6 more months and we are done with MCPS!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so excited and my child can't wait!
No more dodging fights in the hallway.
No more dodging crazy parents in the student parking lot.
No more weekly fluff updates from an out-of-touch, weak principal.
No more trips back at home at lunch to use the bathroom because the school bathrooms are full of obnoxious weed smokers.
No more equity being shoved down our throats.
No more tutoring to learn the basics.
No more unruly scary kids to avoid in the classrooms.
And so much more!
If we had the money, we would have moved years ago but like many of us...we are trapped in east County hell.
Yes - I am looking forward to the door hitting us on the back as we walk out forever on graduation day!
After yet another scary incident that happened today and was ignored, I just have to remember that it will be over soon.

Our kids are at a W school and I could have written this post as well. If things are this bad at most/all MCPS high schools, the system is doomed. As much as I hate Trump, I'd like to think his disruptions to the system might cause positive change in the end (after some rough water). But the lunatics in charge of MCPS will only double down on far left things that won't work.

I mean, we literally got an email yesterday talking about how MCPS plans to do all it can to make sure undocumented students feel embraced and welcome in our school system. The sheer numbers of new arrivals to this county from all over the world has put immense pressure on teachers and admin. Not to mention the affect it has had on the budget.

I really think that email sent by Taylor was not a good idea. I'm sure he was pressured by Casa and Identity to make the statement but it was a real liability to make the claims he was making in that email.

And why do it for one group, Hispanics, but not others? This is exactly the hot water MCPS got into when it put out statements about antisemitism but said nothing about anit-Muslim bias. Taylor claimed he wouldn't make those same mistakes and yet here he is, doing exactly the things that got McKnight in trouble.

Taylor did not single out Hispanics in that email. He says that MCPS welcomes undocumented immigrants from any and all countries.

Quoted from the email:

“MCPS does not ask about immigration status or report family information to immigration authorities. Additionally, Montgomery County police do not enforce federal immigration laws. These practices help create a welcoming environment for all families.”

Just imagine…if MoCo police enforced federal immigration laws;
- MoCo would be a less attractive destination for those entering the country illegally;
- schools would be less crowded;
- teachers would be more relaxed with fewer students;
- there would be a narrower range of learning abilities / styles in the classroom;
- MoCo school budget would decrease with fewer high need students and a contraction in size of school population;
- gang violence issues would decrease;
- our taxes might even go down or maybe we would get some services we can benefit from;
- there would be less demand on the non-profits in the area.

Who would fill the jobs that they take that you aren't willing to?

Wait til you find out what the answer is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was actually just reflecting on this. My last child is also finishing this year, but I truly don't feel this way. Both of my kids have had so many wonderful teachers- way outnumbering the bad ones. They enjoy school, don't see a lot of fights, have nice and driven friends, and overall have had good experiences. My daughter is in her first year of college and feels well prepared and states that her essays are stronger than many friends (out of state flagship public). I also think their principal has been wonderful and so approachable.

Yet, I know that my experience is not the norm in MCPS and that is so sad. I am sorry that your experience has not been as positive and hate the direction the county is going in. Although I hate just about everything Trump, education reform is one thing I would happily jump on board for.

PP here who loves Blake. My third child is a senior. We feel the same - so many great teachers. Communication has gotten so much better over the years both about major incidents and individual needs of your kids.

I spent a lot of time there because two of my kids have special needs - one eventually transferred to a non mainstream program. Also I go to sports events (even the ones my kids aren’t in), school shows, BTSN, special programs, etc, and I volunteer. The time, effort and compassion I’ve seen from staff, counselors and teachers has been amazing. The number of special programs offered by MCPS is exceptional. Whether your kid struggles or is brilliant or has special interests or is just typical. Each of mine had a completely different path - honors/APs/sports for one, vo tech for another and special ed for the third - with amazingly committed staff who managed to see him through to a diploma despite all odds.

I mean look at the programs - IB, aviation . . . And the signature schools.

I agree there are problems and I think it’s great that so many are taking them on. I am especially concerned with the increased violence and think we need to hold onto our hats given the election results.

But you can’t deny the incredible resource we have and the commitment to finding a way to make kids successful. Not all will be but that isn’t necessarily due to lack of resources or commitment.

And now I will again be accused of being a MCPS lawyer. But that I am not. Just a parent who is thankful for the experience we’ve had and sorry that others have had less than satisfactory years in HS.

You can be both a MCPS parent and MCPS lawyer. Or outgoing BOE member Harris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was actually just reflecting on this. My last child is also finishing this year, but I truly don't feel this way. Both of my kids have had so many wonderful teachers- way outnumbering the bad ones. They enjoy school, don't see a lot of fights, have nice and driven friends, and overall have had good experiences. My daughter is in her first year of college and feels well prepared and states that her essays are stronger than many friends (out of state flagship public). I also think their principal has been wonderful and so approachable.

Yet, I know that my experience is not the norm in MCPS and that is so sad. I am sorry that your experience has not been as positive and hate the direction the county is going in. Although I hate just about everything Trump, education reform is one thing I would happily jump on board for.

But your experience by far is what many and families and students experience. And when folks call for education reform what exactly is it that you want reformed, what do you think are the root causes of the problems, and reasons why they are not already resolved?

In MCPS, wokeness is the roadblock keeping MCPS from greatness. Like alcoholics who refuse to admit they have a problem, progressives are unable to say what they problems are because it goes against woke doctrine. Therefore they are unable to solve any of the problems the schools have. We need a return to actual liberalism, perhaps even with a pinch of conservatism.

We noticed how you didn’t list any specific problems or solutions

These problems have been rehashed so many times on DCUM we can all recite them by heart...except you apparently. But ask and ye shall receive: Restorative justice, lax attendance policies, SRO removal, lax discipline policies, 50% minimum grades, grade inflation, changing G&T program to a lottery, lowered expectations, equity policies. That's just off the top of my head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so excited and my child can't wait!
No more dodging fights in the hallway.
No more dodging crazy parents in the student parking lot.
No more weekly fluff updates from an out-of-touch, weak principal.
No more trips back at home at lunch to use the bathroom because the school bathrooms are full of obnoxious weed smokers.
No more equity being shoved down our throats.
No more tutoring to learn the basics.
No more unruly scary kids to avoid in the classrooms.
And so much more!
If we had the money, we would have moved years ago but like many of us...we are trapped in east County hell.
Yes - I am looking forward to the door hitting us on the back as we walk out forever on graduation day!
After yet another scary incident that happened today and was ignored, I just have to remember that it will be over soon.

You are the problem.

Is the MCPS PR dept paying you overtime to work on a Saturday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we mention which East County HS this is? Is it PB?

And what incident exactly. We could give you a multiple choice list.

I just called my daughter. She has no idea there was an incident.

NP here with a kid at Blake. My kid was aware of some incidents last week, but more importantly she told me that the principal had a special announcement period this week where she addressed it, said that 15 kids were suspended, some kids were recommended for expulsion, and others had criminal charges filed against them. So while I’m not happy about the incidents, I am pleased with the administration’s response and transparency.

PP here. Those I know about. It was a pretty awful day and it was handled. Someone mentioned something happening on Friday. That’s what I hadn’t heard about and neither did my daughter. She’s usually pretty aware and it was the first time I had heard something on DCUM that she hadn’t shared first.

Oh, good point -- I didn't hear anything about a Friday incident either. And we also love Blake; it's been a good place for my junior, particularly the music program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we mention which East County HS this is? Is it PB?

And what incident exactly. We could give you a multiple choice list.

I just called my daughter. She has no idea there was an incident.

NP here with a kid at Blake. My kid was aware of some incidents last week, but more importantly she told me that the principal had a special announcement period this week where she addressed it, said that 15 kids were suspended, some kids were recommended for expulsion, and others had criminal charges filed against them. So while I’m not happy about the incidents, I am pleased with the administration’s response and transparency.

Oh wow. That is not the norm for MCPS. Not a Blake parent, but I am so glad to hear this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a MCPS HS teacher and MCPS parent of 3. My perspective is that expectations were dropped to the floor during COVID and everyone is afraid to put them back in place. The fear is that students won’t rise to these new expectations and then *gasp* our numbers will plummet further. There are so many problems in MCPS, but this is one that we see every single day.

I agree!! This and not standing up to people screaming the loudest or about nothing. Classes don’t need gatekeeping. Let kids take what they want and also earn the grades they deserve. Offer options for the necessary support (office hours, class slides/notes center, tutoring, access to the online text).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Incidents:
Kids disrupting classroom instruction
Kids taking over and smoking in the bathroom
Self entitled kids that create uncomfortable environments
Fights practically every day
Kids who don't belong in AP classes are allowed and then they either cheat off my kid, threaten my kid to get homework answers and slowdown instruction
No leadership at all
Teachers hands are tied and it is sad to see them take all of this abuse
Teachers not qualified to teach certain classes but no one else stepping up so we have a history teacher teach calculus
Self entitled downright scary parents who feel they don't have to abide by the rules

Is that enough?? Because I got more. I challenged McKnight and now Taylor to make an unannounced visit one day but no one can be nothered

You are describing many MCPS high schools

[Anonymous]

Expectations in MCPS high schools dropped waaaaaay before COVID. They got worse afterward, but COVID was not the cause of the decline. It just allowed us to see how much our structures and systems had been eroded. It was the ultimate pressure test. And we failed abysmally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was actually just reflecting on this. My last child is also finishing this year, but I truly don't feel this way. Both of my kids have had so many wonderful teachers- way outnumbering the bad ones. They enjoy school, don't see a lot of fights, have nice and driven friends, and overall have had good experiences. My daughter is in her first year of college and feels well prepared and states that her essays are stronger than many friends (out of state flagship public). I also think their principal has been wonderful and so approachable.

Yet, I know that my experience is not the norm in MCPS and that is so sad. I am sorry that your experience has not been as positive and hate the direction the county is going in. Although I hate just about everything Trump, education reform is one thing I would happily jump on board for.

What school is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was actually just reflecting on this. My last child is also finishing this year, but I truly don't feel this way. Both of my kids have had so many wonderful teachers- way outnumbering the bad ones. They enjoy school, don't see a lot of fights, have nice and driven friends, and overall have had good experiences. My daughter is in her first year of college and feels well prepared and states that her essays are stronger than many friends (out of state flagship public). I also think their principal has been wonderful and so approachable.

Yet, I know that my experience is not the norm in MCPS and that is so sad. I am sorry that your experience has not been as positive and hate the direction the county is going in. Although I hate just about everything Trump, education reform is one thing I would happily jump on board for.

What school is this?

Beverly Farms (loved!)
Hoover (decent)
Churchill (been great)

No school is perfect, and there are certainly things I can complain about, but for both of my children (including one with a hefty IEP), MCPS has been a really good experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a MCPS HS teacher and MCPS parent of 3. My perspective is that expectations were dropped to the floor during COVID and everyone is afraid to put them back in place. The fear is that students won’t rise to these new expectations and then *gasp* our numbers will plummet further. There are so many problems in MCPS, but this is one that we see every single day.

HS Teacher here as well. My head of department was telling me that he was shown the D and E data for the county and it was stunning to see how many kids are choosing to just do the bare minimum or not even showing up to school unless necessary.

The county knows the current system is not working, but worries raising expectations would cause a lot of kids to fail. My 10th graders especially just seem to act like middle schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so excited and my child can't wait!
No more dodging fights in the hallway.
No more dodging crazy parents in the student parking lot.
No more weekly fluff updates from an out-of-touch, weak principal.
No more trips back at home at lunch to use the bathroom because the school bathrooms are full of obnoxious weed smokers.
No more equity being shoved down our throats.
No more tutoring to learn the basics.
No more unruly scary kids to avoid in the classrooms.
And so much more!
If we had the money, we would have moved years ago but like many of us...we are trapped in east County hell.
Yes - I am looking forward to the door hitting us on the back as we walk out forever on graduation day!
After yet another scary incident that happened today and was ignored, I just have to remember that it will be over soon.

Our kids are at a W school and I could have written this post as well. If things are this bad at most/all MCPS high schools, the system is doomed. As much as I hate Trump, I'd like to think his disruptions to the system might cause positive change in the end (after some rough water). But the lunatics in charge of MCPS will only double down on far left things that won't work.

I mean, we literally got an email yesterday talking about how MCPS plans to do all it can to make sure undocumented students feel embraced and welcome in our school system. The sheer numbers of new arrivals to this county from all over the world has put immense pressure on teachers and admin. Not to mention the affect it has had on the budget.

I really think that email sent by Taylor was not a good idea. I'm sure he was pressured by Casa and Identity to make the statement but it was a real liability to make the claims he was making in that email.

And why do it for one group, Hispanics, but not others? This is exactly the hot water MCPS got into when it put out statements about antisemitism but said nothing about anit-Muslim bias. Taylor claimed he wouldn't make those same mistakes and yet here he is, doing exactly the things that got McKnight in trouble.

Taylor did not single out Hispanics in that email. He says that MCPS welcomes undocumented immigrants from any and all countries.

Quoted from the email:

“MCPS does not ask about immigration status or report family information to immigration authorities. Additionally, Montgomery County police do not enforce federal immigration laws. These practices help create a welcoming environment for all families.”

You don’t think that message was largely put out to assuage and reassure the Hispanic community? Are you kidding me?

I’m the PP. Yeah, you’re right. I guess I wanted to also point out that we have undocumented immigrants coming to MoCo from all over the world. Asian countries, the Middle East, Africa, etc. Which, honestly, makes it even MORE challenging.

It’s not like schools can just hire Spanish translators and call it a day. Or that accommodating one culture is adequate. Teachers have to be ‘culturally aware’ and able to accommodate students from any and all cultures. Which sounds great in practice, but requires a lot of extra time and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so excited and my child can't wait!
No more dodging fights in the hallway.
No more dodging crazy parents in the student parking lot.
No more weekly fluff updates from an out-of-touch, weak principal.
No more trips back at home at lunch to use the bathroom because the school bathrooms are full of obnoxious weed smokers.
No more equity being shoved down our throats.
No more tutoring to learn the basics.
No more unruly scary kids to avoid in the classrooms.
And so much more!
If we had the money, we would have moved years ago but like many of us...we are trapped in east County hell.
Yes - I am looking forward to the door hitting us on the back as we walk out forever on graduation day!
After yet another scary incident that happened today and was ignored, I just have to remember that it will be over soon.

You are the problem.

Is the MCPS PR dept paying you overtime to work on a Saturday?

Probably. Cram et al MCPS lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was actually just reflecting on this. My last child is also finishing this year, but I truly don't feel this way. Both of my kids have had so many wonderful teachers- way outnumbering the bad ones. They enjoy school, don't see a lot of fights, have nice and driven friends, and overall have had good experiences. My daughter is in her first year of college and feels well prepared and states that her essays are stronger than many friends (out of state flagship public). I also think their principal has been wonderful and so approachable.

Yet, I know that my experience is not the norm in MCPS and that is so sad. I am sorry that your experience has not been as positive and hate the direction the county is going in. Although I hate just about everything Trump, education reform is one thing I would happily jump on board for.

PP here who loves Blake. My third child is a senior. We feel the same - so many great teachers. Communication has gotten so much better over the years both about major incidents and individual needs of your kids.

I spent a lot of time there because two of my kids have special needs - one eventually transferred to a non mainstream program. Also I go to sports events (even the ones my kids aren’t in), school shows, BTSN, special programs, etc, and I volunteer. The time, effort and compassion I’ve seen from staff, counselors and teachers has been amazing. The number of special programs offered by MCPS is exceptional. Whether your kid struggles or is brilliant or has special interests or is just typical. Each of mine had a completely different path - honors/APs/sports for one, vo tech for another and special ed for the third - with amazingly committed staff who managed to see him through to a diploma despite all odds.

I mean look at the programs - IB, aviation . . . And the signature schools.

I agree there are problems and I think it’s great that so many are taking them on. I am especially concerned with the increased violence and think we need to hold onto our hats given the election results.

But you can’t deny the incredible resource we have and the commitment to finding a way to make kids successful. Not all will be but that isn’t necessarily due to lack of resources or commitment.

And now I will again be accused of being a MCPS lawyer. But that I am not. Just a parent who is thankful for the experience we’ve had and sorry that others have had less than satisfactory years in HS.

You can be both a MCPS parent and MCPS lawyer. Or outgoing BOE member Harris.

Or it could be your Mama