Thoughts on the new Churchill principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen some of the text messages. Parent chose to share because children are named who could be victims. Purely horrifying. Every parent should be checking their child's phone.

The text messages showed the coach (who is also a MCPS teacher) texting an invite to take a male student to lunch to discuss "putting sh#t in perspective" as well as documenting an event where he had another male student was alone in his car. Not what I would have expected from this individual.

I don't trust him anymore with my child. Parents should check their child's cell phones because he probably did this to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Prinicpal is very nice. Hughly nice. The best principal this HS has ever seen. You will see, how great the principal is.

She is an awful person if she doesn't do anything about the coaches and athletic director.

Fake News. She is just great. Yugely great! Good person and the best person. She has already made the school great again.

I thought Trump's kid was at St. Andrews, not Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Even students are speaking out of the lack of gender respect and equity in the athletics at Churchill. A quote from the October 2018 edition of the Observer:

We need to start rewarding the same respect to female athletes that we do to male athletes. As CHS students, we continually attend Friday night football games to cheer on the male athletes. We plan spirit days to show our support for them. We go to their games with our friends. We even endorse their games. But we never do this for the girl’s soccer team, the girl’s field hockey team, or the girl’s volleyball team. This needs to stop.

http://www.thechurchillobserver.com/opinions/2018/10/19/sexism-is-evident-in-professional-sports/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even students are speaking out of the lack of gender respect and equity in the athletics at Churchill. A quote from the October 2018 edition of the Observer:

We need to start rewarding the same respect to female athletes that we do to male athletes. As CHS students, we continually attend Friday night football games to cheer on the male athletes. We plan spirit days to show our support for them. We go to their games with our friends. We even endorse their games. But we never do this for the girl’s soccer team, the girl’s field hockey team, or the girl’s volleyball team. This needs to stop.

http://www.thechurchillobserver.com/opinions/2018/10/19/sexism-is-evident-in-professional-sports/

You’re no longer talking about a Churchill-specific problem. This is a societal issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even students are speaking out of the lack of gender respect and equity in the athletics at Churchill. A quote from the October 2018 edition of the Observer:

We need to start rewarding the same respect to female athletes that we do to male athletes. As CHS students, we continually attend Friday night football games to cheer on the male athletes. We plan spirit days to show our support for them. We go to their games with our friends. We even endorse their games. But we never do this for the girl’s soccer team, the girl’s field hockey team, or the girl’s volleyball team. This needs to stop.

http://www.thechurchillobserver.com/opinions/2018/10/19/sexism-is-evident-in-professional-sports/

You’re no longer talking about a Churchill-specific problem. This is a societal issue.

It sounds like the author of the article ended the piece by advocating for change at Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

Different PP but if what you are saying Mrs. Heckert is no better than the principal who preceded her because of her indifference to this problem at Churchill, I think some parents are figuring that out. There are multiple sports teams that have similar issues and the one common thread is a terrible athletic director that allows these types of things to happen to students over and over again. Parents should be checking in with their children to make sure they are ok.

The US Department of Education withdrew federal funds to punish Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect students. Perhaps that is needed to clean up MCPS. Luckily for Churchill if that is what it takes to fix our school, there are US Department of Education and US Justice Department parents in the community who are knowledgeable on the process. There are also parents who are lawyers that would know how to file a civil suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

Different PP but if what you are saying Mrs. Heckert is no better than the principal who preceded her because of her indifference to this problem at Churchill, I think some parents are figuring that out. There are multiple sports teams that have similar issues and the one common thread is a terrible athletic director that allows these types of things to happen to students over and over again. Parents should be checking in with their children to make sure they are ok.

The US Department of Education withdrew federal funds to punish Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect students. Perhaps that is needed to clean up MCPS. Luckily for Churchill if that is what it takes to fix our school, there are US Department of Education and US Justice Department parents in the community who are knowledgeable on the process. There are also parents who are lawyers that would know how to file a civil suit.

Ms. Heckert has only been there a couple of months-- why draw the conclusion that she is as indifferent as her predecessor? Have people had one-on-one meetings with her to discuss? Or has she refused to have such meetings? (I was really surprised to learn on this thread that only about 20 people attended the first PTA meeting. Given the energy on this board, I honestly assumed there would be hundreds there.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

Different PP but if what you are saying Mrs. Heckert is no better than the principal who preceded her because of her indifference to this problem at Churchill, I think some parents are figuring that out. There are multiple sports teams that have similar issues and the one common thread is a terrible athletic director that allows these types of things to happen to students over and over again. Parents should be checking in with their children to make sure they are ok.

The US Department of Education withdrew federal funds to punish Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect students. Perhaps that is needed to clean up MCPS. Luckily for Churchill if that is what it takes to fix our school, there are US Department of Education and US Justice Department parents in the community who are knowledgeable on the process. There are also parents who are lawyers that would know how to file a civil suit.

Ms. Heckert has only been there a couple of months-- why draw the conclusion that she is as indifferent as her predecessor? Have people had one-on-one meetings with her to discuss? Or has she refused to have such meetings? (I was really surprised to learn on this thread that only about 20 people attended the first PTA meeting. Given the energy on this board, I honestly assumed there would be hundreds there.)

Seriously. Tough unforgiving crowd. There are principals who’ve been bombing for years and have no support. I’d rather see MCPS put some resources there. Ms. Heckert is a first year principal so she’s working with a coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

Different PP but if what you are saying Mrs. Heckert is no better than the principal who preceded her because of her indifference to this problem at Churchill, I think some parents are figuring that out. There are multiple sports teams that have similar issues and the one common thread is a terrible athletic director that allows these types of things to happen to students over and over again. Parents should be checking in with their children to make sure they are ok.

The US Department of Education withdrew federal funds to punish Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect students. Perhaps that is needed to clean up MCPS. Luckily for Churchill if that is what it takes to fix our school, there are US Department of Education and US Justice Department parents in the community who are knowledgeable on the process. There are also parents who are lawyers that would know how to file a civil suit.

Ms. Heckert has only been there a couple of months-- why draw the conclusion that she is as indifferent as her predecessor? Have people had one-on-one meetings with her to discuss? Or has she refused to have such meetings? (I was really surprised to learn on this thread that only about 20 people attended the first PTA meeting. Given the energy on this board, I honestly assumed there would be hundreds there.)

I tried to set up a meeting to discuss with her one on one. No response to my emails or request for a meeting. I would agree with the indifference that the treatment of students in the athletic department is not a priority for Mrs. Heckert or the athletic director.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I am a parent. I just find it odd that we keep hearing about this, and other "problems" at what is supposed to be the #1 school in Maryland. That is what I find odd!

Why do you put "problems" in quotes? It IS a problem if the allegations are true. Again, I have no connection to Churchill and don't know if they are credible allegations. I do work in MCPS though, and have been here long enough that I certainly would not operate on blind faith where the school system is concerned. Too many kids have been molested and too many staff members have been harassed or worse, and guess who goes when that stuff happens? It's whoever is lower on the totem pole. And kids unfortunately are the lowest rung. I've yet to see a principal get disciplined for allowing poor behavior under his nose. It's in their best interest to pretend they don't see it. The culture is totally screwy.

Thank you for your honesty about the MCPS culture. This is why MCPS has child pedators who remain in place year after year harming students.

These men were putting children alone in cars, giving gifts, and texting students. Mrs. Heckert and the Athletic Director should ask themselves if they would want their children alone with these men?

I can feel your desperation to fix this problem and understand why you're bringing this up as much as possible on DCUM, but you're not going to get the results you want here. I'd be strategic and go through other channels. You'll only get increasingly frustrated here. I don't know what to tell you to do--maybe look at what parents did in Chicago when dealing with similar stuff.

Different PP but if what you are saying Mrs. Heckert is no better than the principal who preceded her because of her indifference to this problem at Churchill, I think some parents are figuring that out. There are multiple sports teams that have similar issues and the one common thread is a terrible athletic director that allows these types of things to happen to students over and over again. Parents should be checking in with their children to make sure they are ok.

The US Department of Education withdrew federal funds to punish Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect students. Perhaps that is needed to clean up MCPS. Luckily for Churchill if that is what it takes to fix our school, there are US Department of Education and US Justice Department parents in the community who are knowledgeable on the process. There are also parents who are lawyers that would know how to file a civil suit.

Ms. Heckert has only been there a couple of months-- why draw the conclusion that she is as indifferent as her predecessor? Have people had one-on-one meetings with her to discuss? Or has she refused to have such meetings? (I was really surprised to learn on this thread that only about 20 people attended the first PTA meeting. Given the energy on this board, I honestly assumed there would be hundreds there.)

I tried to set up a meeting to discuss with her one on one. No response to my emails or request for a meeting. I would agree with the indifference that the treatment of students in the athletic department is not a priority for Mrs. Heckert or the athletic director.

Have you tried scheduling something through the secretary? I'm not condoning her lack of email responsiveness, but since it is apparent, I would suggest calling the front office for an appointment. (I also wouldn't be surprised if she pushed the meeting down to an assistant principal, but that would probably be fine in terms of getting your concern on their radar screen.)

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have also left messages by calling the office. The saftey and well being of students is not a priority at Churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've seen some of the text messages. Parent chose to share because children are named who could be victims. Purely horrifying. Every parent should be checking their child's phone.

The text messages showed the coach (who is also a MCPS teacher) texting an invite to take a male student to lunch to discuss "putting sh#t in perspective" as well as documenting an event where he had another male student was alone in his car. Not what I would have expected from this individual.

I don't trust him anymore with my child. Parents should check their child's cell phones because he probably did this to others.

In another text message the child told the coach who had taken him off campus to lunch that the verbal and physical abuse on the team had to stop. The student texted that the abuse had been going on for years and many athletes, even athletes that had been at the school before him, had been targeted.

Did this coach/teacher immediately report to Child Welfare Services? No. Did he tell the principal? No. The coach/teacher warned the other coach that the student was going to report the abuse so the other coach could preemptively talk to the athletic director to say there was a problem with the student. Again, dated and time stamped in a text as a warning to stay silent.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if your clear message is getting through on phone messages (taken by the secretary?) and emails. I say this because if you are conveying something along the lines of the following (below), then the principal would have a legal liability from ignoring the message.

The message I would leave and email is something like:
"I have information and evidence of sexual harassment (or plain harassment) by a coach toward students. I've told the AD and he hasn't been responsive and I'd now like to speak with the principal."

If the principal ignores such a message for more than a week, then I would take it up with both her supervisor and the MCPS Title IX officer, forwarding the email as evidence of what you told the principal. That is a serious allegation with legal consequences if they do not investigate. I would be astonished if they didn't at least agree to discuss the issue with you to get more details.

FWIW, I had a similar concern about a teacher last year and emailed the Assistant Principal who was acting in Benz's place and received an email response almost immediately asking for details. (My ds didn't want to pursue and it was really a borderline issue (based on DS's perceptions) so I didn't go forward with the process, so I don't know how seriously they would have treated it in the end. But the Assistant Principal was very responsive to the initial email.)