Hoax Bomb Threat at Washington Latin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

And if they did, it's pretty strong evidence that they lack the judgment, smarts and integrity to succeed at a highly selective college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Exactly . BOMB THREATS take it to another level. These kids would still be on a shaky ground vis a vis college acceptance no matter what the formal consequence given by Washington Latin ( the aggrieved community here ). Unless WL swept it all under the rug to keep it hush hush and keep the colleges unaware--that's not what anyone wanted here. It's not the expulsion decision that messed things up for these kids. It was the bomb threat emailed out to hundreds of people. It's "lucky" for them they pulled this joke now and not 6 months from now at their college. In that sense. They do have a second chance. Pretty sure this would end in court/jail/expulsion if it happened at a college.

[Anonymous]

If they were in college wouldn't they likely be expelled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they were in college wouldn't they likely be expelled?

Actually, I think in most colleges -- especially the more hoity toity ones such as I attended---"separation from the community" and then you return "contrite and wiser". I think WL totally blasted the kids out of the water with this expulsion. They could have done something different: told then to go volunteer for six months and come back for a PG year. Anything. I am so upset with how this was handled. Unless I hear these kids end up changed for the better as you all claim, I am definitely breaking up with WL. No more money. No more love. I'll find out who the kids are and send them our yearly donation. Seriously. This whole thing is gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Latin parent who completely supports the school's decision. In this electronic age, this fraudulent threatening email could follow the student victim like a cloud due to his ethnicity, causing serious and lasting scrutiny for the student and their family. The prank email went into cyberspace to more than 500 addresses. The expulsion decision is arguably less harmful to the two students than the potential damaging implications to their victim. It no doubt was an extremely agonizing decision for the school and all involved. One of the school's core values is that "Words Matter"-- this decision, painful as it is, has reinforced that lesson to the entire school community.

I've been told by another parent that one of the boys had been accepted to Princeton on a full-ride. I wonder if the offer will be rescinded. Ugh, I am sorry for all the boys involved. I remember my prankster days and the pulling of the fire alarm. And yes, I understand it's a different world that our children are navigating through.

I really doubt this because Washington Latin does not exactly send students to schools like Princeton. Have you checked out their list of college acceptances? http://latinpcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WLPCS-College-Acceptances-2015.pdf

Perhaps they meant Prince George's County Community College, which is represented.

I'm all for expelling the students, and it's all too convenient to pretend that they had a full ride to Princeton but their lives were ruined. Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Latin parent who completely supports the school's decision. In this electronic age, this fraudulent threatening email could follow the student victim like a cloud due to his ethnicity, causing serious and lasting scrutiny for the student and their family. The prank email went into cyberspace to more than 500 addresses. The expulsion decision is arguably less harmful to the two students than the potential damaging implications to their victim. It no doubt was an extremely agonizing decision for the school and all involved. One of the school's core values is that "Words Matter"-- this decision, painful as it is, has reinforced that lesson to the entire school community.

I've been told by another parent that one of the boys had been accepted to Princeton on a full-ride. I wonder if the offer will be rescinded. Ugh, I am sorry for all the boys involved. I remember my prankster days and the pulling of the fire alarm. And yes, I understand it's a different world that our children are navigating through.

I really doubt this because Washington Latin does not exactly send students to schools like Princeton. Have you checked out their list of college acceptances? http://latinpcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WLPCS-College-Acceptances-2015.pdf

Perhaps they meant Prince George's County Community College, which is represented.

I'm all for expelling the students, and it's all too convenient to pretend that they had a full ride to Princeton but their lives were ruined. Give me a break.

So you don't have a kid at the school, or any connection with the school? Live in the neighborhood even? See the kids coming and going?
Basically, you are a vulture who knows nothing about WL whose kid is waitlisted at Princeton (hence your interest in a spot opening up) but whose safety is a notch above Prince George's County Community College (hence your snobbery)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Latin parent who completely supports the school's decision. In this electronic age, this fraudulent threatening email could follow the student victim like a cloud due to his ethnicity, causing serious and lasting scrutiny for the student and their family. The prank email went into cyberspace to more than 500 addresses. The expulsion decision is arguably less harmful to the two students than the potential damaging implications to their victim. It no doubt was an extremely agonizing decision for the school and all involved. One of the school's core values is that "Words Matter"-- this decision, painful as it is, has reinforced that lesson to the entire school community.

I've been told by another parent that one of the boys had been accepted to Princeton on a full-ride. I wonder if the offer will be rescinded. Ugh, I am sorry for all the boys involved. I remember my prankster days and the pulling of the fire alarm. And yes, I understand it's a different world that our children are navigating through.

I really doubt this because Washington Latin does not exactly send students to schools like Princeton. Have you checked out their list of college acceptances? http://latinpcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WLPCS-College-Acceptances-2015.pdf

Perhaps they meant Prince George's County Community College, which is represented.

I'm all for expelling the students, and it's all too convenient to pretend that they had a full ride to Princeton but their lives were ruined. Give me a break.

Please crawl back under your rock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Exactly . BOMB THREATS take it to another level. These kids would still be on a shaky ground vis a vis college acceptance no matter what the formal consequence given by Washington Latin ( the aggrieved community here ). Unless WL swept it all under the rug to keep it hush hush and keep the colleges unaware--that's not what anyone wanted here. It's not the expulsion decision that messed things up for these kids. It was the bomb threat emailed out to hundreds of people. It's "lucky" for them they pulled this joke now and not 6 months from now at their college. In that sense. They do have a second chance. Pretty sure this would end in court/jail/expulsion if it happened at a college.

The way I read some of the postings, that's exactly what some seem to want here - to sweep it under the rug and not disclose to colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a Latin parent who completely supports the school's decision. In this electronic age, this fraudulent threatening email could follow the student victim like a cloud due to his ethnicity, causing serious and lasting scrutiny for the student and their family. The prank email went into cyberspace to more than 500 addresses. The expulsion decision is arguably less harmful to the two students than the potential damaging implications to their victim. It no doubt was an extremely agonizing decision for the school and all involved. One of the school's core values is that "Words Matter"-- this decision, painful as it is, has reinforced that lesson to the entire school community.

I've been told by another parent that one of the boys had been accepted to Princeton on a full-ride. I wonder if the offer will be rescinded. Ugh, I am sorry for all the boys involved. I remember my prankster days and the pulling of the fire alarm. And yes, I understand it's a different world that our children are navigating through.

I really doubt this because Washington Latin does not exactly send students to schools like Princeton. Have you checked out their list of college acceptances? http://latinpcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WLPCS-College-Acceptances-2015.pdf

Perhaps they meant Prince George's County Community College, which is represented.

I'm all for expelling the students, and it's all too convenient to pretend that they had a full ride to Princeton but their lives were ruined. Give me a break.

So you don't have a kid at the school, or any connection with the school? Live in the neighborhood even? See the kids coming and going?
Basically, you are a vulture who knows nothing about WL whose kid is waitlisted at Princeton (hence your interest in a spot opening up) but whose safety is a notch above Prince George's County Community College (hence your snobbery)?

At this point no one is on a wait list at Princeton or a comparable college. Some early applicants are deferred until the regular pool admission decisions.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading yesterdays Metro section about the FBI agent pardoned for shoving a teen. He is getting probation and anger management. He is raising three children alone after his wife's passing. The judges reasoning: " would it be in the best interest of the defendant - as a result of this isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment - to deprive him of his employment, of his livelihood? To impact upon his children? To impact upon the service that he can bring to the community? I think not."

I expect you all will hold yourselves and your children to the same standards as you've urged for these WL youngsters when you next make an isolated and unfortunate mistake. Which you and they will. Because that is part of being a human being navigating this world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading yesterdays Metro section about the FBI agent pardoned for shoving a teen. He is getting probation and anger management. He is raising three children alone after his wife's passing. The judges reasoning: " would it be in the best interest of the defendant - as a result of this isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment - to deprive him of his employment, of his livelihood? To impact upon his children? To impact upon the service that he can bring to the community? I think not."

I expect you all will hold yourselves and your children to the same standards as you've urged for these WL youngsters when you next make an isolated and unfortunate mistake. Which you and they will. Because that is part of being a human being navigating this world.

This wasn't an instance of a WL student throwing a punch to defend himself in a fight that someone else started. It was a deliberate BOMB THREAT against the school. Moreover, in the case of the FBI agent, the kid whom he shoved had reportedly threatened the agent. However, I imagine if the agent had done something like calling in a bomb threat (or collecting porn involving minors) he most definitely would not have received probation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading yesterdays Metro section about the FBI agent pardoned for shoving a teen. He is getting probation and anger management. He is raising three children alone after his wife's passing. The judges reasoning: " would it be in the best interest of the defendant - as a result of this isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment - to deprive him of his employment, of his livelihood? To impact upon his children? To impact upon the service that he can bring to the community? I think not."

I expect you all will hold yourselves and your children to the same standards as you've urged for these WL youngsters when you next make an isolated and unfortunate mistake. Which you and they will. Because that is part of being a human being navigating this world.

This wasn't an instance of a WL student throwing a punch to defend himself in a fight that someone else started. It was a deliberate BOMB THREAT against the school. Moreover, in the case of the FBI agent, the kid whom he shoved had reportedly threatened the agent. However, I imagine if the agent had done something like calling in a bomb threat (or collecting porn involving minors) he most definitely would not have received probation.

Really? There's no indication from the kids' records that the kids intended it as anything more than a bad joke hence "an isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment", yet it's been compared on this thread to child porn and rape. Gotta love it. I will be watching WL discipline very closely from here on out. No double standards. Your kid steps in it, your kid pays the price. From now on, everything must follow the handbook. From now on, no interpretation. From now on, no factoring in what you know about the kids (despite the small class size being what people cherish). From now on, no second chances. It's going to be grand for everyone! The kids will really appreciate your vigilance. I honestly think half of you posting are raising middle schoolers or even elementary. You have no idea what it's like to raise a teen and have forgotten what it's like to be one. Well, prepare yourselves.

[Anonymous]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=on+the+bus+washington+latin+youtube&view=detail&mid=41A4DF96D5369F91AB1F41A4DF96D5369F91AB1F&FORM=VIRE13

This is WL. Kids and teachers used to laugh in a (VERY) irreverent way. Can't imagine where these two kids got the idea to joke around. I guess now that we've grown up we've lost our sense of humor. Well, enjoy your school and bickering about Princeton waiting lists. Believe me, the message is clear. No jokes/no second chances in adolescence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading yesterdays Metro section about the FBI agent pardoned for shoving a teen. He is getting probation and anger management. He is raising three children alone after his wife's passing. The judges reasoning: " would it be in the best interest of the defendant - as a result of this isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment - to deprive him of his employment, of his livelihood? To impact upon his children? To impact upon the service that he can bring to the community? I think not."

I expect you all will hold yourselves and your children to the same standards as you've urged for these WL youngsters when you next make an isolated and unfortunate mistake. Which you and they will. Because that is part of being a human being navigating this world.

This wasn't an instance of a WL student throwing a punch to defend himself in a fight that someone else started. It was a deliberate BOMB THREAT against the school. Moreover, in the case of the FBI agent, the kid whom he shoved had reportedly threatened the agent. However, I imagine if the agent had done something like calling in a bomb threat (or collecting porn involving minors) he most definitely would not have received probation.

Really? There's no indication from the kids' records that the kids intended it as anything more than a bad joke hence "an isolated and unfortunate mistake of judgment", yet it's been compared on this thread to child porn and rape. Gotta love it. I will be watching WL discipline very closely from here on out. No double standards. Your kid steps in it, your kid pays the price. From now on, everything must follow the handbook. From now on, no interpretation. From now on, no factoring in what you know about the kids (despite the small class size being what people cherish). From now on, no second chances. It's going to be grand for everyone! The kids will really appreciate your vigilance. I honestly think half of you posting are raising middle schoolers or even elementary. You have no idea what it's like to raise a teen and have forgotten what it's like to be one. Well, prepare yourselves.

It isn't black and white. As someone else pointed out, the handbook doesn't say it has to be expulsion. The administration looked at what was done and judged that it crossed a line. It is a harsh punishment but not something that is going to ruin the rest of these kids' lives. I do have a teen who has done so many stupid things and if one of the actions he did crossed this line, I would expect the harsh punishment. I would also take the opportunity to help him learn how to bounce back by from mistakes he made. Just because I think the punishment was the right decision doesn't mean that I think these kids don't deserve forgiveness or a chance to make right the fall out from their actions.

No their actions do not compare to rape or child porn, I believe the PP was making a point that those things would have crossed a line that would have not been treated in the same way as the pushing of the child who threatened the agent.