Swanson?

[Anonymous]

If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

When did the interim Swanson principal take over, and what were the circumstances under which the last principal left? My child will be attending Swanson next year and I'm trying to get up to speed on these concerning developments. I thought the parents on AEM said that the new Swanson principal didn't even know that this child had previously threatened the school (perhaps I misread) - how could this be possible?

The old principal got promoted internally. Be careful how much you listen to the hystericals is my advice. How would anyone on AEM even know this? I'm not on AEM and don't really care what the answer is because I wouldn't believe it anyway. My advice is always have healthy skepticism about what you are hearing as "facts".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

I can't speak to how she is handling the current situation, or Swanson in general, but she was a terrific principal at Key for many, many years. I would expect that she would be able to handle a middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

When did the interim Swanson principal take over, and what were the circumstances under which the last principal left? My child will be attending Swanson next year and I'm trying to get up to speed on these concerning developments. I thought the parents on AEM said that the new Swanson principal didn't even know that this child had previously threatened the school (perhaps I misread) - how could this be possible?

The old principal got promoted internally. Be careful how much you listen to the hystericals is my advice. How would anyone on AEM even know this? I'm not on AEM and don't really care what the answer is because I wouldn't believe it anyway. My advice is always have healthy skepticism about what you are hearing as "facts".

You tell others to be careful who they listen to, yet you don’t know or care how anyone on AEM “would know this”, and you wouldn’t believe them anyway? That’s funny, you giving advice about something that you seem to be proud to be in the dark about.

Parents met face to face with the interim principal, and detailed that meeting at length on AEM. I’ll take those “facts” over your blind skepticism any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

When did the interim Swanson principal take over, and what were the circumstances under which the last principal left? My child will be attending Swanson next year and I'm trying to get up to speed on these concerning developments. I thought the parents on AEM said that the new Swanson principal didn't even know that this child had previously threatened the school (perhaps I misread) - how could this be possible?

The old principal got promoted internally. Be careful how much you listen to the hystericals is my advice. How would anyone on AEM even know this? I'm not on AEM and don't really care what the answer is because I wouldn't believe it anyway. My advice is always have healthy skepticism about what you are hearing as "facts".

You tell others to be careful who they listen to, yet you don’t know or care how anyone on AEM “would know this”, and you wouldn’t believe them anyway? That’s funny, you giving advice about something that you seem to be proud to be in the dark about.

Parents met face to face with the interim principal, and detailed that meeting at length on AEM. I’ll take those “facts” over your blind skepticism any day.

I'm sure they did. I would always take with a grain of salt what is shared unless I heard it from the interim principal's mouth myself. But you do you. I know some AEM regulars in real life and see how they handle themselves and what their judgment is like. How do I know they are AEM regulars? They tell me about it and say I should join.

So it's not really blind skepticism. It's informed skepticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

When did the interim Swanson principal take over, and what were the circumstances under which the last principal left? My child will be attending Swanson next year and I'm trying to get up to speed on these concerning developments. I thought the parents on AEM said that the new Swanson principal didn't even know that this child had previously threatened the school (perhaps I misread) - how could this be possible?

The old principal got promoted internally. Be careful how much you listen to the hystericals is my advice. How would anyone on AEM even know this? I'm not on AEM and don't really care what the answer is because I wouldn't believe it anyway. My advice is always have healthy skepticism about what you are hearing as "facts".

You tell others to be careful who they listen to, yet you don’t know or care how anyone on AEM “would know this”, and you wouldn’t believe them anyway? That’s funny, you giving advice about something that you seem to be proud to be in the dark about.

Parents met face to face with the interim principal, and detailed that meeting at length on AEM. I’ll take those “facts” over your blind skepticism any day.

I'm sure they did. I would always take with a grain of salt what is shared unless I heard it from the interim principal's mouth myself. But you do you. I know some AEM regulars in real life and see how they handle themselves and what their judgment is like. How do I know they are AEM regulars? They tell me about it and say I should join.

So it's not really blind skepticism. It's informed skepticism.

I’m the PP who asked if it was, in fact, true that the central office directed the principal (interim or otherwise) to contact them first before the police. I am highly skeptical of much of the AEM crowd, so my question is quite literal: Did the APS central office direct the current principal to contact them first – as relayed to the parents who met with them yesterday. If so, is this policy across the board for APS schools? Or does it pertain to this kid in particular? No matter what the answers are, these policies need to be clarified and broadcast loud and clear ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swanson isn't alone, there's been other bad incidents at other middle schools. The difference is that a very vocal parent clearly has a connection to Fox News and is often quoted in the Fox articles. We are Swanson parents and very concerned, but the news articles are focused on Swanson because parent(s) are drawing media attention to it.

The bathroom stuff going on is stupid but isn't going to result in kids getting killed. The 7th grader who brought the taser should concern everyone. That child has already been suspended this year multiple times for threatening other students, including telling students that he is going to get a weapon and shoot the school. This is not a secret in the 7th grade. I am worried that all the noise about the Swanson bathroom situation and the kid getting punched in gym class is drawing attention away from what is going on with this one particular child in 7th grade. He is freaking kids and teachers out, but the principal and APS administration don't seem to be taking it seriously. I think APS is downplaying the situation because they don't want to reopen the SRO debate. This kid should not be in school though. He's supposedly suspended through spring break, but the 7th graders are worried about what he might do when he comes back and whether he will get access to a real gun over the next two weeks.

What is the right response here? If they expel him he could escalate; at this point he hasn't done anything serious enough to warrant arrest (unless the taser thing is still going to trial?). Have the parents been tracked down, they should be meeting with the sheriff regularly.

The taser thing isn't going to trial, because the Swanson principal didn't call the police when it happened. 7th grade parents reached out to Fox News about it, but that's the first time the police heard about it. The interim Swanson principal came out of retirement to take this job. She was the principal at Key Elementary for two decades before she retired. She's handling these middle school students like they are elementary students, and they are walking all over her. Just look at the PTA email that went out today. "We will continue to work with the students to help them manage their journey through the middle school years." Okay, but how about calling the cops when a student shows up with a weapon? She thinks she can get this all under control by talking to the kids and giving them candy when they visit her office.

When did the interim Swanson principal take over, and what were the circumstances under which the last principal left? My child will be attending Swanson next year and I'm trying to get up to speed on these concerning developments. I thought the parents on AEM said that the new Swanson principal didn't even know that this child had previously threatened the school (perhaps I misread) - how could this be possible?

The old principal got promoted internally. Be careful how much you listen to the hystericals is my advice. How would anyone on AEM even know this? I'm not on AEM and don't really care what the answer is because I wouldn't believe it anyway. My advice is always have healthy skepticism about what you are hearing as "facts".

The person on AEM had a sit down meeting with the principal yesterday. They are literally the only parents that requested a meeting about this. They detail very specifically what was discussed in the meeting. It was actually very helpful and informative. (A rarity for AEM).

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.

The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

Virtual Virginia would be the best option for this kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

Virtual Virginia would be the best option for this kid.

Does Arlington, Virginia not have alternative placements available for children who cannot be in a mainstream school? My mom was a special ed teacher in another state and they had great alternative placements, including for children who had violent episodes, and those placements could really help the children with appropriate supports. We must have something like that available in Arlington - don't we?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

Virtual Virginia would be the best option for this kid.

Does Arlington, Virginia not have alternative placements available for children who cannot be in a mainstream school? My mom was a special ed teacher in another state and they had great alternative placements, including for children who had violent episodes, and those placements could really help the children with appropriate supports. We must have something like that available in Arlington - don't we?

Yes. The New Direction program. I had always thought it was just high school but could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

Virtual Virginia would be the best option for this kid.

Does Arlington, Virginia not have alternative placements available for children who cannot be in a mainstream school? My mom was a special ed teacher in another state and they had great alternative placements, including for children who had violent episodes, and those placements could really help the children with appropriate supports. We must have something like that available in Arlington - don't we?

Yes, and it's not limited to staying in Arlington either. There are non-public placements that are paid for by the county. If the student's parents fight the process it can take a very long time though.

Anyway, I drove by Swanson today and there was an Arlington Co Police car parked right out in front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If APS is dead set on sending this kid back to Swanson (and no pawning him off on a different school, thanks), they should at the very least have an admin shadow him. Every class, lunch, trips to the bathroom- everywhere. Bag and pocket search at the start of the school day. Make the choice, APS, because this kid shouldn’t be free to assault others.



The other schools need to be informed if this happens. And they need to follow the same outlined protocol if he ends up at their school

If this kid lives near Swanson, that's where they should stay. It's not fair to the rest of the community to send him somewhere else.

Virtual Virginia would be the best option for this kid.

And he'd be monitored by....?