|
Another WBHS Junior
|
Take a look at the situation: Atkins brought the gun to school on that FRIDAY, and the gun was found on his person in the last hour of the day (between 2:30 and 3:30). School was obviously out for Saturday and Sunday, and Monday, also, due to the Teacher Workday. Given this situation, TUESDAY would definitely be the first day that the school could aptly and properly get word out about the incident to all parents. Quit freaking out about the "5 days to notify us parents" crap.[And by the way....Friday to Tuesday is only 4 days.] It was the FIRST day that they could send notification out because it was the first day back at the school.(If you know anything about how the system works at the high school, then you would know that the school administration will send letters home with the kids as soon as possible….NOT report it to the news and let the parents find out like that.) And don’t try to say that they could have let everyone know on that Friday, because they couldn’t do that at all. If they would have tried to notify you then and there (let alone succeeding in getting 2300 letters out within 1 hour of the incident), then they would not have had all the information, and then people like you (who are flipping out over the entirely wrong reasons) would persist on knowing everything in a situation that was still under investigation. Bottom line: Tuesday was the first available day in which students were back in school AND the administration had the specifics and facts about the situation, as well as the first day in which the administration had any appropriate OPPORTUNITY to inform the school’s community. Don't deny it: if they had told the news that Friday and you saw it on the news before getting a letter from the school, you would have freaked out because you had to hear it on the news and never got 'proper notification from the school.' I stand by my administration and, honestly, whether you see it or not (which you won’t), the fact of the matter is that they did it the right way. It might not have been convenient for you, but since the situation was contained and controlled, it would have been unnecessary to send out information until all facts were known. So seriously. There is no reason you should feel misinformed or wronged with that situation Another thing: Concerned Parent wrote: WBH didn't even want the media envolved. Once again they were trying to keep something from the parents. When I asked them Friday why the media wasn't there I was told they didn't think the media needed to know. You don’t get it, do you? The media is an unnecessary middle party. The school thought it best to contact parents directly, and that’s what happened. The school put out letters. These letters went home yesterday (Friday). They weren’t keeping a single thing from any parents. So I don’t know when the media became a necessity for two groups to establish communication, but it certainly isn’t a necessity to have the media involved. As for this comment you made,“Concerned Parent”: Concerned Parent wrote: So are you saying you KNOW for a fact no one was in hand cuffs that day? If you are then YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS. I as a parent saw with MY OWN EYES some one in cuffs. You see, I respect the fact that you may have seen such a thing at our school, and (while I’m not saying, nor did I ever say, I ‘know for a fact it didn’t happen’) the bottom line is this: Sorry, but the police, made up of sworn-in police officers, in conjunction with the administration, made up of people who pour their lives into this school and the school atmosphere, are undeniably MORE CREDIBLE than you. Sorry. Just because you say someone was in handcuffs, does not make it true.
|
|
JuniorWBHS
|
in response to "Concerned Parent"
well see let's get back to the facts straight part again..yes you did probably see the person put into handcuffs...but do you know why they were..I bet you do not since that's right you're overreacting..because apparantly from some people involved the person was arrested for TRESPASSING not the whole gun situation or what have you. Next time know the story before you react. but to reiterate my point i'm not 100% sure of my facts..but then again neither are you.
|
|
JuniorWBHS
|
little tidbit for everyone its law ENFORCEMENT not inforcement just for any one who didn't know
|
|
WBHS junior
|
okay, first off. I, too, as a student at Western Branch saw one person in handcuffs, and 2 being patted down outside of school when i got there. And another thing, I also saw the person getting chased around the school and through the library before the tardy bell rang for the beginning of first bell, my question is, why did they send 5 cops after one person? it could have just been a decoy to get the cops away from a certain area so then there wouldn't have been as much inforcement.
And as for the Cupitt guy on the actual story, we were on some what of a lockdown.
my question is, why do so many people not want to consider the fact that maybe there are gangs or somewhat of a "gang" in or around western branch?
and as for mr. brandriff. why did i see him more times on friday than i have in my 3 years at western branch? and why did it take a situation like this for him to finally come out of his office? he doesn't know anything of what goes on, partially because he's never there.
I just wish the Principle would take a bigger part in the students' lives and not just come out of his office when something like this happens
|
|
WBHS junior
|
JuniorWBHS wrote: in response to "Concerned Parent"
well see let's get back to the facts straight part again..yes you did probably see the person put into handcuffs...but do you know why they were..I bet you do not since that's right you're overreacting..because apparantly from some people involved the person was arrested for TRESPASSING not the whole gun situation or what have you. Next time know the story before you react. but to reiterate my point i'm not 100% sure of my facts..but then again neither are you. yeah, and the whole threat thing, wasn't suppose to happen from somebody in our school, it was suppose to happen from somebody outside of the school and if the person was trespassing, hmm maybe that could have something to do with it in someway
|
|
get real
|
Another WBHS Junior wrote: (Continued)
Oh, and when you said:
<quoted text>
1. I am fully aware that I do not know the whole story. But neither do you.
2. You see, you are claiming that things are being kept from us. Claiming. Based on your FEELINGS and INFERENCES. While we have the police and school on the other hand assuring us that nothing unordinary happened at the school.
It just sounds to me like you are pressing an issue...a null issue that is really not an issue at all. I get a very strong impression that you are not a student. You are WAYYYY too well spoken in writing. Maybe I'm wrong, but you sound more like a college educated teacher/administrator trying to do a little damage control or CYA. You're just too adamant about defending the school. HMMMMM...
|
|
get real
|
Some of those arrested or handcuffed outside the school were, in fact, trespassers. They were middle school students that came over to see the action, since the middle school had no security during the incident.
|
|
office volunteer
|
Dear concerned parent, From inside the office, yes a student was brought into the office in handcuffs; however, he was not arrested (which is what the admin and media are saying and they are being truthful). They did not want this broadcasted so severly that it caused copy-cats of the rumors or worse. The school is safe or I would not have gone in to volunteer on Friday. Concerned Parent wrote: So are you saying you KNOW for a fact no one was in hand cuffs that day? If you are then YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS. I as a parent saw with MY OWN EYES some one in cuffs. I am glad that you felt safe but you don't know the whole story and it is YOUR Administration and Law inforcement that is keeping it from you and us.
The parents and students have a right to know everything no matter how small. WBH didn't even want the media envolved. Once again they were trying to keep something from the parents. When I asked them Friday why the media wasn't there I was told they didn't think the media needed to know. Just like the gun that it took 5 days for us to find out about. WBH is to concerned about their reputation than letting the parents know what exactly what is going on and I think it is time for the parents to let them know we aren't going to sit by and take it any more. If you are interested in getting a group together please respond to this email. <quoted text>
|
|
|
|
WBHS Student
|
Dear WBHS Junior who is against Mr. Brandriff, Mr. Brandriff does NOT sit in his office all day like many people think. I see Mr. Brandriff every day that I am in school. He and I talk on various topics from academics to professional sports. No one in that school cares more about your safety than this man that you are bashing. Perhaps, you do not see him very much because you do not take the time or put in the effort to have a closer relationship with him. Your statement that he is never there is ludicrous. That man is there at 7:30 in the morning, be fore most teachers and leaves every day at about 5 o'clock, unlike most teachers who leave 20 minutes after the bell rings and get there with the tardy bell. This is not a absh on teachers but a praise of Mr. Brandriff. You seem to be madly misinformed; however, Arthur Brandriff is a great man, a great principal, and a great leader for Western Branch High School who is keeping us safe on a daily basis. I would apreciate a cease to the blatantly disrespectful statements about a man whom you have never taken the opportunity to get to know better; however, I will not get that because I am sure you will have some spightful thing to say. WBHS junior wrote: okay, first off. I, too, as a student at Western Branch saw one person in handcuffs, and 2 being patted down outside of school when i got there. And another thing, I also saw the person getting chased around the school and through the library before the tardy bell rang for the beginning of first bell, my question is, why did they send 5 cops after one person? it could have just been a decoy to get the cops away from a certain area so then there wouldn't have been as much inforcement.
And as for the Cupitt guy on the actual story, we were on some what of a lockdown.
my question is, why do so many people not want to consider the fact that maybe there are gangs or somewhat of a "gang" in or around western branch?
and as for mr. brandriff. why did i see him more times on friday than i have in my 3 years at western branch? and why did it take a situation like this for him to finally come out of his office? he doesn't know anything of what goes on, partially because he's never there.
I just wish the Principle would take a bigger part in the students' lives and not just come out of his office when something like this happens
|
|
Another WBHS Junior
|
get real wrote: <quoted text>
I get a very strong impression that you are not a student. You are WAYYYY too well spoken in writing. Maybe I'm wrong, but you sound more like a college educated teacher/administrator trying to do a little damage control or CYA. You're just too adamant about defending the school. HMMMMM... Well you're entitled to your opinion, but I'm a student and I'm 17. I just would rather not post my name because of the fact that I am being so adamant. You see, some of us HAVE some self-pride and self-respect for our school. Don't bash me or say I'm not a student just because I'm outspoken. Believe it or not, many students my age are just as well-spoken, it's just people like you who doubt the true intellectual capability of people based on their age. I am so adamant about this because "Concerned Parent" seems to think he/she knows everything, and they don't. Period. Haha but you can think what you want. It's a free country, eh?
|
|
WBHS Student
|
Dear Get Real, Jst becuz sum of tha students do not speak n abrevs does nt mean that they r not students of the school. There are a multitude of higher level English classes at WBHS, from Honors to AP and College Composition that teach students how to become "well spoken." Before you say I am not a student, please let me stop you from making a complete fool of your self, I most definatly am. If you would like me to lower my English and grammar skills, I would be glad to do it if that would make you believe me. get real wrote: <quoted text>
I get a very strong impression that you are not a student. You are WAYYYY too well spoken in writing. Maybe I'm wrong, but you sound more like a college educated teacher/administrator trying to do a little damage control or CYA. You're just too adamant about defending the school. HMMMMM...
|
|
wbms student
|
What happened on friday was crazy. Not only were the wbhs students were involved but also wbms. I found out this was happening in 4th bell. I didn't believe it at all. Then my friends started coming up telling me they were leaving. In lunch 1 by 1 i saw people leaving sometimes they were leaving in groups. When i got to class there was only 12 people in there.Then everybody was like we weren't safe. Yes we were even though we got some weird security guards. There was policemen in our school that day too.
|
|
WBMom
|
WBHS Student wrote: Dear Get Real,
Jst becuz sum of tha students do not speak n abrevs does nt mean that they r not students of the school. There are a multitude of higher level English classes at WBHS, from Honors to AP and College Composition that teach students how to become "well spoken." Before you say I am not a student, please let me stop you from making a complete fool of your self, I most definatly am. If you would like me to lower my English and grammar skills, I would be glad to do it if that would make you believe me.
<quoted text> Amen, amen, amen! Reading through these posts from the students, I have nothing but pride for the students of Western Branch. The postings from the students on this blog match my experience of the kids of Western Branch over the last 15 years -- well-spoken, literate, level-headed, thoughtful, respectful, tolerant, proud. Too bad that the first reaction of many people when they read a post from a kid who can actually write is to assume it's from an adult. The kids are exactly right about the timeline in notifying parents. Although I believe that Brandriff has become too complacent over the years, I do believe he cares about the school. After all, he's been the principal since the school opened some 30 years ago. Probably it would be wiser, as a matter of policy, to limit tenures of principals to 8 or 10 year terms, just to prevent complacency from inadvertently creeping in, as I believe has happened. And, as someone who used to work in the field of public relations, I believe the public information officers of both the police and the school could have been more direct and responsive in their statements. So kids of Western Branch, kudos you; Mr. Brandriff, retire already and savor your legacy; and to the PIO staff of the city, school system, and police department, bring in a media consultant to do some training and consulting.
|
|
crystal leonard
|
my sister goes to WBHS.i think the threats on the cell phones and the myspace were scary.my son goes to WBP,right beside WBHS.i picked my son up and my sister.
|
|
BUBA
|
wbms student wrote: What happened on friday was crazy. Not only were the wbhs students were involved but also wbms. I found out this was happening in 4th bell. I didn't believe it at all. Then my friends started coming up telling me they were leaving. In lunch 1 by 1 i saw people leaving sometimes they were leaving in groups. When i got to class there was only 12 people in there.Then everybody was like we weren't safe. Yes we were even though we got some weird security guards. There was policemen in our school that day too. YOU deserve a education and the thugs are trying to take it from you.. dont let them!!
|
|
relocated Californian
|
I don't know why you and the "concerned parent" are throwing this back and forth. How do you WBHS Junior know how a parent would feel? I am not saying this to be rude but who would you lose if things went wrong? You might lose good friends but when you are old enough and have children in the school system you will have a much different view on the subject. Shame on the "concerned parent" for fighting a losing battle with you. WBHS Jr you are correct in the fact that the school could not have notified the parents in time for school to be out that day but why is there no BACK UP PLAN for just such instances as this? Are the students not worth a second way to notify! What about a recorded message on a computerized phone tree that identifies a potential problem and has a recommendation on what course to take to protect our children-CALIFORNIA HAS IT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE POT SHOTS AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR BEING BEHIND VIRGINIA IN ACADEMICS. Maybe they are not so far behind in some of the important things concerning the school system. Another WBHS Junior wrote: (Continued)
Oh, and when you said:
<quoted text>
1. I am fully aware that I do not know the whole story. But neither do you.
2. You see, you are claiming that things are being kept from us. Claiming. Based on your FEELINGS and INFERENCES. While we have the police and school on the other hand assuring us that nothing unordinary happened at the school.
It just sounds to me like you are pressing an issue...a null issue that is really not an issue at all.
|
|
get real
|
WBHS Student wrote: Dear Get Real,
Jst becuz sum of tha students do not speak n abrevs does nt mean that they r not students of the school. There are a multitude of higher level English classes at WBHS, from Honors to AP and College Composition that teach students how to become "well spoken." Before you say I am not a student, please let me stop you from making a complete fool of your self, I most definatly am. If you would like me to lower my English and grammar skills, I would be glad to do it if that would make you believe me.
<quoted text> Um, unless you have two posting names, I wasn't talking to you. Carry on with your ranting.
|
|
get real
|
WBMom wrote: <quoted text>
Amen, amen, amen! Reading through these posts from the students, I have nothing but pride for the students of Western Branch. The postings from the students on this blog match my experience of the kids of Western Branch over the last 15 years -- well-spoken, literate, level-headed, thoughtful, respectful, tolerant, proud. Too bad that the first reaction of many people when they read a post from a kid who can actually write is to assume it's from an adult. The kids are exactly right about the timeline in notifying parents. Although I believe that Brandriff has become too complacent over the years, I do believe he cares about the school. After all, he's been the principal since the school opened some 30 years ago. Probably it would be wiser, as a matter of policy, to limit tenures of principals to 8 or 10 year terms, just to prevent complacency from inadvertently creeping in, as I believe has happened. And, as someone who used to work in the field of public relations, I believe the public information officers of both the police and the school could have been more direct and responsive in their statements. So kids of Western Branch, kudos you; Mr. Brandriff, retire already and savor your legacy; and to the PIO staff of the city, school system, and police department, bring in a media consultant to do some training and consulting. 40 years. He has been principal for 40 years.
|
|
Student
|
Dear Get Real, You are posting messages on a public forum, therefore, you are opening your discussion to everyone who is taking part in this thread. Just because I shut you down and degraded your argument, do not have a hissy fit. get real wrote: <quoted text>
Um, unless you have two posting names, I wasn't talking to you. Carry on with your ranting.
|
|
get real
|
Student wrote: Dear Get Real,
You are posting messages on a public forum, therefore, you are opening your discussion to everyone who is taking part in this thread. Just because I shut you down and degraded your argument, do not have a hissy fit.
<quoted text> Nevermind, I was wrong. I can see now that you are a child. Why do you need to post under several different names? To make your argument stronger or to make it seem like many students share your same opinion about what happened? So, if I am picking this up correctly, all of the comments about students not being worried on Friday have come from the same person. That is wrong and dishonest. From now on just use one name to post your comments instead of trying to deceive. You gave yourself away.
|
Judge it!
Most Popular
