Hoax Bomb Threat at Washington Latin

[Anonymous]

Not that it is relevant to the larger discussion, but it is incredible to watch the way rumors evolve here. First it was "I heard one kid has full ride to Princeton", then both of the kids, and now by mentioning Stanford, next will be someone saying, "full ride to all the Ivies". As it's only mid-January, it would be surprising if they had even heard back from colleges yet. And if they'd been admitted Early Decision and knew such a tantalizing offer were hanging in front of them, it seems highly unlikely they'd have made such a serious error in judgement.

[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 You are all claiming offers will be withdrawn.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.

This is DC not MD or VA. There isn't a junior college in DC

[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.

Americans love redemption stories IF you're rich and famous..c'mon be serious..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is DC not MD or VA. There isn't a junior college in DC

There is a community college as part of UDC; they hold classes on N. Cap. St. The kids could also go to one of the junior colleges in the surrounding areas. They might even get into a college that they have already applied for. The bottom line is that this doesn't have to end their lives, but if the adults in their lives are telling them the same things being posted here, they might start to believe there is no hope for them and act that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is DC not MD or VA. There isn't a junior college in DC

There is a community college as part of UDC; they hold classes on N. Cap. St. The kids could also go to one of the junior colleges in the surrounding areas. They might even get into a college that they have already applied for. The bottom line is that this doesn't have to end their lives, but if the adults in their lives are telling them the same things being posted here, they might start to believe there is no hope for them and act that way.

Yes this, exactly.

[Anonymous]

So you are all rooting for these two kids to attend college, which must mean you don't think try are terrorist bullies. Yet you are grand with expulsion and losing scholarships and starting literally from rock bottom. Having gone through the college process wit my kids I dont think you have any idea what it's like. I also hope when your kids get in trouble at school and say "but I was just kidding" (which happens every day, and most are but in a lame/nasty/dumb/snarky way hence being in trouble) you urge the school to fully throw the book at them based on what they said, not who they are, their history,or what they might explain they meant. And NO second chances. I'm sure you will urge that the next time your kid is in a scrap at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are all rooting for these two kids to attend college, which must mean you don't think try are terrorist bullies. Yet you are grand with expulsion and losing scholarships and starting literally from rock bottom. Having gone through the college process wit my kids I dont think you have any idea what it's like. I also hope when your kids get in trouble at school and say "but I was just kidding" (which happens every day, and most are but in a lame/nasty/dumb/snarky way hence being in trouble) you urge the school to fully throw the book at them based on what they said, not who they are, their history,or what they might explain they meant. And NO second chances. I'm sure you will urge that the next time your kid is in a scrap at school.

Not sure you know what "literally" means and therefore I won't listen to you because you're not that bright.

[Anonymous]

Your feedback doesn't make much sense either, lightbulb.
I think for most adolescents having something you worked towards your whole life gone in a minute would literally be rock bottom.

[Anonymous]

That's "literally a lightbulb" to you, since I am in fact, a lightbulb. Again, you don't understand what literally means. But many people use it incorrectly, so don't fret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's "literally a lightbulb" to you, since I am in fact, a lightbulb. Again, you don't understand what literally means. But many people use it incorrectly, so don't fret.

Oh no, is it you again Grammar Police? Ignore her folks. She rears her head now and again. She never provides any substantive comment but only picks at grammar errors in your post. What a life you must lead.

[Anonymous]

I've never commented on anyone's grammar here. It's simply that people who misuse the word literally, bug me. And I don't mean "literally bug me." Ignore me if you like. I'm sure I am not alone in my feelings about people who don't understand words that they use.

[Anonymous]

lit·er·al·ly ?lid?r?l?,?litr?l?/
adverb

in a literal manner or sense; exactly.

"the driver took it literally when asked to go straight across the traffic circle" synonyms: exactly, precisely, actually, really, truly;

informal
used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true

[Anonymous]

Oh boy, this thread has really derailed. Literally.

[Anonymous]

I'm PP ; thank you for the definition. I meant it in the informal sense. I also know the difference between descriptive and prescriptive grammar PP, but don't feel a need to police someone's language. Please respond to what Im saying, not pet peeves about how I'm saying it that you are using as an IQ test. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If a kid is suspended in his or her freshman year, this needs to be explained to a college on the Common Ap. Serious disciplinary action during senior year can be devastating for some college admissions, and seniors know this very well. Bomb threats take it to a whole other level.