West Potomac HS situation

[Anonymous]

At least all four lunch sessions continued at West Potomac HS. Business as usual even as the media staging area is being set up and a burglary suspect “from Sunday” is apprehended and conveniently arrested by police officers already on scene.

So relieved that all students at WPHS were offered a nutritious meal as the crime scene and weapon were being secured.

Oh, and thank you so much Dr. Reid for announcing that there will be teams of counselors available for students. So helpful.

You came fully prepared for the press conference, too. Great use of eduspeak babble that is so beloved by parents AKA stakeholders. Bonus points for deflection and deft use of non-answers. So reassuring to know that you fully understand how invested we were in wondering if lunch was served and available to all students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

[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.

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

No you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

5 years ago - more in some circles - SROs became incredibly unpopular in this area along with police in general. And now here we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I agree that we should "harden" our schools. But parents need to realize this would have many (perhaps unintended) consequences...

- Kids would need to arrive to school much earlier than they do now to allow for passing time through the metal detectors. (Imagine an airport security queue.) Busses would need to start their routes about 20 min earlier. Parents would need to drop off their kids about 20-30 min earlier. And if students are late to class because they were standing in the security line, then they should be marked unexcused tardy. (Kind of like missing your flight at the airport.) No parental whining about it!

- Kids need to lock up their phones in the pouches for the day. If they bring a second phone and are caught with one in class, then the parent needs to retrieve the phone from the school. No parental whining about it!

- (and highlighted separately) Parents need to stop yelling about the fact that they couldn't reach their kid during/after the stabbing incident!!

- Parents need to be aware that their kids may be pulled from class because vape sensors caught their kid in the area where another kid was vaping. They should be okay with their innocent child undergoing questioning. No parental whining about it!

- Kids need to be assigned after-school detention on late bus days for accumulating more than 4 unexcused tardies. They may miss work, sports, or appointments. No parental whining about it!

- Kids need to be assigned after-school detention on late bus days for getting caught with a nonschool-related (youtube, game, etc) tab open on their computer. They may miss work, sports, or appointments. No parental whining about it!

And so on....

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It doesn't matter to me either. I would welcome it. But I'm sure a whole lotta parents are going to complain and perhaps even stop the rollout of the weapons detection systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It doesn't matter to me either. I would welcome it. But I'm sure a whole lotta parents are going to complain and perhaps even stop the rollout of the weapons detection systems.

Any weapons detection system that the school district implements will be “security theater”. It might make you feel better, but it will not make the school safer. Kids who want to get into school with weapons will find a way to get through the security system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It’s not just about taking longer to get in the building. If most of the staff is manning the weapons detectors, there are less staff monitoring the rest of the building.
See what happened at a Prince William county school last school year.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1247632.page#29081817

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It doesn't matter to me either. I would welcome it. But I'm sure a whole lotta parents are going to complain and perhaps even stop the rollout of the weapons detection systems.

Any weapons detection system that the school district implements will be “security theater”. It might make you feel better, but it will not make the school safer. Kids who want to get into school with weapons will find a way to get through the security system.

Do you feel the same way about metal detectors at federal buildings, stadiums, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It’s not just about taking longer to get in the building. If most of the staff is manning the weapons detectors, there are less staff monitoring the rest of the building.
See what happened at a Prince William county school last school year.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1247632.page#29081817

They need more security personnel. They could operate the security equipment and also secure the school during the day. FCPS needs to prioritize safety, or they’re legally liable for lives lost and damages done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It’s not just about taking longer to get in the building. If most of the staff is manning the weapons detectors, there are less staff monitoring the rest of the building.
See what happened at a Prince William county school last school year.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1247632.page#29081817

They need more security personnel. They could operate the security equipment and also secure the school during the day. FCPS needs to prioritize safety, or they’re legally liable for lives lost and damages done.

What should they cut from the budget to hire the additional security?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It’s not just about taking longer to get in the building. If most of the staff is manning the weapons detectors, there are less staff monitoring the rest of the building.
See what happened at a Prince William county school last school year.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1247632.page#29081817

They need more security personnel. They could operate the security equipment and also secure the school during the day. FCPS needs to prioritize safety, or they’re legally liable for lives lost and damages done.

What should they cut from the budget to hire the additional security?

DEI

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter if metal detectors make it slower to get into a school building. It’s required for safety and the risk is too high. I don’t want my kid dying or being traumatized with a weapon because parents complain it might take a little bit longer to get in schools and people think metal detectors are inconvenient. Also kids get to school in plenty of time before the first bell. They have time. Kids are getting seriously injured and traumatized and more. This is unacceptable. FCPS needs to do prioritize for safety so kids don’t die, or other grave consequences.

All their talk about safety is a bunch of crap. They are doing nothing.

It’s not just about taking longer to get in the building. If most of the staff is manning the weapons detectors, there are less staff monitoring the rest of the building.
See what happened at a Prince William county school last school year.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1247632.page#29081817

They need more security personnel. They could operate the security equipment and also secure the school during the day. FCPS needs to prioritize safety, or they’re legally liable for lives lost and damages done.

What should they cut from the budget to hire the additional security?

So many things could be cut. I’d rather my child be safe, alive, not exposed to violence and crime, and not be traumatized than have 25+ electives choices (especially in middle school) like guitar 3D art; language immersion programs; late busses; IB programs, excess AP classes; field trips. Kids can’t learn if they’re not safe or on drugs/vape or if they’re dead or traumatized from violence and adults not keeping them safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teacher union president said if the teacher wasn’t walking away to initiate emergency steps or call emergency services, there should be some hard conversations about what the teacher was thinking.

Which union’s president? Do you have a link?

The quote was from David Walrod of FCFT. https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-teachers-union-west-potomac-high-school-superintendent-adult-emergency-services-policies-schools-federation-education-fight-student-altercation-incident-bloody-answers-concerns