but they won't.

Some of these things they already address, just some choose to pretend otherwise. Also, the school does not have the authority to confiscate personal property nor should they be involved in placating ludites.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I have I never meet anyone in real life who thinks schools shouldn't do vision and hearing screening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

It seems like you'd rather feel superior to parents than make sure kids get what they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

We've also been very happy with MCPS but are involved in our children's lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Insight from a teacher:

Recently graduated from college and got hired at my first teaching job this year. Work at a high school, internship was at an MCPS middle school. Here are some of the issues as I see them as a first year:

Lack of consequences. You can only get suspended for drugs or fighting or some sort of physical threat. Even then, kids that harass teachers don’t really get sh*t done as a consequence.

You can skip class every single day and still pass. There are no consequences for skipping class. Kids roam the halls for 7 hours a day and we do not have enough security to stalk them into going to class and there’s really no consequences.

You get 50% for work you don’t do. In high school. The only way you can get a 0 is if parents have been told and acknowledged deadlines, specifically okay a zero, or the kid cheated. You can choose to do 3 assignments per quarter and pass with a 60% despite not knowing the content.

We cannot confiscate or require students to put their cellphones in a designated place. Being the cellphone police is exhausting since there’s really f**k all we can do.

Student attitude. I’m only a first year but even then, the shit I see… Kids will just walk out of the room if they don’t like a rule, tell you to go f**k yourself. Got called an a**hole over a seating chart because I had to move a kid away from his friends because they wouldn’t shut up. Got told to f**k off by another kid. Kid told me i’m a heartless b***h when I gave them a 0 for plagiarism. Different kid told me to give them a 0 on an assignment they refused to make up because they didn’t wanna talk to me anymore. List goes on.

Lack of parent involvement. I make it VERY easy for parents to be involved in their kid’s education experience. Regardless of if you have Synergy or Canvas as a parent, I will text out assignment deadlines, grade check ins, and reminders on a biweekly basis so parents know when their kids have assignments due. You’ll never guess how many parents don’t acknowledge them and act surprised when their kid is failing.

Parents not parenting. I have some parents of problematic kids that are very responsible, apologetic, and communicative. I get told by them that they’ve never had a teacher spend so much time telling them about their child’s performance and behavior and they appreciate the enlightenment. For every 1 involved parent, I have 9 that are completely blase and don’t even bother responding to messages OR don’t send their damn kid to school.

I see no lies told. These are the things that teachers and parents would like MCPS to address, but they won't.

Some of these things they already address, just some choose to pretend otherwise. Also, the school does not have the authority to confiscate personal property nor should they be involved in placating ludites.

They don't placate luddites, but they placate violence, foul language, insolence, tardiness, blatant disrespect and skipping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

It seems like you'd rather feel superior to parents than make sure kids get what they need.

If you have time to post here you can take your kids to their appointments. I guess I am superior as I do all those things and more. It’s not the county’s job to handle those things and their tests are not very accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

It seems like you'd rather feel superior to parents than make sure kids get what they need.

The problem is the county is so concerned with all these things that they've forgotten about education. Presently, they don't give all kids what they need and are only concerned with ones that are below grade level. Sure, that's unfortunate but all children deserve an education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

It seems like you'd rather feel superior to parents than make sure kids get what they need.

The problem is the county is so concerned with all these things that they've forgotten about education. Presently, they don't give all kids what they need and are only concerned with ones that are below grade level. Sure, that's unfortunate but all children deserve an education.

I am sincerely sorry that you feel like vision and hearing screening 3 times in 13 years of school significantly detracts from your child's education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

They are doing far more harm than good with their fake mental health and social support. There is no real mental health or social support, just class discussions with teachers or SSL hour lectures/activities to "discuss it." Kids with true mental health and other issues need real help outside MCPS, as MCPS is to educate, not parent or handle mental health crises, and should only get involved to help parents get their kids to the right support. Many of these kids need therapists, psychologists/psychiatrists and really good evaluations and that's not happening in MCPS. It also needs to start catching learning disabilities earlier and getting those kids help if kids cannot perform in school they get discouraged and give up or act out. MCPS and/or the county should establish a few mental health clinics outside the schools where families can go for crisis mental health (the crisis center is more set up for adults than kids) and the county needs to offer more mental health services (they do have some but not accessible to all) for kids (although I suspect one issue is they cannot hire enough social workers/therapists as no one wants to work for the county anymore as it isn't a good job as it once was).

YES! You nailed it. MCPS is NOT equipped nor should it be the lead on TREATING AND SUPPORTING kids with mental health needs or issues. It can, though, be on the front lines of diagnosing or spotting those needs, much like they are with vision and hearing.

Prince George's County is leading the way here: https://wjla.com/news/health/walk-in-services-comprehensive-mental-health-care-available-prince-georges-county-lanham-maryland-hospital-behavioral-pavilion-treatment-community-clinic-outpatient-program-dmv-make-appointment-angela-alsobrooks

Prince William County, Va: https://wjla.com/news/local/prince-william-county-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-mental-health-crisis-receiving-center-glenn-youngkin-substance-abuse-elizabeth-guzman-woodbridge

MoCo needs to follow suit.

Their vision and hearing screenings are a joke, just are the ones in the ped's clinics. They were completely incorrect for my kids and they have no business doing medical care for kids. If they want to provide medical care, set up clinics in some of the local schools with parent consent so kids can get regular care and physicals at a free or low cost. It's all for the show.

They need to focus on education. If some of these kids were getting a better education and their needs met (especially via early intervention in K-5), many of them would be doing far better later on. When they ignore basic learning disabilities and only provide minimal support for other disabilities and delays they are failing our kids. When they ignore smart and gifted kids and lump them all together, they are failing our kids. When they ignore the average kids who may be struggling but too quiet or because they are passing, they are also failing those kids.

I don't know what to tell you. I personally benefited from the vision screenings in MCPS as a kid in the 90s, so I disagree that it doesn't work. My teachers noticed the issue, I had the vision screening and then I got a referral to an optometrist and I got glasses, which I desperately needed.

I agree with the other points, but it's not unreasonable to expect that the entity that has oversight of our kids for 6 hours a day every day can play a role in screening for physical and mental health anomalies.

Then, you had checked out parents. We always took ours for vision exams when we did our own. I don't need MCPS to do medical care. They did a huge drama for us demanding that we do a vision test for our child and it was bizarre as the child came in the week prior wearing brand new glasses and was wearing them daily. For months they demanded a copy of the doctor's exam and prescription/receipt of the classes.

Why would you be so mean here? The PP said the screening helped her and you bash her parents. Personally. God! This thread is awful. There are a LOT of reasons public school behavior is lacking. It’s not just- other parents aren’t as awesome as me with my cell phone policy and regular vision checks. The world is big. There are lots of kinds of parents. It’s public school! You live near it? You go there! I don’t know why a subset of people just wants to criticize other parents )or teachers or unions). It’s so incredibly complex and life is hard for some families and most of them are trying their hardest. And most teachers are too! And honestly kids are doing the best they can. It’s ain’t perfect, but consider the alternative! No thanks.

Because those checked out parents are part of the problem. Your kids need yearly physicals, yearly eye exams and twice yearly dental cleanings.

It seems like many parents are unhappy that the county doesn't do more to raise their kids for them.

It seems like you'd rather feel superior to parents than make sure kids get what they need.

If you have time to post here you can take your kids to their appointments. I guess I am superior as I do all those things and more. It’s not the county’s job to handle those things and their tests are not very accurate.

I don't know why you're making this personal, but sure, let's make it personal. When my older child was in first grade, I took them to their annual physical, they got their eye exam, and all was fine. A few months later, the school vision screening identified a problem. Without the school vision screening, it would have been another 9 months before the problem was identified and my child started being treated for it.

I hope you never experience anything where you did everything you were "supposed" to do, and something bad happened anyway, and you needed help but there wasn't any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally get why MCPS doesn’t want to give up on students. But there are a real subset of kids who are violent and disruptive, and they get shuffled from school to school rather than truly addressing the underlying issues. I don’t think many here are aware of some of the deeply disturbed family lives some of these kids are coming from. Social media is THE LAST CONCERN in these situations. But these kids are creating outsized problems.

MCPS thinks it can soften expectations to give kids multiple chances as they attempt to support mental health and teach social skills that aren’t being supported or taught at home.

It doesn’t work, and it degrades the educational experience of everyone else.

MCPS needs to go back to setting clear behavioral and academic expectations and then enforce them. One, this actually helps a lot of kids who struggle in terms of behavior. Two, there are kids who could behave just fine, but who take advantage of the fact there are few rules and no consequences. Three, it makes the environment healthier for everyone.

And four, for those kids with significant behavioral issues, use a collaborative case management approach to address all aspects of the child’s life. If this includes transferring the student to a special school for kids with acute behavioral issues, do it. But have a clear plan in place for reintegrating that child when they meet behavioral expectations.

+1000. This exactly

[Anonymous]

You can’t take away phones, but no one ever said you can’t build a faraday cage in a school to disrupt cell phone service. Block mobile phone use in all schools, period.

And yes, screen addiction is real. TikTok is absolutely toxic trash that literally is training a generation of minds to become ADD. Kids grow up with years of TikTok use where they need immediate gratification from 10 second video clips. Then they become incapable of sitting for a classroom lesson that might last 50 minutes. Tiktok is ruining brains and attention spans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t take away phones, but no one ever said you can’t build a faraday cage in a school to disrupt cell phone service. Block mobile phone use in all schools, period.

And yes, screen addiction is real. TikTok is absolutely toxic trash that literally is training a generation of minds to become ADD. Kids grow up with years of TikTok use where they need immediate gratification from 10 second video clips. Then they become incapable of sitting for a classroom lesson that might last 50 minutes. Tiktok is ruining brains and attention spans.

Agree. The posters above want to say that since they and their children are not addicted that this widespread phenomenon you’re describing has no bearing on general student behavior. It’s just parents’ fault.

I like the idea of a signal disrupter. How’s that gonna fly with all the school shootings though? Not being snarky- honestly asking how we could make it work.