West Potomac HS situation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

My spouse is a teacher in a MS and says it’s nowhere near that high, but truancy and disrespect is a bigger issue than fighting and drug use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. I would suspect it is less than 5%. Right after Covid, there was data about discipline and most of the incidents were done by the same small group of kids. We don’t need metal detectors. We need discipline and consequences again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

Also, what school are your children at? These problems are much worse at certain schools and admin does not address or report issues. So just because you think”it’s fine” or a “small minority of kids” doesn’t mean that is accurate. There are ALOT of kids vaping and fighting in region 4 large schools.

My teens are at Region 4 large schools and I teach in Region 5 at the secondary level. I never said "it's fine". It's anything but fine. My younger two are going to private school next year because we are tired of administrators who do nothing and students who are out of control. However, it is not 20-30% of students who are causing problems. That's a huge exaggeration.

[Anonymous]

You can’t have high expectations without consequences. It’s human nature and we are fully aware of that in almost every setting except public schools. Consequences help kids stay on the right path and push kids to course correct once they’ve made a mistake. The biggest issue in FCPS currently is the lack of meaningful consequences when kids mess up. The problem is FCPS parents want consequences until it’s their child in the crosshairs. Then they threaten lawsuits and fight to protect their child at the expense of the rest of the students. WE DID THIS TO OURSELVES!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. I would suspect it is less than 5%. Right after Covid, there was data about discipline and most of the incidents were done by the same small group of kids. We don’t need metal detectors. We need discipline and consequences again.

The county is just poorer. FARMS rates have doubled in the last 15 years. It won’t be long before the 1/2 the county is FARMS.

Unfortunately, poverty brings these challenges to schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. I would suspect it is less than 5%. Right after Covid, there was data about discipline and most of the incidents were done by the same small group of kids. We don’t need metal detectors. We need discipline and consequences again.

A low percentage of discipline issues are being reported and investigated and written up. My child knows tons of kids who vape and do weed carts everyday at school and don’t get caught. They hide it in the bathrooms. Staff and parents here thinking “it’s not 20%” are not aware of the kids doing drugs and fighting at school but just don’t get caught because schools are understaffed for security and teachers are over-extended. It’s not 5-10%. A higher number of kids than you realize are in trouble, it might be your kid abd you don’t even know since parents aren’t monitoring their kids electronic usage or supervising.

[Anonymous]

15% of Fairfax county teens reported vaping in the last month
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/data/sites/data/files/assets/documents/youth%20survey/tobacco%20-%20fcys%2019.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15% of Fairfax county teens reported vaping in the last month
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/data/sites/data/files/assets/documents/youth%20survey/tobacco%20-%20fcys%2019.pdf

That is a troubling statistic. However, did you know that in the fifties some high schools had "smoking areas?" I'm confident the percentage of teens smoking then was higher than 15 %.

I'm not downplaying that stat. Again, it is very troubling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Video is on Reddit where someone points out during a fight a teacher literally walks by, takes a photo of the fight and keeps on walking.

Teachers may not be allowed to intervene. The safety protocol is to notify an SRO

Sure, I understand that but to nonchalantly walk past, literally throw up your arm to take a pic and keep walking is awful. He doesn’t stop, say anything, do anything. No instructions whatsoever. No “stop”, no calls out for the SRO or anyone else. It’s a male teacher, with a mustache and large belly, it’s definitely a teacher.

Then when the video shows the student who is stabbed there is one, ONLY one adult standing there and he’s just yelling “ambulance”. He’s not kneeling down to see if kid is alive, or ok, or applying pressure to stop the bleeding. It’s not even clear who he’s talking to, all the kids walking past? No one is in control and several kids are laughing.

I thought cell phones in Virginia public schools were banned during the school day.

Do you know why an adult didn't touch him? Because parents in this region are SO f***ing litigious that somebody would try to sue that adult for putting their hands on that kid. That's why. Because. Of. People. Like. You.

Parents are more likely to sue for negligence of safety, and negligence of bullying or assaults. Maybe FCPS should start thinking about that.

It is not safe for teachers to get involved in the physical fight, but they can do other things like clear the area, stop filming.

FCPS is not keeping students safe. They need metal detectors at every MS and HS, more school resource officers, more security guards to guard common areas and cafeterias, bathroom supervision, metal detector wands to detect vapes/carts, more counselors, and drug dogs. FCPS is failing and it’s negligent. I hope they get sued and start taking this seriously.

What a horrible dystopian school experience you envision for our kids.

Yes, and who is going to pay for it?

[Anonymous]

The National recommendation for School Resource Officers is 1 SRO per 1000 students. West Springfield HS has 2 SRO. Lake Braddock secondary school has 2 SROs for about 4000 students. Robinson Secondary has 2SRO for about 4000 students. West Potomac has 1 SRO (they should have 3). That’s unsafe. They need more SRO and security assistants to monitor the halls, common areas, bathrooms, and cafeterias to keep the order Nd enforce rules. Let the teachers focus on teaching. Get help with unsafe environments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

This is a ridiculous exaggeration. I would suspect it is less than 5%. Right after Covid, there was data about discipline and most of the incidents were done by the same small group of kids. We don’t need metal detectors. We need discipline and consequences again.

A low percentage of discipline issues are being reported and investigated and written up. My child knows tons of kids who vape and do weed carts everyday at school and don’t get caught. They hide it in the bathrooms. Staff and parents here thinking “it’s not 20%” are not aware of the kids doing drugs and fighting at school but just don’t get caught because schools are understaffed for security and teachers are over-extended. It’s not 5-10%. A higher number of kids than you realize are in trouble, it might be your kid abd you don’t even know since parents aren’t monitoring their kids electronic usage or supervising.

There are people on here who work in the schools who are saying it's not 20-30% of their students who are fighting/causing trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

It’s more like 5%-10%. The vast majority of kids are fine. A select few keep the administrators very busy.

-Teacher at a ‘nice’ school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

It’s more like 5%-10%. The vast majority of kids are fine. A select few keep the administrators very busy.

-Teacher at a ‘nice’ school.

I taught primary grades. One disruptive child can have a huge impact on a class. I'm not talking about the "chatty" ones, but the ones who take up a very high percentage of the teacher's time.

I taught a number of classes with a handful of kids who regularly misbehaved, but were not out of control. But, when you have one who is out of control, it can be quite destructive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

It’s more like 5%-10%. The vast majority of kids are fine. A select few keep the administrators very busy.

-Teacher at a ‘nice’ school.

I taught primary grades. One disruptive child can have a huge impact on a class. I'm not talking about the "chatty" ones, but the ones who take up a very high percentage of the teacher's time.

I taught a number of classes with a handful of kids who regularly misbehaved, but were not out of control. But, when you have one who is out of control, it can be quite destructive.

Sure, but what does that have to do with the claim that 20-30% of students are doing drugs and fighting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think FCPS and the board really need to think about their policies and actions in the current school environment rather than sending out so many emails about the budget and saving programs. They have spent so much money and the results we have are lower test scores, boundary disputes, violence in schools, students being uncomfortable with kids in bathrooms, teachers leaving, not enough bus drivers or staff…I could go on. I understand that this is one of the largest school systems in the country and with that will come certain aspects that are more difficult to work out. But I am so sick of FCPS trying to say all the “correct” political things and our school system being a mess. The fact that gatehouse gets paid what they do and we have teachers and SROs in the thick of violence or working with tough situations on a daily basis for their far lower salaries than gatehouse makes me sick. When I send my kids to school, I expect that the adults in charge have some sort of conscience to do the right thing and help out kids. I’m not saying to get physically involved if they aren’t comfortable, but to do more. After all, doesn’t FCPS tell the kids to do something and say something if they see something? I’m glad that one of the high school boys was able to hold back the stabber. He put himself in harms way and possibly prevented more consequences. And these poor parents who were trying to get their kids out and Reid refused as if she knew what was better for them, it’s sickening. A parent knows their kid and when the kid wants out of the school after seeing something like this and a parents has their credentials, Reid should NOT
hold them hostage. I’m sure she will come out with a speech saying she made a mistake about this and think all is fine. It’s not. Reid and the board really need a moment of self reflection so they can provide an educational and safe learning environment. Families are fed up in so many ways and I feel like the board just keeps ignoring them. I know I went off tangent but the conversation about weather or not someone should have gotten involved in the fight is one of personal choice. FCPS has told teachers what they can and can not do and I’m not sure that’s right. An individual should be able to decide on their own if they want to help save a life or not. An FCPS policy shouldn’t stop or encourage that person from making that choice. What if that kid was related to a board member? What would they want done? As a parent of FCPS kids, I don’t feel that I can trust the adults at FCPS to help or protect my kids if it were needed.

I agree. FCPS is failing to keep our kids safe. They’re neglecting school safety and it’s criminal. Why are they spending so much money on all of these electives, language immersion programs, all kinds of fancy things. They’re neglecting the basics of student safety. They need a metal detector at all middle school and high school. They need tons more security guards and resource officer so that bathrooms are guarded and cafeteria are safe especially at middle and high schools. More counselors. Tools to detect vaping and drugs. Software that blocks social media from school devices. If kids aren’t safe from violence and bullying, and they’re scared in their learning environment, they can’t learn and thrive. FCPD is wasting money on all the wrong things and failing to keep students safe. They say that school safety is a priority, abd clearly it is not. They are denying children a safe learning environment. They’re denying children of basic rights. The people whose children are hurt and damaged should sue.

Does anyone know how to sue or take legal action against unsafe school environments that lack supervision and are filled with fights and vaping and drugs?

I share your concern but this is not the way to keep well behaved kids who are focused on academics in public schools. FCPS and every other district needs to revisit their policies on how they're handling the small minority of kids who repeatedly cause problems.

It’s NOT a small minority. I think it’s 20-30% of a grade who is calling and doing drugs and involved in fights at these middle and high schools, even in “nice” pyramid. You’re fooling yourself because so far your children have been fine. It’s just simply not the reality of the schools.

I don't remember the last time our huge, 9 rated fcps high school had a fight.

Your 20-30% number is not accurate.