What happened at Deal?
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Anonymous
+1. How would you know how to talk to your kid to make sure they're ok if you don't know who and what allegedly happened? People who work at the school have access to kids who aren't in their classes too. |
Yes, we don't hear every detail that goes on and a lot of wild stuff does. But this one...leave it be.
Anonymous
Maybe because you already talk to your kids enough to know? And they will tell you things? I know the personalities of their teachers. There are such better ways to keep tabs...go drive some carpool or something. |
Anonymous
NP -- I'm inbounds for Deal but my child isn't old enough to be a student there, so I don't particularly have a dog in this fight. But based on principle, I don't think it is fair to say leave "well enough alone" just because your child isn't one of the known students who has been impacted by whatever happened. These are middle school aged kids and their impressions of what is normal and not normal is not universal. In other words, just because your child didn't speak up/ wasn't involved in the KNOWN incident doesn't mean that there wasn't something that impacted your child previously. I certainly don't want to sound like an alarmist but I think its pretty frequent as an adult to look back and think, "Huh, that wasn't right." but you didn't say anything to an adult because of shame or you just were unaware that it was peculiar/ improper behavior. |
Anonymous
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I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, I want to know in case there's any chance my kid had any level of involvement/engagement with this adult. On the other hand, I certainly respect that someone is innocent until proven guilty, and there are lots of ways this might not be a serious incident.
As context, one year my kid had a teacher who was put on leave for slapping a child. Of course I think that no teacher should slap a child. However, I also think that if a kid punches you, a slap in that context is, well, slightly understandable (though also something that you can't come back from). I would have been 100% fine if my child continued to have that teacher in the classroom - because my kid isn't getting into physical altercations. However, once a teacher slaps a kid, that teacher loses all ability to function in the school and has to go. So, I think it's entirely possible this situation, whatever it is, could have nuance. And that's why I'd like to know slightly more than the vague announcement sent school-wide. |
Anonymous
Agree. Plus you can't underestimate the ability of kids to make stuff up. I've seen kids make up crazy tall tales and wouldn't put much past my own kids. My daughters have gone to Deal and have had friends (from "good" families) be troubled in all sorts of ways--making up crazy s%^t, doing self-harm activities, acting inappropriately around adults (coaches, parents, etc). All the typical pre-teen and teen attention seeking stuff. I'm glad I"m not the one in charge in a situation like this. Maybe it's clear cut but mostly likely it's not. |
Anonymous
| The school should be transparent in the policy they are following - and what the general policies are for these types of incidents. This should be including training and support for all of their staff, including support for having worked with a colleague and in an environment where there was this incident. The policy should also have included how to communicate to the students generally that fosters how to get support from adults and report incidents, etc... for all types of harassment, bullying or worse. |
Anonymous
| We don’t even know what happened. The “incident” is still under investigation. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
That doesn’t say anything more than the letter the principal sent. |
Anonymous
No more than we knew Friday at this time. |
Anonymous
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From what's happened at others schools in the last few years (Oyster, LAMB, GDS) if the police find there is a basis for this allegation, there will be an arrest and the name of the accused will be released.
The MPD will also ask for anyone with information about any other incidents of misconduct or abuse to contact them. If we hear nothing more, then the police / state's attorney didn't think there was enough information to proceed. |
Anonymous
I wonder how public this information would have been if it wasn't at DEAL, only reported on WTOP hmmmm!! |
Anonymous
Unless someone is arrested - you probably shouldn’t know more yet. This came from an anonymous tip, and may or may not be credible. |
Anonymous
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I work at Deal. I’m don’t know if it’s true or not but every situation deserves due process.
In order for that to happen, Ms. Neal needs to provide more information to everyone instead of an email or letter home that communicates just as little as we all know. It doesn’t breed confidence but more mistrust and fear. I feel everyone’s frustration. I wish I could say more but I’m afraid for my job. I wish everyone impacted from this well and hope that a safe, clear, and just resolution is reached. Sincerely, Deal MS Teacher |
Anonymous
Due process for the accused does not include providing information to everyone, especially before an investigation is complete. Releasing information too soon can compromise an investigation. |