Blair crew

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

Crew team and parents should have been contacted first. Any investigation is now compromised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

Crew team and parents should have been contacted first. Any investigation is now compromised.

How is it compromised? Based on the email the authorities are investigating. I would assume they along with MCPS lawyers provided guidance on how to proceed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

Crew team and parents should have been contacted first. Any investigation is now compromised.

How is it compromised? Based on the email the authorities are investigating. I would assume they along with MCPS lawyers provided guidance on how to proceed.

The investigation would have been far more compromised had the school contacted crew parents first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

"Disassociating" is "crew isn't happening at Blair" - or as close as Blair HS can actually do. Crew isn't a MD or MCPS sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

+1 is it better to not announce that Crew isn’t happening at Blair and send a letter later?

Crew team and parents should have been contacted first. Any investigation is now compromised.

How is it compromised? Based on the email the authorities are investigating. I would assume they along with MCPS lawyers provided guidance on how to proceed.

Same people that “handled” Beidleman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My grandson is on the blair crew team he said many kids on the team would text the coach on his personal number regularly.

Why aren’t all athletes told this specific type of conduct by a coach violates the MCPS Code of Conduct? With all the criminal child abuse cases with MCPS staff including coaches, why aren’t all MCPS students taught to immediately report such conduct?

The thing is Crew is not a MCPS sport meaning they don’t have to follow any MCPS guidelines. They just happen to use Blair’s building for practice. The coach is not a MCPS employee.

Also, there are times that immediate contact is needed. When my kid was a captain on a sports team, the team all had each others numbers, and the captains had contact info for the coaches. This was MCPS sport. There were times that that kind of immediate connection was needed. While, I don't think students should all have open access to a coach's personal phone, there should be someone team leadership who can reach the coach if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair Crew doesn't even operate over the summer. Where could this be coming from?

I think it does at least in some sense. I know kids rowing at regattas in early Aug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't these allegations have been investigated to a degree before the school went to these lengths? A letter like this causes wild speculation and immediately condemns the team to many members of the community. It seems to me that whatever is being charged should be clarified before a school letter is sent home, getting everyone up in arms. While it is certainly true that something substantial or serious could have happened, if there is enough evidence to go to these great lengths, then the charges should be made abundantly clear and publicized. This leaves the whole community to speculate wildly on sites like this about what it might involve. Reputations could be unjustly called into question if allegations turn out to be either untrue or do not rise to the level that the language of the letter implies. As a Blair parent, not affiliated with the team, I have just had discussions with my kids about not adding to the rumor mill on Monday and speaking and acting compassionately toward those impacted by this unfortunate circumstance.

Blair parent here. Disagree with this short-sighted take. Rumor mill will churn, no matter when a letter goes out and what it does or doesn’t say. The letter reads as an effort at transparency within the limits of what can be disclosed right now. There could be sensitive things for which the people affected need their privacy protected as a matter of safety.

Balancing transparency and safety is never easy, and MCPS central office is a model for how to fail pathetically in this regard, over and over again. That the principal put anything out at all puts her professionalism miles ahead of that of virtually everyone in central office.

Agree. My kid is a Blair student, and we agree that this principal is not the type to flame rumors. She is doing what is necessary to protect the school/students and to do that transparently. It is sad and upsetting for the team, but it would be moreso if admin did/said nothing and the alleged behavior continued, hurting students with school complicity. This is a popular club and great bunch of kids. The club reputation will recover from this severance while allegations are investigated. In fact, most Blair parents know club kids and think highly of them, so I don't think this tarnishes the reputation as a club per se.

[Anonymous]

It's strange they severed their affiliation with the whole team rather than announcing a suspension of a coach or specific official(s) or rower(s). I have a hard time thinking of what would warrant such a reaction and also the involvement of authorities.

I hope the kids can find another way to stay in the sport. Agree it is a really nice group that is highly respected at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's strange they severed their affiliation with the whole team rather than announcing a suspension of a coach or specific official(s) or rower(s). I have a hard time thinking of what would warrant such a reaction and also the involvement of authorities.

I hope the kids can find another way to stay in the sport. Agree it is a really nice group that is highly respected at the school.

The coach has no affiliation with MCPS. They can’t suspend any coaching staff. Or the parent board.

[Anonymous]

But couldn't they have worked with the parent board to lay out conditions for allowing some practices or bus pick up to remain on campus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My grandson is on the blair crew team he said many kids on the team would text the coach on his personal number regularly.

Why aren’t all athletes told this specific type of conduct by a coach violates the MCPS Code of Conduct? With all the criminal child abuse cases with MCPS staff including coaches, why aren’t all MCPS students taught to immediately report such conduct?

The thing is Crew is not a MCPS sport meaning they don’t have to follow any MCPS guidelines. They just happen to use Blair’s building for practice. The coach is not a MCPS employee.

Also, there are times that immediate contact is needed. When my kid was a captain on a sports team, the team all had each others numbers, and the captains had contact info for the coaches. This was MCPS sport. There were times that that kind of immediate connection was needed. While, I don't think students should all have open access to a coach's personal phone, there should be someone team leadership who can reach the coach if needed.

I have had a child on an MCPS football team and there was an app the coaches used to send out immediate information. Parents and athletes had access to the team app and were on the group texts so it was transparent what was being sent. Seems like a safer form of communication than trading individual cell phone numbers.

The problem with individual texts is that child predators have used the private form of communication to groom their victims. It’s a slippery slope that can’t be monitored.

[wbkent]

I’m the parent of a Blair Crew member and I can’t tell all of you how upsetting this is for the CHILDREN who are members. Do you think they haven’t seen your comments and utter speculation about what is happening? Please for the sake of these kids stop posting wild theories about what has happened. The entire team is in the dark but we will patiently wait for for Principal Johnson to give us some information to proceed. While I don’t think this was the intention, Principal Johnson’s letter and the wording of the letter has made these kids feel shame. Do you really want to add to that? You’re the grown-ups. This is gossip and complete speculation before you know anything. You are not going to solve the mystery by saying things like, “my money is on sexual offense.” DC Urban Moms and Dads is this really what this forum is for because you are causing pain, anxiety, fear and stress to these children.

[Anonymous]

wbkent wrote:I’m the parent of a Blair Crew member and I can’t tell all of you how upsetting this is for the CHILDREN who are members. Do you think they haven’t seen your comments and utter speculation about what is happening? Please for the sake of these kids stop posting wild theories about what has happened. The entire team is in the dark but we will patiently wait for for Principal Johnson to give us some information to proceed. While I don’t think this was the intention, Principal Johnson’s letter and the wording of the letter has made these kids feel shame. Do you really want to add to that? You’re the grown-ups. This is gossip and complete speculation before you know anything. You are not going to solve the mystery by saying things like, “my money is on sexual offense.” DC Urban Moms and Dads is this really what this forum is for because you are causing pain, anxiety, fear and stress to these children.

I’m sorry your kids are upset. Why are they on DCUM? My own 9th grader wouldn’t even consider looking here or anywhere. but after a message like that obviously there is speculation. It’s normal. I’m sure your kids are speculating too and the anxiety related to related to not knowing, not the fact that others are speculating too.