Girl Raped at Rockville HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS, you better be conducting security assessments for your facilities. Right now. There are plenty of MCPS parents who are security experts (like me)- lots of FBI agents, cops, military- who would do this for free. So don't let cost be a factor.

I'd love to hear how this might be done. Would it involve an assessment of school culture and risks, as well as the building itself? I'd also be interested to know what sort of recommendations might come out of a security assessment for a school. Cameras? Hall monitors? Programs geared to certain sub-populations within the schools? Other? Asking because I love the idea but don't understand what it might entail.

I'd be interested in hearing more also. Sounds like they already have cameras. The principal could obviously use some guidance on this since she wrote a very weak letter in response to the incident.

I'm the person who wrote this. There are different methodologies for security asssessments. A robust assessment would include an understanding of the threat (e.g., what threats to security have happened, have been attempted, have been threatened); risk (what is likely to happen at the low and high end, and of that what can be managed with countermeasures) and vulnerability (what about the security environment can be exploited by a bad guy?) The fact that the child screamed and fought strongly suggests that RHS has vulnerability issues that could be mitigated.



"I'm sure MCPS has had some of this done"

you would be wrong
What does mitigation look like? Sometimes it is cameras and guards but there is more to it than that. This bathroom was secluded, and secluded areas are vulnerable. You can change foot traffic by where you set up offices, how you funnel traffic through (i.e., making it so that people have to traverse an area) in order to avoid a dead zone. I'm sure MCPS has had some of this done but it clearly needs more and I'm positive that parents with this expertise would do it for free. I would.

Thank you. That sounds feasible and reasonable.

MCPS obviously has some vulnerabilities and it would be worthwhile to assess them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the Mom of a 5 yo so not dealing with HS issues yet. I am shocked though that 18yo's can be freshman. I don't want my 14yo in class with 17 and 18 yo's. Is this true for all HS's in Moco?

I definitely understand your concerns, and I don't think it makes sense to register 18 year olds as freshmen unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students. If I understand the policy correctly, all students older than 21 must finish their high school education at another campus, and an 18 year old would turn 21 by the time they were in their senior year if they started as a Freshman so why not start them at the school they'll end up at anyway?

However, regarding kids on class with older students, in high school that happens even if everyone is in the grade typical for their chronological age since most elective classes are open to grades 9-12 or 10-12. I don't think it's that unusual for a 14/15 year old sophomore to be in at least a few classes with seniors, who are likely somewhere between 17 and 19.

unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students.

There was an alternative campus. Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Rebecca Smondrowski and Jill Ortman-Fouse shut it down. They closed the alternative campus so that now students awaiting trial or convicted of crimes attend the same school with their victims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the link in the previous post you can turn 21 after Sept. 1 and still be a student. WTF?
Here is the policy:
Children age 5 by September 1, 2016, and not age 21 on the first day of school are eligible for enrollment in MCPS for the 2016-17 school year.

Do they place these 20 and 21 year old students in high school alongside 14 year olds?

I used to be a high school teacher in another state. Typically there is a point when a student becomes too old to be retained in a grade and would be referred to an alternative program of some sort. At 18 in 9th grade, this person would exceed the legal age of school attendance before they could to 12th grade. So it really makes no sense for them not to be in an alternative school. Makes me question what is going on a RHS, which is the school we're zoned for. Thankfully DC is still in ES.

We are also zoned for RHS. What were the kids doing in school all day anyway? He didn't speak Wnglish, so was he actually taking/attending classes?

Yes, in our country you don't need to speak the native language of our schools. You just start and we eventually teach the language for free with ESOL on taxpayers dime. Look at the increase in the ESOL teachers in MCPS in just the last 10 years. That same number also jumps in FARMS. We feed illegal aliens for free too. I can't even begin to imagine how much it costs, but who cares? They just ask for more money or increase the teacher/student ratio. Oh and they increase property taxes by 9% too. Who cares, right? Let's just blame Hogan for not giving us all the money we want.

In America, non-English speaking kids get a free 2nd language paid for by us - starting in K all the way to 12th if needed.

Legal US citizen kids? They don't start learning a 2nd language until 7th grade.

Most other countries, you need to learn the language of the school you are attending on your own. It is called assimilation and immersion. You don't walk into a school in Germany and they pull you out for free German lessons. They don't have English interpreters. But their own kids? They learn a 2nd language starting in elementary.

The irony of America is mind-boggling.

+1 I'm a liberal but this is far too much. Why in the world do we do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So... no statement from MoCo's County Exec (Leggett) or anyone on the County Council? Lovely.

I'm glad we passed term limits last November on MoCo elected officials. Half of them will be out at next election.

The silence is deafening.

At least a word from the superintendent would be nice. Saying they'll review security measures at all schools. Review school policy of enrolling recent immigrants who do not speak English - an alternative school perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the Mom of a 5 yo so not dealing with HS issues yet. I am shocked though that 18yo's can be freshman. I don't want my 14yo in class with 17 and 18 yo's. Is this true for all HS's in Moco?

I definitely understand your concerns, and I don't think it makes sense to register 18 year olds as freshmen unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students. If I understand the policy correctly, all students older than 21 must finish their high school education at another campus, and an 18 year old would turn 21 by the time they were in their senior year if they started as a Freshman so why not start them at the school they'll end up at anyway?

However, regarding kids on class with older students, in high school that happens even if everyone is in the grade typical for their chronological age since most elective classes are open to grades 9-12 or 10-12. I don't think it's that unusual for a 14/15 year old sophomore to be in at least a few classes with seniors, who are likely somewhere between 17 and 19.

unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students.

There was an alternative campus. Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Rebecca Smondrowski and Jill Ortman-Fouse shut it down. They closed the alternative campus so that now students awaiting trial or convicted of crimes attend the same school with their victims.

What school was this? Why was it closed? It seems an alternative/holding school for anyone MS age and above would be a reasonable option.

My guess is the county sold the land or something and it is now being developed into high rise condos/mixed use development because that seems to be what is happening everywhere in an already overcrowded and overtaxed county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the Mom of a 5 yo so not dealing with HS issues yet. I am shocked though that 18yo's can be freshman. I don't want my 14yo in class with 17 and 18 yo's. Is this true for all HS's in Moco?

I definitely understand your concerns, and I don't think it makes sense to register 18 year olds as freshmen unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students. If I understand the policy correctly, all students older than 21 must finish their high school education at another campus, and an 18 year old would turn 21 by the time they were in their senior year if they started as a Freshman so why not start them at the school they'll end up at anyway?

However, regarding kids on class with older students, in high school that happens even if everyone is in the grade typical for their chronological age since most elective classes are open to grades 9-12 or 10-12. I don't think it's that unusual for a 14/15 year old sophomore to be in at least a few classes with seniors, who are likely somewhere between 17 and 19.

unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students.

There was an alternative campus. Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Rebecca Smondrowski and Jill Ortman-Fouse shut it down. They closed the alternative campus so that now students awaiting trial or convicted of crimes attend the same school with their victims.

What school was this? Why was it closed? It seems an alternative/holding school for anyone MS age and above would be a reasonable option.

My guess is the county sold the land or something and it is now being developed into high rise condos/mixed use development because that seems to be what is happening everywhere in an already overcrowded and overtaxed county.

Mark Twain -http://www.gazette.net/stories/030508/aspenew214333_32362.shtml

[Anonymous]

Twain was a dangerous place. Commonsense dictates that it's never a good idea to segregate troubled kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So... no statement from MoCo's County Exec (Leggett) or anyone on the County Council? Lovely.

I'm glad we passed term limits last November on MoCo elected officials. Half of them will be out at next election.

The silence is deafening.

At least a word from the superintendent would be nice. Saying they'll review security measures at all schools. Review school policy of enrolling recent immigrants who do not speak English - an alternative school perhaps?

I was shocked to read that school administrators did their own investigation first BEFORE calling police. There's just so much wrong with that.
Poor girl didn't have her own cell phone apparently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twain was a dangerous place. Commonsense dictates that it's never a good idea to segregate troubled kids.

Yeah, never!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twain was a dangerous place. Commonsense dictates that it's never a good idea to segregate troubled kids.

It's a good idea to keep them from non troubled kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain was a dangerous place. Commonsense dictates that it's never a good idea to segregate troubled kids.

It's a good idea to keep them from non troubled kids.

Plenty of troubled kids at all area schools. Including the W schools.

And most troubled kids aren't identified until after they go off the rails.

Twain wasn't a real solution.

Here's what I propose: alternative tracks at every school. Teach kids who aren't academically inclined a real trade: plumbing, construction, electrician, cosmetology, culinary, etc. That way, those kids aren't disrupting the academic classes, and they have a real shot at graduating with a skill that will lead to a job (bc these kids aren't going to college).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So... no statement from MoCo's County Exec (Leggett) or anyone on the County Council? Lovely.

I'm glad we passed term limits last November on MoCo elected officials. Half of them will be out at next election.

The silence is deafening.

At least a word from the superintendent would be nice. Saying they'll review security measures at all schools. Review school policy of enrolling recent immigrants who do not speak English - an alternative school perhaps?

I was shocked to read that school administrators did their own investigation first BEFORE calling police. There's just so much wrong with that.
Poor girl didn't have her own cell phone apparently?

Really, you're shocked that the school administration did their due diligence before calling the police? Was there an extensive delay before the cops were called or did the admins listen to the girls story and look in the bathroom to see if there was reason to call? It would have irresponsible of them if they didn't.

Not knowing all of the details, it sounds as though the administration handled the situation as best they could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So... no statement from MoCo's County Exec (Leggett) or anyone on the County Council? Lovely.

I'm glad we passed term limits last November on MoCo elected officials. Half of them will be out at next election.

The silence is deafening.

At least a word from the superintendent would be nice. Saying they'll review security measures at all schools. Review school policy of enrolling recent immigrants who do not speak English - an alternative school perhaps?

I was shocked to read that school administrators did their own investigation first BEFORE calling police. There's just so much wrong with that.
Poor girl didn't have her own cell phone apparently?

Really, you're shocked that the school administration did their due diligence before calling the police? Was there an extensive delay before the cops were called or did the admins listen to the girls story and look in the bathroom to see if there was reason to call? It would have irresponsible of them if they didn't.

Not knowing all of the details, it sounds as though the administration handled the situation as best they could.

Actually you are not just wrong, but extremely wrong.

They are required reporters. There does NOT need to be "evidence" ... Principals don't even know what evidence is. Walking into a crime scene actually contaminates the scene.

The procedures call for principals to NOT investigate.

This is why so many pedophiles in moco get away because principals do investigations and tip off the criminal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the Mom of a 5 yo so not dealing with HS issues yet. I am shocked though that 18yo's can be freshman. I don't want my 14yo in class with 17 and 18 yo's. Is this true for all HS's in Moco?

I definitely understand your concerns, and I don't think it makes sense to register 18 year olds as freshmen unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students. If I understand the policy correctly, all students older than 21 must finish their high school education at another campus, and an 18 year old would turn 21 by the time they were in their senior year if they started as a Freshman so why not start them at the school they'll end up at anyway?

However, regarding kids on class with older students, in high school that happens even if everyone is in the grade typical for their chronological age since most elective classes are open to grades 9-12 or 10-12. I don't think it's that unusual for a 14/15 year old sophomore to be in at least a few classes with seniors, who are likely somewhere between 17 and 19.

unless it's at an alternative campus for older than traditional students.

There was an alternative campus. Patricia O'Neill, Judy Docca, Rebecca Smondrowski and Jill Ortman-Fouse shut it down. They closed the alternative campus so that now students awaiting trial or convicted of crimes attend the same school with their victims.

What school was this? Why was it closed? It seems an alternative/holding school for anyone MS age and above would be a reasonable option.

My guess is the county sold the land or something and it is now being developed into high rise condos/mixed use development because that seems to be what is happening everywhere in an already overcrowded and overtaxed county.

Alternative Programs still exists. It's off Avery Road close to 28. It was once Twain, which focused on ED. Alt, however, is for level 2 and 3 kids. It's not meant to house criminals and rapists. The kids are already tough enough and some, in fact, are downright scary. But rapists? not yet . . . You don't "educate" rapists with kids who were kicked out for some nasty fighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So... no statement from MoCo's County Exec (Leggett) or anyone on the County Council? Lovely.

I'm glad we passed term limits last November on MoCo elected officials. Half of them will be out at next election.

The silence is deafening.

At least a word from the superintendent would be nice. Saying they'll review security measures at all schools. Review school policy of enrolling recent immigrants who do not speak English - an alternative school perhaps?

I was shocked to read that school administrators did their own investigation first BEFORE calling police. There's just so much wrong with that.
Poor girl didn't have her own cell phone apparently?

Really, you're shocked that the school administration did their due diligence before calling the police? Was there an extensive delay before the cops were called or did the admins listen to the girls story and look in the bathroom to see if there was reason to call? It would have irresponsible of them if they didn't.

Not knowing all of the details, it sounds as though the administration handled the situation as best they could.

I agree. The incident occurred at 9am. The perpretators were in custody by 1pm, after the MCPD and SVU and CSI investigators were called in. That seems pretty fast to me.