To all our friends, teachers, staff, parents/guardians and students, a wonderful Thanksgiving to all.
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
$243.50 total fine after passing school bus and seriously injuring 9-year old MCPS student
(Initial reports stated that child was 7 years old, later corrected to say child was 9 years old.)
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/police-emphasize-school-bus-safety-after-7-year-old-hit-crossing-the-street-in-gaithersburg
https://moco360.media/2022/08/31/7-year-old-seriously-injured-after-driver-fails-to-stop-for-mcps-school-bus-police-say/
From MoCo360:
August 31, 2022
A 9-year-old girl was seriously injured while getting off her school bus Tuesday when a driver did not obey the vehicle’s stop signals, according to Montgomery County police.The crash happened at about 3:53 p.m. in the 18600 block of Walkers Choice Road in Montgomery Village, according to a statement from police.
Sources tell us that fire/rescue medics reported "tire tracks" on the child during transport to hospital.
Fast forward to November 14, 2023 - Trial (after delays)
(Click on any image to enlarge.)
MoCo360: 13 MCPS students arrested last week for carjackings and auto thefts, police said [but principal isn't so sure]
MoCo360 is reporting that 13 MCPS students were arrested last week for carjackings and auto thefts, according to police. Oddly, the principal of B-CC is making statements that are inconsistent with the information reported by the police department.
Contradictory Statements About B-CC Students:
- The article mentions that all 13 teenagers arrested were MCPS students and specifically at least some of them are students of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (B-CC). However, the B-CC Principal, Shelton Mooney, states in a letter that there was no connection between the apprehended suspects in the Honda and B-CC.
Conflicting Information Regarding Honda Incident:
- The article reports that a Honda Accord was stolen in an armed carjacking on the same day in Prince George’s County. However, Principal Mooney, in his letter, mentions that he was told definitively by the police that there was no connection between the suspects in that Honda incident and B-CC.
Lack of Information on the Paint Branch High School Incident:
- The article mentions an incident near Paint Branch High School involving a stolen Kia Sedona but lacks details about how it is related to the other incidents or if the students involved in this case were also from MCPS.
Inconsistency in Arrest Procedures:
- The article reports that the 13 juvenile suspects were transported to county police district stations and then released to their parents. However, it does not provide information on why they were released or if any further legal action will be taken.
Unclear Timeline of Events:
- The timeline of events is not entirely clear. The article mentions incidents on Nov. 13 but does not specify when the incidents occurred during the day. Providing a clearer timeline could help readers understand the sequence of events.
Contradictory Statements About B-CC Principal's Knowledge:
- Principal Mooney mentions in his letter that he was aware of the incident with the Nissan where five teens, identified as B-CC students, were arrested off-campus. However, he claims not to know whether the students involved in the police pursuit have returned to school following their arrests.
Unanswered Questions About Disciplinary Actions:
- While the article outlines the process for addressing student misconduct, it does not provide information on whether the arrested students will face disciplinary actions from their respective schools, leaving the fate of the students within the school system unclear.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Former Gaithersburg High School wrestler awarded $4 million in damages in sexual assault case
...Montgomery Parents Coalition leader Janis Zink Sartucci told FOX 5 that, once again, Montgomery County school officials refuse to speak out on the case.
"We have one very clear pattern here in Montgomery County, and that clear pattern is of the adults in charge hiding," he said. "We don’t see them speaking about these cases. We don’t see them standing up for victims. We don’t see them supporting the victims in any way, shape or form."
FOX 5 reached out to Montgomery County Public Schools and received no reply...
Monday, November 20, 2023
An MCPS spokesperson did not answer questions about Navarro’s compensation or her start date. [Navarro already refusing to answer questions about her position.]
Superintendent McKnight hires Nancy Navarro as senior adviser for external affairs at MCPS
...Janis Sartucci a member of the Montgomery County Parents Coalition, an advocacy and MCPS watchdog group, said that the hiring was “shocking” and brings into question the priorities of the school system.
Members of the MCCPTA did not immediately respond to MoCo360’s request for comment.
“We’ve seen other superintendents … that would bring in consultants, advisers, mentors and to be honest, we always have the same question: Why are those positions more important than classroom teachers? Is that what it means to fund an education system?” Sartucci said.
She continued that some teachers don’t have enough resources to buy classroom supplies.
“I think a lot of the public, the voters might think when they fund education, they’re funding classrooms and teachers and school buildings. Yet the reality we see is we’re funding administrators, consultants, mentors. And I think that’s where we need transparency.”
At this time, it is unclear how much Navarro will be paid in this new position. An MCPS spokesperson did not answer questions about Navarro’s compensation or her start date.
Sartucci added that another concern was that it appeared to her that McKnight hired Navarro without bringing the hire to the Board of Education. MoCo360 inquired about this concern with an MCPS spokesperson, but they did not immediately respond on Wednesday evening and Monday morning by email.
“We prefer to see as much transparency as possible so the public can be involved and make their own decisions on what is in the best interest of the school system and what the voters of Montgomery County want,” she added.
A blog post on the Parents’ Coalition’s website has also compiled a list of past issues the group has documented while Navarro was a school board member and County Council member. Some issues include not allowing a student to enroll at MCPS, violations of Open Meetings Act and closing special education programs.
MoCo360 was unable to reach members of the school board by phone and left a message with the board’s office secretary. When reached for comment, Navarro directed questions to MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram.
Cram did not answer questions about Navarro’s employment on Monday and on Wednesday evening...
Nancy Navarro hired as MCPS' senior advisor for external affairs | MoCo360
Friday, November 17, 2023
Tilden Principal publishes letter to the community
Tilden Middle School principal Sapna Hopkins published this letter, below, to the Tilden MS community on November 17, 2023 as part of the Timberwolf Connection newsletter.
It appears that her instructions to staff is to not respond to certain emails from Tilden parents. If anyone reading this blog has more information please let us know. And she warns parents who will be attending upcoming Caregiver Conferences not to bring up "the matter of the teacher who is under official investigation." (That teacher is on paid leave.)
GREETINGS TILDEN FAMILIES!
To say that this week has been one of the toughest week for me, our students, staff, and families would be a huge understatement. Tilden community is hurting. Our staff is pushing through every day with the hope that there is some light at the end of this dark tunnel. Yet, time and again, situations occur on a daily basis to push us back. This week, a community member sent multiple staff members an email containing disturbing images depicting violence against Israelis and outlining specific expectations for classroom discussions on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Such behaviors pulling us away from taking care of our students. Furthermore, they suggest that antisemitism is prevalent within our school.
I want to strongly emphasize that I vehemently disagree with this portrayal. We must not let the alleged actions of one individual paint a broader picture; antisemitism is not widespread at Tilden. In fact, respect is a fundamental core value in our school, emphasizing the diverse and individual nature of each person in our community. We discuss, teach, and expect nothing less from everyone.
During these challenging times, our school community must approach sensitive issues with a professional and focused mindset. I urge you to refrain from sending such emails and encourage open communication through appropriate channels.
Staff members have been instructed not to engage with these emails, as doing so would be unprofessional. Rest assured that, with the support of the MCPS Office of School Support and Well-Being, our response will follow an established process, including necessary communication to keep our community informed.
No such conversations will be entertained at the Caregiver Conferences on Monday, November 20. We are developing talking points for teachers to use during conferences if similar topics come up. We will have Security presence to reinforce the safety of our staff, our student volunteers, and caregivers. Please know that the primary goal of these conferences is to focus on your student's academic and well-being of your student which will not be served by bringing up the matter of the teacher who is under an official investigation.
Your continued support for Tilden Middle and our collective efforts to foster a positive educational environment is greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
Tilden Teacher Placed on Leave Following Social Media Posts
Khan-Williams’ posts on X concerned the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the war in Gaza that ensued.
In one post, she wrote, “Debunked!! No music festival attack. Babies were not burned. Women were not violated. Hospitals were attacked on purpose.”
In another post, she wrote, “Palestinians are being killed and their organs are being sold. How is real life scarier than movies??”..
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Principal's letter regarding scheduled walkout at Northwood High School
Letter from Northwood Principal Jonathan Garrick
to Northwood High School Parents about the Palestinian Walkout
Good morning Northwood community:
Students representing our Muslim Student Association (MSA) approached me to propose a student walkout during 7th period (approximately 1:30pm) on Friday, November 17, 2023. Per MCPS BOE regulation, students are permitted to demonstrate peacefully regarding social and political issues and MSA students have followed appropriate protocols. To protect student safety, student organizers have requested use of the Northwood athletic field.
Please note this action is not approved or supported by Northwood or MCPS and students walking out of class will receive an unexcused absence and the MCPS Code of Conduct and Student Culture of Respect apply to student protests. I have also spoken with walkout organizers and they are very aware of the intensity of opinions on both sides of the current conflict in Gaza and Israel and are avoiding specific phrases and slogans which could be hurtful or derogatory against other members of our community.
While this is not a Northwood sanctioned activity, members of our security and admin teams will ensure students are safe. Staff may not bring whole classes to the walkout as this must be a volunteer choice made by students.
Please speak with your student about this student proposal and how they should handle it whether they are in support or opposing the organizers' views.
If you need any support for your student about this issue, please contact your student's counselor. If you have questions about the student walkout proposal, please contact me directly (Jonathan_L_Garrick@mcpsmd.org).
Another principal annouonces his retirement, last day November 30th
Marc Cohen, principal at Seneca Valley High School, and a member of the Montgomery County Jewish Educators Alliance (MCJEA) will be retiring. His last day is November 30, 2023.
From The MoCo Show; full story here.
Seneca Valley Principal Marc Cohen to Retire From MCPS on November 30th
Earlier this month, Seneca Valley High School principal Marc Cohen shared that he will be retiring from MCPS after 30 years in education, effective November 30th, 2023. In a letter shared with the Seneca Valley Community, he stated that he will be “continuing his professional journey supporting school leaders across the county as an Instruction and Leadership Coach.”
His resignation letter to the community (from TheMoco Show publication):
Dear Seneca Valley High School Students, Staff, and Families:
It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today to share that November 30, 2023 will be my last day working for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). After 30 years in public education, I have decided to retire from the principalship and begin a new professional journey supporting school leaders across the country as an Instruction and Leadership Coach.
I began my career as a teacher and an assistant principal in Carroll and then Howard County. In 2004, I came to MCPS as the Director of Alternative Programs, but soon realized that I needed to be in a school building. I missed the kids, and I missed the dedicated teachers and support staff. In 2006, Dr. Weast, then superintendent, appointed me to the role of principal at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. It was at MLK that I came to love Germantown and where my most enduring professional friendships and community partnerships began. Identity, SONS, Journeys Crossing, and so many more leaders in our community modeled daily the importance of high expectations and never, ever, giving up on kids. I LOVED being at MLK, but I also harbored a lifelong dream of becoming a high school principal. I was humbled to be appointed to Seneca Valley High school in 2010, and in the blink of an eye, nearly 14 wonderful years have passed.
It has always been my personal and professional goal to provide service to others through school leadership. I believe, deep in my heart, that each and every student who walks through the doors of our school has within them the capacity for greatness. For the last 14 years, it has been my job to lead a world-class group of teachers, administrators, and support staff in creating the conditions necessary for SVHS students to see that capacity for greatness become a reality. At SVHS, we have built something special. We have seen significant academic gains in virtually every measured area. Scores are up, graduation rates are up, college acceptances and scholarship awards are up, and most importantly, we see these improvements across all student groups. Throughout my tenure at SVHS, we have been committed to eliminating the racial and socio-economic access, opportunity, and achievement gaps that exist across our country. And together, we have proven that this goal is attainable. SVHS is among the most diverse schools in the country. This diversity is our superpower and I am proud to see our diverse student body equitably represented across all of our success measures and most notably in their participation and performance in our most rigorous programs: International Baccalaureate and Career Technical Education.
Among the accomplishments I am most proud of is the way our community has come together over the years. You spoke loudly and clearly to local officials, and as a result, we built the largest, and most beautiful school in the state. Additionally, you insisted on parity across the county, and in response, we now provide our students access to a robust selection of highly competitive and rigorous programs that are designed to make our kids more competitive in an ever-changing world. We have worked hard to merge the spirit and traditions that come from decades of #TheSenecaWay while honoring the wants and needs of students and families from our expanded attendance area. And, we stood side-by-side to protect our kids and our community when illness and unrest threatened to damage what we had so carefully built.
Over the last two decades, we have laughed together, cried together, celebrated each other’s successes, and mourned our shared losses. My children grew up knowing how important the Seneca Valley community is to me, and my wife even came to tolerate my seemingly bottomless supply of school spirit wear. Fun fact: One of the most commonly heard phrases in my household – “Did you really bring home another Seneca shirt?” Being a high school principal is hard and sometimes exhausting work. I want to thank my family for always supporting me on this journey and for understanding that the long days and frequent nights were for a greater good.
In the coming days, our Director, Mr. David Chia, will share information about who our Acting Principal will be and what our plans are for the transition in leadership. This spring, our school community will play a role in identifying the next principal of our great school. I am grateful to all of you for your support and trust over my 18 years in Germantown. I hope to have the chance to thank many of you personally over the next few weeks.
I am very proud of the work we have done together as a school community. We are Seneca Valley and I will always be #SVProud.
Sincerely,
Marc J. Cohen
Principal
Marc J. Cohen
Principal
AFTER parent uses NextDoor to notify Twinbrook Elementary School community of sexual abuse on playground allegation, Twinbrook ES Principal puts out letter to Twinbrook Community.
NextDoor posting at this link.
Here's the letter that was sent by the Twinbrook ES principal after the NextDoor posting.
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