Hoax Bomb Threat at Washington Latin

[Anonymous]

I guess it's all about "playing the game', optics and appearances. When a kid has a clean record, works hard and is headed to college and does one dumb thing, the safe gamble would be to bet on them because they've shown in the long term they usually make the right decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given the amount of drinking on college campuses, that's a bit rich of them.

Perhaps. But a university that takes 6 percent of its applicants, most of whom are qualified for admission, won't want any thing to do with someone who makes bomb threats against a school. Especially in this day and age, most colleges won't take the chance.

[Anonymous]

People are really focused on Princeton and its perceived exclusivity. I am thinking about both of the two children, and their prospects of attending any college and getting their lives back on track. The focus on Princeton is just reflective of dcums tunnel vision about exclusive colleges. I would hope any college would look at this situation and allow the kids in conditional (dont get in more trouble before end of the year). Personally, thats what I think WL should have done vis graduating. But since everyone wants them flogged for their email joke, what are their options for college? Applications are over. You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn. Where do these two DC kids who knew where they were headed next year go? Nowhere? Is that what we as DCs moms and dads want?
This is really bothering me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are really focused on Princeton and its perceived exclusivity. I am thinking about both of the two children, and their prospects of attending any college and getting their lives back on track. The focus on Princeton is just reflective of dcums tunnel vision about exclusive colleges. I would hope any college would look at this situation and allow the kids in conditional (dont get in more trouble before end of the year). Personally, thats what I think WL should have done vis graduating. But since everyone wants them flogged for their email joke, what are their options for college? Applications are over. You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn. Where do these two DC kids who knew where they were headed next year go? Nowhere? Is that what we as DCs moms and dads want?
This is really bothering me.

I don't want them flogged I just think the punishment was right. They may have to go to a junior college for a year if they don't get in somewhere elae. They may have to take a year off and reapply next year. These are not uncommon paths for many people who did not get in trouble.

They are young and if the adults in their lives are not constantly telling them how unfair this is or how they can never recover, they will be able to overcome their stupid hoax. Heck they might even mature and become more aware of how their actions and words have an impact on the people around them.

[Anonymous]

But by your logic no schools would touch them? Thats what everyone has been saying. As if this was the crime of the century. I have a problem with the idea of two non white D.C. school kids on the college track getting derailed by something like this. Why do I highlight nonwhite? Because Dc seems to be very focused on non white boys right now (see other threads). Here are two who made one silly mistake in 8 years at a school, and done and done? Do we end up with 2 more depressed non white kids on DCs street who could have been some place entirely different? How do teens have the resources to deal with this? I hope to God they have some adults with wisdom to help with next steps. And if the go to adults in their life have been Latin faculty and staff that is going to be pretty messed up dynamic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are really focused on Princeton and its perceived exclusivity. I am thinking about both of the two children, and their prospects of attending any college and getting their lives back on track. The focus on Princeton is just reflective of dcums tunnel vision about exclusive colleges. I would hope any college would look at this situation and allow the kids in conditional (dont get in more trouble before end of the year). Personally, thats what I think WL should have done vis graduating. But since everyone wants them flogged for their email joke, what are their options for college? Applications are over. You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn. Where do these two DC kids who knew where they were headed next year go? Nowhere? Is that what we as DCs moms and dads want?
This is really bothering me.

I don't want them flogged I just think the punishment was right. They may have to go to a junior college for a year if they don't get in somewhere elae. They may have to take a year off and reapply next year. These are not uncommon paths for many people who did not get in trouble.

They are young and if the adults in their lives are not constantly telling them how unfair this is or how they can never recover, they will be able to overcome their stupid hoax. Heck they might even mature and become more aware of how their actions and words have an impact on the people around them.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I really hope Latin leadership does not double back on their decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are really focused on Princeton and its perceived exclusivity. I am thinking about both of the two children, and their prospects of attending any college and getting their lives back on track. The focus on Princeton is just reflective of dcums tunnel vision about exclusive colleges. I would hope any college would look at this situation and allow the kids in conditional (dont get in more trouble before end of the year). Personally, thats what I think WL should have done vis graduating. But since everyone wants them flogged for their email joke, what are their options for college? Applications are over. You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn. Where do these two DC kids who knew where they were headed next year go? Nowhere? Is that what we as DCs moms and dads want?
This is really bothering me.

I don't want them flogged I just think the punishment was right. They may have to go to a junior college for a year if they don't get in somewhere elae. They may have to take a year off and reapply next year. These are not uncommon paths for many people who did not get in trouble.

They are young and if the adults in their lives are not constantly telling them how unfair this is or how they can never recover, they will be able to overcome their stupid hoax. Heck they might even mature and become more aware of how their actions and words have an impact on the people around them.

+1 agreed. and hopefully your point about junior college will resonate with PP since she/he is so offended by the idea of elevating the role of "Princeton." And I hope any college, Ivy or not, that has a waitlist or that has to deny applications of qualified kids who don't have such a serious infraction on their transcript would also choose to pass on the "pranksters" and opt for another worthy kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are really focused on Princeton and its perceived exclusivity. I am thinking about both of the two children, and their prospects of attending any college and getting their lives back on track. The focus on Princeton is just reflective of dcums tunnel vision about exclusive colleges. I would hope any college would look at this situation and allow the kids in conditional (dont get in more trouble before end of the year). Personally, thats what I think WL should have done vis graduating. But since everyone wants them flogged for their email joke, what are their options for college? Applications are over. You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn. Where do these two DC kids who knew where they were headed next year go? Nowhere? Is that what we as DCs moms and dads want?
This is really bothering me.

I don't want them flogged I just think the punishment was right. They may have to go to a junior college for a year if they don't get in somewhere elae. They may have to take a year off and reapply next year. These are not uncommon paths for many people who did not get in trouble.

They are young and if the adults in their lives are not constantly telling them how unfair this is or how they can never recover, they will be able to overcome their stupid hoax. Heck they might even mature and become more aware of how their actions and words have an impact on the people around them.

+1 agreed. and hopefully your point about junior college will resonate with PP since she/he is so offended by the idea of elevating the role of "Princeton." And I hope any college, Ivy or not, that has a waitlist or that has to deny applications of qualified kids who don't have such a serious infraction on their transcript would also choose to pass on the "pranksters" and opt for another worthy kid.

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

You took my comment out of context. I was responding to a PP who stated that these kids should be overlooked by colleges for other more deserving kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

You took my comment out of context. I was responding to a PP who stated that these kids should be overlooked by colleges for other more deserving kids.

My apologies! I don't think they should be overlooked-- I think colleges should give them a very hard look and see if there is something redemptive. Maybe WL's loss will be a tremendous gain for the next high school that the kids attend-- and subsequently Princeton's loss will be a "UDC for one year then, after giving them a very close look, Stanford" kind of gain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

You took my comment out of context. I was responding to a PP who stated that these kids should be overlooked by colleges for other more deserving kids.

My apologies! I don't think they should be overlooked-- I think colleges should give them a very hard look and see if there is something redemptive. Maybe WL's loss will be a tremendous gain for the next high school that the kids attend-- and subsequently Princeton's loss will be a "UDC for one year then, after giving them a very close look, Stanford" kind of gain.

I'm afraid this is rather naive. Making bomb threats is not the path to admission at Stanford and the Ivy League.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And by doing so you are ensuring that these kids will learn that society expects them to misbehave, will be undereducated, and in turn will never really grow up.

Kids make mistakes. Bad ones. Even illegal ones. All of the time. At some point, they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

How odd that you and I come to completely different conclusions. I take it that by doing so the school is saying that it expected them to behave and because they didn't they face severe consequences. You make it sound like WL expels kids all the time-- this is the first time I've ever heard of the school expelling a kid.

These kids are getting a second chance-- sounds like they are attending their IB school and if they play their cards right and they can turn this around. Americans LOVE redemption stories and this has all the hallmarks of one. "Smart kids at urban high school make a (really) dumb mistake, pick themselves up and keep going, end up in a better place than if they had never made the dumb mistake at all." Yeah, I'd pay $$ to see that movie/musical/play! I'm proud that WL made the difficult decision to expel the kids. It shows that they has high expectations for its students. I really don't follow how you can say that it shows they have low expectations for the students-- you would have to have some proof that WL expels kids all the time to support such a cynical concept.

You took my comment out of context. I was responding to a PP who stated that these kids should be overlooked by colleges for other more deserving kids.

My apologies! I don't think they should be overlooked-- I think colleges should give them a very hard look and see if there is something redemptive. Maybe WL's loss will be a tremendous gain for the next high school that the kids attend-- and subsequently Princeton's loss will be a "UDC for one year then, after giving them a very close look, Stanford" kind of gain.

I'm afraid this is rather naive. Making bomb threats is not the path to admission at Stanford and the Ivy League.

If that is the case, I don't see how that is the fault of Washington Latin. WL is doing the right thing for expelling them. What happens next is up to those two kids and the thousands of colleges (or other opportunities) that remain available to them.