Alexandria HS on Lockdown- Massive Gang Brawl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are all the people who wanted to remove police from schools? Crickets

ACHS has SROs and one got knocked out.

[Anonymous]

Serious questions to those who have kids there; is the new principal better or worse than the previous one? In your opinion, is there anything a principal could do differently, or does this squarely fall onto the shoulders of the county government and police?

At which point is gang activity a state (or national) issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annnnnnnd. ACPS just closed for winter break. No school at the HS tomorrow or Friday. 'Safety concerns'

This is what equity looks like in Alexandria.

My kid will miss out on instruction because the city literally gives this scum free money.

So what did the kids learn here folks? "We start bs and we get 7th period cancelled on Wednesday and in person classes cancelled Thursday and Friday because the staff can't handle us" WINNING!!!! Such a "terrible" punishment for the students! Two more days off school. This was a stupid, stupid move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why Trump won.

It is? Who won Alexandria?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are all the people who wanted to remove police from schools? Crickets

ACHS has SROs and one got knocked out.

Yep and it was a female SRO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many people who still send their kids to this school and it's baffling. They will admit it's a shit show too.

I used to teach at a VA school with gang activity. Students can go to a HS like this for four years and never be directly affected. It really depends on a lot of factors. Props to the Alexandria HS teachers, who can add this event to all the other stressful things they're dealing with this week.

Schools will self segregate into groups of the motivated and the unmotivated. Kids know who to hang around and who to stay away from.

This why I would propose we let kids finish with a 10th grade certificate and offer paid vocational training to enter the work force. No sense to drag everyone to the end of 12th grade who does not want to be there.

[Anonymous]

Mandatory community service for both student and parent every time they get into trouble. Without consequences both for the student and the parent who's failing to parent, nothing will change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many people who still send their kids to this school and it's baffling. They will admit it's a shit show too.

It's the only public HS in the city, duh.

I'm aware. That's why a much higher percentage of people than would be typical in surrounding communities move at some point or send their kids to private school.
+1
We live in Alexandria and my kids are at private (not in Alexandria). It’s actually pretty certain my kids would get into a better college if they went to ACHS, but that’s not why we have them in private.

The ones who stay twist themselves into pretzels explaining it though. It's pretty fascinating.

My DS is at UVA after graduating AC last year. I'm not twisting myself into any knots. Are you one of those SSSAS parents butt hurt that my kid got into a better school than yours despite you dropping a quarter million?

To answer your question directly, no. I don't think school is all about where you to get into college in the end. I agree some kids can get into good colleges from Alexandria HS. Never been the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I know many people who still send their kids to this school and it's baffling. They will admit it's a shit show too.

This is looking at it the wrong way, IMO. Instead of asking "why do parents send their kids to a school with a lot of violence and issues, those people must suck" the question should be "why are public schools with a high population of students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds facing a lot of violence and issues?"

So much this. You are doing wrong by all, but especially by the disadvantaged students who want to learn and get out of generational poverty!! I cannot understand why there is not a unified wish (no matter your background or affiliations) to have consistent serious consequences to stop this once and for all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The pretzel twisting is it's okay because it's not my kid and my kid is nowhere near it but it's a messed up place and your kid is aware it's a messed up place because adults in the community made and make bad decisions. Just because you and others find all the loop holes to make sure your kid is okay in this environment doesn't make it right. But glad your kid got into UVA PP. All is well then.

What you are describing is life. It isn't unique to ACHS.

It’s not unique but this is not typical either.

It’s absurd to me that the school is struggling like this in an otherwise nice and expensive suburb. We are sending our child to private school but wish public was a better option , and may consider moving to Fairfax county for our child’s high school years

yeah, because this doesn't happen at WEPO, West Springfield, Lake Braddock, South Lakes...

But it doesn’t! Not that FFX is without issues, but not like this. Getting a school shut down by students who are in gangs? Why is nothing done? ACPS is incompetent, the city government is incompetent, and they are completely incapable of self governance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm beyond frustrated. My child is now missing an exam that he studied for, and cannot get the results of an election for a club leadership position that he is running for (was supposed to be announced today).
The city really needs to invest resources in expanding Chance for Change and offering more programs like Cornerstone Craftsmen for kids who do not want to be in traditional school, as well as counseling/support resources outside of school to try to help prevent this behavior. Yes, the kids who engaged in it do not belong in a traditional high school, and need to leave that setting, but they are still kids and something has to be done to give them some chance to turn their lives around and be productive members of society.

At this point, arrest the teenagers involved where you can make charges stick and suspend the rest or expel them if there is a track record already. I really don't give a shit about their education or their chance to turn their lives around. Their actions impact thousands of students who are showing up to learn and deserve more and it's not right. Get them the F out.

[Anonymous]

This sentence from the superintendent's note:

I, along with my cabinet, will be planning with the ACHS administration team for the next two days to devise a plan for additional measures that will be implemented when teachers and staff return on January 6, 2025.

Gee this sure sounds like I'll be sure I still have my winter break and manage this when I can fit it in. How about you make sure none of the problematic kids come back to school today or tomorrow and handle that the next two days and then WORK A COUPLE DAYS OVER YOUR BREAK to make sure you have a plan for additional measures when you return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many people who still send their kids to this school and it's baffling. They will admit it's a shit show too.

I used to teach at a VA school with gang activity. Students can go to a HS like this for four years and never be directly affected. It really depends on a lot of factors. Props to the Alexandria HS teachers, who can add this event to all the other stressful things they're dealing with this week.

Schools will self segregate into groups of the motivated and the unmotivated. Kids know who to hang around and who to stay away from.

This why I would propose we let kids finish with a 10th grade certificate and offer paid vocational training to enter the work force. No sense to drag everyone to the end of 12th grade who does not want to be there.

+1
Everyone I know in Alexandria who owns a trades business has trouble finding enough qualified hires. Plumbing, hvac, electric, etc. These kids could start earning money and be away from the literal gang mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a TC Williams grad (96) this makes me so sad and angry. The school has always had its challenges due to its size and mix of students.

Yes, high achieving kids in AP classes (mostly white UMC) are generally ok. I was one of those kids and you rarely interact with the rest of the student body outside of lunch, gym, etc.

But so much happens in transitions - in hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, etc.

I lived in ALX for over 30 years but moved to FFX once my kid was in kindergarten. He started 1st grade in FCPS.

Worst he’s seen is a fight that took place in hallway between 2 kids and that was quickly broken up

Why can’t it be changed? Why are the ones in power, in elected offices, etc. not wanting to make it better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many people who still send their kids to this school and it's baffling. They will admit it's a shit show too.

It's the only public HS in the city, duh.

I'm aware. That's why a much higher percentage of people than would be typical in surrounding communities move at some point or send their kids to private school.

The ones who stay twist themselves into pretzels explaining it though. It's pretty fascinating.

I know a family who sends their kid there. They have a beach house too. Why not just pay for private. Priorities.

The private options aren’t great either. The DC privates are a tough commute and SSSAS has its own issues.

SSSAS has a massive drug problem. Massive.