FFX Momuv3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So did any of you get the letter from FCPS school
> board member?
>
> As follows:
>
> Dear parents:
>
> By now, you are likely aware of the recent suicide
> of a Providence District FCPS student that was
> profiled on the front page of the Washington Post
> on Sunday, February 20
>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/articl
> e/2011/02/19/AR2011021904528_Comments.html
>
> This is a tragedy for our whole community.
>
> As your School Board member and Board liaison to
> the Fairfax County Partnership for Youth, I
> recognize there are many facets to student
> discipline, mental health and suicide. The
> issues that have been brought to the forefront by
> the recent tragedy must be addressed by our
> community, FCPS and your School Board.
>
> Some of these perspectives include:
>
> *A perceived excessive use of expulsions from base
> FCPS high schools for first-time, non-violent
> offenders, with no student emotional support
> services for impacted students.
> * Belief that a parent should be present when a
> student is questioned and/or charged with a
> violation.
> * Support for existing policies that protect the
> health and safety of each and every student.
>
> Clearly, it is time for a review of FCPS
> discipline policies and practices for fairness and
> effectiveness. The review process should be
> transparent and should include many perspectives.
>
> Two weeks ago, the Board of Supervisors passed a
> resolution encouraging a partnership between FCPS
> and county services to assist our troubled youth
> and to solicit input from the public to seek
> improvements to the disciplinary policy. I
> support these collaborative efforts and believe
> that we need to have an open and honest dialogue
> with our community about how these and
> otherpolicies and issues are affecting mental and
> physical health of our students.
>
> I campaigned on the pledge that Your Child is My
> Top Priority and I take that pledge very
> seriously. I value your input and I want to hear
> from you; I will represent your views in this
> important discussion because it impacts all of our
> children and our community as a whole. I can be
> reached at:Patricia.Reed1@fcps.edu.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Patty Reed
> Fairfax County School Board Member
> Providence District
>
>
> Not sure what all this means but let's hope they
> seriously consider how things are currently being
> handled.
What a tragedy that they need blood on their hands and the BOS on their back before this review was undertaken. If Yost, Dale, and Grattan had any honor, they'd resign. But I don't expect they will.
Hopefully this is not BS, but someone actually seeing and pushing for real change. The idea that 'a parent should be present when a student is questioned and/or charged with a violation' is even something that needs to addressed tells you how bad the system is. Accusation is all that is needed - then they go about building their case through intimidation, both of students and parents. These people are bullies - we need to stand up to them. Most bullies are just cowards who put on a brave face.
It should not be lost on everyone that to a person, the Hearing Office is all female, and I'm betting that 80% of the cases they see are against male students. I've seen in FCPS that the standard for conduct is the quiet, studious female student. If you are unfortunate enough to be born with a Y chromosome, you will get in trouble in FCPS.
I think the lack of diversity amongst the hearing officers should be examined closely - maybe having someone engaged in the process that grew up male, or minority, or whatever would allow for a little more compassion and little less cruelty.