6th Grade Team Building at Westland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
These are special education teachers and it has something to do with the County's obligation to special education students. I can't say I understand it exactly, but public schools are apparently required to provide some services to all students within their boundaries, even those that attend religious schools. I know that our school psychologist has to do evaluations for private school students whose families request them and whose private schools are within our school's catchment area.

That is correct. My mom is a speech path and has sometimes been assigned to private religious schools located in bounds for her public district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
These are special education teachers and it has something to do with the County's obligation to special education students. I can't say I understand it exactly, but public schools are apparently required to provide some services to all students within their boundaries, even those that attend religious schools. I know that our school psychologist has to do evaluations for private school students whose families request them and whose private schools are within our school's catchment area.

That is correct. My mom is a speech path and has sometimes been assigned to private religious schools located in bounds for her public district.

Yes. Here is more information.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

(And of course this really has nothing to do with hiring a religious organization for a team-building activity)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
These are special education teachers and it has something to do with the County's obligation to special education students. I can't say I understand it exactly, but public schools are apparently required to provide some services to all students within their boundaries, even those that attend religious schools. I know that our school psychologist has to do evaluations for private school students whose families request them and whose private schools are within our school's catchment area.

That is correct. My mom is a speech path and has sometimes been assigned to private religious schools located in bounds for her public district.

Yes. Here is more information.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/special-education/programs-services/private-religious-schools.aspx

(And of course this really has nothing to do with hiring a religious organization for a team-building activity)

Yep. Compliance with federal laws.

[Anonymous]

Is it really any different than going to Skycroft for Outdoor Ed? My DD went to Skycroft for her outdoor ed and no religion was being shoved down her throat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not in MCPS, but I remember the waiver form we had to sign for our school's teambuilding seemed to say proceed at your own risk and we're not responsible for your kids. I understand why a parent wouldn't feel comfortable sending their child to these things. Pretty sure my parents wouldn't have sent me if they read these waiver forms in the 1980's!

+1 The school should have our backs, not the back of the company running the event. Are we so desperate for team building that we should sign away holding the company accountable if THEY screw up and hurt our kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What? My kid’s middle school is doing something with this half day Friday. This is what the email says:

On the morning of Friday, October 4 teachers and students will be involved in Community Day. Our Community Day will consist of a rotating schedule of team building events. These events are meant to help students enhance their relationships with teachers and classmates, foster teamwork and community, and celebrate the start of a new school year! We want to make sure our students feel connected to their peers and the staff at school and are looking forward to a fun and motivating day.

Nothing about dismemberment!

That sounds reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to know who hired this company and what their connection is. Hard to imagine someone at an MCPS school would not see a faith-based exercise as problematic. No one can be that clueless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know who hired this company and what their connection is. Hard to imagine someone at an MCPS school would not see a faith-based exercise as problematic. No one can be that clueless.

The company has been used for activities for several MCPS middle schools, not just Westland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Cedar Ridge Adventures seeks to enhance the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our clients through the use of a Biblically-based experiential adventure model."

WTF???? Why is this the program for a public school???????

I am assuming that they are not including the religious aspect. Not hard to guess this.

Why would you assume that???? And why would you assume that nothing will go wrong with a company that says, if we harm your child in any way, even due to our own negligence, we will not be held accountable? Who needs that kind of an agreement?

I assume that because it's a MCPS school. Obviously.

As far as who needs that agreement, every single activity that involves the slightest bit of risk.