Churchill online threat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one student has made threats. The administration has not been forthcoming about that.

Then enlighten us here, PP.

In addition to the now widely-circulated message attributed to the special needs student (who may be "harmless" but is a total menace in the hallways with his vulgar and racist outbursts), there are chat messages that name specific students and staff as targets. These were sent by at least one other student. It was alluded to in the first email Taylor sent to parents, but today's message addresses only the situation with the one student.

This is inappropriate speculation about a minor child.

You couldn't PAY me to send my kids to Churchill for many, many reasons, but this kind of speculation and doxing is not okay.

A friend of mine had this happen to her child in a different state, different school district: the child made no threats whatsoever, but other kids accused them of it, the family was doxed and things escalated from there.

Please stop spreading the message to your kids that autistic kids "shoot up schools." I myself have heard that exact quote from more than one student in mcps. It's intrigue, toxic, and terrible.

It isn't speculation when most of Churchill has seen the threats to rape and kill specific students and teachers. And you're the only one who has asserted that he has autism.

This is sick. If I was threatened in this way, I’d call the police and file charges. Y’all need to do that and take care of all the innocents suffering. Why do you abide this?

Police are involved: https://wjla.com/news/local/winston-churchill-high-school-threats-potomac-maryland-special-needs-montgomery-county-social-media-memorial-day-weekend-credible-police-investigation-incident-students-principal-john-taylor-fake-threats-mass-shooting-robb-elementary-school-uvalde-texas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone with kids at Churchill keeping their kids home tomorrow?

My kids know several students who are not going in tomorrow.

COVID poses a bigger concern for safety. 127 cases right now at Churchill. That’s a good reason to keep kids home.

I think a good chunk of this number includes seniors who as of today are no longer in school. The senior beach trip took its toll. Lots of students missed prom.

And some went to prom knowing that they had COVID.

Seniors have left but COVID cases are now at 131 cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone with kids at Churchill keeping their kids home tomorrow?

My kids know several students who are not going in tomorrow.

COVID poses a bigger concern for safety. 127 cases right now at Churchill. That’s a good reason to keep kids home.

I think a good chunk of this number includes seniors who as of today are no longer in school. The senior beach trip took its toll. Lots of students missed prom.

And some went to prom knowing that they had COVID.

Seniors have left but COVID cases are now at 131 cases.

Must have been all those juniors that crashed the after party.

[Anonymous]

Great. My kid is going to Churchill to the Bridge program in the fall. Identifying the kid as someone with "special needs" makes my kid a target for bullies and fear. This is the last thing these kids need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone with kids at Churchill keeping their kids home tomorrow?

My kids know several students who are not going in tomorrow.

COVID poses a bigger concern for safety. 127 cases right now at Churchill. That’s a good reason to keep kids home.

I think a good chunk of this number includes seniors who as of today are no longer in school. The senior beach trip took its toll. Lots of students missed prom.

And some went to prom knowing that they had COVID.

Seniors have left but COVID cases are now at 131 cases.

Must have been all those juniors that crashed the after party.

Once COVID is in the school, it will continue to spread when there’s no mitigation measures.

[Anonymous]

Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one student has made threats. The administration has not been forthcoming about that.

Then enlighten us here, PP.

In addition to the now widely-circulated message attributed to the special needs student (who may be "harmless" but is a total menace in the hallways with his vulgar and racist outbursts), there are chat messages that name specific students and staff as targets. These were sent by at least one other student. It was alluded to in the first email Taylor sent to parents, but today's message addresses only the situation with the one student.

I hope you will be offering an apology to the student who was targeted by someone who hacked into his social media account. Read Principal Taylor’s latest message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

[Anonymous]

Taylor is a good principal. He handled a similar social media school shooting threat at Cabin John a couple of years ago and was very open with parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

So it was just other Churchill students trying to eat one of their own. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

The situation is awful for all the victims but in a case like this, what do you propose? What alternative would you have taken?

1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal quickly "punishes" the student on whose social media account made the threat. By punish, I assume that student was told not to attend school at the very least.
3. Investigation ensues. A few days later, it is discovered what really happened.

Yes, like I said it sucks for all the victims but do you really think it would be a good idea to:
1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal says "let's do an investigation before any punishments. The kid whose social media account made the threat will still be allowed to attend school because not attending school is a punishment and we should investigate before any punishments"
3. Investigation ensues. It is discovered what really happened.

Do you remember that Michigan shooter case from earlier this year? Wasn't he allowed back in school and see what happened?

Don't blame Taylor for being quick to punish the victim. That is what he had to do. What if it really was the kid who made the threats? Should he be allowed to remain in school until the investigation continues? Sometimes the best thing to do for ALL the victims is not have the threatner come to school - even if it is found he did not make those threats at a later date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great. My kid is going to Churchill to the Bridge program in the fall. Identifying the kid as someone with "special needs" makes my kid a target for bullies and fear. This is the last thing these kids need.

Probably won't help, but the issue isn't just with Churchill. Hopefully the Bridge program provides professionals that can help manage it. This has happened at other schools who did nothing but blame the victim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

The situation is awful for all the victims but in a case like this, what do you propose? What alternative would you have taken?

1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal quickly "punishes" the student on whose social media account made the threat. By punish, I assume that student was told not to attend school at the very least.
3. Investigation ensues. A few days later, it is discovered what really happened.

Yes, like I said it sucks for all the victims but do you really think it would be a good idea to:
1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal says "let's do an investigation before any punishments. The kid whose social media account made the threat will still be allowed to attend school because not attending school is a punishment and we should investigate before any punishments"
3. Investigation ensues. It is discovered what really happened.

Do you remember that Michigan shooter case from earlier this year? Wasn't he allowed back in school and see what happened?

Don't blame Taylor for being quick to punish the victim. That is what he had to do. What if it really was the kid who made the threats? Should he be allowed to remain in school until the investigation continues? Sometimes the best thing to do for ALL the victims is not have the threatner come to school - even if it is found he did not make those threats at a later date.

What should be done is the kids who did this need to be named and immediately expelled. Perhaps transferred to a bridge program for budding sociopaths at another school. Until bullies receive consequences for their behavior they will just keep bullying.