West Potomac HS situation

[Anonymous]

In 2023, a school assistant at Saratoga Elementary was charged with assault when she attempted to prevent a special needs student from leaving the school grounds. She was seen dragging the child back to the classroom against the child's will.

If a teacher intervenes in a fight like this and a child is hurt (say with something like bruising on the arm), would the teacher be charged with assault? How protected are teachers from liability if they get involved?

[Anonymous]

Time to start forming a task force of mom’s against knives:

https://www.foxnews.com/world/french-student-arrested-after-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-3-injured-private-catholic-school

And for FCPS to update their definition of weapons at school:

https://www.fcps.edu/gun-violence-student-support-resources-and-fcps-safety-practices

[Anonymous]

I think now is the time for people to remember the Uvalde police officers who stood idly by for an hour while a classroom full of kids bled out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry, no precious adults got hurt. It took students to break up the stabbing. There is even video footage of it on X. A male student (with his backpack still on) is holding back the stabber while he still waves around the knife and is holding it. A child risked their own life to stop this. A child.

This is what we have become, as society, just walk away. Don’t say anything. Don’t do anything. Let the kids kill themselves and don’t intervene. The adults are not responsible.

The child has (legal) protections that adult does not.

Here you go: 2 students holding the kid back while he’s still holding the knife.

I mean, why ever help as an adult at all, just let the kids handle it. WTAF is wrong with you?

https://x.com/davidez1911/status/1915423557137404117?s=46&t=E8qDVnObwqD3VskYpcZ1Jg

And? What do you think this proves in the context of whether adult teachers should physically get involved in student fights?

Should the adults in the building just sit back and watch as one student stabs another to death? Is this the Hunger Games?

A lot of keyboard warriors....teachers are humans too. Would you jump in knowing you could die or go get the officer who has been trained on this? Maybe you'd jump in but also maybe not. This was horrible but society is a hateful messy place and you acting like a typical FCPS parent know it all help no one.

“Acting like a typical FCPS parent know it all.” Real nice. FCPS teacher?

[Anonymous]

It’s DEFUSE a situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry, no precious adults got hurt. It took students to break up the stabbing. There is even video footage of it on X. A male student (with his backpack still on) is holding back the stabber while he still waves around the knife and is holding it. A child risked their own life to stop this. A child.

This is what we have become, as society, just walk away. Don’t say anything. Don’t do anything. Let the kids kill themselves and don’t intervene. The adults are not responsible.

The child has (legal) protections that adult does not.

Here you go: 2 students holding the kid back while he’s still holding the knife.

I mean, why ever help as an adult at all, just let the kids handle it. WTAF is wrong with you?

https://x.com/davidez1911/status/1915423557137404117?s=46&t=E8qDVnObwqD3VskYpcZ1Jg

And? What do you think this proves in the context of whether adult teachers should physically get involved in student fights?

Should the adults in the building just sit back and watch as one student stabs another to death? Is this the Hunger Games?

A lot of keyboard warriors....teachers are humans too. Would you jump in knowing you could die or go get the officer who has been trained on this? Maybe you'd jump in but also maybe not. This was horrible but society is a hateful messy place and you acting like a typical FCPS parent know it all help no one.

Ever heard of “being the adult in the room?”

PP and I mentioned that I have taken control and managed chaotic scenes in schools and in my private life. I’m not one to stand by idly.

If I -as a five foot nothing, menopausal woman can safely and effectively act quickly and respond, so should any other adult at West Potomac! The last thing I’d do is break up a fight/literally try to disarm someone but I sure as hell can call 911, can usher non involved students to safety, scream loud enough to summon help, etc.

In FCPS there’s lots of buzz about “tabletop training” and dusty binders full of emergency plans in some schools but yesterday’s incident should be an immediate call for action and review of emergency response protocols.

That’s your choice. Other teachers have made their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry, no precious adults got hurt. It took students to break up the stabbing. There is even video footage of it on X. A male student (with his backpack still on) is holding back the stabber while he still waves around the knife and is holding it. A child risked their own life to stop this. A child.

This is what we have become, as society, just walk away. Don’t say anything. Don’t do anything. Let the kids kill themselves and don’t intervene. The adults are not responsible.

The child has (legal) protections that adult does not.

Here you go: 2 students holding the kid back while he’s still holding the knife.

I mean, why ever help as an adult at all, just let the kids handle it. WTAF is wrong with you?

https://x.com/davidez1911/status/1915423557137404117?s=46&t=E8qDVnObwqD3VskYpcZ1Jg

And? What do you think this proves in the context of whether adult teachers should physically get involved in student fights?

Should the adults in the building just sit back and watch as one student stabs another to death? Is this the Hunger Games?

A lot of keyboard warriors....teachers are humans too. Would you jump in knowing you could die or go get the officer who has been trained on this? Maybe you'd jump in but also maybe not. This was horrible but society is a hateful messy place and you acting like a typical FCPS parent know it all help no one.

Let me be clear. No one is saying jump in but we are saying DON'T IDLY WALK BY. Thankfully there was a coach on hand who diffused the situation.

Right. Like another poster (you?) previously said, giving a "panicked look" would be extremely helpful in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Video is on Reddit where someone points out during a fight a teacher literally walks by, takes a photo of the fight and keeps on walking.

Teachers may not be allowed to intervene. The safety protocol is to notify an SRO

Sure, I understand that but to nonchalantly walk past, literally throw up your arm to take a pic and keep walking is awful. He doesn’t stop, say anything, do anything. No instructions whatsoever. No “stop”, no calls out for the SRO or anyone else. It’s a male teacher, with a mustache and large belly, it’s definitely a teacher.

Then when the video shows the student who is stabbed there is one, ONLY one adult standing there and he’s just yelling “ambulance”. He’s not kneeling down to see if kid is alive, or ok, or applying pressure to stop the bleeding. It’s not even clear who he’s talking to, all the kids walking past? No one is in control and several kids are laughing.

I thought cell phones in Virginia public schools were banned during the school day.

Do you know why an adult didn't touch him? Because parents in this region are SO f***ing litigious that somebody would try to sue that adult for putting their hands on that kid. That's why. Because. Of. People. Like. You.

Parents are more likely to sue for negligence of safety, and negligence of bullying or assaults. Maybe FCPS should start thinking about that.

It is not safe for teachers to get involved in the physical fight, but they can do other things like clear the area, stop filming.

FCPS is not keeping students safe. They need metal detectors at every MS and HS, more school resource officers, more security guards to guard common areas and cafeterias, bathroom supervision, metal detector wands to detect vapes/carts, more counselors, and drug dogs. FCPS is failing and it’s negligent. I hope they get sued and start taking this seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Video is on Reddit where someone points out during a fight a teacher literally walks by, takes a photo of the fight and keeps on walking.

Teachers may not be allowed to intervene. The safety protocol is to notify an SRO

Sure, I understand that but to nonchalantly walk past, literally throw up your arm to take a pic and keep walking is awful. He doesn’t stop, say anything, do anything. No instructions whatsoever. No “stop”, no calls out for the SRO or anyone else. It’s a male teacher, with a mustache and large belly, it’s definitely a teacher.

Then when the video shows the student who is stabbed there is one, ONLY one adult standing there and he’s just yelling “ambulance”. He’s not kneeling down to see if kid is alive, or ok, or applying pressure to stop the bleeding. It’s not even clear who he’s talking to, all the kids walking past? No one is in control and several kids are laughing.

I thought cell phones in Virginia public schools were banned during the school day.

Do you know why an adult didn't touch him? Because parents in this region are SO f***ing litigious that somebody would try to sue that adult for putting their hands on that kid. That's why. Because. Of. People. Like. You.

Parents are more likely to sue for negligence of safety, and negligence of bullying or assaults. Maybe FCPS should start thinking about that.

It is not safe for teachers to get involved in the physical fight, but they can do other things like clear the area, stop filming.

FCPS is not keeping students safe. They need metal detectors at every MS and HS, more school resource officers, more security guards to guard common areas and cafeterias, bathroom supervision, metal detector wands to detect vapes/carts, more counselors, and drug dogs. FCPS is failing and it’s negligent. I hope they get sued and start taking this seriously.

PP former FCPS employee. The schools - especially the HS are already run like prisons. What you’re suggesting sounds ominous but I guess this is our new normal. It’s heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Video is on Reddit where someone points out during a fight a teacher literally walks by, takes a photo of the fight and keeps on walking.

Teachers may not be allowed to intervene. The safety protocol is to notify an SRO

Sure, I understand that but to nonchalantly walk past, literally throw up your arm to take a pic and keep walking is awful. He doesn’t stop, say anything, do anything. No instructions whatsoever. No “stop”, no calls out for the SRO or anyone else. It’s a male teacher, with a mustache and large belly, it’s definitely a teacher.

Then when the video shows the student who is stabbed there is one, ONLY one adult standing there and he’s just yelling “ambulance”. He’s not kneeling down to see if kid is alive, or ok, or applying pressure to stop the bleeding. It’s not even clear who he’s talking to, all the kids walking past? No one is in control and several kids are laughing.

I thought cell phones in Virginia public schools were banned during the school day.

Do you know why an adult didn't touch him? Because parents in this region are SO f***ing litigious that somebody would try to sue that adult for putting their hands on that kid. That's why. Because. Of. People. Like. You.

Parents are more likely to sue for negligence of safety, and negligence of bullying or assaults. Maybe FCPS should start thinking about that.

It is not safe for teachers to get involved in the physical fight, but they can do other things like clear the area, stop filming.

FCPS is not keeping students safe. They need metal detectors at every MS and HS, more school resource officers, more security guards to guard common areas and cafeterias, bathroom supervision, metal detector wands to detect vapes/carts, more counselors, and drug dogs. FCPS is failing and it’s negligent. I hope they get sued and start taking this seriously.

What a horrible dystopian school experience you envision for our kids.

[Anonymous]

West Potomac is a plurality Hispanic (42%) school with “gangs” of students from different countries of “origin” who despise one another.

Lack of assimilation to US culture becomes the big issue as we have seen in European countries that have had large increases in immigrant populations before the US.

West Potomac is essentially 3 schools in 1. UMC kids who take advantage of the AP offerings available and go on to college. Those students more interested in “blue collar” occupations and take advantage of academy classes and those that really don’t care much about going to school.

Kids generally self segregate and don’t mix across the 3 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:West Potomac is a plurality Hispanic (42%) school with “gangs” of students from different countries of “origin” who despise one another.

Lack of assimilation to US culture becomes the big issue as we have seen in European countries that have had large increases in immigrant populations before the US.

West Potomac is essentially 3 schools in 1. UMC kids who take advantage of the AP offerings available and go on to college. Those students more interested in “blue collar” occupations and take advantage of academy classes and those that really don’t care much about going to school.

Kids generally self segregate and don’t mix across the 3 schools.

Isnt that most public high schools? Sounds like mine 25 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry, no precious adults got hurt. It took students to break up the stabbing. There is even video footage of it on X. A male student (with his backpack still on) is holding back the stabber while he still waves around the knife and is holding it. A child risked their own life to stop this. A child.

This is what we have become, as society, just walk away. Don’t say anything. Don’t do anything. Let the kids kill themselves and don’t intervene. The adults are not responsible.

The child has (legal) protections that adult does not.

Here you go: 2 students holding the kid back while he’s still holding the knife.

I mean, why ever help as an adult at all, just let the kids handle it. WTAF is wrong with you?

https://x.com/davidez1911/status/1915423557137404117?s=46&t=E8qDVnObwqD3VskYpcZ1Jg

And? What do you think this proves in the context of whether adult teachers should physically get involved in student fights?

Should the adults in the building just sit back and watch as one student stabs another to death? Is this the Hunger Games?

A lot of keyboard warriors....teachers are humans too. Would you jump in knowing you could die or go get the officer who has been trained on this? Maybe you'd jump in but also maybe not. This was horrible but society is a hateful messy place and you acting like a typical FCPS parent know it all help no one.

Ever heard of “being the adult in the room?”

PP and I mentioned that I have taken control and managed chaotic scenes in schools and in my private life. I’m not one to stand by idly.

If I -as a five foot nothing, menopausal woman can safely and effectively act quickly and respond, so should any other adult at West Potomac! The last thing I’d do is break up a fight/literally try to disarm someone but I sure as hell can call 911, can usher non involved students to safety, scream loud enough to summon help, etc.

In FCPS there’s lots of buzz about “tabletop training” and dusty binders full of emergency plans in some schools but yesterday’s incident should be an immediate call for action and review of emergency response protocols.

I don’t know that teacher and am not defending him but I finally saw the video yesterday. I was not planning on watching it but my own kid showed it to me. It looked different than I expected. I’m also a teacher and what I saw was him taking a photo of a chaotic fight. Is it true this was a substitute? No, I would not be jumping in to try to break that up and they would not have responded to yelling. It was fast and dangerous. He likely took a photo to capture their identities. There was no knife involved and there were so many kids around.

Personally, I would have and have yelled stop! When I first started teaching decades ago, I would yell for a large male teacher to come help break it up. We are now told not to touch students and I know teachers who have been injured or fired (asked to resign) who have tried.

This is an all around terrible situation that should have never have happened. I’m not sure any sub, if this was actually a sub, would be jumping into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Video is on Reddit where someone points out during a fight a teacher literally walks by, takes a photo of the fight and keeps on walking.

Teachers may not be allowed to intervene. The safety protocol is to notify an SRO

Sure, I understand that but to nonchalantly walk past, literally throw up your arm to take a pic and keep walking is awful. He doesn’t stop, say anything, do anything. No instructions whatsoever. No “stop”, no calls out for the SRO or anyone else. It’s a male teacher, with a mustache and large belly, it’s definitely a teacher.

Then when the video shows the student who is stabbed there is one, ONLY one adult standing there and he’s just yelling “ambulance”. He’s not kneeling down to see if kid is alive, or ok, or applying pressure to stop the bleeding. It’s not even clear who he’s talking to, all the kids walking past? No one is in control and several kids are laughing.

I thought cell phones in Virginia public schools were banned during the school day.

Do you know why an adult didn't touch him? Because parents in this region are SO f***ing litigious that somebody would try to sue that adult for putting their hands on that kid. That's why. Because. Of. People. Like. You.

Parents are more likely to sue for negligence of safety, and negligence of bullying or assaults. Maybe FCPS should start thinking about that.

It is not safe for teachers to get involved in the physical fight, but they can do other things like clear the area, stop filming.

FCPS is not keeping students safe. They need metal detectors at every MS and HS, more school resource officers, more security guards to guard common areas and cafeterias, bathroom supervision, metal detector wands to detect vapes/carts, more counselors, and drug dogs. FCPS is failing and it’s negligent. I hope they get sued and start taking this seriously.

That would be a suit against the school board, a faceless entity. A lawsuit against a specific teacher is personal liability. The school board isn't going to junp to their defense and teachers don't have qualified immunity.

Stopping fiming sounds like a good idea to protect the assailant. Was that your goal all along?

[Anonymous]

Apparently, white men are not toxic after all. Many are even brave:

https://x.com/novahooplegends/status/1915501859965456708