Gonzaga Kairos Vandalism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a student at Gonzaga and I echo the other parents posting here who are disappointed with the school's response to this incident. I would like to know why the ring leaders of the operation were not expelled. It is highly suspicious because I know that the school has expelled students in the past for incidents much less in severity. These kids should not have gotten off so easily and it is very short sighted of the administration to not take stronger action. I am also deeply disappointed that Fr. Planning sent a letter over two weeks after the incident...and only because the Washington Post was going to write an article. The school has been lacking in transparency lately and students, parents, teachers, and alumni are very distraught and angry.

C
Is there a mechanism where people can make their feelings known? Will the distraught and angry actually do something like press for greater transparency or a more detailed explanation?

These incidents always make me wonder what goes on at private schools that no one ever hears about because they hide it.

Minors damaging PRIVATE property.

This business is between the kids’ parents, the property owners, and since it was while on a school sponsored activity, the school. Other than that, disciplinary actions towards MINORS, should be private and confidential. Not “transparent” so that it can be posted on DCUM.

Counterpoint:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/02/17/florida-sixth-grader-charged-with-misdemeanor-after-refusing-recite-pledge-allegiance/?utm_term=.8e1959650b46

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a student at Gonzaga and I echo the other parents posting here who are disappointed with the school's response to this incident. I would like to know why the ring leaders of the operation were not expelled. It is highly suspicious because I know that the school has expelled students in the past for incidents much less in severity. These kids should not have gotten off so easily and it is very short sighted of the administration to not take stronger action. I am also deeply disappointed that Fr. Planning sent a letter over two weeks after the incident...and only because the Washington Post was going to write an article. The school has been lacking in transparency lately and students, parents, teachers, and alumni are very distraught and angry.

C
Is there a mechanism where people can make their feelings known? Will the distraught and angry actually do something like press for greater transparency or a more detailed explanation?

These incidents always make me wonder what goes on at private schools that no one ever hears about because they hide it.

Minors damaging PRIVATE property.

This business is between the kids’ parents, the property owners, and since it was while on a school sponsored activity, the school. Other than that, disciplinary actions towards MINORS, should be private and confidential. Not “transparent” so that it can be posted on DCUM.

We seem to have poster here who repeatedly makes this point. Surely you realize that you are in the minority on this opinion?

It does not matter that it was private property. The discussion is about a school that could create and foster an environment in which a large group of its students could get caught up in something like this. This goes beyond individual students; as several PPs have noted, this is about pack mentality. There is something wrong with a school that would have so many students that would go along with this group think.

The issue of lack of transparency is another matter, and I agree that is between the school and current families. But, prospective families - take heed.

Some Seniors are 18 at this point? Not minors all?

It's GZ ... many are 19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prep grad here. The Gonzaga haters need to stop and think about what they are saying. Certainly, the perpetrators should be punished, including expulsion. What they did was wrong and nothing can justify their actions. Those who witnessed the incidents should also be punished. They are not, however, representative of Gonzaga. It’s a fine school that produces many fine graduates. Could the school have handled the situation differently, before and after—without doubt. Is this something that only happens at private all-boys schools? Absolutely not. A few years ago, kids from a Big-three school and a W public high school trashed a rental house in Bethesda. Do kids from other social spheres commit the same acts—of course!

It's okay because most rich kids are a$$holes.

That is your argument.

You're definitely a Prep graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prep grad here. The Gonzaga haters need to stop and think about what they are saying. Certainly, the perpetrators should be punished, including expulsion. What they did was wrong and nothing can justify their actions. Those who witnessed the incidents should also be punished. They are not, however, representative of Gonzaga. It’s a fine school that produces many fine graduates. Could the school have handled the situation differently, before and after—without doubt. Is this something that only happens at private all-boys schools? Absolutely not. A few years ago, kids from a Big-three school and a W public high school trashed a rental house in Bethesda. Do kids from other social spheres commit the same acts—of course!

It's okay because most rich kids are a$$holes.

That is your argument.

You're definitely a Prep graduate.

Seriously. Prep Grad, you basically just wrote: "Everybody does it."

To which one must respond, "If everyone threw a refrigerator off a cliff ...."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But we, as outside parents, have no first-hand knowledge and instead are choosing to pop off about what we don't know about. So perhaps let those involved handle it and MYOB.

I personally believe that this is an irresponsible attitude. I agree that the identities of minors must be protected and that schools are bound to protect the privacy of students and have a duty protect the institution from liability. That basic law 101. I also know that the media never have all the facts and sometimes get facts wrong, so it all comes with a grain of salt anyway.

However, when I read the public information in the Post article, the first thing DH and I did was sit our boys down and talk to them about what is alleged to have happened, even though they don't attend that school. We went way beyond this incident though and didn't pretend that this could only happen with those specific boys at that specific school. We discussed how this sort of behavior might occur in many settings (could be drugs, alcohol, group think, pack mentality, hazing dares, manipulative bullies intentionally leading others astray, misdirected and mishandled anger, etc.). We talked about and encouraged them to think through how it affects more than just the boys involved, and talked through responsibility and consequences, person by person, from bad actors, to on lookers, to victims like the property owners, to neighbors, to the environment, to the retreat sponsors, to others who use the retreat, to the adults involved, to the parents and siblings of the kids, to the other kids in the school, to kids in other all boys' schools, to boys generally. We also discussed issues of race and consequences, because this is a reality for our boys and their friends, and they need to know it.

We can't mind our own business. We have to talk about these things or we, and our boys, will never learn. PPs have pointed out that this isn't an isolated incident for this school, this area, this country, or this world. Group crime and mob violence is a real phenomenon. It is imperative that we teach our children to resist the manipulations that encourage and fuel it.

I encourage every parent reading this to talk to their kids about this reality.

Uh, this is all parent textbook perfect and what we all should be doing — rather than calling for the heads of boys and men we don’t know. Send your own kid to GZ or not. This is also the very definition of minding your own business.

[Anonymous]

Expel them all and don’t look back. This is when the private school communities need to banish those who do not belong and preserve the history and proper behavior we expect from each other. Bad seed will only sprout more of the same. Keep trying to make this a non-issue Gonzaga families, you show your true selves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh, this is all parent textbook perfect and what we all should be doing — rather than calling for the heads of boys and men we don’t know. Send your own kid to GZ or not. This is also the very definition of minding your own business.

Just because PP wasn't calling for anyone heads, that didn't mean her excellent post was calling for MYOB. Talking about the incident in depth with one's own kids, including all the lessons learned, is actually the complete opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not, however, representative of Gonzaga.

Isn't the school's handling of the situation "representative of Gonzaga" though?

Yes, this is what people are so upset about.

But as an outsider I have no idea who is involved, any background information on those people, how specifically the school handled each case, nor what the future repercussions will be. So I don’t feel at all qualified to judge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, this is all parent textbook perfect and what we all should be doing — rather than calling for the heads of boys and men we don’t know. Send your own kid to GZ or not. This is also the very definition of minding your own business.

Just because PP wasn't calling for anyone heads, that didn't mean her excellent post was calling for MYOB. Talking about the incident in depth with one's own kids, including all the lessons learned, is actually the complete opposite.

What I discuss with my children is my business. I don’t know how you can disagree but it’s irrelevant. We agree that this situation presents a perfect learning moment and discussion with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not, however, representative of Gonzaga.

Isn't the school's handling of the situation "representative of Gonzaga" though?

Yes, this is what people are so upset about.

But as an outsider I have no idea who is involved, any background information on those people, how specifically the school handled each case, nor what the future repercussions will be. So I don’t feel at all qualified to judge.

You obviously don’t belong on DCUM. We’re here to judge. Not knowing all the facts is also required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But as an outsider I have no idea who is involved, any background information on those people, how specifically the school handled each case, nor what the future repercussions will be. So I don’t feel at all qualified to judge.

Do you ever make decisions in your daily life with imperfect information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga dudes what did you do?
Privilege has limits even for you
They say urban smart and socially just
But for many of your parents a Range Rover is a must
You should read the Gospel and get a life
I'll see you in 20 in Chevy Chase with your blond wife

They're not all blond

[Anonymous]

Most of them aren’t but they appear to be blond. But the rug don’t match the curtains, yo.

[Anonymous]

Same at Prep. Ain’t that the truth, Prep dude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But as an outsider I have no idea who is involved, any background information on those people, how specifically the school handled each case, nor what the future repercussions will be. So I don’t feel at all qualified to judge.

Do you ever make decisions in your daily life with imperfect information?

Again with the reading comprehension fail. Pp says she doesn’t feel “qualified to judge” due to lack of inside information. Responder gasps, don’t you “make decision” everyday without all the info? If you don’t see the difference, I can’t help you.