Reply to Takoma and Eastern Magnets

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[quote=Anonymous][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.

[b]You might draw a couple of conclusions from this, such as that there is more fighting at Eastern and more bullying at Hoover.[/b]  (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]

I wouldn't call "3 bullying incidents," "more bullying."  I'd be interested to know how bullying is defined and how/whether it is reported.  I have a niece at TPMS and I know there is bullying there, as anywhere - but it is not cited in that list.

I will note this, based on the above snapshot:  Eastern is the only school with double-digit fighting and attacks incidents listed.  And none of the other schools (in this list anyway) cite arrests for drug crimes (thinking of the marijuana one at Eastern recently, which I've heard about from other sources as well).[/quote]

Whatever one thinks about interpreting these stats, it should be noted that they only represent OUT OF SCHOOL suspensions.  Fighting and physical attacks carry minimum penalties of "parent conference" (far short of out-of-school suspension).  My own child has reported seeing kids shoved around physically by another student, while a teacher was watching who did nothing.  Physical altercations definitely go unreported at Eastern.  When not totally ignored by teachers, "consequences" can often be just a verbal warning, and even when reported up to the "authorities" often aren't treated seriously enough and reports of these events to the parent body are minimal.

Similarly, reports of bullying only go on the schools at a glance sheet if a parent or student fills in the official MCPS bullying form.  My child has reported a number of sad stories about kids being bullied in different ways.  The most recent was about a kid with a physical difference who my child described as being relentlessly bullied by 2 girls until he was provoked to respond physically.  Guess who got in trouble?  There's really no effective way to report bullying at Eastern (especially if, as a student, you witness something, but don't really know the names of the students involved).  The bullying form is supposed to be filled out by the victim, it seems.

Whatever you think about the stats, it's probably fair to say that the number they provide should be viewed as a "floor" and not a ceiling on violence at Eastern.  [/quote]

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