Churchill online threat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

The situation is awful for all the victims but in a case like this, what do you propose? What alternative would you have taken?

1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal quickly "punishes" the student on whose social media account made the threat. By punish, I assume that student was told not to attend school at the very least.
3. Investigation ensues. A few days later, it is discovered what really happened.

Yes, like I said it sucks for all the victims but do you really think it would be a good idea to:
1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal says "let's do an investigation before any punishments. The kid whose social media account made the threat will still be allowed to attend school because not attending school is a punishment and we should investigate before any punishments"
3. Investigation ensues. It is discovered what really happened.

Do you remember that Michigan shooter case from earlier this year? Wasn't he allowed back in school and see what happened?

Don't blame Taylor for being quick to punish the victim. That is what he had to do. What if it really was the kid who made the threats? Should he be allowed to remain in school until the investigation continues? Sometimes the best thing to do for ALL the victims is not have the threatner come to school - even if it is found he did not make those threats at a later date.

Special needs students have long been targets for bullying at Churchill. Bullying is reported on the official MCPS form and nothing is done by school administrators.

Perhaps the bullies that went to the extreme to try to get this special needs student in trouble with the law and school administrators should be either expelled or transferred to a school for troubled youth. They are the ones that should not attend the same school as the victim.

All the parents who were outraged at their child’s name on a list of targets should be outraged at the real perpetrators. They and MCPS jumped to conclusions to the point the victim could not come to school. That’s the very definition of a hostile education environment.

You are ok that the victim had harsh punishment even though he was innocent but the real perpetrators are going to school?

[Anonymous]

Principal Taylor is all talk but no action. He is a ladder climber waiting for the next promotion and he is just a mouthpiece for Central Office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

The situation is awful for all the victims but in a case like this, what do you propose? What alternative would you have taken?

1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal quickly "punishes" the student on whose social media account made the threat. By punish, I assume that student was told not to attend school at the very least.
3. Investigation ensues. A few days later, it is discovered what really happened.

Yes, like I said it sucks for all the victims but do you really think it would be a good idea to:
1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal says "let's do an investigation before any punishments. The kid whose social media account made the threat will still be allowed to attend school because not attending school is a punishment and we should investigate before any punishments"
3. Investigation ensues. It is discovered what really happened.

Do you remember that Michigan shooter case from earlier this year? Wasn't he allowed back in school and see what happened?

Don't blame Taylor for being quick to punish the victim. That is what he had to do. What if it really was the kid who made the threats? Should he be allowed to remain in school until the investigation continues? Sometimes the best thing to do for ALL the victims is not have the threatner come to school - even if it is found he did not make those threats at a later date.

I don't know where you came up with your list of situations. I just asked if there was going to be an apology to the kid they falsely accused.

[Anonymous]

Nobody is saying the real perpetrator shouldn't be punished. He absolutely should be and should be expelled for the rest of the year. No arguments from me.

But what I'm asking is how you would have handled the threat differently?

On Saturday, May 28 there was a message posted on a kid's social media account that he was going to bring a gun and bomb to school on Tuesday. It seems like police/the principal found out about it on Sunday, May 29 and notified the school community.

I am assuming the student whose social media had the threat was not allowed to come to school on Tuesday, May 31st.

Police did an investigation.

On Thursday, June 2 the investigation concluded that the kid was actually a victim and someone else posted the threatening message on his social media account.

Tell me this, wise parents of DCUM - if you were the principal and such an incident occurred under your watch, knowing the police are investigating and investigations aren't complete in short amounts of time - would you really let the student on whose social media account had the threat be allowed to attend school that Tuesday?

Yes the real jerk needs to be punished. We all agree but in a situation like that...you would let the first student back to school on Tuesday? What if he really did post that message and did cause violence? How could you know for certain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is saying the real perpetrator shouldn't be punished. He absolutely should be and should be expelled for the rest of the year. No arguments from me.

But what I'm asking is how you would have handled the threat differently?

On Saturday, May 28 there was a message posted on a kid's social media account that he was going to bring a gun and bomb to school on Tuesday. It seems like police/the principal found out about it on Sunday, May 29 and notified the school community.

I am assuming the student whose social media had the threat was not allowed to come to school on Tuesday, May 31st.

Police did an investigation.

On Thursday, June 2 the investigation concluded that the kid was actually a victim and someone else posted the threatening message on his social media account.

Tell me this, wise parents of DCUM - if you were the principal and such an incident occurred under your watch, knowing the police are investigating and investigations aren't complete in short amounts of time - would you really let the student on whose social media account had the threat be allowed to attend school that Tuesday?

Yes the real jerk needs to be punished. We all agree but in a situation like that...you would let the first student back to school on Tuesday? What if he really did post that message and did cause violence? How could you know for certain?

Who are you responding to? I haven't seen anyone say it should have been handled differently, but people are asking what's going to be done now? Is there going to be an apology? What's going to happen to the real perpetrators? They were very quick to point out that this was a special needs kid who will not be returning to Churchill. What's going to happen to these non special needs kids? Will they have the equivalent punishment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is saying the real perpetrator shouldn't be punished. He absolutely should be and should be expelled for the rest of the year. No arguments from me.

But what I'm asking is how you would have handled the threat differently?

On Saturday, May 28 there was a message posted on a kid's social media account that he was going to bring a gun and bomb to school on Tuesday. It seems like police/the principal found out about it on Sunday, May 29 and notified the school community.

I am assuming the student whose social media had the threat was not allowed to come to school on Tuesday, May 31st.

Police did an investigation.

On Thursday, June 2 the investigation concluded that the kid was actually a victim and someone else posted the threatening message on his social media account.

Tell me this, wise parents of DCUM - if you were the principal and such an incident occurred under your watch, knowing the police are investigating and investigations aren't complete in short amounts of time - would you really let the student on whose social media account had the threat be allowed to attend school that Tuesday?

Yes the real jerk needs to be punished. We all agree but in a situation like that...you would let the first student back to school on Tuesday? What if he really did post that message and did cause violence? How could you know for certain?

Your synopsis leaves out the falsely accused student’s previous history in MCPS. Was this type of incident uncharacteristic of previous behavior in an MCPS school? Also, the police concluded early on that the child did not have access to weapons and he was not a threat. If Taylor banned a student from coming to school who didn’t have any weapons and what he was being accused of was not indicative of the child’s behavior then that is serious overreacting by a school principal.

Because of the enormous community outcry, the student falsely accused was probably traumatized and did not feel welcome to come to school even if he was not banned. Put yourself in his shoes with police and the school accusing you of something that you didn’t do. Thank god someone took the time to trace the IP address.

[Anonymous]

If that was my child who was falsely accused, I would sue the family of the perpetrators and MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

So it was just other Churchill students trying to eat one of their own. Got it.

Not one of their own. One who isn't their own. An outside. A special need student. That's the entire point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one student has made threats. The administration has not been forthcoming about that.

Then enlighten us here, PP.

In addition to the now widely-circulated message attributed to the special needs student (who may be "harmless" but is a total menace in the hallways with his vulgar and racist outbursts), there are chat messages that name specific students and staff as targets. These were sent by at least one other student. It was alluded to in the first email Taylor sent to parents, but today's message addresses only the situation with the one student.

This is inappropriate speculation about a minor child.

You couldn't PAY me to send my kids to Churchill for many, many reasons, but this kind of speculation and doxing is not okay.

A friend of mine had this happen to her child in a different state, different school district: the child made no threats whatsoever, but other kids accused them of it, the family was doxed and things escalated from there.

Please stop spreading the message to your kids that autistic kids "shoot up schools." I myself have heard that exact quote from more than one student in mcps. It's intrigue, toxic, and terrible.

Sorry, no. No name is given. We’re done sweeping threats against school kids under the rug so we don’t hurt anyone’s feefees.

Well it would appear the type of person who thinks special needs students just have a bad case of the feelz and don't deserve any respect is exactly the same type of person (and parent / role model) as the bullies who spread lies that a SN kid made threats.

Everyone involved, including the principal who shadow identified the student in an email blast should be disciplined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If that was my child who was falsely accused, I would sue the family of the perpetrators and MCPS.

What would you sue MCPS for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Investigation Update:

The initial suspect had NO involvement with the incident. He was a victim of bullying. I hope there will be severe consequences to the students involved and more is done to protect students with disabilities from bullying at Churchill.

This was Principal Taylor’s email:

Winston Churchill High School Families and Community:

The Montgomery County Police Department, alongside MCPS staff and Winston Churchill administration, have continued to investigate all aspects of the recent alarming posts and on-line threats against individuals and the school. The investigation has determined that the suspected student, who owns the social media account used in the threats and statements, had NO involvement in the posting of threatening statements. Instead, that student was himself the victim of a plan designed to bully him and bring public outrage and school punishment upon him. It has been determined during the investigation that the threats were only intended to get the student in trouble, and there was never an intent to carry out or act on any of the statements. Winston Churchill High School will be following up with the student involved in these fake statements to complete the investigation and ensure no further inappropriate behaviors. Our team will work to determine and assign consequences for these behaviors that have caused such widespread disruption to our school community.

I want to thank the MPD who devoted countless hours to assisting us in completing this investigation. Without their support we would not have been able to determine the truth of this situation, and lay to rest some of our shared concerns about the disturbing threats to our school and community members. We understand that for many students this was still an upsetting and disturbing series of events, following so closely our recent national tragedy in Texas. Our counseling services team stands ready to provide ongoing support to our students and community as we return to normal operations. The staff of Winston Churchill High School will remain vigilant and continue to employ all of the safety and security measures we have in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional information about this incident, or questions about the ongoing safety of our students and school.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Taylor

Principal

Shouldn't there be an apology to the student they previously identified as the perpetrator? This feels like a really big mistake to make.

Taylor probably did this on his own (and that took guts). This happened to an elementary school student at PBES. The principal there never apologized, nor did McKnight. MCPS even defended it in court and the judge that ruled on the case just happened to have the same (uncommon) last name as two teachers in MCPS. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

Why do you assume that there was an apology from the Principal in regards to the student that was falsely accused?

BTW there was a post deleted from this thread about Taylor meeting with a parent who had a child as a target on the list. Before it was known that the initial suspect was being targeted by bullies, the parent that met with Taylor was happy with his response. Don’t know why the post was deleted but it shows how quick Taylor was to punish a victim before all the facts had been investigated.

The situation is awful for all the victims but in a case like this, what do you propose? What alternative would you have taken?

1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal quickly "punishes" the student on whose social media account made the threat. By punish, I assume that student was told not to attend school at the very least.
3. Investigation ensues. A few days later, it is discovered what really happened.

Yes, like I said it sucks for all the victims but do you really think it would be a good idea to:
1. Online shooting threat is made against students
2. Principal says "let's do an investigation before any punishments. The kid whose social media account made the threat will still be allowed to attend school because not attending school is a punishment and we should investigate before any punishments"
3. Investigation ensues. It is discovered what really happened.

Do you remember that Michigan shooter case from earlier this year? Wasn't he allowed back in school and see what happened?

Don't blame Taylor for being quick to punish the victim. That is what he had to do. What if it really was the kid who made the threats? Should he be allowed to remain in school until the investigation continues? Sometimes the best thing to do for ALL the victims is not have the threatner come to school - even if it is found he did not make those threats at a later date.

What should be done is the kids who did this need to be named and immediately expelled. Perhaps transferred to a bridge program for budding sociopaths at another school. Until bullies receive consequences for their behavior they will just keep bullying.

They're not releasing the name of a minor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If that was my child who was falsely accused, I would sue the family of the perpetrators and MCPS.

What would you sue MCPS for?

Defamation of character for one. The principal’s first two emails when coupled with the posts going around the school community gave the impression that the student was guilty of the posts and would be disciplined. This created a hostile atmosphere for the innocent student to attend school in addition to any suspension given to the student. The student probably has long term trauma. As an MCPS administrator, MCPS is liable for the damages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one student has made threats. The administration has not been forthcoming about that.

Then enlighten us here, PP.

In addition to the now widely-circulated message attributed to the special needs student (who may be "harmless" but is a total menace in the hallways with his vulgar and racist outbursts), there are chat messages that name specific students and staff as targets. These were sent by at least one other student. It was alluded to in the first email Taylor sent to parents, but today's message addresses only the situation with the one student.

This is inappropriate speculation about a minor child.

You couldn't PAY me to send my kids to Churchill for many, many reasons, but this kind of speculation and doxing is not okay.

A friend of mine had this happen to her child in a different state, different school district: the child made no threats whatsoever, but other kids accused them of it, the family was doxed and things escalated from there.

Please stop spreading the message to your kids that autistic kids "shoot up schools." I myself have heard that exact quote from more than one student in mcps. It's intrigue, toxic, and terrible.

Sorry, no. No name is given. We’re done sweeping threats against school kids under the rug so we don’t hurt anyone’s feefees.

Well it would appear the type of person who thinks special needs students just have a bad case of the feelz and don't deserve any respect is exactly the same type of person (and parent / role model) as the bullies who spread lies that a SN kid made threats.

Everyone involved, including the principal who shadow identified the student in an email blast should be disciplined.

+1 When it’s a SN student then it’s ok to publicly shame him but when it is neurotypical students, their right to confidentiality is fully protected despite the trauma that they did to the SN student. This is another example of how bullying behavior is swept under the rug, especially when the target is a SN student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More than one student has made threats. The administration has not been forthcoming about that.

Then enlighten us here, PP.

In addition to the now widely-circulated message attributed to the special needs student (who may be "harmless" but is a total menace in the hallways with his vulgar and racist outbursts), there are chat messages that name specific students and staff as targets. These were sent by at least one other student. It was alluded to in the first email Taylor sent to parents, but today's message addresses only the situation with the one student.

This is inappropriate speculation about a minor child.

You couldn't PAY me to send my kids to Churchill for many, many reasons, but this kind of speculation and doxing is not okay.

A friend of mine had this happen to her child in a different state, different school district: the child made no threats whatsoever, but other kids accused them of it, the family was doxed and things escalated from there.

Please stop spreading the message to your kids that autistic kids "shoot up schools." I myself have heard that exact quote from more than one student in mcps. It's intrigue, toxic, and terrible.

Sorry, no. No name is given. We’re done sweeping threats against school kids under the rug so we don’t hurt anyone’s feefees.

Well it would appear the type of person who thinks special needs students just have a bad case of the feelz and don't deserve any respect is exactly the same type of person (and parent / role model) as the bullies who spread lies that a SN kid made threats.

Everyone involved, including the principal who shadow identified the student in an email blast should be disciplined.

It’s more than the principal. Remember the knife incident earlier this school year? Mr. Taylor doesn’t send out emails without the direct approval from Central Office. Those Central Office employees who approved his first two emails should also be disciplined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If that was my child who was falsely accused, I would sue the family of the perpetrators and MCPS.

Exactly. And the perpetrator needs to be expelled and required to do community service that is aimed at the special needs community. This is criminal and immoral behavior, and if the high school student doesn’t receive strong, appropriate consequences now, then he has little opportunity to learn from his mistakes and not commit similar actions in the future as an adult. It’s the responsibility of adults to protect the victim and teach the perpetrator never to commit such a heinous act again.