Reply to Takoma and Eastern Magnets

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Have a look at the 2010-2011 school safety statistics on the MCPS website.  Here are some examples:

Hoover MS in Potomac had three physical threats and one verbal threat reported, along with 3 bullying incidents.

Cabin John MS in Potomac had suspensions for the following:  3 arson/fire/explosives suspensions, 6 attacks, 5 disrespect/insubordination, 1 theft, 2 threats, and 3 weapons.  There was one sexual incident, and 20 confirmed reports of bullying.

Eastern had 0 fire/arson, 20 attacks, 3 dangerous substances, 15 fighting, 7 threats, and 1 weapons suspensions.  There was one sexual incident, and 1 confirmed bullying report.

Takoma Park's suspensions were:  1 arson/explosive, 10 attack, 1 dangerous substance, 8 disrespect/insubordination, 5 fighting, 3 theft, 4 threat, 2 weapons.  There were no sexual incidents and no confirmed bullying reports.

Tilden MS in Rockville had 8 attack suspensions, 4 fighting, 1 threat, 1 weapons, and 3 confirmed bullying reports.

You might draw a couple of conclusions from this, such as that there is more fighting at Eastern and more bullying at Hoover.  (Or you could draw conclusions about what's reported and how it's characterized.)

My point is, though, that every MS has issues, including those in so-called "nicer" areas of MoCo., and that Eastern's don't seem to be worse Takoma's.

My guess is that at Eastern the kids who are fighting and cursing are black and hispanic and therefore seem more threatening to some kids.  Is your child more likely to get into a fight there?  No, probably even less so because the two populations of students are kept pretty separate.  Is your child more likely to see a physical fight?  Maybe, but it could also just be perception.

[/quote]

It is a mistake to believe as this PP states that "the two populations of students are kept pretty separate" at Eastern.  Magnet students in 6th grade take 4 classes together -- social studies, english, media and reading (a very few don't take this last one).  In 7th and 8th grade magnet students have only 3 classes together.  Magnet students are together with the comprehensive students in PE/Health, Science and Math and any electives.  Even higher courses like GT science or advanced math have comprehensive students.  Magnet and comprehensive students eat lunch together and walk the same hallways during each class change and before/after school.   There is plenty of inter-mixing between magnet and comprehensive students; this is, I believe, as it should be.  My DC has made friends with some comprehensive students.

While it may be true that magnet kids spend classroom time with kids (magnet or comprehensive) who are the "better" students and thus less likely to be "troublemakers".  It is also true that security issues at the school happen primarily OUTSIDE of the classroom itself when kids are not under the direct, planned supervision of teachers. [/quote]

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