Anyone know what is going on a Woodson?

[Anonymous]

Let's not turn this into an immigrant bashing thread. I don't have the energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's also this area. Neither my DH nor I are from here, and we do not get the school culture at all. Our nephew who goes to high school in a different area of the country is still getting a good education but without the hyper-competitive BS.

Yep. We moved away when my kids entered high school. We moved back after they graduated. It only took one year of high school for us to realize that we would not put our kids through high school anywhere in this area. Blaming the schools is a cop out. This comes from parents. You are the ones driving the schools. For heaven's sake, just read this board. Hyper focus on money, power, job title, and climbing the social ladder. The bullying of anyone who doesn't live up to some ridiculous definition of success. My kids are high achievers. I have a national merit scholar who went to college on a full academic scholarship. Lake Braddock was tough even for her. It's not just the horrific suicides. How many of your kids are suffering from anxiety disorders or depression? How many in therapy? On medication? Between school, homework, camps, tutoring, sports, music,....when do they rest? When do they just hang out? Every second of their lives is scheduled. Just like their parents. That is no way to live.

I went to LB in the 90's. It wasn't always like that. There was a thread about the low performing schools in FFX. I imagine any of the " unacceptable " schools would be a healthier environment.

Yep. Almost no stress amongst the poors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: My father committed suicide and that (the fact that they shouldn't be talked about) is absolutely not true. The culture dose recy, stigma and shame around suicides is not healthy at all. The best thing to do is talk about them IN CONTEXT--what a loss they are, how horrible is order those left behind, other options and choices. Also promote resources for help.

Then 13 Reasons Why is useful. But generally, in schools with large numbers of suicides, talking about them is the wrong response. All people are different and have different responses and needs. But suicide is not one option among many and should not be normalized or validated.

I'm sorry about your father. I'm not sure what context it is appropriate to talk about suicide.

I'm a TJ parent and we got an email from the administration this week expressing concerns about 13 Reasons Why. The passed along this article, which is excellent.

http://700childrens.nationwidechildrens.org/13-reasons-parents-concerned-netflix-series/

Given the workload, perfectionism, unattainable high expectations and pressure at TJ, I am always surprised (fingers crossed, knock on wood) that TJ has avoided a suicide problem (although they have other problems, like the Sara Kim, Harvard- Stanford admissions scam). I'm actually not sure why Woodson and not TJ, except maybe luck? Bullying is probably less of an issue. And the counseling staff/ administration seem to be very on top of mental health. But still ???

There have been suicides of TJ students, but the ones I heard of were young alumns. I doubt there's anything specific about a given school that causes or prevents this. More likely a combination of factors, academic pressure being only one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have some friends whose kids go to Woodson. They've told me that the environment there is like a pressure cooker. Because the school is known for its high test scores, it's ingrained in the culture that it is very important that it be maintained. Test scores are everything.

That doesn't stand up to the logic test. If that were true, then schools like Langley, McLean, Madison, Oakton and others in the DMV area would also have a lot of suicides... but as far as I know, they don't. Something is going on. I suspect that when it happens once, there is a sense that it's a possibility for other kids. But, something needs to be done.

I don't know about Madison or Oakton, but in the years that my DCs have attended McLean- both McLean and Langley have had suicides nearly every year- some years more than one. Some have not been covered by the media or even here on DCUM.

This is absolutely incorrect, at least as far as Langley goes. They have *not* had suicides nearly every year. In 2014, there were two back-to-back suicides (unrelated), but there haven't been any since then. Please don't try to start rumors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

[Anonymous]

I think many of you are refusing to acknowledge that it's not just this area in which we have high school suicides. It's everywhere, across the country and probably the world. Teenagers are at a very vulnerable time in their lives and high school often brings everything to a head. We hear about local suicides because this is our community. But all you have to do is Google teen suicide and see that it's not exclusive to this area.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20111112/lyons-study-shows-teen-suicide-spike-when-school-is-in-session

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's not turn this into an immigrant bashing thread. I don't have the energy.

I don't think it's immigrant bashing. I think it's a fact that, as a whole, Asians are more focused on academics than the average nonAsian American. When you have a high concentration in an area, which we do, that affects the overall culture of the schools. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's not turn this into an immigrant bashing thread. I don't have the energy.

I don't think it's immigrant bashing. I think it's a fact that, as a whole, Asians are more focused on academics than the average nonAsian American. When you have a high concentration in an area, which we do, that affects the overall culture of the schools. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle at this point.

First generation asian Americans are not more focused than some subgroups of multi-generational Americans. The difference is, they grew up in a culture where, if you failed to meet spec once, you were out; no second chances. In the US, there are so many onramps to success. But, in India, if you do not do well on the early placement tests, you will never get a chance. And there are several other places. So, prep for AAP exams, make sure you pass the SOL's, and all other exams, TJ is a must....SAT prep begins early. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

I think I'm the one who asked to have the post taken down. If it was the same post, not because of content at all. It used the very unique first name of the kid who died. From there it was six second of Google to get all his info. That info hasn't been released. DCUM did not seem to be the right place to ou the victim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

I think I'm the one who asked to have the post taken down. If it was the same post, not because of content at all. It used the very unique first name of the kid who died. From there it was six second of Google to get all his info. That info hasn't been released. DCUM did not seem to be the right place to ou the victim.

No it didn't. I was the op of that particular line of conversation. It did not use any names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's not turn this into an immigrant bashing thread. I don't have the energy.

I don't think it's immigrant bashing. I think it's a fact that, as a whole, Asians are more focused on academics than the average nonAsian American. When you have a high concentration in an area, which we do, that affects the overall culture of the schools. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle at this point.

First generation asian Americans are not more focused than some subgroups of multi-generational Americans. The difference is, they grew up in a culture where, if you failed to meet spec once, you were out; no second chances. In the US, there are so many onramps to success. But, in India, if you do not do well on the early placement tests, you will never get a chance. And there are several other places. So, prep for AAP exams, make sure you pass the SOL's, and all other exams, TJ is a must....SAT prep begins early. etc.

and when you combine that sort of pressure with a cultural hesitation to seek help for mental health, it results in unnecessary tragedy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

I think I'm the one who asked to have the post taken down. If it was the same post, not because of content at all. It used the very unique first name of the kid who died. From there it was six second of Google to get all his info. That info hasn't been released. DCUM did not seem to be the right place to ou the victim.

No it didn't. I was the op of that particular line of conversation. It did not use any names.

Yes it did. You used his first name

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

I think I'm the one who asked to have the post taken down. If it was the same post, not because of content at all. It used the very unique first name of the kid who died. From there it was six second of Google to get all his info. That info hasn't been released. DCUM did not seem to be the right place to ou the victim.

No it didn't. I was the op of that particular line of conversation. It did not use any names.

Okay-- I reported a different post then, with a similar theme. Wanted to clear up any misunderstanding if you were talking about the post I reported.

[Anonymous]

^^ PP above. The post I reported contained a line that said something like (paraphrasing) "Students should up in the name of Larlo and demand that the administration make changes". Again, no issue with the content. But by plugging the first name and Woodson into google, I was able to get the full name, etc.

If that wasn't your post, carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question is, how does this originate?

It's presented as an option. In the media, in movies, in the books their own teachers assign for them to read.

Are you kidding me? It originates here in these very threads.
Make sure your kid is AAP! Funnel them into that TJ feeder! Are 10 AP classes enough? Should I be pushing DC for 12? God forbid they end up at JMU. Only an elite school is acceptable. If you aren't on top you're a loser.
It might not be happening in your home, but it's the hive.
Search your souls people


* paraphrased from an earlier post that should never have been taken down.

Was the above post really taken down? Why?? It's absolutely true. DCUM perfectly exemplifies the pushy and competitive parents around here. I'm the proud parent of a JMU student and can never understand the parents who look down their noses at such a fine school that turns out well-rounded, balanced, happy graduates.

I think I'm the one who asked to have the post taken down. If it was the same post, not because of content at all. It used the very unique first name of the kid who died. From there it was six second of Google to get all his info. That info hasn't been released. DCUM did not seem to be the right place to ou the victim.

No it didn't. I was the op of that particular line of conversation. It did not use any names.

Yes it did. You used his first name

No. I didn't. I don't know who it is.