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.

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.

Our large region 4 high school rarely if ever has fights.

[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.

Which region 4 high schools?

Are you in region 4?

Yes, there is vaping everywhere, "good" and "bad" high schools.

But not fights.

I have had kids at our Region 4 high school for almost 12 years, and I can count on one hand the number of fights occuring at schoo during the school day. It is one of the largest high schools in the county, yet the kids are just not fighting at school. Vaping, yes. But fights? You are completely wrong about that.

[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.

Maybe your kid is hanging with the wrong group of kids

[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.

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.

Quoting myself to add this is a Region 6 MS.

[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.

Sorry but you are completely wrong and grossly exaggerating your claim that 20-30% of kids in region 4 are fighting at school.

The claim is so absurd that it is laughable.

20-30% of WSHS for example is 560 to 850 students.

What a ridiculous claim.

[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.

5-10% of kids fighting is around 150-300 stidents at a school the size of WSHS.

It would be absolute anarchy if 150-300 teens were fighting at school. And the school would be on social media daily with videos of fights and rumbles.

Let's be a little realistic here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

It is a ridiculous claim by a person who has no idea what she is talking about.

[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.

5-10% of kids fighting is around 150-300 stidents at a school the size of WSHS.

It would be absolute anarchy if 150-300 teens were fighting at school. And the school would be on social media daily with videos of fights and rumbles.

Let's be a little realistic here.

That’s me you’re disagreeing with. I am being realistic. She said fighting, drugs and vaping. I tried to account for that. There are plenty of kids vaping in the bathrooms. Of course that affects those particular students more than the rest of the student body. Five percent may be too low to account for the vapers (and hall wanderers). 10 probably catches it all.

[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.

5-10% of kids fighting is around 150-300 stidents at a school the size of WSHS.

It would be absolute anarchy if 150-300 teens were fighting at school. And the school would be on social media daily with videos of fights and rumbles.

Let's be a little realistic here.

DP. 5-10% probably covers everything, including the kids who "only" vape. They deserve consequences but the actual 5-10 kids who are constantly in trouble for serious offenses are the ones who need to get kicked out.

[Anonymous]

My kid at a region 4 school said there are fights pretty much daily, usually with circles of kids filming them. Also that teachers close off bathrooms to prevent vaping, which makes it difficult when the bathroom closest to a classroom isn't open.

Instead of saying "these schools are good, these schools are bad," I think every parent needs to accept that violence can happen at any school at any time.

That's why the metal detectors are being implmented.

[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.

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.

Poverty as the result of unchecked illegal immigration. It's time to end the free ride for illegals - no public schools, no benefits, nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at a region 4 school said there are fights pretty much daily, usually with circles of kids filming them. Also that teachers close off bathrooms to prevent vaping, which makes it difficult when the bathroom closest to a classroom isn't open.

Instead of saying "these schools are good, these schools are bad," I think every parent needs to accept that violence can happen at any school at any time.

That's why the metal detectors are being implmented.

Metal detectors will do nothing except increase costs and delay kids getting to school.

Metal detectors are a band aid, not a solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

5-10% of kids fighting is around 150-300 stidents at a school the size of WSHS.

It would be absolute anarchy if 150-300 teens were fighting at school. And the school would be on social media daily with videos of fights and rumbles.

Let's be a little realistic here.

That’s me you’re disagreeing with. I am being realistic. She said fighting, drugs and vaping. I tried to account for that. There are plenty of kids vaping in the bathrooms. Of course that affects those particular students more than the rest of the student body. Five percent may be too low to account for the vapers (and hall wanderers). 10 probably catches it all.

I agree that there are a lot of kids vaping in the bathrooms and wandering the halls.

But her claim that 20-30% are fighting and causing major disruptions at the "good" or even the "bad" high schools is absolutely absurd.

That is hundreds and hundreds of students... close to 1000 at the large high schools and over 1000 at the secondary schools.

That 20-30% would mean that the schools are in total anarchy, all the time. With social media, there would be multiple live streams each day at every school of kids fighting, assaulting teachers and students, and destroying things.

Her numbers are just wrong, even for the "bad" schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at a region 4 school said there are fights pretty much daily, usually with circles of kids filming them. Also that teachers close off bathrooms to prevent vaping, which makes it difficult when the bathroom closest to a classroom isn't open.

Instead of saying "these schools are good, these schools are bad," I think every parent needs to accept that violence can happen at any school at any time.

That's why the metal detectors are being implmented.

Sorry, but this is a lie.

If this were true, it would be common knowledge via social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at a region 4 school said there are fights pretty much daily, usually with circles of kids filming them. Also that teachers close off bathrooms to prevent vaping, which makes it difficult when the bathroom closest to a classroom isn't open.

Instead of saying "these schools are good, these schools are bad," I think every parent needs to accept that violence can happen at any school at any time.

That's why the metal detectors are being implmented.

Some 200 fights each year at your region 4 high school being filmed and posted on social media daily by students?

Sorry, but that is not happening.